The wind up, the pitch.... either a strike or a home run

This from Tom Gillooly on a local email discussion group about Dr. Ron Paul and his bid for US President.

Last year, I saw Jon Stewart interview another libertarian, John Stossel (MSM investigative reporter). It began well, but as soon as Stossel said something to the effect that he trusts business and the market more than government, Stewart cut him off with an anti-corporation rant, and ended the interview. He started something like that in his interview with Ron Paul, asking if reducing government wouldn't give more power to corporations.

Paul handled it perfectly, first distinguishing between businesses like Halliburton that make money by using government, from those that make money by selling a product or service that people want; then putting entertainers like Stewart himself in the latter category.

The same pitch that Stossel had swung at and missed, Ron Paul knocked out of the park.

I call myself a "free market" candidate. I hate the corporate welfare efforts and folly. We've got a lot of corporate welfare Republicans -- like Tom Ridge, former PA Governor. These are interesting times and big distinctions.

Pittsblog backs into a liberty discussion

See: http://pittsblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/up-up-and-away.html

Pittsblog But the regulatory gauntlet is daunting, and there aren't enough people in town who are trained to manage it.

This is not the way I'd want to skin the cat. If the regulatory gauntlet is daunting, and it is even more than daunting, then I'd want to streamline that process. We need to extend freedom and liberty to eliminate and rid the process of daunting regulations. We need to get more into a buyer beware mode. We need to get off the backs of those who want to sell supplements. We need to open up a few tax-free-zones but switch the free pass to whole segments of marketplace advancements. Cut red tape. Get government out of the position of playing boss of a nanny state. Put more responsibility upon the consumers, the drug makers, the doctors, the health-care advocates, the pharmacy experts.

Don't have the D.A. and the State-Commerce-Auditors do 'crack-downs' on gyms for selling "Gator-Aid" and other supplements.

I hate steriods. Here I'm talking about the 'roids' that are famous for short-cuts to building bulk, HGH and such. I won't use them. I'll teach others about their troubles. But I'd like to sidestep the need for Pittsburgh to recuit a bunch of human capital so we have people who are trained to manage the hurdles of a bloated, over-taxed, public sector process of agencies, permissions and plain-old red tape.

If we had 10 people take that on as a mission, getting to the roots of the problems, from positions of power in certain offices -- the thaw of our economy would begin.

This is why Libertarian thinkers, such as Ron Paul, would be a boom to America at this time.

Today's blog is brought to you by the Trudeau/Hayden Moving Sale

Trudeau/Hayden Moving Sale

Chez nous 91 S 24th Street in South Side on Saturday, June 16, 2007 from 9 to noon (no earlybirds please).

Books, Action Figures, Hats Galore, Costumes, Games, Videos, Ceramics. Stuff you would never find at a regular Sidewalk Sale.

Please don't phone...just come

Wilburn is moving to Canada. After the house sale comes the sale of the house as well. It is a wonderful find. Hardwood floors, plenty of space. The house is going to go onto the market in a week or two. The family is headed to their camp in Canada shortly, then they'll be into their new home in Toronto by mid-August geared up for the new school year.

Mayor Ravenstahl asks 10 to resign - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Mayor Ravenstahl asks 10 to resign - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Insane. This is goofy.

Doing a national search for ten directors at one time is going to absorb the time and energy of many people.

I agree that I'd not want to keep all ten directors should I become mayor. But, I'd not fire them all in the summer of a re-election year.

Rather, evolve.

Furthermore, the Parking Authority boss heard about the request to resign from a reporter it seems. He said "no comment." He was off the job yesterday. So, what's that about? Was he at the US Open too?

Time to open the Pgh Cereal Bar

After a year and a half of negotiations, CSPI has come to an agreement with Kellogg Company to adopt nutrition standards for the foods it advertises to young children. This is an historic commitment, and thus the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), the Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC), and two Massachusetts parents will not proceed with a lawsuit against the company.

According to the agreement with Kellogg, foods advertised on media—including TV, radio, print, and third-party Web sites—that have an audience of 50 percent or more children under age 12 will have to meet new nutrition standards. In addition, Kellogg will not:

• Advertise to children any foods in schools and preschools that include kids under age 12;
• Sponsor product placements for any products in any medium primarily directed at kids under 12;
• Use licensed characters (Shrek, SpongeBob, etc.) in mass-media advertising directed primarily to kids under 12 (for example, on the labels of food packages unless those foods meet the nutrition standards);
• Use branded toys in connection with foods that do not meet the nutrition standards.

Video: CSPI Executive Director discusses the settlement.

More information: Press release and related documents

Police: Community input casts doubt on baby sitter in fatal fire

We talked about this with our family and my wife's first reaction was -- where were the dads? A focus is upon the babysitter, the moms -- and not the dads?

One of the dads was on a TV interview talking about defense of his wife. Time will tell.

Police: Community input casts doubt on baby sitter in fatal fire Investigators have doubts whether a teenage baby sitter who was supposed to be watching five children killed in a row house fire really exists.

Witnesses and neighbors are providing information that 'has a tendency to cast doubt' on the baby sitter's existence, Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Diane Richard said.

'Legally, and in all fairness, we will continue the investigation so we can completely rule that out,' she said.

The blaze, reported at about 1:20 a.m. Tuesday, ...

Coach Tomlin brings fathers, sons together

Coach Tomlin brings fathers, sons together “As much as I love what I do, and you guys know I love what I do, it’s a clear second to what I do with those guys over there,” said Tomlin, motioning toward his family. “Coaching is what I do, just like whatever job you guys do is what you do. Dad is who I am.”

Tomlin addressed nearly 1,000 fathers and their children during the Steelers All-Pro Dad Father and Kids Experience at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex June 9. The event provided fathers the opportunity to spend quality time at the Steelers practice facility with their children and to gain insight on parenting.

Great messages. Continue to read the story on the site of the New Pgh Courier.

Last Chance to sign up for the Crafton Crocodiles is tomorrow -- Friday -- 9:30 am at Crafton Park's Pool

Our swim team has been making good progress so far this summer. Practices started on Tuesday. I know of a number of kids who have been taking naps -- and sleeping by 8 pm.

Yesterday, my son, Grant, went to sleep at 5:30 pm and didn't get up until 6 am. He was back in the pool at 7 am. But, Grant has had a touch of jet lag. Some of the other kids don't have that excuse -- but -- they've been swimming practices for 2 hours. That has a way of getting the kids to sleep in the evenings.

We're working a lot on the breastroke -- as that can be the hardest to master.

Practices are every week day except July 4 from 7 to 9 am at Carlynton High School and from 9:30 to 11:30 am at the outdoor Crafton Swim Pool, 112 West Steuben Street, Crafton, PA 15205.

The cost is $30 per kid. Plus, $25 for raffle tickets. Plus, you need to have a Crafton Pool tag -- or else pay an extra $35. That gets you a t-shirt, swim cap, banquet.

Dates:

June 16, Car Wash, Busy Beaver from 9 am to 1 pm.

June 22, Team Photos

June 28, Flick n Float (movie at the swim pool) from 8 to 10 pm. Open to public. Pay at the gate.

June 30, Relay Carnival at Scott Pool. Arrive at 8 am.

June 30, July 1, July 2, July 3 = Water Polo clinic and shoot out with Crafton Celebrates

July 4, (1K swim + 5K fun run) ** details later. Open to public.

July 5, Crafton at Green Tree, arrive at 5:45 pm

July 10, Scott visits Crafton, arrive at 4:45 pm.

July 14, Crafton at Mt. Lebanon outdoor pool. Arrive at 7:15 am.

July 18, South Fayette at Crafton, arrive at 4:45 pm.

July 24, Championship Meet at Crafton, arrive at 4:45.

July 25, Private Swim Team Party fro swimmers and families at 8 pm to 10 pm.

July 26, All Star Meet at South Fayette, arrive at 5:15 pm

July 27, last swim practice

July 29, Crafton Team Banquet and slide show at 6 pm.

Water polo Clinic in August. Details in another posting. Open to public too.

JS Online: City camera funding rejected

JS Online: City camera funding rejected A Milwaukee Common Council committee on Wednesday voted against spending money for 15 pole-mounted video surveillance cameras, throwing the cameras' future into doubt.

But Mayor Tom Barrett said he would push to fund the cameras, which he has touted as part of his crime-fighting plans. And the funding dispute could be a political minefield for both the mayor and aldermen when residents expect them to follow through on the promised cameras.

Pittsburgh - Going Through the Motions - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper

Tonya says hire them all.

Pittsburgh - Going Through the Motions - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper 'If a young person put in an application, then hire them,' Payne said at city council's June 5 meeting. 'Hire them all. We need to make it a priority to find work for every one of those kids.'

The program's cost is $125,000. The ballpark figure to hire 726 young people? About $1.2 million for eight weeks of work.

That solution, give them all a job pulling weeds, is not ideal, to say the least.

Google Gadgets: AnswerBall

First came the computer on the mayor's desk in the mayor's office. Soon, Dick S would be fired from the inner circle of Grant Street's fifth floor to call numbers at the weekly bingos in senior centers. Since Google released this new gadget, there is no need for a chief of staff.

Google Gadgets:� AnswerBall Ask a question to AnswerBall and it will give you the response! Got a question? Just concentrate, hold the mouse button down to shake AnswerBall and release it to get the answer!

Na na na naa. So long. Good Bye.

On the last day of school, the 6th and 7th graders at Frick ISA (Middle School) left the building and headed to the buses past rows of teachers and staff who stood at the doorway and down the steps raising their voices, waving their hands. "Na-na-na naaa, Na-na-naa Naaaa, Soo long -- Good Bye. (repeat at will)

Interesting site. Sweet wishes.

Now -- if only the Pgh Public School Administration would get in gear an hire the necessary teachers for that school. This is the time to send out those job offers. This is the time to snag the Spanish Teachers and others who are with special teaching skills in foreign languages.

Two full time Spanish teachers are needed at Frick. Meanwhile, the two that start the year never finish it. I think there were five or so that were used. Double classrooms was the norm for too long. Hiring teachers in September sucks. That isn't the way to run specialized educational classes and schools.

German teachers and others with language class responsibilities are NOT easy to hire AFTER the school year begins, for a middle school, for Pgh Public Schools.

Hire!

Meanwhile, retain, retain, retain. The great teachers and staff that are at the buildings now who are slated to retire should be given contracts NOW for positions they'd like to retain in the year to come. Sign em up for another year NOW, not later.

Remember how there was a great boys basketball coach at Perry Traditional H.S. He was able to retire from his teaching position only to be told that he'd NOT be allowed to continue to coach boys basketball. Everyone wanted him to come back. He wanted to come back. But no. The school board policy was such that it couldn't be done. So, the great coach had to go to a suburban school and continue to coach.

As a family highlight, our son got the leadership award at Frick. And, his classmate from Phillips, T.S., got the student award. Well done guys. And well done Phillips Elem. School (graduates). FWIW, it is lame to say one graduated from Elem. School.

Both of our boys gave school presentations on our trip to New Zealand. The slide show will be posted here soon, I expect.

A new storm is brewing -- and we've got another big hole in our roof

Wouldn't you know -- today the roofers returned and put a big hole in our roof to extend the height of the chimney. What ever happened to the luck of a sweep that will shake off on you? Perhaps the sweeps are really lucky and the roofers sing another tune. (Understanding Hint to hidden blog meanings: Mary Poppins movie and Dick Van Dyke. -- Chim chimmeny, chim, chim cha roo, ...)

Ugh.

The worst is when the rain comes into the second floor via the ceiling light fixtures and drags all this crud -- like our house had been smoking for 125 years with tar and soot baked the bones. But hey, this is the South Side. I doubt that there smokers lived in the house, but the mills blanketed every thing.

Quiz: What's this?

In honor of West Virginia getting table games, here is a quiz question. What's the 'table game' shown in the photo above?

Friendly Father's Day Reminder

This weekend is Father's Day. Not many shopping days remain.

I'll be working as a volunteer at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium with a Dad's group on Father's Day. We'll be rewarding dad's with golden dad goodie bags.

International Mess -- USA Style

The US government has decided to refund travelers who spent an extra $60 to expedite the processing of their passports. The State Department decided to make the refunds as the government continues to grapple with a massive backlog of passport applications that have been flooding their offices as new rules are set to go into effect.

This is a big-time mess. Shame on the USA on this.

Getting a passport is a major problem these days. It was reported that it is taking nine months to get a regular passport from the US. Unreal.

Furthermore, those with trip plans are getting crunched too. The horror stories are hard to understand yet alone believe.

Passport services are nearly impossible to obtain from the US these days.

Tuesday takes - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

If we are not rule of law -- then we are rule of men. I'd rather have rule of law -- and will work hard against rule of men. Onorato should be in charge, as he thinks he can do what he wants, how he wants it, and when it should apply -- even if it is 2002 for him. That is no way to govern.

Tuesday takes - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review What Constitution? One of the wags with whom we regularly converse marvels at how the laws of Pennsylvania and the state Constitution have become dead letters for Allegheny County Council members and Chief Executive Dan Onorato regarding the now-scuttled smoking ban and base-year property assessment system, respectively. 'What has become of us?' he asks. Good question.

Corporate Welfare Looks like this -- and Dan Onorato is leadership for the future? He is stuck in the past as he backs this give-a-way.

Tuesday takes - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review PNC Financial Services Group says it will acquire Yardville National Bancorp. of New Jersey for $403 million in cash and stock. This is the same banking giant, fresh off a $6 billion-plus acquisition of a big Baltimore bank, that posted a first-quarter 2007 profit of nearly half-a-billion dollars and had a 2006 profit of $2.6 billion. Tell us again, PNC, why you need $48 million of taxpayer money to help you build your new Three PNC Plaza skyscraper?

Pentagon Confirms It Sought To Build A 'Gay Bomb'

cbs5.com - Pentagon Confirms It Sought To Build A 'Gay Bomb' (CBS 5) BERKELEY A Berkeley watchdog organization that tracks military spending said it uncovered a strange U.S. military proposal to create a hormone bomb that could purportedly turn enemy soldiers into homosexuals and make them more interested in sex than fighting.

Pentagon officials on Friday confirmed to CBS 5 that military leaders had considered, and then subsquently rejected, building the so-called 'Gay Bomb.'

Ron Paul interview from Capital Hill with Tucker Carlson

I wasn't able to watch the debate, as we were out of the country. Now I get to catch-up on some YouTube snips. Here is one of Ron Paul in NH's debate.


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