Make a loan. Change a life.

Best American athlete. Hint: it isn't Big Ben.

The best American athlete - Sports - NBCSports.com One of the marks of a truly great champion is that he (or, as the case may be, she) is willing to compete fearlessly against other elite athletes, even when it's not seen as his or her signature event. That's what champions do. They test themselves.

At the Athens Olympics, Phelps swam the 200 free even though he had to know beforehand it probably meant the end of his attempt to better Mark Spitz's haul of seven swimming gold medals, set at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Phelps is especially deadly in the butterfly and the medleys, where a swimmer is asked to swim -- all in one race -- the butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle.

Phelps finished third in the Athens 200 free, in what swim aficionados now call 'the race of the century,' behind Ian Thorpe of Australia and Pieter van den Hoogenband of the Netherlands.

Kudos to Phelps. He tried. He won 'only' six gold medals in Athens, eight overall.

One of the marks of a truly great champion is that he (or, as the case may be, she) is willing to compete fearlessly against other elite athletes, even when it's not seen as his or her signature event. That's what champions do. They test themselves.

At the Athens Olympics, Phelps swam the 200 free even though he had to know beforehand it probably meant the end of his attempt to better Mark Spitz's haul of seven swimming gold medals, set at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Phelps is especially deadly in the butterfly and the medleys, where a swimmer is asked to swim -- all in one race -- the butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle.

Phelps finished third in the Athens 200 free, in what swim aficionados now call "the race of the century," behind Ian Thorpe of Australia and Pieter van den Hoogenband of the Netherlands.

Kudos to Phelps. He tried. He won "only" six gold medals in Athens, eight overall.

In that same manner, this January at a meet in Long Beach, Calif., Phelps undertook an extraordinary challenge.

In the space of 41 minutes, he swam the 100-yard fly, 100 back and 100 breast against Crocker, Peirsol and Hansen, among the best in the world in their events.

The race against Hansen in the breaststroke marked Phelps' 15th, and final, event in 50 hours. Hansen won, in 52.81. Phelps came in second, in 54.67 -- more than a second lower than his previously best time.

In the butterfly, Crocker -- with whom Phelps has had a great rivalry -- went out fast and won in 45.23. Phelps came in second.

Phelps beat Peirsol, winner of the 100- and 200-meter backstroke events in Athens.

In all, at that meet in Long Beach, Phelps won four races and finished second in three others.

Three second-place finishes? That's America's greatest?

Very funny insights to the World Championships 400 IM

CollegeSwimming.com :: View topic - World Championships Almost as impressive as Phelps WR was Marin, who was dead last at the 100 by about a body length, and then worked back and almost beat Lochte for Silver. The splits are intersting

Phelps
55.05
1:03
1:11
57

Marin
59.05
1:02
1:11
57

If only Marin could swim butterfly, things would be real interesting. He was so far behind in the first 100, I thought he had lost his suit on the dive or something.

Pride: Music: Original Soundtrack

Amazon.com: Pride: Music: Original Soundtrack
1. Dare To Dream - John Legend
2. Back Stabbers - The O'Jays
3. Express Yourself - Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band
4. I'll Take You There - The Staple Singers
5. It's Your Thing - The Isley Brothers
6. Let's Clean Up The Ghetto - The Philadelphia International All-Stars
7. Slow Motion - Johnny Williams
8. I Love Music - The O'Jays
9. Love Train - The O'Jays
10. Strawberry Letter No. 23 - The Brothers Johnson
11. The Payback - James Brown
12. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Aretha Franklin
13. Sizonqoba Simunye - Aaron Zigman

French Connection - Tennesse Signs Agreement With National Federation

CollegeSwimming.com::French Connection - Tennesse Signs Agreement With National Federation CollegeSwimming.com contacted several coaches to gain comment on what is already a contentious issue. No program would go on record with their comments, though each articulated disgust with the move. At least two programs, however, have already begun pursuing similar agreements with other countries. One coach, who asked to remain anonymous explained that the agreement isn’t an entirely new, “We’ve been working on it [securing an agreement] for two years but have only found interest from Bolivia….and let’s be honest there aren’t many world beaters coming out of Bolivia.”

Our trip later this month to New Zealand is now with more urgent purpose.

Recruit Chooses College over Pros

CollegeSwimming.com::Recruit Chooses College over Pros “Andy’s got a limited time frame to strike while the iron’s hot,” the agent said. “Five years from now, you won’t see Huggies offering this kind of money.”

April Fools Joke. Cute.

From playground - usa

Onorato To Challenge Property Tax Ruling

kdka.com - Onorato To Challenge Property Tax Ruling Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato says he'll go to court to overturn a ruling that will allow county property owners to appeal their assessments based on sale price.

Chief Executive, Dan Onorato, has a history of making threats and then blinking at the last minute. Then he tells the lawyers to pull back as it becomes clear, right before the judge enters the room, that he'll loose. Onorato's efforts spend the money. He pays all the lawyers, and doesn't get the outcome he desires. Well, he does get one desired outcome: A pay day for his cronie lawyers.

But, that isn't what I'm looking to do.

Dan's bluffing. Dan's without a solution.

When the judges are called into the mix, nobody wins. Dan is not going to win. The taxpayers are not going to win.

We need more creativity and less legal attacks. We need better solutions and less posturing.

The bleak picture for property owners is being painted by the hands of Mr. Onorato himself. He is not able to lead the county out of this downward spiral.

The ones that make the mess are generally the ones that are least capable of fixing the mess.

Dan made the mess. Dan can't clean it up.

Which brings us to the next postings, below. Humpty was an egg. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty was a big man and all. But the bigger they are the harder they fall.

All the king's horses and all the king's men could NOT put Humpty together again.

Tribune Review Editors again at odd with the truth

Are these guys clueless, stupid, or what? Who can be so wrong with such ease?

Awkward times for Santorum - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review With no opposition for Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl in the upcoming Democrat primary, the most compelling local primary race is for -- of all things -- city controller.

Dan Onorato has a challenger in the May 2007 Dem party primary. His name is Rich Swarts. Dan Onorato, if he wins, will have a challenger in the November 2007 election as well.

It would be different if I didn't call Dave Brown, reporter for the Trib who covers politics. I called him twice this week and left him voice messages. He didn't call back.

I think these guys can be saved. They could be born again. And, these guys are not only guys, for what its worth. One of the worst is a women editor who has killed a number of stories in the past.

I would LOVE to meet with the editors and reporters of the Tribune Review. Call me: 412 298 3432.

We often miss the circus in our house. Good reasons in this blog posting

Our life is a circus. So, we don't get out to them often. My mother has taken the kids to the circus in the past. I don't want to spoil that memory for them by taking them there again.

Renovating Parenthood: The Financial Circus: "We surprised the kids today with a visit downtown to see the Shrine Circus. My wife found a 'great deal' on tickets, so it wasn't too expensive. Sure, great deal. Once we walked in there I was robbed of every dime I had.

It's a good thing the Shriners are a charitable organization. Because there is NO reason a visit for four to the circus should have cost us over $120.

It started with the $9 for parking. Well, The folks that run Mellon Arena obviously need to maintain the parking lots somehow, at least until they are all torn up in six months when the new arena for the Penguins starts construction. Once inside, they really had us cornered."

The rest of the post gets better. Read it over there.

Two other points from my end can be blended upon his story. First, the parking situation is NOT going to get any better. When the construction happens, the entire hill area is going to become a big muddy mess. Parking has got to shrink in significant ways as they are going to build the new arena on part of the existing parking lot.

So, getting to the games in the next couple of years, as well as to the circus, is going to be more difficult.

Furthermore, I've said all along that there is NO NEED to build a new arena for the folks that go to the circus. None. Keep the existing arena with the existing parking lot as is. Then build a new arena in another part of the county. Then we can have a circus the same time there are NHL Playoffs. And, we can have a circus the same time there are high school graduations.

New Pittsburgh: High-tech growth starts at home, group says

From texture - misc.

CMU is going to host a high tech conference in November 2007 that is meant to be a way to get the word out about technology education as a great opportunity for girl students. Today, guys still have a large percentage of seats in high tech academic programs.

Blast from the past news article from May 1, 2003 and the P-G:

New Pittsburgh: High-tech growth starts at home, group says Pittsburgh's efforts to attract more young high technology professionals are well known and documented.

Jeannette Blosel/Post-Gazette

Photo of Mark Rauterkus and Diane Durand at Alphachimp Studios in Oakland.

But some local high tech enthusiasts believe that if the region really wants to build its reservoir of high tech talent, the best place to start is with children who already live here.

One of the ways to use the now closed indoor ice rink owned by the city is to turn part of it into the year-round home for the Youth Technology Summit. The entire building and park would not need to be devoted to technology. However, it would be great to have a youth-driven space where open-source tools are always "on."

From family - travels

Hard to blog about Phelps in the final event as it didn't occur

Michael was on the road to eight gold medals. The last race was to be a relay. But, the USA team had a false start in the heats of the semi-finals. As a result, Phelps didn't get into the water. Number eight will have to come at another meet -- perhaps the Olympics.

What Phelps and the USA swimmers have done in the last couple of weeks has been amazing. The men and the women had great meets.

The stage is set for Beijing.

WCSN.com: News Nothing tops his 50-meter title in Australia, even if it means he had to beat his friend and U.S teammate Jones, a heavy favorite in the race, to attain it. 'Cullen's an amazing swimmer,' he said. 'We enjoy each other's competition.'

Look for that pleasant rivalry to continue on the road to Beijing in 2008.

Swimmer in the sprint go on record saying, "We enjoy each other's competition." That's what I'm used to. That's the way it should be.

Humm. Wonder if it will work that way in politics in Pittsburgh in the weeks and campaigns to come?

Signature gathering has begun in earnest. And, it pays to advertise.

From people & vips

Anyone can sign our nomination papers to get us onto the ballot for the November 2007 general election.

Well, any eligible voter that resides within Allegheny County.

Officials estimate $7B in revenues, 70,000 jobs to city - Sunday April 1, 2007 1:46AM

SI.com - More Sports - Officials estimate $7B in revenues, 70,000 jobs to city - Sunday April 1, 2007 1:46AM: "Landing the 2016 Olympics would bring in more than $7 billion in revenue and create nearly 70,000 jobs, Los Angeles officials said."

400 IM Record and 7th Gold Medal.

Phelps update from World Championships: Lucky Number Seven: Michael Phelps Crushes World Record in 400 IM

MELBOURNE, Australia, April 1. SUPERMAN Michael Phelps did it again, this time claiming his seventh gold medal of the meet by crushing his world record with a time of 4:06.22 in the 400 IM at the FINA World Championships. The previous record of 4:08.26 stood since Phelps set it in Athens in 2004. Ryan Lochte made it a 1-2 for America with a silver-winning time of 4:09.74, while Luca Marin of Italy claimed bronze in 4:09.88.

The Pittsburgh Comet: District 9

The Pittsburgh Comet: District 9 UPDATE: Burgess 39, Kirkland 32, Carlisle 21, Taylor 3

The dems did a re-do on the endorsement for city council, district 9. They had an endorsement before. But the winner, 22-year-old Ms. Cooper, got tossed from the ballot by the judge because of a failed deadline for the financial disclosure forms. Ouch.

Many were happy to see that Twanda Carlisle got third in the first election. Some of us are hungry for change. Thankfully, she got third again in the re-do.

3 way, 2 way, 1 way -- highway

One can fight, fold or flee. Everyday citizens see this (see the letter to the editor below) and wonder why in the world would anyone want to enter this pile of poop. Most of the time, after it is seen once or twice, people understand. It just isn't worth it. Political life can really stink around here. So, "at the end of the day," as the cliche says, most folks resolve to say little, do little and seek the next available opportunity elsewhere. Then when the time is right and something better is evident, they leave. They flee. They vote with their feet. They hit the highway and move away.

Thanks for sharing the insights in the letter to the editor.

Speaking of tactics

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07090/773997-110.stm

I wish to respond to Dennis Roddy's statement in his March 22 article "City Candidates Removed From Primary Ballot," in which he insinuates that I, as attorney for the Patrick Dowd campaign for City Council, might have been "engaged in a tactical maneuver to winnow the field and give their candidate better odds against
the incumbent."

Apparently the incumbent's political maneuvering seems to have escaped Mr. Roddy's attention. It should be clearly noted that Leonard Bodack Jr., through Anthony Lisowski, initiated ballot challenges against both Patrick Dowd and Tom Fallon on the basis of errors in their statements of financial interests. (How much better can the odds be than to remove all challengers?)

When Mr. Bodack learned that his effort to knock Mr. Dowd off the ballot was unsuccessful, he then withdrew his challenge against Mr. Fallon. Did he suddenly change his opinion about the value of information omitted from Mr. Fallon's statements of financial interests? Or did he decide that, with Mr. Dowd now remaining in the race, a three-person contest would be more advantageous to his campaign?

These tactics, sadly, are an unfortunate misuse of the judicial system for political purposes. Mr. Bodack should be ashamed of himself and the voters in City Council District 7 should remember this on May 15.

ISOBEL STORCH, Highland Park

Pittsburgh has a brain drain, in part, because of the acts described in the letter.

The the second play in the playbook from the un-democratic democrats is shown above. The first play in their un-democratic playbook is to knock off the top challenger. Second play: don't knock off a minor challenger when there is a major challenger on the ballot. Two challengers are easier to beat than one.

Bodack's play didn't work. It backfired.

Bodack is very good at counting when you only need to use one hand.

U.S. women top Aussies for water polo gold - Saturday March 31, 2007 11:01AM

SI.com - More Sports - U.S. women top Aussies for water polo gold - Saturday March 31, 2007 11:01AM Coach Guy Baker jumped fully clothed into the pool to congratulate his team Saturday after the United States edged Australia 6-5 to win the women's water polo gold medal at the world championships.

Rick Swartz for Allegheny County Executive - Home

His web site is now working. Check it out.

Rick Swartz for Allegheny County Executive - Home A real Democrat isn’t afraid to fail.

I'm not afraid. And, I've not won past elections. But, in my heart and in my head, I can say with confidence that I've yet to FAIL in any of my campaigns so far, despite the fact that I've not yet gotten close to scoring one move vote than the 2nd place.

I've not failed.

When you are true to your mission, and true to the struggle -- honest and open -- then that's a success.

Candidates can win elections and fail in doing so.

I'm a swim coach. I ask swimmers to better themselves. We look for improvments. We strive for 'best times.'

My best time and your best time may not be one in the same.

Swimmers also like to break records. I've broken a few records. I've helped to make history. That, it seems to me, is hard to do when it is called a failure.

I was part of the 2001 primary between two candidates. We were in the opposition party. That was the first time in generations that two were seeking the nomination. I left that party a few years later. The next time, in 2005, they went to one candidate, Joe Weinroth. Now in 2007, they went to none.

In 2001, we ran against Tom Murphy. We predicted certain things that came true. We didn't win in 2001 -- but we won on some important points. The Murphy Administration was pushing the city over the brink and a lot of Dems in town didn't know it, didn't want to understand it, and didn't think it was real. We won credit for that then.

And, that credit helped to insure that Tom Murphy would NOT be able to run again for office the next time. Tom Murphy debated the opponents in the 2001 campaign once -- on the Sunday night before the Tuesday election. That was his last debate.

Tom Murphy won the battle but lost the war. That's not a failure.

There have been a lot of victories and wins. We've had success in runnnig. We've had some bumps in the road too.

Hope that the Swartz camapign gets some attention. What do you think about his site and messages?

Onorato: Smoking fine for South Side parlor 'excessive' - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Onorato: Smoking fine for South Side parlor 'excessive' - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Onorato: Smoking fine for South Side bingo parlor 'excessive'

Do you think he should have thought this bill through. Think again, before you sign the bill, Mr. Onorato. Onorato bucked hard to get the bill re-written. Now that it is a bill, he calls it excessive.

Double speak.

Deadline looms large! Change your party. Get into the mix yourself as a candidate in the general election.

The video above, a political video on YouTube is something I just made based on a song and the message for early April. It is just over a minute in length.