Invitation to visit with Ron Paul -- Aug 3

Invitations, eCards, Party Ideas, Party Themes from Evite Who's Coming?

Tally shows 30 as of Aug 1, 2007.

City Council looking at parking permit program, its costs

City Council looking at parking permit program, its costs City Council looking at parking permit program, its costs

Parking is the third rail of politics in Pittsburgh's South Side for some. Not me.

When a gathering occurs, parking becomes a topic. Whenever two or more should gather in the name of parking, you've got a situation of holy magnitude.

I am against the expansion of the parking permit program for the South Side because it is only a back-door tax. I was against the permit program in the past years because I knew that they would raise the rates.

The cost for every car was $20 then and there were promises that the rates would increase. Those promises can't be kept. Politicians around here can't make promises and stick to their word.

Even the Act 47 overlords could say that the parking permits for residents should increase to $50 or more and the city would have to follow along with the parking hike.

I'm sure the suburban member of the state house would be keen to have the parking tax drop from its recent high of 50% (now 45%) and shift the tax to residents. The parking tax is a burden to downtown office workers who live outside the city and commute to the city. They'd rather have city residents pay the high amounts, not the visitors.

Raising the ticket price to $35 rather than $25 is a another sure way to anger the suburban commuters too.

People are going to stop visiting the city with the constant waves of fees, tickets, red tape, fines, penalties, survailence, traffic jams, detours, high costs of parking and water main breaks.

One of the ways to fix the problem of a program that is not sustainable is not being talked about (in the article at least). The programs should be sustainable in that the costs should covered by the incomes. However, those on city council only look at the incomes. They wonder about how the city can make more and more money. None on council wonder and work to make the program less expensive. Drop costs. If necessary, drop the programs outright.

The program costs $562K to maintain in 2006, so they say. I'm not too confident of that amount. But, if that is the case, why does it cost so much? The program has not expanded in years. The signs are up. How much does a few stickers costs?

Enforcement is the big cost, I'm sure. That means pay checks. That means jobs.

I'd look into empowering the residents tp write the tickets on their own streets to those who are abusive to the parking zone.

I'd look into a wholesale elimination of the resident permit parking program.

I'd also look into getting "cronic parkers" and "multi-car residents" more parking off the streets. There are a lot of folks who own a lot of cars that sit constantly on city streets.

Parking on the street isn't 'ideal' for many reasons. It takes the parking away from visitors. It is bad for the car. It is a worry and bit of trouble.

I'm interested in starting serious conversations about a new program -- 'In-Fill Parking.'

The city has many properties that it owns. Some of these properties are abandoned lots. Many of those lots could be re-used for off-street parking. The cost would be next to nothing, if done with some adjusted policy efforts.

Tinkering with the zoning code is hard work. Too bad those on council are more interested in making new taxes, not finding new solutions that require heavy lifting, research and creativity.

I'm confident that the South Side's parking problems could be improved in dramatic ways with an "Libertarian In-Fill Parking Program" that looks at the grounds around us, the hunks of rusting metal that fills them, and the flow of traffic throughout our communities.

Be There to hear Dr. Ron Paul, 2008 Prsidential Candidate

Four Points Sheraton North
910 Sheraton Drive,
Mars, PA 16046
Phone: 724-776-6900

7 pm on Friday, August 3, 2007

I'll be there!

PA Cleansweep asks: Is Reform Dead?

PACleanSweep launches new poll to find out

on the inside, perhaps…

Brad Bumsted of the Pittsburgh Tribune- Review thinks so - at least as far as any action inside the halls of our state Capitol. Bumsted made the proclamation in a recent column titled "Remember in November of '08." He joins fellow astute capitol observer John Baer of the Philadelphia Daily News, who preceded him with a column titled "'Race to Reform' sputtering to Nowheresvillle."

Both writers provide great commentary on what's happened to reform on the inside, despite the outstanding efforts of reform-minded voters who replaced 25 percent of the General Assembly in 2006.

Where exactly are the voices of those freshmen that provided the citizens of our fair Commonwealth with so much hope last year? Have they been completely shut down by heavy-handed legislative leaders - or just sucked into the Harrisburg culture of self- interest, arrogance and greed?

You can read the excellent articles by Bumsted and Baer by clicking the links below.

"Remember in November of '08" by Brad Bumsted

"'Race to Reform' sputtering to Nowheresvillle" by John Baer

meanwhile, on the outside...

Citizens are still grousing about the need for real change despite the deaf ears their complaints fall on in Harrisburg. What will it take to actually get it? Was the PACleanSweep mantra of 'voting them all out' not so far off the mark after all? It certainly appears that way.

In 2005, we opposed the retention of Supreme Court Justices Sandra Shultz Newman and Russell Nigro. The results of that election helped grow the reform movement by leaps and bounds. While we were highly ridiculed by the establishment and the lawyer community for doing so, most people have come around to accept that it was the right thing to do, as the courts have paved the way for legislative shenanigans such as the pay raise and 2004's slots bill.

Do Pennsylvanians need to take another similar step toward reform this November when a whopping 68 judges across the state will be up for retention? We'd like you to tell us what you think.

Please take a minute or two to participate in the PACleanSweep Judicial Retention poll by clicking the link below. The results of the survey will be used to formulate our plan of attack for the upcoming months. Remember, this is YOUR Commonwealth and only YOU can create change. Don't wait around for others to do it for you - especially those on the inside who are comfortable with the status quo.

We ask that you forward this message to as many concerned Pennsylvanians as possible.

Vote in the PACleanSweep Judicial Retention Poll

Letter of Marque and Reprisal -- vintage 2001

Insight Dr. Paul's position on the Afghan war, how he, if President and in the US Congress, would capture Bin Laden, and routine counter terrorism efforts are better understood with this post from his blog:

http://blog.ronpaul2008.com/ron_paul_2008/2007/07/wise-not-wacky.html


They outline how Ron Paul submitted a Letter of Marque and Reprisal in 2001. That is a way for a nation to "get back" at a state or non-state offender in a way that is proportional to the offense, thereby reducing the chances for total war.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letters_of_marque

Wow, imagine that, a measured and direct response, instead of attacking the wrong country with our whole army. That Ron sure is NOT kooky!

Baby, You Can Buy My Car. Yes, You're Gonna Be a Star. Beep, beep, Yeah!

Update: Car is sold!

Original post from July 26, 2007:

We need to sell this car. Do you need a cheap, dependable, car? Honda LX, 4 door, automatic with 102,500 miles. I posted this to Craigslist and have had a good number of calls.

This would be perfect for getting around town in the winter. Or, it would be ideal for the high school, college or grad student / driver. Works well. Just inspected. Fixed up a bit of rust on the edges. Has airbags and a power sun roof that works. Air conditioning works too. Worst features, AM radio reception because of a snapped antenna. Call me if you want to take it for a test drive. It is parked on 12th Street, very near to our house. We're looking to sell this so we don't have to insure it any longer.

The blue book value is $2,900. But, we'll sell it 'as is' for less. I'd love to get $2,000. But, we'll take less. Hurry. The offer is $1,900 (firm). Don't be the third, please, to offer $1,500.

kdka.com - Local Woman Claims To Find Bug In Bagged Lettuce

kdka.com - Local Woman Claims To Find Bug In Bagged Lettuce

So what. Get over it.

Water Polo is "on" -- the pool is fixed

Yesterday we faced TWO closed swim pools.

A plastic part on the filter at the Crafton Swim Pool broke late Sunday night. So, we heard that Monday's water polo was not to happen. It was a freak break that forced the closing of the pool throughout the day on Monday.

Later the day we headed over to our neighborhood swim pool, Ormsby. But a power line transformer on a nearby telephone pole had blown. Sounded like a gun shot, so they said. Power was out to a few blocks in the South Side around the swim pool. Without the pumps flowing the water of the pool through the filters it isn't okay to open the swim pool.

Twice in one day we headed out to take a swim and couldn't go.

Infrastructure matters. Makes me want to swim in the rivers, sorta.

State Rep. Joe Preston Accused Of Assault - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

State Rep. Joe Preston Accused Of Assault - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh A local lawmaker is facing charges after a confrontation at his office.

Police said state Representative Joe Preston, of East Liberty, is accused of assaulting a woman.

Preston denied the allegations against him.

Preston said the woman came into his office and refused to leave.

But police charged Preston with one count of simple assault.

Ouch.

McLean of New Zealand rules herself out of Beijing Olympics

30th July 2007

North Shore swimmer Hannah McLean has opted out of consideration for next year’s Beijing Olympics.

The Melbourne Commonwealth Games medalist wants to take a break from the sport but may return to top level competition.

McLean said she is unable to give the commitment that is demanded in top level swimming for a tilt at the Olympics. She has had a break after the world championships earlier this year and plans to spend the next year living in Europe after recently becoming engaged.

It is not a move that McLean has taken lightly.

“This has been an extremely difficult decision for me and one that I have taken very seriously. However I am confident that I have made the right choice,” McLean said.

“Although I will not be swimming in Beijing I would like to leave the door open for the possibility of competing again. This is not an official retirement.

“I am now at a stage in my life where I no longer feel that I can give every ounce of myself to swimming. And I believe that it is that unwavering commitment which is necessary to perform at the very highest level.”

McLean has been one of New Zealand's highest ranked international swimmers, securing a bronze medal in the 200m backstroke at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games and at the FINA World Swimming Championships last year. She also holds the Commonwealth Games Championship record over 100m backstroke and was ranked fourth in the world over the distance in the same year.

Her coach Jan Cameron said she backs McLean’s decision but hopes she may return to top level swimmer in the future.

“Hannah has found it increasingly difficult to put everything into swimming and to get a balance in her life that will still allow her to perform to the highest level,” Cameron said.

“Hannah is an absolute perfectionist and anything less than her very best is not good enough. She is the model of a dedicated and committed elite athlete.

“She leaves a big hole in our programme and our relay aspirations but at the same time it opens an opportunity for others to put their hand up.”

McLean said she has enjoyed the opportunities that swimming has provided.

“It’s been an honour for me to swim for New Zealand on the international stage. I have always held the highest expectations of myself in how I go about achieving my personal goals and performing for my country.

“I’ve been humbled by the support of not only my family, friends and sponsors but also by the rapidly increasing group of fierce New Zealand Swimming enthusiasts. There are now so many more kiwis who understand what a tough sport swimming is and how hard it is to break into the international ranks.

“I am also incredibly appreciative of the support of Swimming New Zealand throughout my career. The federation has taken huge strides in how it nurtures and supports its elite swimmers over the last few years.

“I know the personal development and unique experience of swimming will translate into whatever new pathways and challenges I choose to take up in the future.”

Nice messages.

Issues strain the ties between Pittsburgh mayor and Allegheny County executive

Issues strain the ties between Pittsburgh mayor and Allegheny County executive At first blush, it looked like the fates had aligned to bring the city and county together.

Comments welcomed.

U.S. must diversify to win medals count in '08 Games - Monday July 30, 2007 1:43AM

SI.com - More Sports - U.S. must diversify to win medals count in '08 Games - Monday July 30, 2007 1:43AMChina may displace the United States as the top gold medal team when the Olympics open a year from now - Aug. 8, 2008.

Our water polo teams are have qualified.

China will take 1-million vehicles off the road in August. Try to do that in L.A.

DeSantis must play hardball - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

DeSantis must play hardball - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Mark, you can win. But you must play hardball just to get to first base."

Some coaching from Dimitri to DeSantis fills his Trib column.

The 'schooling' that DeSantis wants from the employees of the city should NOT occur in the first 100 days. Rather, I side a bit with Dimitri. The schooling needs to occur throughout the campaign and throughout the transition period.

After Bob O'Connor won the mayor's office in the early November election, I was puzzled at how long he took to do anything. The schooling and interviews and decisions need to come in the weeks after the November 6 election and before the early January period when the oath of office is taken.

The first 100 days needs to be celebrated with one big block party (I'd still like to throw mine in the Wabash Tunnel, by the way) and ninty-nine days of new leadership with real advances in policy and progress on many political fronts.

Furthermore, the first 100 days after this election need to be counted as 50. The vote in November 2007 is for a two-year term, not a four-year term. The first 100 days makes a nice benchmark for typical four-year terms. In these times, and in this situation, a 50-day review is in order.

Erik got 4th in the Junior Olympics 11-12 boys 50 breast

Erik got to swim in finals tonight in the 50 breast. It was an event he won at the BB Championships. Video of the race may be posted later.

Meanwhile, he and I missed part of the Crafton swim team picnic. Both started at 6 pm.

Erik and Grant both got high-point awards for their respective age groups. Sweet.

Crafton's Pool Filter is Broken - no water polo for Monday

The first day of the three weeks water polo camp to be hosted at Crafton has been called off due to a broken swim pool filter. The filter went down Sunday night with a cracked part or some thing. So, the pool needs to be closed. Hence water polo practice is off.

We'll start as soon as the pool re-opens. I expect it to be a short delay.

Tomorrow would be a great day for heavy storms and showers -- while the pool is closed.

Stay tuned.

SI.com - More Sports - U.S. enjoys Pan Ams medals fest, eyes Olympics - Sunday July 29, 2007 1:29AM

SI.com - More Sports - U.S. enjoys Pan Ams medals fest, eyes Olympics - Sunday July 29, 2007 1:29AM: Americans did their best work in Rio, not surprisingly, in sports where there is true depth: swimming, shooting, gymnastics. And in team sports where the United States has long been a powerhouse: softball, water polo and women's basketball.

Cincinnati - Losing a great coach

The Cincinnati Post - Losing a great coach: The sudden death of former Xavier University basketball coach Skip Prosser at age 56 has shocked Greater Cincinnati.

A Pittsburgh native who adopted Cincinnati as his second home, Prosser spent 15 years at Xavier, first as an assistant to head coach Pete Gillen, then as head coach for seven seasons between 1994 and 2001. Even after he left Xavier for the head coaching job at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., Prosser maintained close ties to Cincinnati - as well as a house in Mount Lookout.

The Power to Destroy.

IRS loses challenge to prove tax liability
Lawyer is acquitted after arguing income levy lacks legal foundation

By Bob Unruh, WorldNetDaily.com

The Internal Revenue Service has lost a lawyer's challenge in front of a jury to prove a constitutional foundation for the nation's income tax, and the victorious attorney now is setting his sights higher.

"I think now people are beginning to realize that this has got to be the largest fraud, backed up by intimidation and extortion and by the sheer force of taking peoples property and hard-earned money without any lawful authorization whatsoever," lawyer Tom Cryer told WND just days after a jury in Louisiana acquitted him of two criminal tax counts.

And before you consign him to the legions of "tin foil hat brigades" who argue against paying taxes, and then want payment to explain how to do that, he addresses the issue up front.

"These snake oil peddlers have conned millions of dollars out of many well-intended patriots and left a trail of broken lives in their wake. These charlatans should be avoided, not only because they will lead you to bankruptcy and prison, but because by association they discredit those who are telling the truth," he said.

The truth, he said, is where he comes in, with the launch of a new Truth Attack website that is intended to build on his victory, and create a coalition of resources to defeat ultimately the income tax in the United States.

Although the legal citations in the case tend to run the length of paragraphs, Cryer told WND the underlying issue is not that complicated. Essentially, he argued that income is not necessarily any money that comes to a person, but rather categories such as profit and interest.

He said the free exchange of labor for compensation has been upheld as a right by the Supreme Court, but that doesn't necessarily make the compensation income.

If ever such an argument were to be presented widely, Cryer said, the income to the federal government would plummet. But not to worry, he said, the expenses could be reduced equally by eliminating programs, departments and agencies that also have no foundation in the Constitution.

"The Founding Fathers intentionally restricted the taxing powers of the new federal government as a measure of restraint on its size. By exceeding that limited taxing authority the federal government has been able to obtain resources beyond its intended reach, and that money has enabled the federal government to exceed its authority," he said.

For example, he said, the Constitution does not empower the federal government to regulate education, or employment, and agriculture, yet it does so.

The jury in U.S. District Court in Louisiana voted 12-0 to find Cryer, of Shreveport, not guilty of failure to file income taxes for two years. He had been indicted in 2006 on charges of failing to pay $73,000 to the IRS in 2000 and 2001. The next step in his personal case will be up to the IRS and prosecutors, if they choose to continue the issue, he said.

But for the rest of the nation, he's working with Save-a-Patriot, the Free Enterprise Society, Live Free Now and his own Lie Free Zone to spread the message of the truth.

"There are three points that are important," he told WND. "There's no law making the average working man liable [for income taxes], there's no law or regulation that allows the IRS to contend that earnings are 100 percent profit received in exchange for nothing, and the right to earn a living through any lawful occupation is a constitutionally protected fundamental right, and it is exempt from taxation."

Spokesman Robert Marvin in Washington's IRS office told WND the Internal Revenue Code provides for taxation on salaries or wages, but when pressed for a specific citation, or constitutional provision, he said, "I can't comment."

Cryer's encounter with tax law began more than a decade ago when a friend told him the income tax was sham. Cryer started researching, hoping to keep his friend out of trouble. But his conclusions, after years of research, were exactly what his friend told him.

He researched not only tax laws, but also the documents pertaining to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution as well as the first income tax.

He said throughout his battle, he's offered at every turn to pay taxes if the IRS could show him the authorization, and that never has happened.

"The Criminal Investigation Division and Department of Justice both responded only with 'your position is frivolous.' I had never stated a position, so how could they know whether it was frivolous?" he said. "Imagine my sending you a bill for $1,000 and when you call me and ask what the bill was for I simply said, 'that position is frivolous, just write the check and send it in.'"

His acquittal, he said, was a precedent because it means "people can see and recognize the truth."

He said multiple Supreme Court opinions have affirmed an individual's ownership of his or her own labor, and "exercising your fundamental rights" is not taxable. "It is definitely a trade. What most people receive in the form of wages, salaries or in my case fees that they personally earned for their labor is not received in exchange for nothing."

He said there might be a profit that should be taxable, but there might not.

"The IRS lets Wal-Mart sell a trillion dollars worth of goods, but they can back out their cost of goods [before being taxed,]" he said. "The IRS considers, in the case of a Wal-Mart wage earner, 100 percent of what he takes in is profit."

"But he's using his life, energy and work lifespan, and depleting it as he goes," Cryer told WND. "[Working] is a God-given fundamental right that is protected under the Constitution and can't be taxed any more than exercising freedom of speech."

While he waits to see what, if anything, the IRS and Justice Department will do next in his case, he's working to coordinate the groups that are battling taxation as unconstitutional.

"I have started a campaign to unify [the work] and we've got a number of organizations that are sponsoring and supporting this campaign," he said. The goal is to get everyone "who is aware of the truth" organized so they can spread the word.

He warned without a restoration of constitutional basics, the nation is lost.

"Read your Constitution and you will see that the federal role does not include ANY authority to regulate or tax any citizen directly and that WE expressly reserved the right to rule and govern ourselves as States, not as mere political subdivisions," his website says.

"The Constitution does not allow the government to run your lives, but the money it is stealing from millions of Americans is the fuel for its over-reaching and kibitzing. Take the money back and we and our states and communities can again be free," he said.

The fight is over "our FREEDOM from rule by a DISTANT RULER, just as we fought to free ourselves of a distant England over 200 years ago," he said.

Man 'calmly' shot to death by masked gunman

What is going on?

Man 'calmly' shot to death by masked gunman Pittsburgh police Lt. Kevin Kraus said at least one shot was fired inside the store before the victim fled and collapsed in the middle of Perrysville Avenue.

The gunman followed the victim out of the store and 'calmly' walked over to the injured man and shot him at point-blank range several more times, the police reported.

Transit service cutbacks canceled

Pennsylvania is famous for this. Pennsylvania does not create new jobs. Rather, Pennsylvania creates new taxes.

Transit service cutbacks canceled The state has granted County Chief Executive Dan Onorato the authority to introduce a tax on alcoholic drinks of up to 10 percent and up to a $2-a-day tax on car rentals. Mr. Onorato would like to shift the burden of subsidizing Port Authority away from property taxes.