Thursday, July 26, 2007

Points from DeSantis might include -- more silly benchmarks -- oh no!

Pittsburgh mayoral hopeful urges frank talk - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Performance benchmarks from other U.S. cities would be pitted against specific accomplishments of Pittsburgh's public safety, public works and other departments and released to the public to encourage city managers to improve."
This isn't what is needed.

The same type of thinking was used in the benchmarks of the Pittsburgh Public Schools as well, but at the other end of the silly spectrum.

People in Pittsburgh Public Schools don't often need to compare the performance between one city school and another. Rather, the comparison and contrast needs to be drawn among city schools and suburban schools.

If a family is going to one set of schools, they are not going to move, say from Lawrenceville to Greenfield. No way. They might move from the city to North Hills, West Allegheny, Woodland Hills, etc.

I want benchmarks that mean something.

Likewise, I don't need to see a suite of benchmarks about public safety from Pittsburgh to St. Louis and Kansas City. Families in Pittsburgh don't worry about the time of arrival of EMS vs. the time it would take if they lived in another city in another state.

Will quality of life be better in Butler, in Westmorland County, in Brentwood -- or in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh mayoral hopeful urges frank talk - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Frank talk. Humm. Let's figure that frank talk falls flat when DeSantis predicts that he'll raise $500K. That's smack down talk when you want to burn a half-million and be proud.

Warts and all speak says the race can be won on spending $2 or $3.25 per voter.
Pittsburgh mayoral hopeful urges frank talk - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review I want people to see everything, warts and all."


Photo tag: Republican mayoral candidate Mark DeSantis contends he can raise $500,000 or more for his campaign. Incumbent Luke Ravenstahl has raised at least $713,582.

To raise that money is one thing. To spend it in meaningful ways is another. To burn it is even more of a shame.

The Pittsburgh Promise has $10,000, from one source. How about a pledge to the promise and then the $500,000 could go to better uses.

Creative ways exist. Burning money is status quo stupid. That's what Luke is going to do. I don't want a mayor that acts like Luke and those who have gone before him that have been pushing Pittsburgh to its ruin.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Top Pitt defensive end arrested

Top Pitt defensive end arrested Pitt senior standout defensive end Joe Clermond was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana Saturday night.
Darn it. Here comes more injury due to the senseless war on drugs.

A small amount of marijuana can lead to big troubles. That sucks. Pittsburgh's finest have important jobs to do. Sticking marijuana charges on a car load of young people after a hip-hop concert isn't a high priority.

[412] final call for cheap car, signatures for ballot, meeting Ron Paul and water polo

An email blast message was delivered:

[412] final call for cheap car, signatures for ballot, meeting Ron Paul and water polo [412] final call for cheap car, signatures for ballot, meeting Ron Paul and water polo

Calling our Senior Senator with the message: SaveNetRadio and outfits like Pandora

Get this, Congress is doing too little and it is taking too long.
The pressure created by the amazing outpouring from listeners has forced Congress to sit down with all sides and ask them to negotiate a solution to ensure the long term viability of the Internet radio industry. However, these negotiations are proceeding at a much slower pace than anyone had hoped for, and, therefore, we need your continued help to keep the pressure on.

Senator, Arlen Specter heads an important committee with the power to move this issue forward. We are asking that you contact him immediately to ask for his sponsorship of the Internet Radio Equality Act, S. 1353.

Senator Arlen Specter: (202) 224-4254

Even if you have already called these offices once, please take the time and call again to ensure your voice is heard. If you have friends or family in your state who support Internet radio please ask them to call as well.

Without your support this bill would never have been introduced; your continued support will enable it to get passed into law.

Lake Jackson and Grand kids of Ron Paul -- Making Waves in Cyberspace

MyFox Houston | Ron Paul Making Waves in Cyberspace HOUSTON -- FOX in FOCUS: In this sometimes wacky new world in which everybody seems to be wired, the race for the white house has moved full-force onto the world wide web. Greg Groogan tells us how a dark-horse presidential candidate from Texas is carving out an unexpected degree of success in cyberspace.
Nice video story.

Cat says -- just dodged a bullet. No license headaches today.

From people & vips
Jeff Koch saves the day!

Fred Thompson Shakes Up Campaign Staff -- GOPUSA

Fred Thompson Shakes Up Campaign Staff -- GOPUSA Details of Thompson's fundraising remain unclear, however. As an undeclared candidate, Thompson can raise money to ''test the waters'' without having to file public financial reports until he actually enters the race.
The joke goes, rather than holding the next debate on YouTube.com, it should be held among the candidates on eBay. That way the politicians can more easily be purchased. (Not my joke.)

Words define mayoral actions

Words define mayoral actions - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "(verb) -- To argue or vigorously discuss matters of pressing importance. (Example: 'Dan, you want to go to The Carlton or the Paradiso for lunch today?')"

Follow up question at a debate: "What's for lunch?"

Probing question: "Are there free refills?"

2nd phase of condo project begins on S. Side Slopes

2nd phase of condo project begins on S. Side Slopes The developer, Coldwell Banker New Homes Division, will make tours of the model unit available after the 10:30 a.m. ceremony.
Won't you be my neighbor!

With overlords in town, this is all the mayor is good for -- wearing a sandwich board and hucksterism.

When is the third, fourth and fifth ribbon cutting?

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Lane 9 News Archive: Braxton Bilbrey Swims Around Alcatraz

Lane 9 News Archive: Braxton Bilbrey Swims Around Alcatraz A year ago, 8-year-old Braxton Bilbrey became the youngest individual to swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco. Monday morning, Bilbrey swam around Alcatraz Island, covering the route in just under two hours. Bilbrey handled the route in one hour, 58 minutes, according to a report in the Arizona Republic.

Bilbrey negotiated 61-degree water and handled a distance of 3.5 miles, more than twice what he covered last year going from the former prison to San Francisco. Bilbrey was accompanied by his coach, Joe Zemaitis, and two other adult swimmers. They were followed by a support boat.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/9/e/9/event_1779401.jpeg

Crafton, then Scott,, Mt. Lebo, South Fayette and Green Tree

The South Hills Summer Swimming Conference Championship swim meet was tonight at Carlynton High School.

Team scores:

Crafton Crocodiles Swim Team = 1,012.5
Scott Township Swim Team = 773
Mt. Lebanon Piranhas = 725.5
South Fayette Summer Swim Team = 487.5
Green Tree Swim Team = 417.5

For the tenth year in a row, the same coach, Mike Schneiderlochner's team won. Way to go Mike!

This is my second year as an assistant coach with the Crocodiles. Mike has been with Crafton for three years. Prior, we both were at Green Tree. I've only been involved in the league for seven years, not ten.

Erik won three events, setting a new team record in the 50-breast (short-course yards) with a 38.10. He won the 50 fly and 100 IM too. (IM = 15.4 + 22.6 (36.8) + 21.4 + 17.1 (38.6) = 1:15.58)

Grant was in three very close races. He didn't win any but was right within a touch or stroke in all of his races: 25 free, 25 fly and 25 fly.

There were some great races throughout the night in many age groups. Well done swimmers, coaches and teams!

The All-Star meet is on Thursday night at South Fayette.

Ron Paul Update

July 23, 2007

What a great trip to South Carolina! On Saturday, I talked to the Spartanburg County GOP. About 350 people attended from all over the South, and the local party made $5000 out of it. Originally, this had seemed to be unfriendly territory, but everyone couldn’t have been nicer or more welcoming. And we all learned something.

Then I spoke to a rally in Greenville. The local papers were less biased than most, but they still estimated the crowd at 500. We had set the room with 1100 chairs, and almost all of them were taken. In addition, people stood in ranks at the back and sides. In other words, there were more than 1000 people there.

This crowd -- also from all over the South, and thanks to all those who drove hours to be there -- was typically diverse. Lots of young people, but also lots of families with children. And seniors too. I talked about foreign and domestic policy, and noted that those concerned about pollution must support private property. Government property is never well cared for. Just look at the environmental problems left over from the USSR!

I also talked about sound money and the Federal Reserve, about the inflation it is inflicting on us, and about the recessions it causes, and the unjust redistribution of wealth it brings about. A young man who drove up from Auburn, Alabama, said he’d never thought he’d see the day when a call to abolish the central bank would receive a long standing ovation in American politics.

But if there is one thing we know, people are hungry for the truth. And that is especially true of this moment. I found the same concerns at a picnic of local political activists I attended. I even got questions about Austrian economics!

Last Tuesday in Georgia, Dr. Paul Broun defeated state senator John Whitehead in a special election to Congress. John had all the establishment and money on his side. But Paul discussed obedience to the Constitution, limited government, the failure of the national Republican leadership, and a less aggressive foreign policy. And he won. Columnist Robert Novak said this “terrified” all the establishment types in the Republican Party. I had talked to Paul during his campaign, and was thrilled to congratulate him on his victory. There is a new wind blowing.

Our bottom-up campaign -- not top-down in the usual official fashion -- has gotten far bigger and more successful, at a faster rate, than even I dreamed. And the sky is the limit. Don't we owe it to our great forbears, and to our children and grandchildren and great grandchildren down through the generations, not to lose our country? We can win the fight for the ideals of the founders. We can have freedom, peace, and prosperity. We can be blessed by our fellow citizens, and by all those who come after us.

Come, join me in this great endeavor with your most generous contribution. https://www.ronpaul2008.com/donate/

Sincerely,

Ron
Dr. Paul is going to be in Pittsburgh at 7 pm on August 3 at the North Points Sheraton. Be there if you can.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Residents look to preserve the view from Mt. Washington - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Residents look to preserve the view from Mt. Washington - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The session, at the Mt. Washington Senior Center, will allow residents to discuss options for the project and its $3 million estimated cost.
Should the city spend $3-million for sidewalks and fences on the hillside leading to Mt. Washington?

Well, more than $3-million has already been spent by the cost over-runs on the tunnel under the river for the light rail extension to the North Shore.

Pitt seeks trust from community

Pitt seeks trust from community - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review'One of the biggest problems we had was that rumors guided what kind of reactions we got to our projects in the community,' said Wilds, who came to Pitt in 1985 as its director of human resources and serves as associate vice chancellor of community and governmental relations. 'People thought we wanted to purchase Oakland when that was not the case.'
Pitt never wanted to purchase Oakland. Rather, Pitt just wanted to own Oakland.

If you think that local groups are virtually unanimous in praise -- then you can be certain that the local newspapers are still not able to report on all sides of the story.

Channel swim sunk by storms

Ouch.
Channel swim sunk by storms Horrific weather and crashing 5-foot waves combined yesterday to thwart Brent McAuliffe's attempt to become the first Pennsylvanian to swim the English Channel.

Mr. McAuliffe, of Canonsburg, attempted to swim the 21 miles from Dover, England, to Calais, France, to raise funds and awareness for childhood friend Marissa Boyan, of Bethel Park, who has been battling a brain tumor.

It ain't about the geese.

Onorato lied.

The Canadians were gathered in the hush of dawn and killed -- after Onorato said that a slaughter would NOT happen.

Trust from Onorato's camp has migrated.

Still one of the most influential political blogs in Pennyslvania

This week's rankings are posted. This blog is still in the top 20!

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Blue ribbon! update from our swimming summer

Erik swam in finals in tonight's BB Championships in 2 events. He won, 1st place, in the 50 breast, time 42.80. He also made a new J.O. cut in that event. Now Erik has two events in the JO meet, 50 free and 50 breast.

Erik also got 6th in the 50 fly.

Grant swam in finals in the 100 back. He improved his time from prelims by .5.

Our summer league championship swim meet is Tuesday night at the indoor Carlynton High School pool. Each boy will be in three events. Throughout the summer meets, they both have had a few tight races, but have only got blue ribbons.