Monday, October 29, 2007

Tune into WTAE TV 4 -- 11 pm news -- on Monday night

WTAE TV 4 was at tonight's debate. The first act featured Michael Lamb vs. myself, Mark Rauterkus.

The second act was Ricky Burgess vs. David C. Adams.

Open thread.

Bio of Mark Rauterkus

Mark Rauterkus, 48, Libertarian, seeking office of controller, city wide.
108 S. 12th Street, South Side
412 298 3432
Mark@Rauterkus.com
http://Elect.Rauterkus.com
Biographical
Education
Journalism, Ohio U., '82, with honors
Grad school at Baylor, P.E.

Occupation
swim coach

Qualifications
Publishing a Value Added Mini Series in video on the web, http://Rauterkus.blip.tv. Plus, working on a book on public policy: Planks
Blog ranked 3rd most influential in PA politics (9-07)
Elected board of Allegheny Libertarians (vice chair) and ex-GOP city committee
Ran grassroots campaigns on issues and mayor, PA senate, council.
Consistent task force participant

Q: 2.1 What are the important problems of Pittsburgh that the city controller can address?

Schools. Citizen Engagement. Loss of liberty.

See Platform.For-Pgh.org/wiki.

Schools must have discipline and parent/community involvement. Build upon successful programs. Fix high schools already.

Words = 32

Q: 2.2 What specific procedures should the controller's office use to address the fiscal crissis of the city?

I'll create and organize a CITIZENS' CONGRESS with hundreds of volunteer activists working as deputy auditors. Engaged residents must establish a tight grip on city government and schools The city is at the brink and out of control. Our values, priorities, benchmarks, and open dialog need an overhaul. We need to think again and create community with new leaders and real citizen empowerment.

I'll launch a Youth Technology Summit. I'll leverage open source software methods everywhere.

Words = 76
Total allowed, 125. Total above = 32 + 76 = 108

Twanda Carlisle's pension frozen; she must turn over fur coat

Twanda Carlisle's pension frozen; she must turn over fur coat A judge today froze the salary and pension account of Twanda Carlisle, the city councilwoman set to go on trial, and ordered her to turn over a fur coat valued at over $4,000.

Bill would limit open access to state records - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Bill would limit open access to state records - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review A state House bill would allow government officials to refuse people access to public documents if they believe a taxpayer is attempting to 'harass the agency.'

The state's existing open records law, considered one of the weakest in the nation, does not allow public officials to deny people access to documents for this reason.
Don't let this happen. The harassment of some who push against corruption is just another step to being a hero for others.

I am with the PA Newspaper Assn. on this, for sure.

Ann from the NBC Today Show is in Christchurch, NZ

She is visiting one of our homes away from home, Christchurch, NZ. Everyone on the way to the bottom of the world goes there. Next stop, South Pole.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

The Darn News: DeSantis Smashes Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's Face in WPXI Debate

Another blogger's opinion about today's mayor debate with half the ballot:
The Darn News: DeSantis Smashes Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's Face in WPXI Debate I can’t tell you how angry it makes me to think anyone would vote for Luke. He’s a simpleton of dubious intellect. Here are three of Luke’s most memorable malapropisms and platitudes: ...

It sucks when the only time we talk about the parks is to report upon the killing of geese and the associated outrage

South Side Geese Still Dead and Gone

About a dozen people protested and passed around propaganda to drivers along Second Avenue on Thursday about the killing of a group of South Side geese by the US Dept. of Agriculture on October 10. The reaction from the public was encouraging.

The "honk against geese slaughter" signs prompted a chorus of responses (including from an 18-wheeler on the Parkway) and several drivers stopped to ask in disbelief if we were talking about "the geese by the boat launch." A lawyer who received one of the leaflets emailed to tell he was filing his own FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request about the killings.

Lynn Cullen, radio show host, came out against the slaughter on WPTT 1360 on Thursday. [http://www.stationcaster.com/stations/wptt/?d=AM - halfway through Hour 1 of the 10/25 show].

The Post Gazette published an article in which a USDA official claims that "to the best of her knowledge" the kills happened on private land http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07299/828624-338.stm.

Try telling that to the local residents who witnessed it! Doesn't the USDA know where it's operating? Their main spokesperson confirmed last week that the round-up happened in River Front Park.

Write letters to the Post-Gazette expressing outrage over the killing of the South Side geese. Let the public know that this slaughter did happen on public land and absolutely no effort was made to use non-lethal methods at the Park.

TV 11 debate rehash and some coaching from myself on various issues

It is nice to watch the debate at fast speed on the web.

The opening by Mark DeSantis went straight at the negative mailer that Luke Ravenstahl sent out. It set the record straight. DeSantis didn't work for this President. Rather, he was in the White House in the term of George H.W. Bush. He is a 'moderate Republican' along with the legacy of the late Senator John Heinz.

Meanwhile, Luke said he was driven to the debate today, by the future. I guess he didn't get a ride in the Yukon nor from Mr. Zober or Mr. Ford.

"It fell to me.

"This city's future is what drove me to run for city council when I was a young 23 year old. This city's future is what drives me here today."

If I'm Mark DeSantis, I say to Luke, "If I'm Mayor, the city workers will NOT want to move out. If you are mayor, the fraud as to where some of the police reside will linger. If you are mayor, you'll need to and want to continue to enslave workers here. You'll continue to run with a policy that bribes businesses to either stay or to move here. And, all along, you'll think it is FAIR to demand that others be less free.

Discover Pittsburgh

This is an issue of freedom. DeSantis has yet to hit upon that core concept. Freedom and liberties are "pet sounds" for me. When they get said, I take note.

As mayor, (or as controller, etc.), one of my most fundamental goals is to advance freedom. I want to grow in personal liberties. And, with the expansion of freedom in our shared urban setter, we'll grow our city. More people will move here to be more free than they are somewhere else. Otherwise, when freedom is taken away, and taken away by GOVERMENT, and taken away by EMPLOYERS, and taken away by layers of red tape -- people see what's really going on. People don't like to wear a ball and chain.

As freedom diminishes, as it has for the past generations in Pittsburgh, people vote with their feet. People leave. People head to the hills. People want to give what is best to their children. This is why people depart Pittsburgh. This is why Pittsburgh is less than half of what it has been.

Luke Ravenstahl does not understand freedom. Luke wants a workforce that is less free than what I want.

A workforce that is limited as to where they live is going to be less productive, less talented, less loyal, less motivated and less willing to stay.

In the end, I want all the city employees to live and work, worship and learn, heal and even morn from time to time -- all in community -- all within our midst. The borderline at Edgewood, or Avenworth, or Baldwin shouldn't be like the "IRON CURTIN."

Pittsburgh should not be like an East Berlin for City Employees.

When we open the floodgates and end the residency requirement, we'll need to hold our breaths. We should take measure of who we are and what value the city offers to its residents. We need to monitor our performance as it relates to all aspects of life.

As we become more and more free within the city, people will flock back to the city.

Police are understaffed in the city now. The mayor has not hired as many police as required by the overlords. There are too many openings on the police force today -- because the police force is over worked.

When we can hire anyone to the police force, regardless of where they reside, we'll more easily get to the designated staffing levels.

Furthermore, existing members of the police force and recent members of the Pgh Police force have been known to resign and depart their city jobs to work elsewhere. Employee retention is an issue. They're taking other jobs. Some pay more. Some pay less. The revolving door among the ranks of the Pgh Police Force would slow if we give people the flexibility to live elsewhere.

Finally, there is fraud. People who "have to" live in the city might really sleep most of the time some where else. It is not right to ask anyone to live a lie. Let's be honest. Let's be real. Live and let live. Do it here. Do it elsewhere. We need the police and detectives to be on the job when it counts.

I don't want to pay people for sleeping. You should not get money for sleeping in the city as to sleeping in the burbs. The mayor feels it is okay to pay people who ONLY sleep in the city. If you sleep outside the city, your pay check is in jeopardy. That is bunk. Let's put this issue to rest, shall we.

Live and let live. I want to be the mayor of free people. I want to be mayor in a city that is 100% square and honest with its residents and its employees.

I'm here to promote honesty and freedom. And, I realize that we need to operate in the most frugal ways possible. We'll save money and do a better job when we are able to unlock the ball and chain from the legs -- or pillows -- of our employees.

The future of the city is what drove Luke here today. He came here from the North Side, not from Cranberry, where the last mayor would have driven from. The future of the city hinges upon the amount of freedom that we are able to build for ourselves and each other. Pittsburghers know, and they are about to understand better than any other people in the world, what it means to be free and responsible. Every ounce of freedom comes with an equal measure of responsibility.

These are keen and critical factors to a productive and prosperous life. I won't ever forget these facts nor lessen the priority I put upon being free.

Live where you and your family want. Do it joyfully. Put down some deep roots. I say, "Come Live Over Here." Others can join in that chant, from their neighborhoods. The verses will change, but the refrain is the same. Come here with an attraction, not out of a restriction.

Discover Pittsburgh

For mayor: Mark DeSantis is the choice for a new Pittsburgh

Michael Lamb, D, status quo candidate for the city-wide office of controller must be shaking in his boots reading about how the P-G is endorsing change and the ouster of one party domination. This type of thinking has to carry over to trouble for him too.

The P-G must just be waiting to the last minute, say next Sunday, to give its endorsement to me for Controller. I was the first of the endorsement meetings weeks ago. I left them a copy of the DVD. Watching that would have turned their opinions about me to positive.
For mayor: Mark DeSantis is the choice for a new Pittsburgh A Democratic mayor and a nine-member Democratic council have robbed the city of the robust political competition that renews the state and keeps the federal government in check. We see the invigorating value of shifting party control in Harrisburg and Washington, but on Grant Street we see rust, cobwebs and a city bravely trying to manage its own decline.
Well, a Democratic mayor, council and controller has been the forumla for robbing the city of its robust political competition.

Plus, the federal government is NOT in check. Hardly. It isn't in check when Congress does not approve of the war, yet more than 3,000 service men and women have died.

So, having both D and Rs in DC are not a guarantee. But, at least there is a 10-term member of the US House who is against unconstitutional wars. We have heard from him and seen his popularity rise throughout the nation and even within the ranks of those in the military.

Going from Blue to Red -- as in Blue Dem and Red Rep -- is a hard leap for the PG. Going to Indie is easier. But, it doesn't really break the log jam as others have won with the "I" label. But, making a shift to the 'purple' Liberarian, might be the best ticket yet for Pittsburgh's mindset.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Red Sox have SOME spoiled NEWBIE fans

Boston Red Sox - Red Sox have spoiled some fans - The Boston Globe There are people who claim to be members of Red Sox Nation who have no idea that Bucky Dent's middle name is Bleeping.
Some great lines in that article.

My wife, with her Boston roots, wants victory in 4. She says 'take no prisoners.' She wondered if after the game 1 blow out if the team could bank a few of those runs for the next game.

My son was upset that the first game went on. Why didn't they use the 10-run rule, he wondered.

DeSantis raised more than mayor since June - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

DeSantis raised more than mayor since June - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Former Lt. Gov. Bill Scranton's Grow PA political action committee donated $85,333 worth of in-kind contributions.
There is more to this than what is being reported.

Bill Scranton's team has made the Mark DeSantis campaign a skirmish in advance of the next race for PA Governor. Scranton pulled out of the race the last time after Lynn Swann arrived, much like Bill Peduto pulled out of the D party primary in 2007.

Scranton's fine. The team is fine. Great to have the buzz and help for DeSantis. But, my goals and their goals don't overlap 100%.

I want to fix Pittsburgh. I want to better this region. I want to be a part of a movement that makes our public life and governmental landscape more open and honest. Teamwork and outreach matter. Sustaining discussions and building future leadership is important.

We need to work together to craft excellent solutions. Those policies need to be tweeked, packaged, promoted and re-tooled.

That's what I crave from those at the top of the ticket. I'm hungry for real change, still.

LTE to Politicians

Letters to the editor: "A promise to politicians who waste trees and my time"
Carol didn't mention CDs nor DVDs. So, I'm in the clear.

I'm not killing trees. Rather, I using recycled electrons.

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The Trib left my name off of this suggestion. That's okay. More gets done when you don't take credit for it.
Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review An observation: Acting Pittsburgh Controller Tony Pokora says the point behind his noting that the city is missing out on millions of dollars in annual property taxes because PNC Park, Heinz Field and Mellon Arena are owned by a tax-exempt government authority is the need for state revenue sharing to make up the difference. Actually, the point should be that sports franchises are big businesses, should own the facilities in which they do business and should pay property taxes. Period.
The Trib makes it an "observation." Well, Tony Pokora is a lame duck. The Trib could have made it a "LAUREL" and taken my counter to Tony's plan.

By the way, I spoke about this at city hall. I gave the statement to J.B. of the Trib and R.L. of the P-G. And, I talked with Frank G. of KQV about this too. Not that I didn't try.

The stadiums should be sold to the teams. The Stadium Authority should be liquidated. And, in the process, the fields and venues should be absorbed by the new Pgh Park District along with the RAD Tax.

That is the leverage that Michael Lamb can't see. His vision would do nothing.

Tell the teams we are selling the stadiums to the teams. And, until they are sold to the teams, they are going to be the property of the new Pittsburgh Park District. Then the Park District Trustee can use them as they wish for recreational matters and income generation.

Likewise, the RAD board too.

Perry High School could be playing its home football at PNC Park.

Some have called for a re-opener of the Firefighters contract. Be that as it may. I want to re-open the contracts for the public ownership of the facilities. That old lease would be in limbo cause there is new ownership with new attitudes.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Ravenstahl doubles spending of DeSantis

Ravenstahl doubles spending of DeSantis The campaign finance reports were filed today with the Allegheny County elections division.
BTW, I'm exempt from needing to file. I've been a good boy with the campaign so as to not needlessly cut down trees to make lawn signs, hurt the environment, nor cause global warming. I'm investing in recycled electrons with the internet.

My friends are all urged to donate to the campaign of Ron Paul for President. It seems more important and pressing to we the US out of senseless wars abroad.

Mayoral Debate, live at the JCC

ONLY Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Mark DeSantis -- with the Libertarian, Tony Oliva left out in the cold.

When: Sunday, October 28

Time: 10:30- 11:30 am. Televised live on WPXI

Where: JCC, Katz Theater, 5738 Darlington Road

RSVP: Call 412-992-5251 or visit http://pittsburgh.planitjewish.com
Admission: No charge

Seating: Seating will take place between 9-10 am
There will be no admittance to the auditorium after 10:00 am


Questions go to: 412 992 5243

Fighting back. The PCTV 21 Debate went up in smoke

Tony for Mayor: Fighting back It gets pretty frustrating when the media tries to influence an election so strongly. You see, they say I have no legitimate shot so they exclude me...but in truth they exclude me and thus try to negate any shot that I would have. Hence my using the term, Self Fulfilling Prophecy.

Open Thread: S.V. school strike -- from the Baron on the Blogs

You ask, I deliver.

Chat away about the Seneca Valley Teachers Strike in this thread.

Students for Liberty Conference in NY in 2008

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania encourages students to participate

Harrisburg, PA – The first Students for Liberty Conference will be held February 22-24, 2008, at Columbia University in New York City. The purpose of this conference is to bring undergraduate and graduate students together to learn more about the cause of liberty and how best to promote liberty as college students. This is an opportunity for students from all over to meet others with a common interest in liberty and learn effective practices to bring back to their respective college campuses.

LPPa Media Relations Chair, Doug Leard, indicated “We are proud to promote an event dedicated to promoting the principles of freedom for the future leaders of our Commonwealth and our country.”

Keynote Speakers:

David Boaz, Executive Vice President of the Cato Institute.

Dr. Alan Kors, Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and founder of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education.

Other highlights of the conference include workshops on effective campus organization and lectures on subjects of liberty. A Liberty Fair will bring a variety of organizations dedicated to liberty to speak with students about their organization, employment opportunities and other avenues by which to promote liberty (analogous to a career fair). Nightly socials will be held to encourage further discourse and interaction between participants and speakers.

The SFLC is organized by an Executive Board consisting of five students from five different Universities: Alexander McCobin (University of Pennsylvania), Sloane Frost (Cornell University), Pin-Quan Ng (Columbia University), Sam Eckman (University of Pittsburgh), and Ricky Tracy (Seton Hall University).

Inquiries concerning the Conference can be sent to SFLConference@gmail.com.
The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in both Pennsylvania and the United States. Nationwide there are over 200,000 registered Libertarians with organizations in all 50 states. Libertarians serve in hundreds of elected offices throughout the nation. Please visit www.LP.org or www.LPPA.org for more information.

Ron Paul on with Jay Leno on Oct 30

Ron Paul supporters from all across the country are sending a special thank you to Jay Lenno and the Tonight Show for inviting Dr. Paul on their show on October 30th.