That $360 million: Legislative illusions - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

It is not too early for YOU to start thinking about running for state rep or state senate in 2008. The attitude of 'throw the bumbs out' is still alive and well, as these moves are still happening.

That $360 million: Legislative illusions - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "That $360 million: Legislative illusions"

...

The Associated Press made repeated requests for an accounting to the Democrat and Republican caucuses in each chamber. But the AP was stonewalled or given the incredible excuse that a breakdown could not be separated from the $27.5 billion in state spending signed into law last month by Gov. Ed Rendell.

The final round of budget negotiations was done behind closed doors with no hearings or public debate. Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware, and Majority Whip Jane Orie, R-McCandless, say the $360 million is not spent frivolously or secretly because anyone can review the budget's line items to see the allocations.

True, but there's no indication who put that money in the budget. And since there are many vague categories, there's no indication how some of the $360 million will be handed out.

Fortunately, the public has one trick up its sleeve. By casting enough ballots, legislators' careers can vanish. And that would be no illusion.

If you want to run for state house in 2008, or even if you are considering it, it would be an honor to have your help in the weeks to come as a campaign helper in the races I'm working on in 2007.

Out at home plate? - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Out at home plate? - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 'The kid woke up on third base and thought he'd hit a triple.'

Interesting observation.

I'm a sports person. I'm not okay with that observation.

Life isn't a 'game.' And, if you want to contrast life and being 'mayor of Pittsburgh' with Luke's career, you'd be hard pressed to say that he 'just woke up.' Plus, no games last for years? Seasons come and go.

Readers, Running Mates -- give that 'straw poll' a whirl

Click and place a vote in the Presidential Straw Poll. See the banner above. Interact with it. Click there. Sound off. Check the results.

It is a nice web widget. Have a go.

Hi Swimmers, Parents and Friends,

Coach Mike and I have talked, and I am NOT going to continue as an assistant coach at Carlynton Swim Club for the pending winter season.

My sons, Erik and Grant, are expected to continue swimming with the team.

Thanks for listening and all your efforts.

The Post Gazette reports in an article on Friday, Aug 3, 2007, with the headline, City residents file to get on ballot as deadline passes, that "Libertarian Mark Rauterkus of the South Side has filed ballot petitions to run for mayor of P ittsburgh, city controller and city councilman representing District 3."

So, I've got some other important jobs and duties for in the immediate future. On November 6, 2007, election day, I am expected to be in a role that is much like a swimmer who competes in multiple events at one swim meet. In my community efforts I always raise issues about improving recreation opportunities and conditions for our younger generations.

Finally, the water polo clinics have been fun. More players (boys, girls, all ages) are welcome. Just $5 per week. We are playing weekdays from 9:30 to 11:30 at the Crafton pool to August 17.

Mark Rautekus

---

Letter I wrote that was posted to the Carlynton Swim Club email list via C.M., the club president.

Citiparks Swim Meet at Highland Park Pool

Erik and Grant and a few hundred other kids were part of Citiparks' Summer Swimming Championships today. We got to the pool for 8 am warm-up. My crew left after event 53 at 4 pm. More races were still being staged. The one session, age group (10-under, 11-12, 13-14, and 15-18) meet might have concluded at 4:30-ish.

From ormsby-serpents

Wow. It was hot. My eyes needed to be closed for a few hours in the early evening. They are crisp. We all were out in the sun too, too long.

This was a one-session meet.

Erik won all of his individual events, 50 fly, 200 IM and 50 breast. Grant got 3rd in the 50 fly and won the 50 free and 200 IM. Erik's relay got second.

ormsby-serpents

Ormsby (our neighborhood pool) also known as the South Side Serpents, got 8th out of 15.

Are you ready for some football?

The Steelers play football on Sunday -- in 24 hours.

Ron Paul: a Liberal Viewpoint | Ron Paul 2008 Revolution - Ron Paul for President - Daily Paul

Ron Paul: a Liberal Viewpoint | Ron Paul 2008 Revolution - Ron Paul for President - Daily Paul I am a liberal. I believe in whatever social or political solution best serves the common good, even if it means raising taxes and expanding the government. As a tree-hugger, I haven't owned a car since 1994 - I've commuted to work on foot for over a decade. Dennis Kucinich is by far my favorite living Democrat. Hell, prove to me a nation can best achieve prosperity, peace, stability, and freedom within a Communist framework and you can call me Comrade.

But I will be hanging up my Green Party affiliation in the near future in order to register as a Republican, to vote for Ron Paul in the primaries. Here's why:

Ron Paul's speech and rally was G-R-E-A-T.

RonPaul

Erik, my son, 12 years old, and I went to the Ron Paul event tonight. Grant has a fever, so he and Catherine had to miss out.

It was great. We were able to get seats in the sixth row. Some photos are in this Picasa album. I'm sure that a lot of YouTube stuff will come out shortly. The one guy working to establish Ron Paul chapters on college campus locations was streaming right off of his ball cap camera.

White Paper Pundit - White Paper Explores Role of Podcasting in Higher Education

White Paper Pundit - White Paper Explores Role of Podcasting in Higher Education Blogsite “Hey Jude” along with Carnegia Mellon University has released a white paper entitled Podcasting: A Teaching with Technology White Paper

The white paper does a very good job educating the reader about podcasting and its advantages. It’s also packaged very well, and does an admirable job explaining and illustrating the process of creating digital files and distributing them via an RSS feed.

If you are an educator, you owe it to yourself, your students and your institutions to attend Pittsburgh's PodCamp this August at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Local News - Early Returns

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Local News - Early Returns Dr. No comes to town

Ron Paul returns to his roots

Early returns talks about 2008 candidates. However, talking about 2007's candidates is still not 'early returns' worthy I guess.

Plus, a mention of nearly 1,000 people to attending tonight's event is about 800 more than I'd ever expect. So, it seems that some P-G over-hype can be leveraged as buzz-kill.

Time will tell.

The Blog of Burgher Jon: Friday Sour Kraut

The Blog of Burgher Jon: Friday Sour Kraut It appears that there are some 100% viable and extremely likely to get elected candidates that finally made up their mind and decided to jump in to various political races in Pittsburgh. I'm all for having fringe candidates in the election, if for no other reason then to spice up the debate and get new issues in. If Mark Rauterkus wins all of the elections for which he is running he can combine their powers and form Captain Planet!

Provided an interview today to WDUQ

The news reporters at WDUQ called and I gave them a phone interview about our races for public office. Some of my statements follow:

I am a placeholder.

We crossed an important hurdle in getting on the ballot this week.

The race for mayor will not be a two way race.

We will continue to use the internet to our advantage. We use the internet now and post thoughts there daily. We can be open with our issues and build trust and respect, as I've been doing for the past years.

We will get out into the community to meet and greet and speak at any community meeting that will invite us.

Our efforts to get onto the ballot for some of the county races such as County Executive, Treasurer, District Attorney, Sheriff and county council at large were set aside in the spring when the we, Libertarians, didn't muster enough candidates nor supporters to gather the thousands of necessary signatures from throughout the county to get onto the ballot.

In the race for city council district 3 I bring new dimensions to city council. They need to hear a libertarian approach at the table in our discussions in city hall. All the members of city council are Democrats. Putting one member onto council from another party is going to be healthy. Furthermore, I have experiences and perspectives as a swim coach. I want to work to overhaul and support the Citiparks programs. I care about the youngsters and our parks. Those on Grant Street, even those with the county parks and rec department, make the issues with our youth a low priority. Not me.

When we hear talk about parks locally it has been about the killing of geese. We can do better than that. It is no wonder we have a brain and talent drain. We need to challenge our youth. Then we'll have more young people who choose to stay in the region.

Dems of stature don't stray - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Political brain writes letter to editor in the Trib.

Dems of stature don't stray - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Rich Tenney, Oakland

Nice letter Rich.

Opposition Research

The parties rarely talk openly about opposition research, but times are changing, writes Roger Simon at the Politico. At a session at YearlyKos, the Democratic National Committee was "only too happy to pull back the curtain a little and tell these activists how they intended to help destroy the Republicans next year." The oppo centered on the big four Republican candidates -- Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, John McCain, and Fred Thompson. The DNC'ers even gave a sneak-peek at the Democratic talking points for the GOP (Thompson: "He passed only five bills in the Senate while he was there and four were ceremonial. His non-campaign/campaign so far has been a 'train wreck'").

Wonder if there is any opposition research for Dr. Ron Paul?

I agree, it will be easy for the Dems to trip up Rudy, Mitt, John and Fred. I don't think any of those guys are well suited for a victory in November of 2008. None of them will get to the White House.

Ron Paul remains longshot for GOP nom - Yahoo! News

Political butterfly. I like that slogan. Ron Paul's son swam butterfly and was a nationally ranked. My kids swim butterfly too. Neither are that fast -- yet.

Ron Paul remains longshot for GOP nom - Yahoo! News AUSTIN, Texas - Ron Paul may be the political butterfly of the 2008 presidential campaign. An obscure congressman from Southeast Texas for most of his political career, Paul has metamorphosed into the favorite of those looking for a candidate outside the political mainstream.

The League - Pittsburgh - JOB POSTINGS

The League - Pittsburgh�:�JOB POSTINGS
State Director - Pennsylvania League of Young Voters
The State Director of Pennsylvania League of Young Voters and the Pennsylvania League of Young Voters Education Fund, will assume leadership in operations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and will join a dynamic organization dedicated to engaging, educating, and empowering young people and those disenfranchised from the voting process.

Ron Paul's email blast

What a great time we had in San Antonio last weekend. An enthusiastic bunch of Texans thronged the Alamo for a rally, and then there was a fundraising dinner at an historic museum. More than a thousand people attended one or the other.

San Antonio is a military town. Indeed, I served there myself in the Air Force, and lots of soldiers and airmen came up to offer their support. Some were Iraq veterans, some were headed there, and all supported getting us out.

As I told the crowd, with our non-interventionist foreign policy, there would be 3,600 young Americans still alive, and 25,000 more not badly wounded. It got the biggest response of the evening.

Then a 14-year-old girl told me she was helping the campaign so her daddy, a soldier, would not have to go to Iraq. I told her there are many thousands of us working to that exact end, to keep him and all the others safe. What an outrage that we are accused of not supporting the troops. What a scam when the warmongers claim to be pro-soldier.

Lots of military people turned out to be aware that our campaign got more donations from soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines than any other. Funny, that made a big impression in Congress too. Many of my colleagues were amazed and encouraged that you can be against this unconstitutional and disastrous war, and get military support.

This weekend I meet with family, high-school classmates, and local friends and supporters in Pittsburgh. Link We are really looking forward to it!

Then it’s a full week in Iowa. On Sunday, there’s the ABC debate, and next weekend is the Ames straw poll. Other campaigns seem to be pulling back, to try to lower expectations. We are stepping things up, with more staff, another office, and a significant TV and radio buy. This all costs a lot of money, of course, as does our continuing work in New Hampshire, South Carolina, Arizona, and other states.

But I have been thrilled by the support among Iowa Republicans for our issues—on the war, on pro-life, on fiscal conservatism. This is fertile territory for us. Now we just have to work harder than our opponents at recruiting supporters, organizing them, and getting them to the straw poll.

Some media have hinted that a good showing by our campaign would be a bombshell. I don’t make predictions, but I am cautiously optimistic about our chances. However, I very much need your help.

We got a lot of good publicity earlier about our prudence in spending. Indeed, I treat every donation with care, since it comes from a good American who shares our hope for the future, and who had to work hard to earn that money.

But all that publicity about our non-spendthrift ways had a “blowback” effect—if you will excuse the expression. It made some people feel the campaign did not need support, right at the very time we especially need it.

Stand with me in Iowa. I very much need your support. Please, send the most generous donation (https://www.ronpaul2008.com/donate/) you can, as soon as you can.

Sincerely,
Ron

Texas congressman brings presidential campaign to hometown

There are two articles in the Post-Gazette to blog about today. This is the longer one, about a candidate in the race for US President in 2008. The other is about local candidates in the November 2007 races.

Texas congressman brings presidential campaign to hometown

By Jerome L. Sherman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

WASHINGTON -- Today, "Dr. No" returns to Pittsburgh.

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul -- the fiercely libertarian Republican presidential candidate from Texas who grew up in Green Tree -- will be back in the region for a family reunion and a political rally at the Four Points by Sheraton Pittsburgh North hotel in Mars.

During more than three decades of on-again, off-again lawmaking in Washington, the obstetrician and gynecologist has earned his nickname, voting "no" on any tax increases, restrictions on gun ownership, Internet regulation, congressional pay raises, the USA Patriot Act, and -- most prominently -- the 2002 resolution that gave President Bush the power to invade Iraq.

"How would we react if they did it to us?" he asked during an interview on Capitol Hill this week. "I think a few Americans would be willing to shoot anybody who would try to impose that on us. That's what people don't understand."

That view also has put him at odds with the rest of his party's contenders for the White House, including Rudy Giuliani, who described Mr. Paul's criticisms of U.S. foreign policy as "absurd" during a GOP debate in South Carolina in May.

Mr. Paul trails far behind the frontrunners in national polls, but he is still attracting a sizeable number of supporters on both the left and the right. He has become a star in the online world of YouTube.com, Meetup.com and scores of political blogs.

To be honest, Dr. Paul has WON a number of national polls. He won the polls after three different debates, (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC). Some of the unethical polls often IGNORE Dr. Paul by not even putting him in as an answer. Furthermore, one recent poll was won by "NONE OF THE ABOVE" -- because Dr. Paul's name was NOT an option. NONE OF THE ABOVE is on the rise in those polls.

With the help of the Internet, Mr. Paul's campaign raised $2.4 million between April and June, putting him ahead of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in cash on hand.

"He's the only person who's running who is talking about privacy and how much freedom we're willing to give up for security," said Brad Porter, 28, a creative writing and cognitive psychology student at Carnegie Mellon University.

Mr. Porter is also a co-author of thecrossedpond.com, a blog that features a page dedicated to Ron Paul. A recent post pictures "Obi" Ron wielding a Star Wars lightsaber.

"Every time we post a story on Ron Paul our hits just spike," said Mr. Porter, who is one of 188 "Ron Paul Patriots" in a Pittsburgh Meetup.com chapter.

Mr. Paul, 71, spent his early years on a small farm on Crestmont Drive in Green Tree. He was one of five boys, and his father, the son of a German immigrant, managed the family dairy business. Honus Wagner, who lived in Carnegie, was a customer.

"We did a lot of sports and worked hard and did church," Mr. Paul said, a soft Texas accent covering up any hint of his Western Pennsylvania roots.

He and his brothers all attended Dormont High School, and he then went on to Gettysburg College and Duke medical school. After a stint in the Air Force, Mr. Paul returned to Pittsburgh to complete a residency at Magee-Womens Hospital. He and his wife decided to settle in the southeastern Texan town of Lake Jackson, near the site of his military service.

For a period, Mr. Paul was the only obstetrician in Brazoria County, and he delivered as many as 50 babies a month.

Yet his hectic schedule didn't prevent him from pursuing an interest in economics. One of Mr. Paul's preferred forms of relaxation was reading texts from the free-market oriented Austrian school. His favorite was Friedrich Hayek's "The Road to Serfdom."

A turning point for Mr. Paul came in 1971, when President Richard Nixon, facing the economic pressures of the Vietnam War, moved away from the dollar's gold standard.

"This was a declaration of bankruptcy for our country," Mr. Paul said. "We would no longer fulfill our promise to honor our dollar."

His frustration led to a roller-coaster political career. In 1974, he lost his first race for Congress. He won a special election in 1976, but he lost the seat the same year. He won again in 1978, and he stepped down in 1984 to pursue an unsuccessful run for the Senate.

I too have plenty of frustrations with our political landscape. That is what drove me to be a candidate for public office. I don't want the folly of our elected politicians (all from the same party) make Pittsburgh a ghost town. Furthermore, everyone in politics has a roller-coaster political career.

"I thought that if there was enough freedom to change the system, I should try it," he said.

Mr. Paul then returned to his medical career. But he again put his practice on hold to run for president in 1988 on the Libertarian ticket. He frequently quips that he finished third behind George H.W. Bush and Michael Dukakis, but Mr. Paul's candidacy did bring the congressman a small but loyal band of supporters who still follow him.

In 1996, Mr. Paul went back to Congress, hopeful that a new Republican majority would reign in big government. He was disappointed.

"It never slows up. The deficit goes up worse under Republicans. And they don't hesitate to pass entitlements. And then they run on a program of criticizing Clinton's foreign policy, and then we go and do the same thing, only worse," he said.

Mr. Paul supported the U.S. military action in Afghanistan, but he now says it has become a costly "nation building" exercise. He was one of six Republicans to vote against the Iraq war.

"This nation should not be a nation to invade other countries for the purpose of building an empire," said U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., who initially backed the war but now opposes it. He and Mr. Paul are both members of the Liberty Caucus, a small group of conservative lawmakers that meets weekly for lunch.

Mr. Jones hasn't offered an endorsement for any candidate, but if Mr. Paul is on the ballot in North Carolina, he can count on Mr. Jones' vote.

"The two most sacred documents in this country are the Bible and the Constitution," Mr. Jones said. "Ron Paul is a defender of both."

Indeed, Mr. Paul couches most of his arguments in constitutional terms. He recently re-introduced a bill that would empower the U.S. government to issue what the Constitution calls a "letter of Marque and Reprisal" against Osama bin Laden and hire mercenaries to hunt down the terrorist mastermind. Mr. Paul cites as an example Thomas Jefferson's undeclared war against the Barbary pirates of North Africa in the early 19th century.

He also says the vast expansion of federal government of the past century has gone beyond what the founding fathers envisioned.

"If you want the government to run Social Security, you should amend the Constitution," he said. "If you want the government to run education, you should amend the Constitution. Otherwise, there's no Constitution."

If Mr. Paul wins, he envisions a gradual pullback of those programs, although he would respect Congress' role in the system of checks and balances. A full withdrawal from Iraq and a drastic reduction in overseas entanglements would save about $500 billion per year, he argues, giving the government enough money to meet its current entitlement obligations, such as Medicare.

His domestic policies may appeal to many conservatives, but his approach to foreign policy is creating anger, especially in his own district.

"I'm only hearing complaints," said Yvonne Dewey, chairwoman of the Brazoria County Republican Party, whose son was delivered by Mr. Paul in 1975. "We've been supporters for a long time, but you can and you must fight a war against terrorism."

Chris Peden, a Republican who sits on the Friendswood City Council, announced yesterday that he would challenge Mr. Paul in the primary election next year. On his Web site, chrispeden.org, he says the incumbent isn't a true Republican.

Mr. Paul, however, is likely to stick to his ideological roots, on both the presidential and congressional campaign trails.

"My message is Republican and conservative and constitutional," he said.

Of course Dr. Paul is going to stick to his roots. He always stands on his principles. This is what is so wonderful about him. He doesn't change his tune depending upon the way the wind blows and the way the party leaders want. He isn't 'likely' -- is is most certain.

I am not a big fan of labels. "Don't Put Me in a Box" was a theme song on my campaign CDs. Labels are bad. Ron Paul is who he is. And, American can thrive if Ron Paul becomes President. We need Ron Paul in the White House.

Today is the day of the Ron Paul rally and speech

Tom, the main local meet-up organizer posted:

Good Morning Everyone,

Today is finally the day. I know we have all been waiting for this for a long time, and everyone is excited. I certainly am, also.

Events will certainly outpace our planning, but here is a list in brief of what is happening today. Things will start happening around 4 pm.

Dan Chujko is coordinating a food drop that is a great opportunity to help some less fortunate people out and the pickup will probably be around 5 pm. Connie will be helping as well.

I expect people from other cities to begin arriving around 4 pm, as well, so I will make certain I am up there by that time to help see they get where they need to be.

Expect a number of supporters to roll into town and it would not surprise me in the least if the parking lot becomes a little bazaar. We have some special shirts that we will be selling for the event to raise money directly for national, as our way of saying thank you.

The event itself will start at 8 pm. If you want a seat, you might want to be there by 7. It is free, as you probably know, and Dr. Paul will be giving a speech. Make yourself known. I want to hear applause and see a lively crowd. Also, talk to the people sitting next to you. It's a great chance to begin getting new people to support Dr. Paul who might be on the fence.

We will be broadcast over the net by at least two different supporter groups. So, those of you who were worried about that, please don't. You may want to bring digital cameras or the like.

At the after party, it has been confirmed that Dr. Paul, his family, and his campaign staff will visit. The location is at Hereford and Hops, 1740 Rte. 228, Cranberry, 16066. It's easy to find.

Have fun, enjoy the other supporters, be responsible, and this will be a great evening.

If you need anything today, both myself and the assistant organizers will be able to help you. My number is 412-977-7798, and though I'll be more than a little busy, never too busy to help.

Today is for all of you. Enjoy it. :)

Yours, Tom

A Political Intern: The solution to the Pittsburgh Parking Problem

Kissing the third rail of local politics -- parking. Thanks for the plug at this blog.

A Political Intern: The solution to the Pittsburgh Parking Problem: "I'm not for intra-neighborhood enforcement, but Mark Rauterkus makes a good point. There is a beast of a Buick that is ALWAYS on the street out front of my place, no sticker in sight, and I don't see a stack of tickets under his wiper, while at the same time my girlfriend was helping me move at got a ticket for exceeding her one hour (9:06-10:11) even with her four ways on and a heaping pile of ikea in the back."

Likewise, I'm not too excited to get a new crop of tattle tales as neighbors. But, I'm not excited to have to pay more for the parking fines either.

Yes, we do need 'small scale lots.' I call those 'in-fill parking lots.'