Dear New Hampshire,

My name is Mark Rauterkus. I am a swim coach in Pittsburgh, PA. I have been
married for 17 years and have two children. I have never supported a presidential candidate before with such a letter to those outside my state. I have decided to back Dr. Ron Paul for president, a 10-term Republican congressman and here's why:

1. In Congress, Dr. Paul has never voted to raise taxes.
2. He has never voted for an unbalanced budget.
3. He has been married to the same woman for 50 years.
4. He served in the Military as a flight surgeon.
5. He is the ONLY candidate in either party who is a Medical Doctor.
6. He strongly support of civil liberties.
7. He views that individuals should be self-RESPONSIBLE.
8. He is consistently named the "Taxpayer's Best Friend".
9. He is the only candidate who unfailingly supports the constitution.
10. He is a former member of the Libertarian Party.
11. He is experienced in standing against the tide and sticking to his principles with an honest devotion like none other.
12. He is prudent with finances.
13. He is a gentleman and 'down to earth.'
14. He is never going to tax the internet.
15. He is riding the wave of a grass-roots revolution as a candidate that understand the people are upset with business as usual in Washington D.C.
16. He understands that working for peace is going to be hard as America's image to many around the world is in poor condition. Ron Paul can fix the outlook of the USA for fellow Americans as well as for those who we deal with internationally.
17. He is a swim dad. One of Dr. Paul's kids was a nationally ranked butterfly swimmer!
18. He is an ex-college athlete and swimmer himself.
19. He grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, my hometown.
20. He won political elections in the past, as a member of US Congress for 10 terms, but needing to beat both Republican challengers, opposition candidates and incumbents many times. He has proven he can win elections.
21. He is not a media darling and is running with good success despite the unbalanced coverage he has received.
22. He is from an entrepreneurial family. The guy worked as a 'milk man.'
23. He is smart as he went to Gettysburg College and then to Duke for grad (medical) school.
24. He understands economics, currency, money supply, inflation, and debt.
25. He has a lot of YouTube videos and support from others on the web, see sites such as http://RonPaulMedia.com. Just Google Ron Paul!
26. He is able to raise money as a candidate from tons of fellow citizens, like me, who want to expand liberties and freedom.

I would love to hear what you think of Dr. Paul. Please email me
your thoughts to: Mark@Rauterkus.com

Very truly yours,
Mark Rauterkus
412 298 3432

In my political dreamworld, RON PAUL gets attacked on all sides by neo-cons in Feb and March

Over a 2PJ's blog, I posted a playbook for the primary season that navigates Ron Paul to a victory in the months to come. Reasoning and motivations are put out to kick around.

Tip: Kick the reasons, not the shins.

The Richardson supporters of Iowa could have been "Indies" except for one fleeting moment.

What Dem candidate is MOST against the war in Iraq? Richardson? Of course, D.K. too. But D.K. even released his supporters pre Jan 3.

What political party is MOST against the war in Iraq? Not Rs (with the exception of one candidate). Not Ds even. But the Indies -- especially the subset of Is, like me, the Libertarians.

Generally, those that don't vote - or had not voted - are more "I" than "D."

Anyone can participate in the primary voting in many states, including Iowa, by showing up and making a declaration that s/he is now (for that moment) a "D" or a "R."

Lots of Indies participated in the events of Iowa on Jan 3 by saying that they wanted to be a "D". Opt in to the D side -- No wait. No fuss. No worries.

Many were in the D ranks on Jan 3 in Iowa to insure that HILLARY didn't win.

Richardson's folks, mostly, got skunked in the first round -- by not reaching a level of 15%. (Weird Iowa D rules.) They were then 'free' to go elsewhere -- on the D side.

Richardson's support was beyond 2% in the first vote -- but -- that was NOT part of the final score.

Many of the freelance voters in Iowa went to the D side on Jan 3, handing Hillary 3rd place. Voters are victors.

If Hillary is kept in check and kept out of the winner's slot, and if Richardson and D.K. are kept far from the pack -- then the free radical voters will show up to work against the neo-cons.

The upside potential for Ron Paul is great.

In the states with the most repressive voting ways (like here in PA) -- that spur of the moment capacity is diminished.

Finally, the Richardson and Obama supporters in Iowa that depend upon farm subsidies -- were happy campers in the D caucus, even if they were strongly against the war.

Ron Paul doesn't like gov handouts -- even to farmers. So, he had a tough road to hoe (pun intended) in the cornbelt / bio heartland.

My hope is for more 40-40-20 D party results with Hillar in a distant 3rd and Richardson and D.K. on the sidelines soon.

In the R race, I want all the neo-cons to stay in and self destruct / self absorb -- landing blows at each other.

Then they'll all need to turn against RON PAUL in Feb and March.

PS: Sorry if I got a "IF was/were typo" mixed in the rushed ranting above.

Subscribe to my calendar. And, send in your events.

Another option, get your own Google Calendar. Then you can put your events in your own calendar. But, then let me know about your calendar and I'll embed it within mine. It is easy to put all your events on this calendar, or just copy each event with two or three clicks.

Revelations: City, County and Pens Propose No C, No B, and No A for Historic Hill District

Revelations: City, County and Pens Propose No C, No B, and No A for Historic Hill District Similarly, they pledge their support for a new YMCA in the 2100 block of Centre Avenue, and offer to help win state money toward its development.

Yes, that's right. The YMCA that is not even a member of One Hill, the one organization that is nationwide, already in the middle of a capital campaign and, you guessed it---not what the community asked for. The community asked for a recreation center that would be for the elderly and youth---like the Kingsley Center in East Liberty. Maybe, just maybe, the YMCA could come close to that but it still means that the community cannot control the kinds of programs, services and recreation in the community, not necessarily shaped or defined by an overarching, national organization with its own agenda and priorities.

Reach out to squash the REAL ID in PA -- please

PA Senate bill 1220 (SB 1220, P.N. 1673), opposing the REAL ID, was referred to the Communications and Technology Committee on December 27, 2007 and is now posted on the PA's legislative bill site. It is a much stronger rejection of the federal REAL ID than its counterpart, HB 1351, in the PA House.

Your action is needed to encourage support of this bill!

The full text of the bill can be found here:

Name: The "REAL ID and Biometric and Economic Privacy Act"

Web Link

The bill is thankfully short and shows no tolerance for the 2005 federal Real ID Act. It rejects the Real ID and even rejects other laws and regulations that would put compromise economic privacy. Here is its operative wording for Sections 3, 4 and 5 respectively:

** "Neither the Governor nor the Department of Transportation or any other Commonwealth agency shall participate in the compliance of any provision of the REAL
ID Act of 2005."

** "Neither the Governor nor the Department of Transportation or any other Commonwealth agency shall participate in the compliance with any Federal law, regulation or policy that would compromise the economic privacy or biometric data of any resident of this Commonwealth."

** "Either the Governor or the Attorney General may file an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to challenge the constitutionality or legality of the REAL ID Act of 2005."

This bill needs additional sponsors and support to ensure it is adopted without amendment. Please contact your state senators, particularly if they are committee members, and encourage their support of this bill. Thank them if they are already a sponsor.

Current sponsors of the bill are:

FOLMER, KITCHEN, ROBBINS, REGOLA, FUMO, MELLOW,

ERICKSON, C. WILLIAMS, FERLO, WASHINGTON,

ORIE, BOSCOLA,LAVALLE, HUGHES AND EARLL.

Five of these sponsors are Committee members:

Constance Williams, D-17, Minority Chair; Edwin Erickson, R-26; Bob Regola, R-39; Vincent Fumo, D-1; and Leanna Washington, D-17

Remaining Committee members are:

Robert Wonderling, Chairman, R-24; John Gordner, Vice-Chair, R-27; Lisa Baker, R-20; John Eichelberger, R-30; John Wozniak D-35; and Joseph Scarnati, President Pro Tempore & ex-officio member of all committees, R-25.

You can find your legislator by zip code or county by using the "Find Members By" box in the upper right of the page at this link:

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/index.cfm


The PA Senate will be back in session on January 14, 2008, so let them know what you think.

Additional information on the REAL ID Act of 2005 can be found in Sen. Folmer's press release on the topic:

http://www.senatorfolmer.com/press-2007/1107/111407.htm


Letting your federal representatives know what you think of the REAL ID would also be a good idea.

Thank you for taking the time to help limit government expansion and protect the rights of the citizens!

In Liberty, Michael J. "Mik" Robertson, Chair, Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania

Text of Dan Onorato's speech on Jan 3, 2008, day 1 of second term

Download the original attachment

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "To Dan Onorato. Speaking of the drink tax, the Allegheny County chief executive didn't mention the new levy -- or the new $2 daily rental-car tax -- during his second inaugural on Wednesday. 'I didn't think it needed to be mentioned because it's mentioned every day of the week,' he said. The real reason more likely is that he knows what an oxymoron it is to promote higher taxes out of one side of his mouth while touting the need to be 'competitive' out of the other side.

Obama, Paul Win MySpace Primary

Obama, Paul Win MySpace Primary Obama took in 46 percent of the Democratic vote, trailed by Sen. Hillary Clinton's 31 percent. Meanwhile, Paul's surprising win came with 37 percent of the MySpace Republican vote, with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee taking the second and third place slots at 18 and 16 percent, respectively.

The MySpace Presidential Primary started just after 3:00 a.m. EST on New Year's Day, and concluded just before midnight on Jan. 2.

I didn't even vote in this race.

Ed Rollins, Huckabee campaign manager -- made me sick

The interview on CNN with Mr. Rollins was a hoot.

He is talking Revolution. New way. Anti-establishment. Earned media. Not Bush's thrid term. Send money. OMG.

Why? Voters for CHANGE.

Huckabee may tank in NH.

Ron Paul got em right where he wants em.

Reason Magazine - Scenes from the Ron Paul Revolution

Reason Magazine - Scenes from the Ron Paul Revolution The Paulistas delight in their independence and fervor. At a press conference after the Ames talk, a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter asks the candidate about all the Paul signs he sees around Pittsburgh. “You guys must have a big operation there,” he says.

“If we do,” Paul says with a small smile, “we don’t know about it.”

Did you notice the HATCHED pie showing up at CNN

Iowa is talking numbers.

But, at CNN there is no slice of pie for my guy -- Ron Paul. But, there is the hatched, MacPaint-like, slice. And, it isn't tiny.

His Turn -- to everything there is a season - turn, turn turn

MY TURN With instant gratification.

Is that a sentence?

Poof!

A 'real blog' is rEally nonsensical.

The thing that bothers me the most within his rant was the fact that Mike W got a (free?) lunch date (I hope he didn't have to pay) with Pittsburgh-Post-Gazette-hosted bloggers. Did he have a good sandwich? I give Mackenzie Carpenter and John Allison credit for making one obvious mistake, and not two, by inviting me as well.

I posted similar thoughts in a tread below moments before this was discovered.

Free Audiobook called: The Market for Liberty

Free Keene � Free Audiobook a free audiobook, “The Market for Liberty”. This brilliant book explains why government is an unnecessary evil and how the Free Market is superior in every possible way. You may download it in two ways.

Secrecy News covers changes to FOIA and the OPEN Gov act siged by GWB

Secrecy News On December 31 President Bush signed into law the 'Openness Promotes Effectiveness in our National (OPEN) Government Act of 2007,' which amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

The new FOIA law is a very mediocre law that will do little...

Favorite?

FOX sucks

*URGENT* National protest aganist Fox News Jan 3rd

Ron Paul Grassroots Campaign News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact Andrew Panken for more information
410/360-1700

On the evening of, January 3, 2007, Ron Paul supporters will be protesting the exclusion of our candidate from the Fox News candidate forum debate. We will be protesting at local Fox TV Stations across the country and at the Fox Forum Debate location in New Hampshire.

According to numerous recent professional pollsters, such as American Research Group, Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg Poll, Rasmussen Reports, USA Today/Gallup Poll and Boston Globe/University of New Hampsire Survey Center, Ron Paul clearly polls higher than some other candidates, who are invited to the Fox debate forum. These polling results may easily be checked at http://www.usaelectionpol... . The exclusion of Ron Paul is not based on polling results or funds raised, which may in fact surpass all other GOP candidates. Final fundraising totals for Ron Paul have reached 20 million dollars for the fourth quarter.

The Fox Broadcast network has systematically excluded Ron Paul from their coverage. Numerous post debate polls conducted by Fox, have shown Ron Paul to be favored by most conservatives, over the pro-war candidates. The Fox network is showing their obvious bias against a candidate that disagrees with their commentators pro-war stance. We are protesting, to inform Americans, that Fox is unfair and unbalanced. Let all GOP primary voters decide, not the Fox network. The Fox network is attempting to manipulate this process, by excluding a now top tier candidate, Dr Ron Paul.

End Of News Release

Note to Local Meetups:

All local Meetup groups should setup protests at your local Fox Station on the evening of 1/3. Then, fax this news release with local contact information to all media in your area, including your local Fox station.

Fox Affiliate Stations:

http://www.fox.com/links/...

Fox Owned and Operated Stations:

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...

On a side note – please use the phrase “Not broadcasting in the public interest” in chants, on signs, etc. That's FCC speak for “your broadcasting license is in jeopardy”. Follow through and file a complaint with the FCC against the stations if Dr. Paul is excluded from the forum on the 6th.

Mayor agrees to development around new arena - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Mayor agrees to development around new arena - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Ravenstahl agrees to development around new arena

Would love to see the details of the entire deal. Anyone got a URL?

South Side Neighborhood Plan is on the web in a PDF

Welcome to the South Side - Pittsburgh: "Neighborhood Plan Update

Draft Now Available

South Side Planning Forum has made available for review a draft version of the South Side Neighborhood Plan Update. Click here to access a pdf version: 2007 NP Update Draft Final

China to track food safety at Olympic Games

SI.com - More Sports - China to track food safety at Games China to track food safety at Games

So will we.

Missed Boxing Day? Let us help. I've got a bunch of boxes 4 U

Moving?

Do you need some boxes?

We've got a bunch of boxes that I'd love to get to a new home. Some are gently used. Some are nearly new. Many are from Budget Truck Rental.

Our need for boxes is much less. We've been moving about within our house. Next up -- move these boxes to you. Partial orders welcomed.

Giggle at the PG: Invisible Men feature on the home page

Check out the P-G home page today. There is a link about 'Invisible men.' If you click on it, it goes to a page with an invisible article.

The link is on the right, down past half way. Look near the Steelers 75 link.

Screen shot art:

Home page:

Points to this invisible page: