You gotta Regatta. You gotta be joking?

What's up with the Regatta?

Is there one, really?

What gives?

I understand Point State Park is closed. (Dumb spending.) But is there really a Regatta? Is this an 'off year' such that it should have been called off until next year?

My next race is ....

We are set to hit it hard for my next race.

I was going to put this into an email blast, but my blog is good enough.

My next race is with my sons -- as we'll do the Crafton Celebrates 5K run and then hop into the swim pool for a 1K swim. It is a first ever biathlon. Two trials, same morning and I've got two nasty competitors.

From Frick-swim

There is NO WAY I'll win. Erik, 12, is the favorite. I'm fighting for respectability and a shot at 3rd among the three of us. It would be the same in the November 2007 mayor's race too. Oh, well... It is great family building.

From Erik

Predictions welcomed.

Last year, Grant (now 9) and I did 5Ks at Brookline Breeze and the Great Race. He did a 38 and then a 35. I ran with him on both. But, he out sprinted me at the finish. Throughout, he was a mule and I was a ram. It wasn't about 'grace.'

Well, a year makes a big difference in the life of a kid under 10. But, who knows what his attitude will be like.

We're up at 6 am (our regular time). And then we are at the park at 7 am. The 5K race starts at 8 am. We'll be done by 9. Then the pool is to open from 9:30 to 10:30 for the 1 K swim.

In the swim, last year, at Camp Chikopi, in the 1 mile open water swim, I beat Grant by less than 1 minute. Erik was about 9 minutes ahead of me.

The boys are in very good shape. I'm not. But, attitude and experience -- as well as plain old pride and bribes, are going to count for something. Erik might not be so keen on stepping out on his own. It may depend upon the girls in the vicinity as to what he does in the road race.

From Erik

My predictions among my main running mates:

5K run:
Erik = 31 min
Mark = 32 min
Grant = 39 min

1K swim:
Erik = 13:20
Grant = 15:50
Mark = 17:00

Biathlon totals:
Erik = 44:20
Mark = 49:
Grant = 54:50

Trouble is, Grant could go 39 on the run -- or he could go 45 on the run. Or, he could go 29 on the run. No joke. He is untested. Check back around noon to learn of the outcomes. I hope the weather holds.

From Grant

And, you too can be a part of one or both races. Cost is just $8 for the 5K.

Next year, this will be big! This year, we'll be there to establish new course records.

Liberty Dollar goes with a Ron Paul coin - check it out.

Liberty Dollar Commemorating Independence Day!

In celebration of The 4th of July, 2007 you are invited - even urged - to flex your independence with the Volunteer Network's 'secret weapon' - the Ron Paul Dollar bringing new meaning to the U.S. Mint's 'Presidential Dollars' and symbolizing the Congressman's values. WOW! Now the Internet's favorite Presidential candidate has his own money to help turbo-charge his shot at the White House.

Impossible, you think? Long shot? Dark horse? Think again. This election is different. Want to stand this Presidential election on its head? Well guess what? As utterly amazing as it may seem, we the people, could actually get Ron Paul nominated. Why? Because there are so many Republican liars running for President and the field is so fractionized, that a classic dark house candidate could win. And that is amazing!

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board says the Gambling application for Monroeville is in play

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced that as of today it has received four applications for the two available Category 3 licenses permitting the operation of up to 500 slot machines at a resort hotel. Applications were to be postmarked no later than June 29, 2007.

The following submitted applications:

CE-Palace, LP, a/k/a the Palace Inn -- The Palace Inn has 278 guest rooms and is located at the intersection of William Penn Highway and Mosside Boulevard in Monroeville, Allegheny County.

Monroeville as a gambling headquarters. Humm...

Ron Paul interview

Talking about parenting, internet, government regulation, youth, grass-roots, timing of primary elections.

Hogan's second book due soon

Hogan Hilling, a fellow proud dad, wrote to me with some news:

Mark,

My second book “The Modern Mom’s Guide To Dads” is scheduled for release in September 2007. I co-authored the book with a mom, Jesse Jayne Rutherford.

View the cover and learn more.

Hogan Hilling

Hogan and I were both stay at home dads. We met and interacted with hundreds of other dads around the nation and world with a wonderful network of other stay-at-home dads. To this day, those email lists (and there was more than one) and extended internet discussions were the best I've ever interacted with a subscription, postings and plain old lurking.

Hogan delivered a talk to the International Lamaze Conference when it came to Pittsburgh's Hilton a few years ago.

Ninth Grade Nation

Ninth Grade Nation Be the Change!

This seems wonderful.

A Dozen Show Up For Anti-War Rally

The Post Gazette reports that about a dozen people showed up for the Anti-War "Let's cheer on the Insurgence" Rally.

Of course the ONE person who protested the protest was described as a guy in a pickup truck.

We'll see what happens with TV news coverage. I'm still most proud of being at the Support the Troops rally at Point State Park a few years ago.

It's just too bad that Jerry Bowyer isn't on the air anymore. He would have been perfect to arrange another Support the Troops Rally.

Again, and I re-iterate, people are more than free to protest anything they want...this remains without question the greatest country on the planet. Just have some respect and not do it in the Independence Day news cycle.

100 year old house, right next to the Crafton swim pool and park -- what a find

Only in Pittsburgh can you get this:

A 7 bedroom 2 1/2 bath home. This is a 3 story home with a beautiful staircase and three stained glass windows. It has wood floors throughout. There are two mantels with fireplaces that are not functional. The upstairs bathroom has a large claw foot tub. It borders Crafton park and pool. It has a garage and a shed. The house was built around 1907. The furnace is new and the fuses have been replaced with an electrical panel. The roof is also fairly new and in good shape. There is a wood burning stove on the first floor. The front porch has a great swing. The asking price is $119,900. Please call Sandy Caine 412-922-4778 with any questions.

The address is on a tree-lined Stueben Street. An little D.Q.-ish (ice cream) stand in a short block away. A H.S. baseball diamond is on the other side of the street in the park.

Boosting tourism funds spurs hot debate point

This is bad.

Boosting tourism funds spurs hot debate point Area lawmakers are at odds over a proposal to shift about $1.6 million in funding from Allegheny County libraries, recreation and cultural programs to fund Pittsburgh tourism.

The hotly debated proposal passed through the House Urban Affairs Committee last week on a 15-7 vote.

Sponsored by state Rep. Thomas Petrone, D-Crafton Heights, the bill calls for VisitPittsburgh, Allegheny County's official tourism agency, to get 2 percent of funds that the Allegheny Regional Asset District receives each year as its share of the county sales tax.

Globally, I'm in favor of a complete re-do of the RAD tax. The RAD tax (Regional Asset District) is bad for Allegheny County. However, we need to re-think it from scratch.

Otherwise, if we can't do a re-do and 'think again' about the RAD tax, then it is bad public policy to take money from the RAD funds and pass them to the tourist organizations.

I'd much rather do things for people who LIVE, WORK, INVEST and RESIDE here rather than tourists who live some place else.

I don't want to give more money to the Convention Center. Rather, we should sell the Convention Center and get it off the backs of the public and the taxpayers.

I'm with John Maher and strongly opposed to Tom Petrone's bill.

iPhone and Ron Paul

Ron Paul Campaign First to Provide iPhone Platform

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA – The Ron Paul 2008 presidential campaign today became the first campaign to launch an iPhone platform. This new platform will allow iPhone users to access the campaign’s Web 2.0 applications, such as social networking tools and online videos, directly from their iPhones.

"The iPhone is an exciting technology that will help us reach potential voters across the country," states eCampaign director Justine Lam. "The Ron Paul campaign continues to utilize new technologies to spread Dr. Paul’s message of freedom, peace and prosperity."

Terra Eclipse of Santa Cruz, California designed this special platform for the Ron Paul campaign. "Our web development team has built a robust tool that will allow iPhone-equipped volunteers to bring Ron Paul’s online popularity into offline households in key early primary states," says Wyatt Hull, creative director of Terra Eclipse.

The Ron Paul 2008 iPhone platform is available at www.ronpaul2008.com/iphone .

Tux Paint has a new upgrade. Got kids -- then get this.

Children's software that rocks.

Tux Paint Tux Paint is a free, award-winning drawing program for children ages 3 to 12 (preschool and K-6). It combines an easy-to-use interface, fun sound effects, and an encouraging cartoon mascot who guides children as they use the program.

Where Have All The Heroes Gone?

It’s always a little disappointing to see anti-war protests like the one scheduled below, as they almost exclusively feature folks who have nothing going on in the middle of the day, other than have plenty of time to burn at misguided rallies. It’s possible I’d would have more reverence for a group of responsible business and community leaders—not drinking from the public through by the way—which would call for immediate pullouts. That just doesn’t happen.
The scheduled event will be highlighted with a veteran who calls the War in Iraq “reckless.” Nothing in the press release mentions his agenda, but don’t fret, as there is one. Let’s not hear the “he’s a Patriot for standing up against the administration,” as a July 3rd hate speech is the opposite of productive.
To hold such nonsense right before Independence Day is a slap in the face of our men and women overseas and on our own soil. I’ll even use the old chestnut: “They fight so you can protest.”
It is sad that we don’t have a whole lot of “heroes” being showcased in 2007. Marvel Comics killed off Captain America, surely in a thinly veiled way to tweak the Bush Administration for a war that some call unnecessary (I say let the experts do what they know best. Defending this country militarily isn’t in my comfort zone). Even John Rambo was originally supposed to come back and put a boot to Osama Bin Laden’s neck, but instead he will now be slitting the innards of a nameless goon in a little-known jungle somewhere.
Popular culture used to champion our troops, but now there’s barely a peep in support for them.
World Wrestling Entertainment, which made untold fortunes in the 80’s with Cold War Heroes like Hulk Hogan praising the Red, White and Blue. Rival AWA had Sgt. Slaughter vanquishing evil foes. Today, only WWE exists and a Red, White and Blue standard bearer is nowhere to been found. In fact, those heroes might be booed today, what with guys like John Murtha and Ron Paul turning their backs on Good Old Fashioned American Resolve for their own personal plan. Murtha needed a way to cement his legacy of pabulum; meanwhile, Dr. Paul needed something to set the Internet world afire (despite the fact that nearly none of his supporters are Republicans who would be able to vote for him. Republicans are “not cool” to the slackersomethings). Yes, I’m especially hard on Paul, as he’s not a bad guy and I actually agree with some of his other initiatives, but when Bill Maher is pimping your platform and getting applause from his uber-out-of-touch crowd, my pro-military/America stomach churns just a little bit.
Stallone’s other character, the more popular Rocky Balboa even wore Apollo Creed’s flag-emblazoned trunks to the ring when he faced off against Ivan Drago.
If I had my druthers, Captain America would be back stronger than ever, defending the nation’s patriotic causes in comic books that would be sent free-fo-charge overseas to our men and women who want to see unwavering support and not imprudent grandstanding.
We are seeing car bombs being set off in London. Don’t think for a second that if we take our foot off the accelerator, someone will figure out a way to blow a car bomb up here. There have been several foiled attempts to destroy something near and dear to our hearts in America since 9/11. Of course, under-employed protesters don’t care about such issues when there’s an opportunity to sit on the sidewalk and sing protest ditties.
Where are the true American heroes? It’s clear that they are the men and women who proudly serve our country without a complaint. They are the ones who will return to our land, and lead us into the future. Remember, Cindy Sheehan’s own family disowned her for her grandiose pomposity, but you don’t hear much about that.
Happy Independence Day everybody. And God Bless our American Heroes.

Local Vets blast the war and to hold protest before PA Congressman's office in Mt. Lebo

Running mates, check out this protest on the war. Attend if you can. I'd like to go but will be at swim practice.

Local Vet Blasts War - Help us Put Pressure on Rep. Tim Murphy to End the War

Be there, 7/3/2007 10:30 am to tell US Rep., Tim Murphy, R, it is time to abandon the Bush war policy! On Tuesday, 7/3, we will rally from 10:30 to 10:45. At 10:45, a local Iraq Veteran will speak about the reckless war policy. From 11:00 to 12:00, we will conduct a peace vigil on the sidewalk.

Help us put pressure on Tim Murphy to end this war!!!

Dress patriotic!! We will start celebrating our independence early and remind Tim Murphy who he works for!!

Any questions call Caleb at 202-486-8607

Location:
504 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon - Murphy's local office

Quiz: Why do we welcome Tuvalu and Montegro?

What's up with Tuvalu and Montegro?

See the comments for an answer.

Carbolic Smoke Ball

Carbolic Smoke Ball MAYOR WANTS OFFICERS TO ATTEND ANGER MANAGEMENT CLASSES

FOP WANTS MAYOR TO ATTEND CITY MANAGEMENT CLASSES

Ron Paul 2008 - Gets shut out of debate and trumphs the show from next door.

The sideshow in the GOP circus just out-flanked all the others.

Ron Paul 2008 Ron Paul Speaks to 1,000 in Iowa

DES MOINES, IOWA – Presidential candidate Ron Paul held a rally today celebrating life and liberty at the Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines, Iowa. The event was held immediately after and next door to a Republican candidates forum sponsored by the Iowa Christian Alliance and Iowans for Tax Relief.

Dr. Paul was the only GOP candidate excluded from the forum, so his campaign organized an event of its own. Despite being planned in less than a week, Dr. Paul's event singlehandedly outdrew the other forum and its six participating candidates by several hundred attendees.

'Today, Ron Paul demonstrated how deeply his message of freedom and limited government is resonating across the nation,' said campaign manager Lew Moore.

Dr. Paul, addressing a packed room, received thunderous applause many times and as well as several standing ovations. Observers believe that this event was the biggest rally for a Republican candidate in Iowa during this campaign cycle.

'Ron Paul has generated more grassroots excitement and support than any other candidate in the race,' continued Moore. 'The campaign is building on this momentum around the country as we drive toward the nomination.'

Ron Paul came into Pittsburgh on his way to Iowa, with a media crew. A photo ran in the P-G in front of his house.

Meeting in Belvue with Ron Paul supporters

Click here to check out
The Pittsburgh and Western PA Ron Paul 2008 Meetup Group!

MoveOn.org Political Action on 7-7-07

I was going to host a MoveOn.org meeting at our house on 7-7-07, a party for the planet. But, thankfully, some others have come aboard.

MoveOn.org Political Action: "Live Earth

South Side - Pittsburgh
07 Jul, 7:00 PM
Handicap accessible.
No Pets.
Smoke free.
Location: Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Host: Steve Root / Louise Silk
Status: Public, open for RSVP, 5 Guests (Max 20)"

I'm going to opt out of hosting my event then.

Blow a certain trumpet - Trib headline

From texture - misc.

Blow a certain trumpet - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Just as you have to break a few eggs to make that proverbial omelet, any reform-minded Pittsburgh mayoral candidate telling the truth will have to step on some toes. Actually, a lot of toes. And a lot of egos:"

Sadly, the biggest toes to jam upon are those at the Trib. The watchdog needs a big kick to awaken. The watchdog is not only sleeping, but also filling his landscape with waste.

The Trib is the first place that needs to get serious with coverage, issues, and politcal vision.

To look at the list from Colin, you'll find I agree with him as I've done the walk.

1. I've blasted developers, development deals, the URA and other mindless, costly, unproductive, undemocratic, unconstitutional happenings in our region. TIFs should end. Public dollars should not be used for things beyond roads, sewers and such.

2. I've blasted the nongovernmental organizations and elite weenies like few others. The South Side Local Development Corporation -- for starters -- here in my doorstep -- is a joke. The Planning Department, the Riverlife Task Force that didn't allow us to talk about the river's edge between the stadiums, etc., etc. The Allegheny Conference is poison to Pittsburgh.

3. The oversight boards are usless. Yes. And, I've called for the removal of the overlords. I've asked that they not be welcomed. Getting them out of town needs to be one of our very highest priorities in terms of vision and efforts in the week and seasons to come. I've called for them to meet. I've called for them to do different tasks. I've gone to their meetings and they've done nothing to help Pittsburgh except protect their own survival.

4. The organized labor stranglehold that the Trib calls upon DeSantis to break is funny. First, check to see if the unions have a pulse. Putting finger to the neck to feel for the beating blood from the heart so as to take a pulse might be called a choke hold to others. Frankly, it makes no sense to have government (in this case, the mayor -- or yet a candidate for mayor) be called out by an editor to strangle unions and organized labor. Better sense and actions would be for the strangle to be leveraged against the Trib's editors. But, I'm not in favor of anyone doing harm or calling for it. The unions are what they are. And, that ain't much.

For if the trumpet you say you're ready to blow should give an uncertain sound, expect few to join your battle.

Great hogwash Colin.