public statement to city council about Ron Paul and the dangers of the war on drugs

The timeless Madeleine L'Engle

My wife has always adored Madeleine L'Engle and loves her books. Family trivia: The name, Madeleine, was on our short list for the naming of our children -- had we been blessed with a girl. Our babies were both boys.

The timeless Madeleine L'Engle The timeless Madeleine L'Engle

If you have kids, this is a great time to go the the library to get one of her books. Read it with or to your kid(s).

Man dies after 3-day gaming binge

Man dies after 3-day gaming binge - CNN.com BEIJING, China (AP) -- A man in southern China appears to have died of exhaustion after a three-day Internet gaming binge, state media said Monday.

The 30-year-old man fainted at a cyber cafe in the city of Guangzhou Saturday afternoon after he had been playing games online for three days, the Beijing News reported.

Pittsburgh and China are exactly 12 hours apart. All of China is in the same time zone. So, when gaming, there is a warning, do not press the hyper-space button more than 13 times an hour in any six hour period.

=;/

Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear =:) , HBD2U.

:-) propelled smiles across the miles - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

From Logos

Mike Tomlin Announces Candidacy for Mayor

The Angry Drunk Bureaucrat: Mike Tomlin Announces Candidacy for Mayor Steelers Fans outnumber Democrats almost 3:1.

Tonight's presidential debate in Florida to have a new participant, Alan Keyes

Tonight, Monday, at 7:30 pm is another debate among presidential candidates. Of interest, you might want to tune in before 7:30 -- as actions are to start at 6 pm. It might not be on network tv, and it might not be on local radio -- but -- it will be streamed on the net. And, I expect the content from the debate will be made available after via a few different outlets.

New to the debate stage, joining my favorite, Ron Paul, is Alan Keyes. Keyes is building a run for president as an independent. Keyes is no lightweight. He'll be hard to deal with on the debate stage. News of his invite to this debate was made today, I think.

Meanwhile, the big shot Republican candidates are not playing along tonight. Mitt, Rudy, the actor/lobbyist, and ex-POW / Senator are skipping this event.

The Values Voter Presidential Debate is scheduled for Monday, September 17, in Fort Lauderdale. WorldNetDaily's Joseph Farah is to be the moderator. The debate participants are Duncan Hunter, Mike Huckabee, Tom Tancredo, Sam Brownback, Ron Paul, John Cox, and the recently declared Alan Keyes.

ValuesVoter.org was organized by over 40 leaders of values voters to serve as a meeting place and action center for voters that believe in American values. American values are the values that existed before time and were articulated in America's founding document on her birthday, the 4th of July, 1776. The group "values the right of a free people to govern themselves according to their constitutional form of government and to not be subject to tyrannical judges that legislate from the bench and subvert our constitution and the will of the American people."

WHAT: The Debate will:

Ask the questions that matter most to the "Values Voters" — the most influential constituency in America.

Conduct a Straw Poll to find out who the Values Voters support.

Create a Video Voter Guide/DVD to equip the Values Voter to make an informed choice.

WHEN & WHERE: The Values Voter Debate will be held September 17, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

WHO: Questions will come from 40 individuals including: Paul Weyrich, founder and President of the Free Congress Foundation, Phyllis Schlafly, founder and President of Eagle Forum, Don Wildmon, founder and Chairman of the American Family Association, Judge Roy Moore, with the Foundation for Moral Law, Rick Scarborough, Vision America, and Mat Staver of Liberty Council.

The debate will be broadcast live on television, satellite, radio and streamed on the internet (also recorded & rebroadcast later).

Streamed live on AFA online
http://www.afa.net

For Ron Paul to win the R primary, watch for the a rolling snowball effect. Some of the minor candidates can pull out of the race. This will give Ron Paul a bounce. Meanwhile, the big-time war Republicans are going to stay alive -- but divided. That helps Ron Paul a great deal.

The sum of the second tier will, in the end, double the best of what today's top tier can muster.

PoliticsOnline: vote for the top 10 who are changing the world of internet and politics

PoliticsOnline - News, Tools & Strategies The Top 10 Who Are Changing the World of Internet and Politics

I voted. You can too. My vote went to Dr. Ron Paul.

Mark DeSantis: Infantilizing city government

Speaking of 'blogged to death' -- KDKA Radio is reporting that a guy in China died after a three day gaming saga. He's 'gamed to death.' Strangled by the net.

An older article in the P-G:

Mark DeSantis: Infantilizing city government They want to 'professionalize' by limiting employees' Internet access to 30 minutes a day? Wednesday, February 15, 2006 'Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds like uncommon nonsense.' -- The Mock Turtle, 'Alice in Wonderland'

Freedom isn't free. Happy Constitution Day

This looks like a nice event, a celebration of the US Constitution at IUP.

IUP Constitution Celebration, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania, today at 11 am. This celebration of the U.S Constitution features student groups playing a game of "Constitutional Jeopardy" and members of the IUP faculty reading of various passages from the Constitution. Guests will receive pocket-sized copies of the Constitution and refreshments. This is part of the university's week-long celebration of Constitution Day.

Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh the same day brings little or nothing on the Constitution, (sorta like Free Software Day). However, tours are being offered today.

Old Allegheny County Jail Tours are slated at the Allegheny County Jail/Family Court on September 17 at 11:30 am. Explore the former jail with this free self-guided tour. A docent from Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation will be on hand to provide information. Reservations are appreciated by calling (412) 471-5808, ext. 527.

Notice the contrast. The rest of the nation is doing an embrace of freedom, rights, liberties while Pittsburgh is about jails, bars, punishment and stone buildings with walls of a fortress.

History is important. I love to know about the past. The 'throw-back threads' of the Steelers are nice -- for a game. But the Steelers stunk back in the day. Likewise, the struggle for justice and individual liberties throughout history has been stormy.

Constitution Day and Jury Rights Day 2007 from the Libertarian Party

For more information contact: Doug Leard (Media Relations) or Michael Robertson (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS / chair@lppa.org

Harrisburg - Today marks the 220th anniversary of the signing of our United States Constitution. To celebrate and show support for the principles contained in this historic document, LPPa members will participate in a Constitution Day Rally at 6 p.m. today on the State Capitol Steps.

Sponsored by S.T.O.M.P. (Stop Taking our Money and Property), the event features a variety of speakers addressing the essential duty of defending our Constitution and the principles within it.

LPPa Cumberland County representative, Barry Dively, remarked "Constitution Day is celebrated by all US citizens to recognize a document and contract with our government that we have inalienable rights - rights granted to us as our birthright, of life, liberty and property."

Constitution Day comes after recognition of another fundamental freedom celebrated on September 8th, Jury Rights Day. On this day, we acknowledged the largely ignored power of jurors to protect citizens from over-reaching government through jury nullification.

A Pittsburgh-based LPPa spokesman, Tim Crowley, explained that "Juries are empowered to consider matters of fact as they pertain to guilt or innocence, but they also are empowered to consider the morality of the law in question. That's the purpose of jury nullification."

It's not surprising that these two days of commemoration are related by more than a common month. As Thomas Jefferson said, "I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution."

Constitution Day Rally info: stoptakingourmoneyproperty@yahoo.com.
Jury nullification info: www.fija.org (Fully Informed Jury Association).

News of the "state of the art" YMCA within the new Civic Arena is in demand

Yes.

From swim-WV-Kenyon

Ons day, construction at the edge of downtown might look like this.

Millions up for grabs in Scaife divorce fight

Woops.

Millions up for grabs in Scaife divorce fight The case file, though ostensibly sealed by the court, was readily available online from the Web site housing Allegheny County court records over a period of several days at the end of last month.

Thanks Judge Alan Hertzberg.

This is funny reading in the Sunday P-G.

How come none of the bloggers got this link and posted about it -- or -- did I miss it?

Perhaps everyone was too busy tailing Rev. Johnny Monroe's bus around town, to the tune of more than $500,000 per year. Wonder how many bus routes -- err -- bus companies the divorce is going to net?

Pitt's Levance Fields tasered outside of nightclub

Pitt's Levance Fields tasered outside of nightclub tasered outside of nightclub

In basketball, players get five fouls. In life, there are times when you don't get five. Sounds like a time out was needed to reverse momentum.

In cases like this, as in the other incident a couple of weeks ago with the basketball player from Duquesne who was sent packing for home, I really want to have great confidence in the Citizens Police Review Board.

I have confidence in the Board -- but -- not so much in that what the board uncovers and suggests is implemented.

Free Food. Who doesn't love that.

THE PHANTOM FRIGHT NIGHT FREE FOOD FRENZY RETURNS WITH A VENGEANCE ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2007

Greetings, Ghoul Seekers. The Phantom has lost his freakishly fool head again this year!

The Phantom's Free Food Frenzy creeps up on Saturday, September 22, 2007, from 7-11 p.m.

Pay regular admission or use a Phantom Fright Nights ticket from Giant Eagle and enjoy FREE FOOD including Potato Patch Fries, burgers, funnel cakes, Pepsi soft drink products, and MORE- all FREE!

We also invite our Free Food Frenzy guests to bring a canned food donation for the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, who will be collecting donations at our front gate that evening.

Sorry, tickets marked TRADE are not valid on September 22, 2007. Kennywood regular season tickets are also not valid. Some other restrictions apply. Not recommended for children under 13.

More details at kennywood.com.

From Grant

Snapshots from Camp Wellstone, a 3-day experience for candidates and organizers

wellstone

From 8:30 am to 4:30 Sept. 20 at D.U. - Freedom from (or for) Religion

Send an email to:

FaithAndPolitics@duq.edu

Understanding the Separation of Church and State Symposium.

http://www.FaithAndPolitics.duq.edu

Click for a larger view.

Exotic hires need time to get bearings - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Eric puts a good twist on the hires of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl after an exhaustive national -- if not global -- job search for key positions to move our city forward.

Exotic hires need time to get bearings - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review He promised a nationwide search, and he hasn't disappointed.

With this type of thinking taking root, I wonder if the Pittsburgh Steelers would risk going all the way to Penn State to seek new talent on NFL draft day.

Pennsylvania Ron Paul Meetup Alliance (Carlisle, PA) - Meetup.com

Pennsylvania Ron Paul Meetup Alliance (Carlisle, PA) - Meetup.com: "Pennsylvania Ron Paul Meetup Alliance"

Feel free to sign up.

Funds will help with Dormont pool maintenance - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

This is why we need to take apart the RAD Tax. A more regional approach to recreation is needed. Dormont needs a swim pool. Mt. Lebo needs a swim pool. Carnegie needs a swim pool. But never, in today's landscape, is the total view considered nor understood. People from the Mt. Lebo and Carneigie use the Dormont Pool.

Funds will help with Dormont pool maintenance - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Dormont officials will use $75,000 from Allegheny County to help with needed repairs at the borough's swimming pool.

Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato presented the borough with a check Saturday during the Potomac Avenue Street Fair & Blues Festival.

The latest funding brings the total in state and county grants and donations to help maintain the 87-year-old landmark to $650,000, said John Maggio, president of Friends of the Dormont Pool. The group has raised $60,000.

Officials hope to raise $1 million to sustain operations at the 60,000-square-foot pool.

This check giving opportunity is nothing but PORK from Onorato. He uses the money as if it is 'walking around money' -- WAM. Same too with the money from the state.

I want parks people to have a better say as to where good investments should be made.

The concept of a the regional Pittsburgh Park District, an effort I championed years ago, is still practical and visionary.

MN on my mind. I would NEVER want to get Steven Clift mad. He's a fountain says this fixture

Post: The Anti-Democratic Debate - Yahoo and partners run 17th online candidate debate

OK, I'm ticked.

Back in 1994 Scott Aikens and I put together the world's first online candidate debate as part of Minnesota E-Democracy. It was a state level debate. Today, E-Democracy.Org has a resource center on e-debates here: http://pages.e-democracy.org/E-Debates

In 2000, I worked on the general election Web White & Blue Presidential Rolling Cyber Debate in which Yahoo! was a partner. The Democracy Network of the Center for Governmental Studies in 1996 something they called a digital debate as well.

Then today, a reputable source like the BBC says the Yahoo Democratic Candidate Mashup - http://debates.news.yahoo.com - is the "first online-only debate." And Google news is compiling similar stories filled with this misinformation.

This may be the first online-only Presidential primary debate with video.

Politics Online keeps a nice list of online political firsts. If you search Yahoo for the phrase "first online debate" leading off their debate site, you get a link to our 1996 e-debate in the top ten.

The other day I blogged my detailed proposal for all to steal on how a good online debate should be designed. It builds off the Minnesota Gubernatorial E-Debate in 2006.

I do hope this Yahoo!/Huffington Post/Slate online debate goes well. We need more online efforts which force substantive interchange among candidates that also bring out the voices of citizens. If this was really a "debate" I would expect to see round one video responses followed by a second round where candidates choose who to respond to in detail (video, text, etc.). The Internet is the perfect medium for in-depth rebuttals with supporting links. That is why the E-Democracy.Org format requires rebuttals from candidates on a select number of major themes.

Online news expert Jeff Jarvis has blogged a couple zingers titled Poor Yahoo and The Yahoo Presidential Mushup. Other bloggers are weighing in as well.

What I like about this candidate "conversation" - the viewer can decide which candidates to view on specific issues and on the Yahoo site they are encouraging people to discuss the debate on their message boards.

What I don't like - questions don't appear to come from Internet users, the official discussion is in a walled garden that prohibits outside linking rather than encouraging, then aggregating a web 2.0 style voter conversation across the web (see my detailed proposal - PDF).

In the general election, there can be no exclusive online presidential debate BUT if we all work together we can create a web 2.0-savvy/fully syndicated/creative commons/open source style e-debate that is fundamentally interactive and inspirational to voters and unavoidable by the major candidates.

Steven Clift, DoWire.Org

P.S. I should note that when this press release came out last winter I blogged about this and I sent an e-mail to the contacts on the press release correcting the record and offering to share advice. I also e-mailed Charlie Rose who repeats the false "we're first" claim in their introduction video. Overstating their originality once, no big deal. But again and again. Come on folks - you all look smart enough to check your facts.

*** Democracies Online Newswire - http://DoWire.Org ***

Housing Authority gets tough

Housing Authority gets tough Housing Authority gets tough Says eviction after rent is month late is bid to oust troublemakers Saturday, September 15, 2007 By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Felicia Frazier said she paid her rent. Frank O'Leary, the manager of the St. Clair Village public housing community where she lives, said she may have paid, but a month late.

District Judge Gene Ricciardi sat in his courtroom Wednesday, listening to their dueling accounts, and concluded that Ms. Frazier overpaid by $9 -- but since it came in 32 days late, she owed court costs of $119.

Zero tolerance policy BS surfaces again.

Life isn't binary.

People are not, sorry for the pun, "Black -- or -- White." Most people are some shade between.

What happens when you have round pegs and square holes? The zero tolerance policy is for brain dead leadership.

However, when looking at the numbers in the article, this might be more sizzle than steak. Evictions have declined.

This story seems to be about Goldilocks. It was too cold. Then it was too hot. Can the pressure be 'just right?' And, getting it right is going to be hard, day-in-day-out work. It is about meetings, follow-up, and community understandings.

Reactions welcomed.

What's going on Matt?

Pittsburgh has been called a breeding ground for trouble. Ouch.

Off The Record VII: Blogged to Death :: Byham Theater, Pittsburgh

What are the chances that this blog, Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates, is mentioned within the dialog this night?

Off The Record VII: Blogged to Death :: Byham Theater, Pittsburgh Presented by: Trust Guest Attraction Venue: Byham Theater Thursday, September 27, 2007, 8:00 PM Tickets: $60, $40, $20.

Journalists and performers satirize Pittsburgh news and newsmakers in comedy and song, with rebuttals from some satirized, to raise funds for Greater Pittsburgh Community Food bank.

I'm looking for some volunteers to do a literature drop at this event this night -- on the sidewalks. If you are going to go and can spare a few minutes, let me know. If you don't want to go, but can spare some time there, let me know.