DeSantis lands an endorsement from a "diverse" outlet

I've just come to discover that Mark DeSantis, R, candidate for mayor of Pittsburgh, has earned a new endorsement from the GSPC, Gertrude stein Political Club. The informal email I just got included these insights:

you may be interested to know that the gertrude stein club of greater pittsburgh has endorsed MARK DeSantis for mayor. some of his responses that we liked were positive for domestic partnership benefits, and firmly pro choice. please continue to engage with us, even though you have not received our endorsements. at least you are current, updated and obviously care about government.

I'm sure a more formal press release is being crafted somewhere. I hope and expect that my sources are on the mark. (Pun intended).

Yes, I do care about government. I'm with little chance of getting that organization's endorsement because I'm not gay. And, I've not really gone after any specific endorsement. The unions won't even meet with me. Oh well.

The email from her to me began:

mark,
wow, i agree with you on a+schools, cameras, and maybe even agree on the ethics position.

I love that some in the marketplace of ideas are open minded. And, I'm not going to ignore people in the community. I'm just swimming upstream and need a few more hours in the day.

Volunteers needed: Transcription of 1 hour tv interview + more

A transcription helper or three is needed to type the contents of interviews from a TV show delivered in DVD format. Typist should be able to view the interview off of the DVD on a home TV/DVD player. Or, play the DVD off of a computer.

I'd love to get a text document and associated timeline of the interview returned to me as soon as possible.

The first show is about one hour in length. The second show is a bit shorter.

As payment, you'll be able to keep the DVD(s).

Blocking the Real ID in PA. A call to action and update

The Real ID is a seed of an idea on the federal level that has been knocked around for some time. It is getting beat up in a few other states where privacy and liberty matters. The battle in PA is now in full swing. The Federal Real ID program is bad news and should not be accepted.

PA Daily Report September 25, 2007

Yesterday was a GOOD day! The rally went well, and the majority of those present for the speeches came into the building to learn the ropes of practical political action. As a group, we met with a number of the "power broker"staffers (McCall's office, DeWeese's office, and others).

One of the rally attendees, a constituent of Rep. John Payne, helped us make an interesting discovery. Rep. Payne has consistently introduced legislation to UNTIE the Social inSecurity Number from all PA licenses (hunting, professional, etc.). I plan to make a proposal to him that he incorporate a simple statement as an amendment to Rep. Rohrer's bill to accomplish that goal! In this way, two VERY important items can fall under the scope of "identification" situations covered.

There is yet another meeting at 11 am today. Rep. Rohrer's staffer arranged a pow-wow between me and Curt Meyers. Curt is the Deputy Secretary of Safety Administration in the Transportation Department (tied to PENNDOT). In South Carolina, the DOT's administrator was a critical cog in the wheel, bringing the Executive Department to bear on the legislature in subcommittee hearings on Real ID. If we can get the Governor's staff to come down against implementing Real ID, it will go a LONG way to helping get 1351 unglued from the committee. We hope to have at least one PA Senate Staffer in that meeting, with another strategy to be having the Senate introduce a companion bill there.

The next day we have arranged a meeting with the Speaker of the House, to try to get 1351 on the agenda.

To help us, PLEASE make a phone call or two! Priority #1 MUST be to get to House leadership. Chairman Thomas (717-772-9854) (Intergovernmental Affairs Committee) needs to hear from YOU! Call in, and request that HB 1351 be put on the committee agenda ASAP. Request (if you can make it) to be contacted to testify at this hearing.

Call Rep. DeWeese (Majority Leader) asking for 1351 to be put on the committee calendar (717-783-3797). The same message should come in to Majority Whip Keith McCall (717-783-1375).

We are also going to be trying to get more people on-board as CO-Sponsors. These include Karen Beyer (Veteran's Caucus chair)(717-783-1673); Keith Gillespie (on the subcommittee involved)(717-705-7167); and Scott Hutchinson (717-783-8188). We met with these people today, and they seem somewhat amenable. A few choice calls would help. If you are a VETERAN, call Rep. Beyer to have her make this bill an issue for veterans! (Vets should also become a part of the NVCCA at www.nvcca.net -- forward that info to any veterans you know!)

(Since Jim and I started working, a number of new sponsors have come onto the bill. We want to increase the number by the end of this week by an additional 10+)

There is much more that happened on the first day of the reunited legislature, and only so much time for me to write it all up and still be able to keep going.

YOU are a critical part of our operations. Your calls greatly increase our value when we are actually in the capitol, meeting with these people. Call YOUR rep. and have them CO-SPONSOR HB 1351! More sponsors mean more pressure on leadership to "run the bill." Every voice on this bill becomes a louder and louder SCREAM from the public that it should be a TOP PRIORITY of the legislative agenda. While they pass item after item dedicating a road to some dead person, the living are going to be living with REAL ID, unless we slam the door on it NOW!

We are throwing everything we have into this effort. There are hundreds of people receiving these e-mail alerts. Hundreds of calls from YOU make our work all the more likely to succeed. PLEASE MAKE SOME CALLS, and encourage your church groups, business associates, and neighbors to do likewise. Post these messages onto political blogs, meet-up groups, etc. and continue bringing others into the battle. Sportsmen's groups, jewish/religious, and others will support our efforts when they KNOW ABOUT THEM! We can't be everywhere. But we are in Harrisburg. Your support is critical.

The above email was from Aaron of NVCCA from Restore The Republic 4 E. Ogden Ave #126 Westmont, IL 60559.

Metroblogging Pittsburgh: Propelling Pittsburgh

Here we go again.

Metroblogging Pittsburgh: Propelling Pittsburgh The official bylaws of the Commission say that we're not supposed to reveal Commission business to the media without the Chair's permission (that'd be the Mayor), so I'm going to confine myself to vague generalities.

Okay, if the Mayor came into the meeting with no preconceived notions about what should be done and what should NOT be done, then how do you explain the first part of the post -- not revealing business of the Commission.

Of course there were preconceived notions.

Of course the notions were about teaching the people in the group that they had better march along and follow orders.

On the flip side, thanks for taking off the muzzle and posting to the blog. You've done well.

When you meet again -- get that code of silence taken off the charter of the commission. Or, some other person will have to run the the Ethics Hearing Board and spank those that talk. Or, spank the members of the group for being so mindless as to agreeing to the silence.

For the record, Ravenstahl is NEVER serious about soliciting ideas from me. There has NEVER been a hint of follow through from him.

Here is a major question. Is it ever okay to have government silence others, be they whistle blowers, commission members, or employees.

If so, when.

Why.

How.

You all are doing the work of the public. You should have everything in the public domain.

If you want to have secret elements at meetings and approval to speak, then operate in the private sector. Join forces and start a business. Then it won't be anyone's business but yours. This effort, with the Mayor there, within the walls of our house, must be open, honest, and free.

Be free.

Our kids need one thing above all else -- Liberty. A propel commission that aims to better our shared public spaces and public process must have full rights for all.

If that doesn't get them to hate you, then you can call for a vote. Call for a non-binding straw poll on each committee.

Move the agenda with democracy.

If you can do those things -- I'll smile as there might be some hope that my children will be able to grow up in Pittsburgh and have a city worth living in.

Carbolic Smoke Ball: UPMC RESPONDS TO HILLARY CLINTON’S CALL FOR MANDATORY HEALTH CARE WITH AFFORDABLE FACELIFT PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE

Carbolic Smoke Ball: UPMC RESPONDS TO HILLARY CLINTON’S CALL FOR MANDATORY HEALTH CARE WITH AFFORDABLE FACELIFT PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE: "UPMC RESPONDS TO HILLARY CLINTON’S CALL FOR MANDATORY HEALTH CARE WITH AFFORDABLE FACELIFT PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE"

Got web ink in the P-G Early Returns about ethics. Interesting headline: Can't Muzzle Mark

Today's Post Gazette has this news about ethics under the headline: Can't Muzzle Mark

Post-Gazette NOW - Local News - Early Returns of Sept. 24, 2007

Can't muzzle Mark

Pittsburgh controller candidate Mark Rauterkus has filed an ethics complaint -- against the city Ethics Hearing Board.

The Libertarian Party standard bearer's complaint targets the board's policy, which is written into the city's ethics code, of barring those who filed complaints with it from speaking about those complaints. It apparently exists to keep confidential information, or unfounded accusations, out of the media. The policy first manifested itself when the very first city ethics complaint of the modern era was filed and continues to be in place.

Mr. Rauterkus' complaint demands that the board "strike down the concept of imposing secrecy onto citizens who file complaints." Why? "Sins to the soul of the city should be heard with the Ethics Hearing Board so citizens are able to gain with an increase of empowerment, not a decrease of rights."

He also rails against provisions in the ethics code that could make the complainant liable if they make wrongful use of the ethics process.

Besides filing against the board, Mr. Rauterkus filed complaints against two other candidates for city office, neither of whom is yet a city employee. Of course, by disclosing his filings to Early Returns, he may have rendered them moot by running afoul of the confidentiality rule -- but maybe that was the point.

Let's go back in time with a short two article refresher course on the early returns of the Ethics Hearing Board. These other matters linked and quoted below from the recent past were not generated by me. I didn't play any role with what follows. These two set-up articles below, plus what I'm putting into play now rounds out the bulk of the body of knowledge except for the whole Luke Ravenstahl golf outing. Almost everyone has heard about Luke's golfing.

From the P-G on May 11, 2007: Whistleblower fired from campaign job Whistleblower fired from campaign job. See the link for the story.

From the P-G on May 14, 2007: Ethics effort still not in good form

There IS an election tomorrow It seems the city Ethics Hearing Board still isn't quite ready to take complaints. The five-member board finally mustered a quorum Friday, more than a year after the late Mayor Bob O'Connor pledged to revive it from a decade of dormancy.

That meeting led some less-jaundiced observers of city politics to hope that it would start scouring a political landscape that has, this spring, been littered with accusations and questionable campaign practices. Our write-up of the historic meeting is here.

But today Jason Phillips, the erstwhile campaign staffer for Superior Court Judge Debra Todd who was fired after blowing the whistle on Councilman Jeff Koch's aide, tried to lodge a complaint and met with mixed results. Assistant City Solicitor Kate De Simone, obviously caught a little off guard by the effort, was nice as can be, offering to make up an ethics complaint form, pronto, and e-mail it to Mr. Phillips. But her offer came with three warnings:

"One thing I would point out about filing a complaint with the Ethics Hearing Board is that it's a very lengthy process," she said, estimating it at "up to a year" if the allegation is complex.

She repeated that all complaints are filed "under penalty of perjury." Translation: if the complainant is found to have lied on their complaint, they can find themselves on the wrong end of a prosecution.

Under the ethics code, she said as a reporter sat a few feet away, the complainant is not allowed to make their filing of a complaint public. Mr. Phillips' concerns have already made newspapers and the TV news, but Ms. De Simone said that didn't necessarily bar him from pursuing a complaint -- as long as he doesn't specifically tell anybody that he has filed it.

After leaving the solicitor's office, Mr. Phillips wouldn't say whether he will file a complaint, but said he wasn't deterred by what Ms. De Simone said. "The length of the procedure seems untimely," he said. "I have no concern with perjury, because I don't plan to perjure myself."

But, he noted, "It definitely seemed the city is unprepared for something it has been working toward for a year."

The next Ethics Hearing Board meeting is in October and it is on my public Google calendar.

Other footnotes on the Ethics Hearing Board are welcomed.

What became of the promise from Luke to file a complaint back in May? Is it still in the hopper? Did Luke ever get it to the Ethics Hearing Board? Is it a 'done deal?'

New version, 2.3, of Open Office . org is out

OpenOffice.org 2.3 has been released. OpenOffice.org 2.3 is a *must* download. It not only includes a security fix, but also has some very cool new features. And, it works nicely with our growing number of extensions, hosted on our splendid
new extensions site.

* To download: http://download.openoffice.org/2.3.0/

* Extensions: http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/

* New features: http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/
New_Features_2.3

* Release notes: http://development.openoffice.org/releases/2.3.0.html

* Security bulletin: http://www.openoffice.org/security/bulletin.html

Bob Mayo, enjoy your holiday. Keep the shinny side up.

Where in the world is Bob Mayo? He has to be driving a bus somewhere. Right?

Bob just emailed me to say he is on holiday this week. So, he isn't 'lost.' Don't worry. But, a blogger who works in the MSM (mainstream media) and has a wonderful blog called the busman's holiday must have interesting vacation and travel insights. Right?

Get it. The blogger of the busman's holiday is on holiday. Meanwhile, I'm trying to strike up a conversation about ethics and he has been the "go to man."

We miss you already.

I remember I called Jon Delano of KDKA TV when he was at the beach on a vacation in August of 2006. I needed him after I got served papers that tried to knock me off the ballot for PA Senate race. Those very political papers included the fax number of my State Senator on them. Perhaps that's why there are ethical issues in Harrisburg hitting now concerning overtime and work of legislative staffers. Oh well. I could relax then knowing at least he was having a day at the beach.

Open thread.

The Club for Growth 2008 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

In the 2008 general election, only Ron Paul has a chance to defeat Hillary Clinton. And, I'm not the only one to think this way. All the big money, the Las Vegas book makers, say the same.

The Club for Growth 2008 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review'Look,' laughed Toomey, 'Hillary Clinton will energize Republicans like nobody's business. ... Just wait until they hear Hillary Clinton give her acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention next summer.'

Salena Zito is a Trib editorial page columnist. Call her at 412-320-7879. E-mail her at szito@tribweb.com

Science and Technology School should ONLY include open source software

The Open Minds Conference is the first national K-12 gathering for teachers, technicians and educational leaders to share and explore the benefits of open source in education. Virtual Learning Environments that provide 24X7 access to teaching and learning resources, cutting-edge and easy-to-use desktop applications, coupled with powerful management tools and low-cost computer strategies make the classroom of tomorrow available today!

http://www.centerdigitaled.com/conference.php?confid=378

If I was controller, or if I was on city council, Pittsburgh would be hosting events and conferences like this throughout the year.

Welcome to the THIRD most influential political blog in Pennsylvania

I had been ranked as high as seventh. In the last period, the ranking here was eveventh. Falling out of the top 10 isn't so fun. But now -- the blog has hit its highest ever with influence.

Mike Tomlin is going to be seeking "running mate status."

That McBeam mascot is now considering a name change, as I have suggested in the past, to "McPipe." Then he'll rush to help fix water main breaks around the region. He's made an inquiry to find out when the plumbers union is starting its next round with apprentice training.

Bram of PghComment is even leaving me Comets in my front yard and posting his full agreement that getting the "L" candidate (Tony Oliva) and "S" candidate onto the ballot for Mayor, and onto the debate stage, is going to help advance the cause for making this a better region.

What's next -- a snowball effect in October?

Perhaps I'll get a cameo role in the Food Bank benefit on Thursday at the gig called "Blogged to Death?" In not, jelly rolls will do.

Stay tuned....

Ballot Access News

I'm on the ballot, twice. But, it isn't easy to get there, sadly. One of our most pressing needs in our political landscape is ballot access for citizen candidates. It is hard to get onto the ballot. Then after people get on the ballot, there is an endless looking over of the shoulder to make sure that jobs and contracts are not being challenged by those with power being challenged.

Pennsylvanians, others will rally outside U.S. Supreme Court on decision day Ballot Access News

On September 24 (Monday), the U.S. Supreme Court will hold an internal, private conference, to decide which cases to accept. On the agenda is consideration of the Pennsylvania ballot access case, Rogers v Cortes, 06-1721. The Court probably won?t announce what it has decided until a week later, October 1, the first day of the new term.

The Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition will hold a rally on the Maryland Avenue side of the U.S. Supreme Court on September 24. The hope is that members of the Court will notice the rally. Speaking will be Bill Redpath, national chair of the Libertarian Party; Brent McMillan, national political director of the Green Party; any many Pennsylvania activists. A documentary film-maker is planning to film the rally.

Interesting about FACISM

http://www.oldamericancentury.org/14pts.htm

Rampant Cronyism and Corruption: Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.

More Mark and Less Party -- More Marks & More Opposition

JSM ponders:

As Republican Mark DeSantis presses on in his race against incumbent Democrat mayor Luke Ravenstahl, he must be more DeSantis and less Republican. Since just the thought of voting for a Republican for mayor is anathema to many local Democrats, DeSantis would have been better positioned as an independent.

In some areas, party affiliation means little more than embracing a party of convenience. Often, success comes as a result of merely running as a Republican and not being a Republican. It is a critical distinction when Democrat support is essential to victory.

I've asked DeSantis to come clean on his R-ness. What kind of "R" is he, we all want to know.

I agree in large part. Some will NEVER vote for a "R" in these parts in these times. And, for good reason.

Did you notice in the two part article on the front of today's Tribune Review (great articles by David Brown) that a box that pointed out the other two on the ballot -- Tony Oliva, Liberatrian and the Socialist meatpacker -- was placed within the text of the article on Luke. That placement is so much as to say that they'll both be taking a bit out of Luke's territory.

I was very, very impressed with the Trib and the photo selections of both Luke and Mark. The photos were very well balanced. Both even had a US flag showing the background.

Way to go Dave Brown and Trib! Way to go.

I do think that Luke's vote total will be less because of the other two challengers, the L and the S. Some will want to vote and will NEVER vote for DeSantis. They can land in the L or S column. That takes away votes from Luke. Luke has not earned everyone's vote, that is for sure.

Best of the Blogs -- shows a snip from this blog in Sunday's Trib

A snip of a recent blog post concerning security cameras got into print in the Sunday paper in the Tribune-Review today.

Pittsburgh Council OKs surveillance cameras around city: I'm in favor of all the cameras being pointed at the public officials, the public treasury and the authorities. Why can't we listen in or watch the meetings of the PAT Board? Why are the Ethics Hearing Board meetings not put on the Internet or cable TV? Until we have complete access to open records and open meetings with cameras and technology -- we should not talk about pointing cameras anywhere else.
Mark Rauterkus
From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates Ponder Current Events

Also featured in today's roundup is J.E., fellow Libertarian.

Ravenstahl Kick Off on Monday. Thursday at 3:30 is my kick off. I've got a double header.

Luke is going to officially kick off his campaign on Monday.

I'm going to officially kick off my campaign on Thursday at 3:30 pm at Carol's Restaurant at 410 S. Main Street in the West End.

Incumbent Ravenstahl's backers tout progress made - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The test will ratchet up a notch Monday, when Ravenstahl officially kicks off his general election bid to win the two years remaining on the unexpired term of the late Bob O'Connor.

How does a former place kicker make a kick off? Is Ravenstahl kick-off a PUN?

With my kick off the same week, but a few days later than his, at least I won't be charged with a 'false start.'

Quirkology: How We Discover the Big Truths in Small Things: Books: Richard Wiseman

Amazon.com: Quirkology: How We Discover the Big Truths in Small Things: Books: Richard Wiseman Quirkology: How We Discover the Big Truths in Small Things (Hardcover)

Russian OS to be installed in every school

CNews: Russian OS to be installed in every school: "Experts and market participants believe the terms stated by the Ministry of Communication are quite real. “Software distributives, developed on the basis of Linux and tested within 2007-2008 might actually be installed in schools by 2009 end”, "

So, throughout every school in Russia, they are trashing Microsoft Windows. Bang. Gone. Nuked.

In comes open source software with a Linux kernel.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is thinking about opening a new science and technology school and there wasn't a peep about open source software in the presentation. Nothing about software engineering.

The proposed Science and Technology Public High School should be devoted to the deployment of free and open source software and nothing else.

This policy will get people excited and engaged.

This policy will educate students for the future.

This policy is what Pittsburgh needs.

[412] Ethics, Schools, my P-G editorial board meeting, and a standing date to start "33 plan" (Thursday at 3:30 pm)

I sent out an email blast on Saturday afternoon. This took some time to compose, and it is longer than usual.

[412] Ethics, Schools, my P-G editorial board meeting, and a standing date to start "33 plan" (Thursday at 3:30 pm)

If you don't get my email blasts, sign up at http://Rauterkus.com/mailman/listinfo/412-public-campaign.
Also, check your spam filter as the message might be sitting there.

One goal of the campaign is to double the size of this 412-public email outreach. So, if there are others that you think might enjoy reading these messages, invite them or let me know.

Open tread follows with replies and talkback loops.

Ron Paul’s Internet Blitz Continues: Campaign to Stream Live Video of Chicago Rally Saturday

Ron Paul’s Internet Blitz Continues: Campaign to Stream Live Video of Chicago Rally Saturday: "Presidential candidate Ron Paul will stream video on his website of a rally in Chicago this Saturday 3 PM CT. The campaign is expecting there to be a large crowd for the event.

Paul’s campaign has been doing an end around of traditional media by posting video of events on their website. This time the video will be live and has the potential to start a new trend in presidential campaigning.

Paul wrote on his website Thursday, ‘The world's elites are busy forming a North American Union. If they succeed, as they did in forming the European Union, the good ol’ USA will only be a memory. We cannot let that happen.’"