Early Returns leaks the call from the League of Women Voters to include all candidates

Teaser from Early Returns about debate inclusion.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Local News - Early Returns Yesterday Arlene Levy, vice president of voter services for the League, wrote to KDKA and Point Park officials noting the likely presence of Mr. Rauterkus and Mr. Scott on the ballot. 'Could we, also, extend an invitation to them to participate in our candidates forum?' she asked.

So far, neither major-party campaign is objecting to an inclusive debate, though Mr. DeSantis' reaction is a little cooler than Mr. Ravenstahl's. KDKA says it hasn't decided whom to include.

The conventional wisdom is that putting more candidates on the stage would benefit Mr. Ravenstahl, since it would reduce the amount of airtime Mr. DeSantis would get. Mr. Rauterkus, of course, argues otherwise. More in tomorrow's P-G.

Call to action for the Elect.Rauterkus.com campaigns

How many debates should be held for the Pittsburgh Mayor's Race

LiveContent + Creative Commons with Red Hat gets LiveCDs and LiveDistro

LiveContent - CcWiki LiveContent is an umbrella idea which aims to connect and expand Creative Commons and open source communities. LiveContent works to identify creators and content providers working to share their creations more easily with others. LiveContent works to support developers and others who build better technology to distribute these works. LiveContent is up-to-the-minute creativity, 'alive' by being licensed Creative Commons, which allows others to better interact with the content.

LiveContent can be delivered in a variety of ways. The first incarnation of LiveContent will deliver content as a LiveCD. LiveCDs are equivalent to what is called a LiveDistro. LiveCDs have traditionally been a vehicle to test an operating system or applications live. Operating systems and/or applications are directly booted from a CD or other type of media without needing to install the actual software on a machine. LiveContent aims to add value to LiveDistros by providing dynamically-generated content within the distribution.

Getting Around: Naysayer state rep may be good choice for Port Authority board

Democrat wants to limit freedoms of young people.

Getting Around: Naysayer state rep may be good choice for Port Authority board A 16- or 17-year-old with his or her own wheels or access to a family car will no longer to be able to have more than one teen friend as a passenger at any time if the Legislature passes a bill proposed by state Rep. Chelsa Wagner, D-Beechview.

Here are two bad ideas. First, it is a bad idea to create a new law. Second, it is also a bad idea to let your kid ride with a new driver. Everyone can't be trusted behind the wheel. Few youths are going to be trusted to drive my kids around.

Some kids need to drive. Some kids need to catch a ride. For many, it works.

When a young person needs to give a couple of friends a lift -- and they see a police car -- then what. Does a high speed chase unfold to evade the police until one of the kids can jump out of a moving car?

Western Pennsylvania has had plenty of deadly car crashes. They are sad. Often, they could be prevented if speeding was eliminated.

Here in the city, the trend has been to eliminate all buses for the high school students.

In the burbs, there are few buses.

Former Port Authority head sues over pension reduction

I don't normally do awards such as 'jerk of the day,' nor 'jackass of the month' nor worse. But, if I did, this guy would be nominated.

Former Port Authority head sues over pension reductionThe former CEO of Port Authority of Allegheny County has filed a federal lawsuit against his old employer and its board of directors, claiming that it illegally reduced his monthly pension by more than $3,000.

Paul Skoutelas, along with his wife, Denise, filed the civil complaint late last week in U.S. District Court. It includes claims for breach of contract, denial of property without due process and impairment of contractual rights and obligations.

Pig.

High-tech solution - Olympic Games begin in China in one year

From china - foods

SI.com - More Sports - High-tech solution - Monday August 6, 2007 2:15PM Embarrassed by recent scandals over the safety of Chinese food products, organizing officials for next year's Beijing Olympics spelled out high-tech plans Monday to make sure healthy food is delivered to the 10,500 athletes who will reside in the Olympic Village.

The move comes just two days before Beijing marks the one-year-away date for the start of the 2008 Summer Games, highlighted by a gigantic stage show in Tiananmen Square.

From china - foods

Keyes supporters plan presence at Iowa Straw Poll :: AlanKeyes.com

Two more may still join the race for US President on the Republican side.

Keyes supporters plan presence at Iowa Straw Poll : AlanKeyes.com Supporters of Alan Keyes plan to attend the Iowa Straw Poll Aug. 11, to get Keyes' name before the public as a possible Republican presidential candidate.

'We Need Alan Keyes for President,' an organization of grassroots volunteers conducting a petition drive to draft Keyes, will hand out literature, donation forms, and sign-up sheets and show video clips of the former Reagan administration diplomat.

Keyes — who in 2000 drew 14 percent in the Iowa Caucus and averaged 16 percent in his best ten states during the presidential primaries — says he is open to the possibility of running, if enough support exists at the grassroots for his candidacy.

Keyes supporters plan presence at Iowa Straw Poll :: AlanKeyes.com

Two more may still join the race for US President on the Republican side.

Keyes supporters plan presence at Iowa Straw Poll : AlanKeyes.com Supporters of Alan Keyes plan to attend the Iowa Straw Poll Aug. 11, to get Keyes' name before the public as a possible Republican presidential candidate.

'We Need Alan Keyes for President,' an organization of grassroots volunteers conducting a petition drive to draft Keyes, will hand out literature, donation forms, and sign-up sheets and show video clips of the former Reagan administration diplomat.

Keyes — who in 2000 drew 14 percent in the Iowa Caucus and averaged 16 percent in his best ten states during the presidential primaries — says he is open to the possibility of running, if enough support exists at the grassroots for his candidacy.

Wikimedia Pennsylvania

More running mates!

Wikimedia Pennsylvania Wikimedia Pennsylvania

The golden age for local bloggers has come and gone. Same too of the 'cranky age.' But, perhaps the golden age of the local wiki is still to come.

US lawmaker defends Mecca bombing comments

US lawmaker defends Mecca bombing comments Fiery Republican presidential long-shot Tom Tancredo Sunday defended his suggestion that America should threaten to bomb Muslim holy sites in order to deter a nuclear attack on US soil.

Another one bites the dust.

Tom Tancredo is toast. He went from fiery to fried.

When the US State Department starts to campaign against the candidate, things are looking bleek.

What is more bleek, is the statement. Bombing holy sites is "absolutely crazy."

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.