Flow: Drew Carey with Reason.TV and libertarian views

Traffic sucks.

Called Blog Baron. Got in the P-G and didn't even notice until now

Put the new handle, BLOG BARON, into the realm of 'digital dust' in the MSM (mainstream media). I was watching the story unfold about the goofy love of chair blog and the people who are at the helm of this city. But, I didn't notice that I was mentioned in the coverage in the P-G.

In loving memory of "Love of Chair": "Before midnight, though, Burgh Report commentators reported that the content was gone. Alert Burgh Report readers then found cached versions of portions of the blog online, and posted links to them. Blog baron and multiple-office candidate Mark Rauterkus challenged his fellow techies to 'take the old blog content from the cache and redeploy it into another blog -- to live in infamy.'"

Call 9-1-1 as the P-G's first editorial on candidates ran today

From people & vips

The Post-Gazette editorial board is getting to the task of publishing its editorials on each of the campaigns slated for the November 6th ballot. The first one is about city council district one.

District 1: North Side: "Councilwoman Darlene Harris has not always been a favorite of ours."

Nor is she a favorite of mine.

I talked with Dave on the phone after the editorial board meeting. It was held just the other day.

Going into the meeting he had high hopes as to what he might expect. The P-G had some great things to say about David in the past. But, the citizenship thing was a problem for them, as an unreasoned objection. Now that the citizen matter has been resolved, there was no reason to think he wouldn't get the endorsement.

The other pressure element comes into play when the P-G endorsement meeting is the LONE meeting with both candidates throughout the entire campaign. Do or die situations, one-time deals, all-the-eggs in one basket approaches are not preferable. Rather, I want to have a sustained conversation. I'm not into one-night stands, nor blind dates, yet alone prescribed marriages.

The hunger to unseat Darlene Harris must have been visible. There is no shame in that, if you ask me. But, the P-G saw it in a different light. How many of the P-G editorial board live in the city? How many have a good understanding of what happens and what doesn't on a week-in and week-out basis within council chambers?

I've watched Darlene in action. I'd be thrilled to have her replaced. But, she does have a long resume. And, her school district board service is nothing to rest her reputation upon.

The mention of the need for citizens to carry an I.D. comes from David's work as a 9-1-1 operator. His work puts him in the mix as police and citizens interact on the streets. Dispatching back up, moving officers to the night court with company and doing research on identities is all part of his job in moment to moment communications.

I raised this exact issue just two weeks ago at the South Side Forum Meeting. I asked about the police policy for releasing or removing a person with charges when on the streets.

Just a while ago the police and citizens, on our street, stopped a person who was making trouble. Once it was vandalism and an aborted auto theft. The other time the person nabbed by the police had assulted a person. Witnesses were there. The police were there, and in charge of the situations. The alleged troublemaker in both instances was without an I.D. Hello Jane Doe.

The perp walks each time.

Citations were issued, but to who?

The police spokespeople at the South Side meeting explained it to us. There are three types of violations. On the first two, citations are issued on the spot and everyone goes home. This might take 40-minutes of noisy chatter outside our windows, but everyone gets to depart the scene without going to jail, night court or the police station.

Seems that the police do their best to ascertain the identity of the person with pointed questions and a link back to the dispatchers. Social Security numbers, address, birthdays, etc. are discovered. If something sounds fishy -- they leave the scene together.

David's call for the need to carry an I.D. would fix this entire quagmire of 20-questions on the street with Jane and John Doe.

If you are grabbed by the police after a fight and don't have an I.D. on you -- take that person to the police station until a positive I.D. arrives. Same with attempted auto theft and vandalism.

Dave and I talked about his solution idea that makes it mandatory to carry an I.D. He knew that I'd be cold to the idea, given my libertarian perspectives. Dave does have a great point. And, his solution makes life easier for those who otherwise must play 20-questions with Jane Doe on the streets at 2 or 3 in the morning.

It seems to me that if you are going to go out and graffiti a bridge, you might not want to bring your I.D. It might slow you in your escape. And, if caught, it might be used against you when an alternative name, address and identity could be used.

It is an instance when a 'digital camera' with the police might be a perfect solution.

Mayor vetos Parking Tax Freeze -- but I'm still waiting for him to say he'd liquidate the Parking Authority

Folks, the mayor didn't 'veto the parking tax.' No.

The mayor put the veto pen to a bill that would have kept the parking tax at its current sky-high amount. The parking tax is due to drop again this year according to state measures. Then the parking tax will sit at another sky high amount, but slightly less than before.

Other than one fleeting mention by Jim Motznik (after he becomes mayor) (giving credit where credit is due), I have not heard anyone request the liquidation of the Parking Authority.

I've been calling for the liquidation of the Parking Authority for years.

Campaign evidence found in Dems' files

Campaign evidence found in Dems' files It is illegal for campaign work to be done in state offices, on state equipment or by state employees on work time.

Darn tootin' it is illegal.

The Duquesne Duke: Serving Duquesne University Since 1925

Great breakdown of the Duquesne University debate from a junior journalism student. Great article. He says that one party rule is bad. Also offers the idea that DeSantis didn't deliver a knock out against Ravenstahl.

The Duquesne Duke: Serving Duquesne University Since 1925 It seems the future of Pittsburgh’s economic problems will not be solved in the November election or by candidates of either party. Nevertheless, the future of the city is in the hands of Pittsburgh’s young people.

Ron Paul's letter to folks like me and readers of this blog

Ron Paul wrote in an email:

October 17, 2007

The other day, my old sparring partner in so many Congressional committee hearings, Alan Greenspan, was on the Fox Business Channel. After Alan promoted his new book, the reporter asked if we really needed a central bank. Greenspan looked stunned, and then said that was a good question; he actually talked about fiat money vs. a gold standard. Now, the ex-Fed chairman is not about to endorse our sound monetary policy, but you know our Revolution is working when such a question is asked in the mainstream media, and this powerful man gives such an answer.

You and I are reopening a whole host of questions that the establishment thought it had closed off forever: on war, on taxes and spending, on inflation and gold, and on the rule of law and our Constitution.

A few years ago, I asked a famous conservative columnist a question. What did he think about the prospects for a restored Robert Taft wing of the Republican party? He thought I was joking. As you know, I was not.

After all the aggressive wars, the assaults on our privacy and civil liberties, the oppressive taxation, and the crazed spending and deficits, I believe that many Republican voters are ready to return to our roots. And the big boys feel it too. It is no coincidence that the Republican National Committee invited me to a fundraising dinner involving only "top-tier candidates."

Some of the opposition claims that I am not a "real Republican," whereas I am the only one in the race. And our campaign is registering new Republican voters by the boatload. None of my opponents is doing anything approaching that.

Of course, they pooh-pooh our success. "He's just registering Democrats and Independents and people who have never voted before." Well, yes. It's called growth. We are laying the groundwork for the primaries.

All over America, our support is wide and deep and growing, and young people are joining like never before. After the Dearborn debate, I went to the University of Michigan for a rally. 2,000 students turned out, something that has happened to no other candidate this year.

The crowd cheered all our ideas, but especially our opposition to the Federal Reserve, and our support for real money of gold and silver, as the Constitution mandates, instead of prosperity-wrecking fiat money. American politics hasn't seen anything like this in many decades. It is truly revolutionary.

But time is getting short. We must do massive radio and TV advertising, open many small offices (three in just South Carolina the other day), staff them, pay all the bills, and turn out our vote with massive organizational and phone-bank efforts.

As you know, the blackout is ending; our campaign is starting to get mainstream media attention, thanks to growing donations and volunteers. And contributions are the key to more attention, and to our being able to do the actual work of victory. Good news: our recent green-eyeshade analysis of all the candidates' net finances, which got so much press attention, shows our campaign as one of only three in the top-tier.

But we must keep moving up, and the Iowa caucuses are now on January 3rd. The New Hampshire primary may be in early December!

As always, everything depends on you. Please, make the most generous donation you canhttps://www.ronpaul2008.com/donate/ as soon as you can. I need your help so badly.

The other day, an 8-year-old boy handed me a small white envelope. It contained the $4.00 he had saved from his allowance, as a donation to our campaign. I can't tell you how seriously I take my responsibility to work hard, and spend frugally and effectively, to be worthy of his support, and yours.

Please help me keep working, even harder and more effectively, for all we believe in. Without you, I'd have to pack it in. Donate now https://www.ronpaul2008.com/donate/ .We have more than an election to win. We have a country to save.

Ron Paul

So-Called 'Off-Year' Elections Anything But Off

kdka.com - So-Called 'Off-Year' Elections Anything But Off I'm on page 4 of 6, either once or twice, depending upon where you live.

Ron Paul audio from Odeo

ODEO is a podcast service and it seems as if one of my old high school classmates is the President there. So, let's take a moment and hear from the guy I want to be president of the USA, Ron Paul.

powered by ODEO

This is an interview with Ron Paul via ABC News.

Pa. House asks MLB to retire Clemente's No. 21 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pa. House asks MLB to retire Clemente's No. 21 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Pa. House asks MLB to retire Clemente's No. 21

How about if we retire a bunch of members from the PA House instead.

I love Roberto. I hate over-reaching politicians.

FAQ on new website gets put into place today.

Have you seen the new website at Elect.Rauterkus.com?

What leadership skills do you possess?

As a former NCAA Division I swimming coach, I have led many athletes to great performances. I've coached teams with more than 200 swimmers. I've been a boss with staffs of dozens, in competitive sports. I've hired and employed lifeguards and swim instructors in multiple facilities. Managing them is much like leading public employees but lifeguards and instructors have higher stakes than what the average bureaucrat faces.

Leading employees in the controller's office or with a staff will not be a problem.

When dealing with rivals on various issues, my experience in coaching competitive sports will be an asset. Building teamwork among peers within the halls of government will leverage these same team building strengths. Even with rivals I am know for my respectful demeanor.

Why do you not have a job? One of your opponents says you're just running for office because you need the money. Is this true?

We moved to Pittsburgh so that my wife, Catherine V. Palmer, Ph.D., could pursue her career in Audiology at the University of Pittsburgh. She is an associate professor in the Department of Communication Science and Disorders at the School or Health and Rehabilitation Sciences with a joint appointment to the School of Medicine in the Department of Otolaryngology. If that sounds impressive, it should. She impresses me everyday. Like so many spouses before, I took on the role of stay at home parent to our sons, to free her to pursue her career.

As a father of two boys, it is a role I am proud of, and an experience I am fortunate to have been able to have.

I've got the best job in the world.

Furthermore, I've been a professional swim coach and expect to coach again, and holding an elected position does not change this. I've worked as a paid coach from 2003 to August 2007.

If I needed money, I would pursue a career in the private sector. It pays better. The reality is, life has put me in a fortunate position in a difficult town. I wish to give something back by dedicating my time to public service at a time when our region is lacking leadership.

Why are you running for both City Council and City Controller?

I am running for City Council because the city's finances are in shambles, liberties are on the decline and new energy is needed in the post of Chairperson of the Citiparks and Youth Policy Committee.

I can't stand idle and give Bruce Kraus a free pass to city council. Hats off to him for winning the 2007 primary to get the nomination from the Democrats. But I've campaigned with him and seen double-talk and his fumbles with the purpose of government. Kraus wants to play give-a-way politics and the city is without any assets to make more handouts.

I'm immensely more qualified to serve the city in the role of chairperson of Citiparks and Youth Policy Committee than Mr. Kraus -- and any of the others elected to office in Allegheny County. I'll do more for kids in Pittsburgh than all the other politicians combined. For Pittsburgh to recover, we need to grow ourselves out of this mess we find ourselves in today. Our kids need to be strong and must be successful competitors in a world marketplace.

As City Controller I will be in a position to exercise performance oversight over the city -- from council's special interest spending to the mayor's office to the school district.

Why did you initially run for other offices as well?

Pennsylvania's law make it nearly impossible to get Libertarians and other third-party candidates onto the ballot. In the hopes of luring other like-minded citizens to also run for office, I charted a course to provide alternatives. Election rules allow for a political body to change candidates, and we were successful in getting another into the mayor's race.

My candidacy in many races assured spaces for other challengers on the ballot, depending upon the primary election outcomes.

What is your agenda?

I want an urban Pittsburgh that is a splendid place to raise our kids. And, as our kids mature, I want them to have the freedom and liberty to grow and stay here.

Some of my strategies for addressing our city's issues, from education, to parks, to the city's ongoing financial crisis follows.

---

Are there other questions you feel should be asked and answered?

Hey, Teachers. Leave that school alone. Memo to Pgh Public Schools: Do NOT sell South Vo Tech

The board of Pittsburgh Public Schools is moving, again, to sell off a treasure -- South Vo Tech.

This should NOT happen.

Keep the school. Don't sell it. There are plenty of other wonderful uses for that building that need to occur. The buildings and space are with too much value. The site has always been a pivotal place for learning and employment.

There are few who are more 'free market driven' than me. And I say -- don't sell it off. The building is at a wonderful cross-roads. People can get there by foot, walking from town. Buses go. When the road is open, people can slip into the site from the mouth of the Liberty Bridge and Tunnel.

Here are some proposed uses:

1. Re-open a Vo-Tech High School!

South Vo Tech should have never closed. Pittsburgh needs a great Vo Tech program. We were promised a re-do of the Vo Tech opportunities when South Vo Tech closed.

2. Turn South Vo Tech's into a different school.

2a. Make it a K-8 building. The existing Phillips is not that good a building for K-5. There is no room for music, gym, science labs, nor expansion. The existing Phillips school could be great for pre-school and K. Grades 1-8 could fit into South. Or put one classroom for K for sibling preferences.

The residents in the "new urban high rise condos" that were slated for the east end of Station Square would find it ideal to send their kids to a South K-8, walking from 2nd Ave to 9th.

2b. Schenley High School might get a face-lift. The 9th graders of Schenley could go to South Vo Tech while the school gets a re-hab for a year.

2c. South Vo Tech could be a great charter school. Put the Science and Technology High School operated by Pgh Public Schools as a charter school there. Yes, as a charter school.

By the way, I don't like the idea of putting grades 6, 7 and 8 with the high school kids within one school.

2d. Make South Vo Tech a haven for 9th Grade Nation. Get the kids that are 'at risk' to have a specialized school to bone up on literature, algebra and writing. Then from this school, they could go to other district schools in 10, 11 and 12th grade.

3. Make South Vo Tech a regional park headquarters.

Put the Pittsburgh Park District there, next to the football stadium. Give the kids a great strength and condition space for year-round training in the basement of the building. All sports participants could use the gym, boys and girls, coaches and parents.

4. Put PCTV 21 studios into South Vo Tech.

There are big rooms, an auditorium and other spaces that would be 'sound proof' and ideal for a TV studio. PCTV is busting at the seams.

5. Make South Vo Tech a POLICE STATION.

The South Side (Zone 3) Police Station is way too small. The parking down by 18th Street is a mess. Keep that station for Fire. Bring EMS either to the 18th St. station, where they were before with fire. Or, bring EMS to the South Vo Tech too, along with the police.

6. Make the old South Vo Tech building a Student Union for bridging the gap from high school to college.

Duquesne, Point Park, RMU, Pitt, CMU and CCAC can all have distance based and outreach programs there. Lifelong learning, inter-generational programs, academic and non-academic courses could be offered. This setting could be a real 'community learning outreach hub.' ESL, drivers ed, PodCamps, music, Parenting groups, and a range of other course work opportunities could flourish there. Think of it as a Regional Enterprise Tower for hands-on learning.

Sell the hard to sell buildings first as there are only a few customers who will want them.

Another important reason to NOT sell South Vo Tech, at this moment, is because other more pressing neighborhoods need their vacant dark schools to be put to use first. South Vo Tech can be put into 'mothballs.' It is a big, visible building. Lots of people go by it all the time. If something bad should happen -- it would get seen and curtailed. Meanwhile, some of these other schools are much more remote. They can be breeding grounds for lots of nasty things that won't be easy to spot and prevent.

I think Knoxville and Hazlewood need help more than the South Side. They have empty school buildings that could be sold to private owners. Then the new business in those settings could help to turn those areas around. The South Side can survive with South Vo Tech in an idle condition. However, I'm not sure if the same holds true with these other neighborhoods.

Furthermore, let's say a high-flying tech start up needs a space for 'wet labs' or some such operation. They want to employ (I'm dreaming here...) 20 people in the first year and grow to 200 in six years. It could be Google, a bio-tech, a spin off from PPG or Bayer, etc. There are only so many of those customers out in the market. They need cheap, sturdy space with options for growth and custom build outs. A school building could fit their needs. But we are NEVER going to find 20 of those customers. We might find three. Sell off the buildings that buses can't get to easily. Sell off buildings that adults can navigate. Sell off some of the harder buildings first.

Otherwise, the demolition costs for the other 20 buildings is going to be expensive.

As a member of Pittsburgh's City Council, I look forward to the challenge of public discussions and measurements of assets. The role of stewardship has been fleeting for those on Grant Street. Facilities and building re-use is a great challenge and problem.

Even as the city's controller, there are plenty of ways we could insure that all the vacant public buildings -- such as schools and the indoor, closed, ice rink in the park -- can be utilized. We need spaces were we can teach kids how to play well with others. We need spaces were citizens can teach government entities how they too can play well together.

I swear, if we took a new look at parks and figured out how to blend responsibilities and entities in an open, responsible, forward thinking way -- that was saving the taxpayers and insisting on democratic decision making -- we'd be able to build skills, relationships and capacity for other topics yet to come.

Merge parks now. It would be fun and rich with expriences. Then the shift to saving pension funds can be made easy.

Tony Oliva, L, candidate for mayor, on with Honz Man, Wed at 5:50 pm

Tony Oliva is booked for the Honz Man show, KDKA Radio, for Wednesday (tomorrow) at 5:50. Sounds like he'll get a 10-minute interview.

I think DeSantis and Ravenstahl are due to be on the early KDKA Radio show on Wed. too.

The Modern Mom’s Guide to Dads: 10 Secrets Your Husband Won‘t Tell You” is now available for purchase.

Hogan's new book is out at www.barnesandnoble.com and www.amazon.com.

Review from Mothering Magazine:

"I received a galley of The Modern Mom's Guide to Dads, and I really liked it. It is so hard to find a male perspective on fathering. I really appreciate your empathy for fathers' feelings about pregnancy and birth - the sense of responsibility, fear, helplessness, and the drive to provide. I love the description of how men feel during childbirth classes, how they object to being called coaches as well as their reluctance to share their feelings in a room full of women! This book is a great service to families. Thank you for writing it.

Melissa Chianta, Managing Editor, Mothering Magazine

Cumberland House Publishing press release, "Why Do New Fathers Behave the Way They Do?"

Modern Mom’s Guide to Dads Reveals Ten Secrets to Strengthening a Marriage

“A must-read for everyone with kids!” — Dr. Laura Schlessinger

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – New moms are frequently confused by their husband’s behavior after the birth of a child. What do they really think about being a father? Why has this new life they created together altered their marital relationship? Authors Hogan Hilling and Jesse Jayne Rutherford offer their own unique, qualified perspectives in The Modern Moms Guide to Dads: Ten Secrets Your Husband Won’t Tell You (Cumberland House, ISBN-13: 978-1-58182-606-7, $16.95, October 2007).

Hilling has been conducting workshops for dads for 15 years and moms for 5 years at conferences, hospitals, and corporations across the country, and he has heard it all – from frustrated women and men. The Modern Mom’s Guide to Dads is a “parenting relationship” book, full of thoughtful insights about what new dads are thinking, and how wives can get their husbands more involved in the kids’ lives and the household without nagging or manipulative tactics. In each chapter, there are stories from real dads’ lives that shed light on some of the secrets they try to hide from their wives; quotes from fathers about their feelings; helpful strategies; and a section called “And a Mom Wants to Know,” Rutherford’s input as modern-day mother and wife.

Whether you’re planning, expecting, or raising a family, The Modern Mom’s Guide to Dads offers keen insights into what your husband really thinks about pregnancy, parenting, and marriage!

Hogan Hilling is the founder of Proud Dads, Inc., through which he develops and conducts expectant father classes for hospitals in Southern California and conducts workshops for mothers on fathering issues through the United States. The author of The Man Who Would Be Dad and the stay-at-home father of three boys, he is the recipient of a 1995 California “Courage to Care” Award and has made multiple television appearances. He and his wife, Tina, live in Newport Beach, California.

Jesse Jayne Rutherford is a freelance writer and mother. She is the co-author of Speaking Up: How to Help the Children You Work With Who Live in Abusive Homes, and the author of Save the Date: A Curriculum for Teens on Developing Healthy Dating Relationships, which she wrote on staff at the Family Violence Project. She, her husband and daughter live near San Diego, California.

For review copies or high res photography, please contact: Michelle Nikolai, 615-832-1771, ext.18, michellen@cumberlandhouse.com.

South Side Park -- 75 Canadian Geese go south -- if you know what I mean

Someone was in city council today to claim that there may have been another round up of Canadian Geese. Seems that 75 have been taken, with erie flashbacks to North Park's DEP kill-off.

There was some 'doubt' -- so don't be too alarmed. I've asked for her statement via email.

Anyone know anything?

News flash: Water in the South Side -- in our neighborhood -- is bad

What's up with the water? It flows from the pipes, but it is yellow and dirty?

This started today (Tuesday) in the morning.

Let's not elect a Democrat to Council District 9

This is not good for the Democrats.

Carlisle aide pleads guilty and will testify against councilwoman Pittsburgh Councilwoman Twanda Carlisle's defense against theft charges became more difficult yesterday when alleged co-conspirator Darlene Durham pleaded guilty to transferring $19,480 in city money to the embattled official.

Luke Ravenstahl was in city council when some of this went down.

City Officials Develop Plan To Fight Urban Blight

This is a great example why Luke Ravenstahl should not be in charge of the city. For me, this becomes a policy problem.

kdka.com - City Officials Develop Plan To Fight Urban Blight "And I can tell you that the No. 1 issue when it comes to neighborhoods and quality of life is abandoned properties, is abandoned lots, is the neglect from those property owners to take care of them," Ravenstahl said.

To pile onto their train of thought, the #1 person in the mayor's office concerning neighborhoods came to a community meeting last week. She said that the city's #1 asset was its property.

These guys and gals are brainwashing themselves to think about lots, property, blight, buildings and real estate. In feudal days there were land lords and renters. They've got feudal perspectives.

Notice too how he is going to declare war on building. There are 1,400 condemned buildings and the budget gets to be doubled. They want to talk about apples and oranges. Money to building totals paints a bleek picture.

Double the demolishing still means less than half of the buildings get touched.

Presently, more buildings are flipping to racoon hotels than are being torn down. The city is going under farther each week.

After the city doubles its efforts this year, it will need to double its efforts again next year. Then there might be light at the end of the tunnel.

The comprehensive plan the city needs is rooted in the land value tax.

Today, property owners are rewarded with lower taxes when their buildings decline. Today, property owners are punished with higher taxes when their buildings are fixed up.

As taxes are set only upon the value of the land, there will be a city-wide push to retain value in the existing buildings. Or, if they are bad, but in poorer neighborhodds, they'll be fixed up for the value. And, the buildings that have gone to seed in more upscale neighborhoods will get fixed too, as the taxes will be too high to hold onto an under performing property.

The land tax is a win-win-win-win for owners, neighborhoods, city and taxpayers.

Jonathan B. Robison's newsletter. You might have to search for 28 more to find those 30

Jonathan B. Robison: For us, the most difficult contest is for mayor of the City of Pittsburgh

There was some chatter on another blog that there were 30 Dems who were on the city committee who were now on the Mark DeSantis bandwagon. Some said, "prove it." Well, here is one newsletter that proves the point that the bandwagon better have good springs as many may be jumping aboard.

Minor mayor candidates want to make point - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Minor mayor candidates want to make point - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Tony Oliva, Libertarian candidate for Pittsburgh mayor, didn't get to share the stage with the major-party candidates during a recent mayoral debate, but he snagged the crowd's attention at the end.

This was Tony's second joke from the podium. The first, about plenty of people having egg o their face after he won the election, was blogged about before. It is harder to put that joke into a news article and make it as 'funny.'

Good article Dave Brown (Tribune Review reporter)!

The rest of the news on the Libertarian follows.

"I see (Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, the Democrat, and Republican challenger Mark DeSantis) as a choice between painting a bare room," Oliva said when given three minutes to add his two cents. "You have the choice between painting it eggshell white or mother-of-pearl white. They even look like they have the same tailor."

When about 200 people, including DeSantis and Ravenstahl, stopped laughing, Oliva added, "Maybe a splash of color is just what this city needs."

Oliva and Socialist Workers Party candidate Ryan Scott -- who each had three minutes to speak after the debate on Thursday -- have no false hopes about winning the Nov. 6 election. Even so, they are scrambling to get their disparate messages out to anyone who will listen. Minor-party candidates appear frequently on ballots in Western Pennsylvania and across the nation, although their campaigns rarely succeed in a political system dominated by the two major parties.

So why bother running at all?

The candidates offer straightforward reasons often set in personal convictions: Generally, they hope to make a point.

Cut stuff about the Socialist Workers Party. Read that in the comments or at the Trib's site.

Oliva said he became a Libertarian because that party best fits his political philosophy.

"I tend to lean toward fiscal conservatism, with low taxes and financial freedom, but I'm also more socially liberal on personal freedoms and liberty," he said. "Neither the Republican nor the Democratic parties speaks to me as well as the Libertarian Party does."

A former Army paratrooper, Oliva, 28, of Oakland is a graduate student in economics at the University of Pittsburgh. He was born in New York and moved to Western Pennsylvania about 10 years ago. The first thing he pledges to do, if elected mayor, is cut his pay. It troubles him that city officials get full pay and benefits at a time when Pittsburgh is in financial distress.

Running for mayor is worthwhile, Oliva says, if only to show voters there are options. After hearing Ravenstahl and DeSantis debate, the Libertarian told the crowd it was just more "political rhetoric that Republicans and Democrats spew at each other."

"I think it's time we heard a new voice," he said.

Tony Oliva

Party: Libertarian

Age: 28 (blog note: Tony is one year older than the existing mayor)

Occupation: Crossing guard and graduate school work

Residence: Oakland

Education: Bachelor's degree, political science, University of Pittsburgh

Family: Single

Political experience: First race for public office

Do you think that the Trib could have made the photo in the online edition any smaller?