Marty is talking with Dan Onorato about his recent trip to Europe and the lack of direct flights from Pittsburgh.
My wife and I are going to Amsterdam in May 2008.
But, another real problem for direct flights is the TSA (Transportation Security Administration of Homeland Security) body cavity searches. The way our officials play smashmouth customs practices to our visitors and guests is a HUGE turnoff. Sure, we don't have the market need, nor the other links once people land in Pittsburgh too.
Come to the US via Pittsburgh only if you want to rent a car. And, that isn't so easy for those who are used to driving on the other side of the street. And, it is a major problem with navigation too. But, if you need to rent a car and then drive to West
Virginia -- Pittsburgh is a great flight destination.
In other conversations, we now know that Darlene Harris has cameras on her house. She can roll the tape.
Matt H of the Hoagie blog is blasting the Public Works Dept and the handling of the road cleaning efforts.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Price: The Silent Partner
Part 1:
Part 2:
If they want to replace Steven Spielberg's role as an Olympic advisor, I'm available.
SI.com - Writers - S.L. Price: The Silent Partner - Wednesday February 13, 2008 11:56AM The Silent Partner
As China quashes critics, IOC continues to look away
Part 2:
SI.com - Olympics - China says links to Darfur are 'nonsense' - Thursday February 14, 2008 12:37AM: "Efforts to link China to the Darfur crisis are 'irresponsible and unfair,' a government spokesman said in comments published Thursday, following director Steven Spielberg's decision to drop out as a Beijing Olympics adviser on human rights grounds.Jeepers. The folks at Sport Illustrated are starting to jump on the China bashing theme -- before the Olympics.
If they want to replace Steven Spielberg's role as an Olympic advisor, I'm available.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
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Save the Internet - Fighting for Internet Freedom
Save the Internet : Fighting for Internet Freedom: "Don't take the Internet for granted"
Last night, a bill was introduced in the U.S. House that would stop Comcast, Verizon and AT&T from controlling the free flow on information on the Internet.The only way we can stop these gatekeepers is if we all take action to support this crucial legislation:
Tell Rep. Michael Doyle to Support Internet Freedom
In 2006, your voice helped stop mighty phone and cable companies from gutting Net Neutrality. In 2007, you pried open their cell phone networks and gave users a choice.
This year, we're going to stop Internet blocking and censorship once and for all.
Why This is Important: Reps. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Chip Pickering (R-Miss.) introduced the "Internet Freedom Preservation Act" (HR 5353) to stop relentless corporate attempts to set up roadblocks on the information superhighway.
It guarantees Net Neutrality by restoring it in the foundation of communications law. This bold move promises that the public -- not phone and cable companies -- will control the fate of the Internet.
The legislation also calls for a nationwide series of public hearings before anyone in Washington hands these gatekeepers and their lobbyists more power. (Read more about the bill here)
Take Action Now: Save the Internet
How Far We've Come: In 2006, more than 1.5 million Americans called on Congress to keep gatekeepers off our Internet. Last year, more than a quarter-million people sent comments to the FCC and opened up cell-phone networks to user choice and innovation.
This new bill was made possible by our amazing grassroots movement. SavetheInternet.com has brought together Democrats and Republicans, consumer groups and small businesses, bloggers and video gamers, in a new bottom-up majority that's shaking up the status quo.
What You Can Do: For too long, communications policymaking has been rigged against us. But by taking action to support this bill, you're telling Congress that high-priced lobbyists will no longer set the agenda.
Tell Rep. Michael Doyle : 'Support the Internet Freedom Preservation Act'
The purpose of the Internet is to give power over information to everyone. The role of our elected leaders is to protect our basic right to communicate from those who want to take it away from us.
We've started a new chapter in the fight for an open Internet. We realize that it takes more than one piece of legislation to reverse decades of corrosive telecom policies.
But with this bill -- and your help -- we are on our way.
Thank you,
Timothy Karr
Campaign Director
SavetheInternet.com
P.S. Bloggers, activists and Internet experts are logging on to the Free Press Action Network to discuss Net Neutrality, an open Internet and people-powered broadband policy. Join the discussion at http://www.freepress.net
/action/
Take action on this important campaign at: http://free.convio.net/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id =241
Tell your friends about this campaign at: http://free.convio.net/site
/Ecard?ecard_id=1161
Schenley Winter Sports
Both the girls and boys are in the city league basketball playoffs. The boys' quarterfinal game was postponed from yesterday because of the snow. They will be playing this evening at Schenley. Due to the size of Schenley's gym, it is quite possible that the game will sell out.
The girls' team will be playing tomorrow, Thursday, at 6:30 PM at Allderdice High School against Perry, the third place finisher. The girls could really use your support as they battle for a place in the finals and the Allderdice gym can hold a lot of fans. The girls have had some really impressive wins with balanced scoring and a lot of exciting moves.
Also at Allderdice, at 3 PM is the final regular swim meet of the season. Allderdice, once again, has a very strong team but the Schenley swimmers do have a chance to beat them, or at least make for some very exciting races.
amy moore
Ron Paul had 21% -- and then the counting stopped
People who take short cuts in counting votes need to spend the next 10 years in jail.
Local News | Huckabee won't concede state; GOP resuming delegate count | Seattle Times Newspaper According to the GOP's Saturday tally, Arizona Sen. John McCain won about 26 percent of delegates, Arkansas Gov. Huckabee won 24 percent, Texas Rep. Ron Paul finished with 21 percent, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who has dropped out of the race, got 17 percent. Most of the rest were non-committed.
We needed a 2-hour delay today!
Only 2 of the 8 buses arrived to Phillips Elem School today.
The middle school buses were called off from the bus dispatchers. So, Erik and his mates were at the stop for a while and then we departed. We'll drive to middle school in another 30-minutes.
The middle school buses were called off from the bus dispatchers. So, Erik and his mates were at the stop for a while and then we departed. We'll drive to middle school in another 30-minutes.
City Council to review planners' OK of billboard
City Council to review planners' OK of billboard Pittsburgh City Council will look into a decision by planners to allow a 1,200-square-foot electronic billboard Downtown without any public hearing or vote, members said yesterday.Can a giant (20-foot by 60-foot) electronic sign be 'transparent?'
'The question is not about the sign at all. Most parties, including myself, seem to think it's appropriate,' said Councilman Ricky Burgess, who heads council's zoning and planning committee. 'We just want to make sure we're following a transparent process.'
Planned Parenthood 10-week internship matched with pro-choice campaign
Have a passion for politics?
Want to work with pro-choice candidates in Pennsylvania?THEN JOIN WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD FOR THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME!
Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates is offering a 10-week summer internship that will pair you not only with us, but also place you on the campaign of a state pro-choice legislative candidat
e! The Details:
How to Apply:
- Fill out the online application here: http://www.plannedparenthoodpa
.org/office/internapp.php ?internship=Campaign+Organizer - E-mail your resume, letter of interest and two professional references to administration@pppamail.org
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS MARCH 1ST, 2008.
Know someone who is a perfect fit for the campaign internship?! Forward this email and make sure they know about this amazing opportunity!
Deadline fudged in flurrrry, burrrrry, way
All along I asked that the PA election NOT be moved to a sooner date in the calendar. In part, the risk of putting the primary on a snow day.
As it turns out, the deadline for candidates seeking to get onto the ballot has been extended by the Governor.
As it turns out, the deadline for candidates seeking to get onto the ballot has been extended by the Governor.
GOVERNOR RENDELL TO SIGN EXECUTIVE ORDER EXTENDING DEADLINE FOR CANDIDATES’ FILING PETITIONSIt would be ideal to allow for on-line signature gathering of candidates to get onto the ballot.
HARRISBURG – Governor Edward G. Rendell will sign an executive order extending
the deadline for candidates to file petitions to appear on the April 22 Pennsylvania Primary Election ballot. The deadline, which was set to expire today at 5 p.m., now will be at noon on Thursday, Feb. 14.
“Throughout the day, winter weather has caused accidents and forced the closure of
interstates at various times. In light of this fact, extending the deadline is warranted,” Governor Rendell said. “I moved the date until Thursday because the weather forecast tomorrow could also cause problems.”
“For those candidates who already are on their way to Harrisburg, we will keep the
Department of State’s Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation open to receive
petitions until 5 p.m. today.” The extension only covers the filing of petitions. It does not extend the deadline for the collection of signatures. The extension will move the last day for filing objections to the petitions to Feb. 21.
To view the current candidates’ list or to learn more about elections in Pennsylvania, visit www.dos.state.pa.us.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Video Update from Ron Paul
How do we organize buses from Pittsburgh to DC for the Grand Freedom March?
Plan to erect LED sign bypasses city panels, gets approval anyway
Plain and simple, this is what corruption looks and smells like.
Plan to erect LED sign bypasses city panels, gets approval anyway Plan to erect LED sign bypasses city panels, gets approval anyway
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A 1,200-square-foot electronic billboard will decorate the rising Grant Street Transportation Center as part of a deal between Pittsburgh officials and Lamar Advertising to trade old, paper signs for new, illuminated ones.
Digital Democracy -- a baby from the busman's holiday. Beep, beep. Jump on the bus and be there.
Bob Mayo, reporter for WTAE TV, with the city hall beat, sent this email. I'll try to attend.
Digital Democracy is a special event happening here in Pittsburgh next month. This is a project I've been working on for months and I'm excited to let you know about it now.In the past, I had been a member of the SPJ -- as I'm a Journalism Grad, BSJ, Ohio Univ. 1982.
It's a conference that will explore how the digital revolution -- including blogs, online video, websites and social media -- is changing traditional news media coverage and citizens' access to the political process.
The event includes national-caliber speakers who are coming to town on Saturday, March 15.
Its website is now online at:
http://www.spj.org/pittsburgh
Our speakers include:
• New York Times Online Politics Editor Kate Phillips, who writes for and edits The Caucus, The New York Times politics news blog.
• Newsbusters.org Executive Editor Matthew Sheffield
• MediaMatters.org Senior Fellow & Director of Special Projects Paul Waldman
• Hearst-Argyle Director of Digital Media Content Jacques Natz
• J-Lab Executive Director Jan Schaffer
• Media Bloggers Association President Robert Cox
Other speakers include former USA Today reporter Toni Locy, who's topic is "Subpoenaed For Her Sources". She's the subject of a contempt-of-court request for her refusal to identify sources who provided her information about the 2001 anthrax attacks and the subsequent investigation.
There will also be sessions on "Bloggers as Journalists and Journalists as Bloggers", on new media skills and digital literacy for reporters, and on Open Records laws.
Digital Democracy is a Society of Professional Journalists regional conference, hosted by the Pittsburgh chapter. Region 4 covers Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Michigan, but the event can draw from beyond. Its something for all journalists -- and you don't have to be a member of SPJ. In fact, given the theme, bloggers, students, and others with an interest and involvement in the conference theme are welcome to attend. The Digital Democracy website has links for online registration and there's a special rate for students and SPJ members.
If you've been wondering why I haven't been blogging as much here on the Busman's Holiday for a while, it's because I've been working on this event. I'm program chair and have been lining up the speakers. I also created the website for the event. I know some fellow journalists check out the blog here, and I want to encourage you to join us and to spread the word. This is a professional enrichment event intended everyone in news organizations across the region. Links to more specifics are on the website. I hope to see you there.
Father crucial in Icer career
Dad gets props for supporting his son through sports.
Too bad that the lone indoor ice rink in the city is still closed.
Father crucial in Icer career - The Daily Collegian Online: "Nate Obringer used to wake up at 4 a.m. on weekends in the middle of winter. Battling the cold, harsh conditions of western Pennsylvania, his father Tim Obringer would take Nate to practice on the one outdoor ice rink at Schenley Park.Nice article about local kid that is doing well.
Now as a member of No. 2 Penn State ACHA Division I Icers, Obringer has emerged as a scoring threat and senior leader who's looking to cap his collegiate career with a national championship.
No one in Obringer's family played hockey, but he benefited from growing up in Pittsburgh in the early '90s.
Too bad that the lone indoor ice rink in the city is still closed.
Streakin'
Schenley hasn't lost a City League game in four years. The Spartans also haven't lost a City League championship since 2004, when they fell to Perry. The streak started when Pitt center DeJuan Blair returned from a knee injury and played his first season at Schenley as a sophomore. The Spartans, who are led by Deandre Kane and Greg Blair these days, will look to continue their dominance tonight when they take on Langley in the semifinals at home.
The boys City League championship will be held at 5 p.m. on Feb. 21, and the girls title game will be played at 7 p.m. Both games will be played at the A.J. Palumbo Center.
Streakin'
Schenley hasn't lost a City League game in four years. The Spartans also haven't lost a City League championship since 2004, when they fell to Perry. The streak started when Pitt center DeJuan Blair returned from a knee injury and played his first season at Schenley as a sophomore. The Spartans, who are led by Deandre Kane and Greg Blair these days, will look to continue their dominance tonight when they take on Langley in the semifinals at home.
The boys City League championship will be held at 5 p.m. on Feb. 21, and the girls title game will be played at 7 p.m. Both games will be played at the A.J. Palumbo Center.
Monday, February 11, 2008
American Policy Center calls for action against the Real ID. Nice summary too
From: American Policy Center, www.americanpolicy.org
Real Rebellion Needed - DUMP The Real ID Act!Source: American Policy Center, 70 Main Street, Suite 23, Warrenton, Virginia 20186
The Real ID Act passed the Senate on May 10, 2005, and was signed into law by President George Bush with a compliance date for State DMVs of May 11, 2008. Most Americans have staunchly and consistently opposed any kind of a national ID card each time it had previously been considered. But Congress approved the Act, tucked largely out of sight inside an emergency war spending and tsunami relief bill. This stealth passage of the Real ID Act shocked and angered many Americans, especially those who remembered Congress' own assurances when creating the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with language actually written into the US Homeland Security Act of 2002, that "Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the development of a national identification system or card."
Now in 2008, after nearly three years of incessant fear-mongering and challenges to opponents' patriotism, the public is still outraged, and resistance is swelling. Seven states have now enacted binding legislation to stop Real ID (Georgia, Maine, New Hampshire, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Washington), with Oklahoma on the verge of being the eighth. Fourteen more states have passed resolutions in at least one chamber registering their dissent, and similar efforts have been introduced in 11 more.
The American Policy Center has issued many warnings of the serious threats to public and national security this liberty-smothering law, and ultimately wealth-suppressing law brings to bear on the American public.
The public comment period has come and went. All 50 state governors notified DHS Secretary Chertoff, President Bush, and all 535 members of Congress they opposed the Act, at least as written, for a variety of reasons. Despite the strong negative reaction, whether from average citizens, state agencies, or members of Congress, on January 11, 2008, Secretary Chertoff released his department's final Real ID regulations, which can be read here: Part 1, and Part 2
Secretary Chertoff says he's heard the concerns, rectified many shortcomings of the Real ID Act, and is now offering states an 18-month (with the option of an additional 18-month) extension period within which to comply (by demonstrating material compliance with the core requirements of the Act). Additionally, only those born after December 1, 1964, will have to have their current Driver License re-issued. The rest of us can choose to keep our current DL, so that by December 1, 2017, all 245 million Americans that hold either a State issued Driver License or ID card will be compliant. Encouraging news, right? After all, any delay is a victory.
Secretary Chertoff has taken some hits. On January 18, 2008, Montana's Governor, Brian Schweitzer (D), invited the governors of 17 other states to join Montana in all-out rebellion against the Real ID Act. The Montana Bill states in part:
"The legislature finds that the enactment into law by the U.S. congress of the REAL ID Act of 2005, as part of Public Law 109-13, is inimical to the security and well-being of the people of Montana, will cause unneeded expense and inconvenience to those people, and was adopted by the U.S. congress in violation of the principles of federalism contained in the 10th amendment to the U.S. constitution.
(2) The state of Montana will not participate in the implementation of the REAL ID Act of 2005. The department, including the motor vehicle division of the department, is directed not to implement the provisions of the REAL ID Act of 2005 and to report to the governor any attempt by agencies or agents of the U.S. department of homeland security to secure the implementation of the REAL ID Act of 2005 through the operations of that division and department."
Schweitzer's letter went out to the governors of Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Washington.
A piqued Chertoff snapped that opponents of the Act needed to "grow up." He further warned that, as of May 11, 2oo8, anyone not presenting a Real ID-compliant state, or federal, ID at an airport will be subject to a complete pat down, screening of their carry-on luggage, and possibly will not be allowed on a commercial airplane.
Governor Schweitzer wants Congress to show some leadership and enact alternative legislation to stop Real ID, while re-instating the commission working on driver's license rules before the Act assigned DHS sole authority to set the rules. He took "great offense at this notion we should all simply 'grow up'," saying Chertoff's remarks "reflect DHS continued disrespect for the serious and legitimate concerns of our citizens."
Laura Keehner, a DHS spokeswoman, said DHS has no intention of backing down. Her comments indicated a department policy of trying to turn States' citizens against their governors, stating failure to comply "will mean real consequences for (a rebel state's) citizens starting in May if their leadership chooses not to comply." Keehner suggested that patted-down citizens will turn their wrath on their state leadership, rather than the federal government.
Secretary Chertoff has also hinted the Real ID card will soon be used for a wide variety of purposes not specifically detailed in the Real ID Act, stating DHS will do nothing to prevent non-government private parties from requiring the ID card. So you could soon be required to have a Real ID card to obtain or hold a job, open a bank account, enter a school, receive medical care, purchase a gun, or a virtually unlimited host of unrelated purposes. Eventually, once smart chips are incorporated, these ID cards will contain your entire life history - not just identification, but birth, school, employment, medical, financial, purchase and travel records.
Incredibly, Secretary Chertoff has no plans for encrypt the stored data on these cards, leaving unprotected the very personal records and access to the financial assets of 245 million Americans. The Real ID Act does not require DHS to secure the records they create or link to. Thus, this national web-like database will provide easy, one-stop shopping for identity thieves, swollen beyond recognition as not only state and national government agencies input and share data, but the private sector accesses the system for routine tracking, monitoring, and regulation of everyday Americans' every move and activity. These ID cards will truly be "internal passports," utilized by the federal government to determine where and how you will be allowed to travel, whether within your own state, or within your own country. Do you really want Big Brother making these decisions for you? Do you want to be tracked in office buildings, subways, or on buses?
Governor Schweitzer has demonstrated great leadership. The Real ID Act will impose rules that threaten the privacy, security and freedom of 245 million Americans. This Act is, as was so aptly stated by the New Hampshire legislature, "contrary and repugnant" to state and federal constitutions. We must all demand other state governors follow suit. We must call Secretary Chertoff's bluff! Follow the spirit of Governor Schweitzer's command to his fellow Montanans - report demands by any federal employee that you produce a Real ID card to your elected state and federal representatives. Complain loudly! Complain in your own best interest, and that of your children. The Real ID Act is fatally flawed, and will soon result in massive litigation. That litigation will be funded, in all phases, by your tax dollars!
Rebellion against the Real ID Act goes far beyond simple defiance of an unpopular public program. Our national roots, our heritage, the very foundation of America springs from a profound understanding that the power of our federal government must be limited - restricted to certain enumerated powers. We have allowed, as a society, and as individuals, the usurpation of much of our liberty and freedom of choice. We're already allowing ourselves to be video taped in private, and on public roads and within public facilities. When is enough, enough? The United Kingdom has one video camera in place for every 14 people in the whole country. Video cameras do NOTHING to increase security; they merely assist the police with later identification of the perpetrators of whatever horror or crime HAS ALREADY BEEN COMMITTED.
Likewise, improved, so-called tamper-proof identity documents that cannot be counterfeited (Oh, really!) will do little, if anything, to secure our borders, and they will DO NOTHING to protect you from a suicide bomber. After all, most potential suicide bombers are already in country, may well have been born and raised here, and will not have a history of this criminal activity. We need to get real, people, and DUMP THE REAL ID ACT!
ACTION NEEDED
Contact your State Governor. You will find their name and contact information here :
Tell your Governor:
a.. S/he must defend your state's sovereignty, and the police powers granted by your state constitution, and acknowledged by the U.S. Constitution.
b.. S/he should oppose imposition of the Real ID Act on the state's citizens.
c.. S/he must not waste the state's precious, and limited, financial resources on the fatally-flawed Real ID Act.
d.. S/he will bear the full wrath of the state's voters if those voters are betrayed, and forced like slaves into acceptance of this arguably unconstitutional, and very dangerous program.
Contact your State Legislators:
Tell your Legislator:
a.. S/he must defend your state's sovereignty, and the police powers granted by your state constitution, and acknowledged by the U.S. Constitution.
b.. S/he should oppose imposition of the Real ID Act on the state's citizens.
c.. S/he must not waste the state's precious, and limited, financial resources on the fatally-flawed Real ID Act.
d.. S/he will bear the full wrath of the state's voters if those voters are betrayed, and forced like slaves into acceptance of this arguably unconstitutional, and very dangerous program.
Contact your U.S. Representative. Call the House Switchboard at (202) 225-3121. Tell the Operator your Congressman's name, or the city and state where you live, and you will be connected.
Office of Congressman (Name)
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Tell your Representative:
a.. Congress mandated in the U.S. Homeland Security Act of 2002 that "Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the development of a national identification system or card."
b.. Congress is over-reaching its authority by dictating to state Governors and state motor vehicle departments requirements for state-issued driver licenses and identification cards.
c.. Congress is exposing precious, and limited, tax dollars to fund a fatally-flawed program that is arguably unconstitutional, and that will be the subject of massive, taxpayer-funded, litigation.
Contact your U.S. Senator. Call the Senate Switchboard at (202) 224-2131. Tell the Operator who your Senator is, or what state you live in, and you will be connected.
Office of Senator (Name)
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Tell your Senator:
a.. Congress mandated in the U.S. Homeland Security Act of 2002 that "Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the development of a national identification system or card."
b.. Congress is over-reaching its authority by dictating to state Governors and state motor vehicle departments requirements for state-issued driver licenses and identification cards.
c.. Congress is exposing precious, and limited, tax dollars to fund a fatally-flawed program that is arguably unconstitutional, and that will be the subject of massive, taxpayer-funded, litigation.
Landing on all four paws and one tooth: James Traficant
Panther Rants: "PITTSBURGH (PR) - Panther Rants has learned through a source close the athletic department that former Ohio Congressman and Pitt quarterback James Traficant is a candidate for the Panthers' vacant defensive coordinator's position.
State parks going without lifeguards in '08
State parks going without lifeguards in '08 Swimming at state park beaches soon will be at your own risk.
Starting this summer, the Bureau of State Parks is getting rid of lifeguards at all beaches except at Presque Isle State Park on Lake Erie. The move will save about $800,000, eliminate the challenge of hiring enough lifeguards and allow beaches to be open longer, state officials said.
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