US admits it fired on anti-Qaeda fighters - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Want to be friends?

US admits it fired on anti-Qaeda fighters - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation): "The incident, coming on the heels of other incidents in which a total of 19 group members have been killed, sparked mass resignations from the US-sponsored Awakening.

The birth of a nation: not always pretty -- time will tell

Kosovo Declares Independence From Serbia Kosovo's parliament declared the territory a nation on Sunday, mounting a historic bid to become an 'independent and democratic state' backed by the U.S. and European allies but bitterly contested by Serbia and Russia.

Serbia immediately denounced the declaration as illegal, and Russia also rejected it, demanding an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council. President Bush said the U.S. would work to prevent violence after the declaration and the European Union also appealed for calm.

Check out the flag and other insights at Wikipedia.

Kosovo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Kosovo (Albanian: Kosova or Kosov�, Serbian: Косово, Kosovo) is a newly-independent European nation, situated in the Balkans."

Wonder if they'll be headed to the Olympics?

Richard Florida's latest book

It's a mantra of the age of globalization that where you live doesn't matter: you can telecommute to your high-tech Silicon Valley job, a ski-slope in Idaho, a beach in Hawaii or a loft in Chicago; you can innovate from Shanghai or Bangalore.

According to international best-selling author, Richard Florida, this is wrong. Place is not only important, it's more important than ever. Globalization is not flattening the world; in fact, place is increasingly relevant to the global economy and our individual lives. Where we live determines the jobs and careers we have access to, the people we meet, and the "mating markets" in which we participate. And everything we think we know about cities and their economic roles is up for grabs.

Richard Florida is Professor of Business and Creativity at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. He is the founder of the Creative Class Group, an advisory services firm charting new trends in business, communities, and lifestyles. His national bestseller The Rise of the Creative Class was awarded the Washington Monthly's Political Book Award and the Harvard Business Review's Breakthrough Idea Award. He lives in Toronto with his wife. www.creativeclass.com

Who's Your City? By Richard Florida

$26.00 US or $32.00 CND, Hardcover

Available in the US & Canada on March 10, 2008

(In Canada please contact Random House Canada at 905-624-0672)

Lane 9 News Archive: USA Swimming Grand Prix, Missouri: Flash! Natalie Coughlin Lowers 100 Back World Record

Three world records in swimming in recent days.

Lane 9 News Archive: USA Swimming Grand Prix, Missouri: <font color=red>Flash!</font> Natalie Coughlin Lowers 100 Back World Record: "COLUMBIA, Missouri, February 17. THE weekend just witnessed its third world record in less than two days as Natalie Coughlin went off during the preliminary heats of the 100 back at the Missouri Grand Prix.

With Eamon Sullivan tracking down Alexander Popov in the men's 50 free as part of the NSW State Open Championships, and Kirsty Coventry erasing Krisztina Egerszegi's global standard in the 200 back, the mood was right for Coughlin to perform with an incredible time of 59.21 in the 100 back.

That dropped Coughlin's previous global mark of 59.44 set at last year's World Championships in Melbourne, Australia."

Renovate or Replace

Renovate or Replace? -- also put out by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (among others).

This is a long PDF file, and it doesn't have a table of contents, but it's filled with interesting/important information about all aspects of renovating old school buildings. It's as though they wrote it with Schenley in mind!

Feel free to pass it around!

Thomas Gillooly noticed Mark C's letter to the editor in the P-G about mortage fraud.

Today's Post-Gazette carries an excellent letter to the editor by Mark
Crowley on the Fed's responsibility for the mortgage 'crisis'. It packs a great deal of information into a few words, and points out an extremely important aspect of the situation that the mainstream media generally ignore. Great letter -- and the P-G highlighted it by putting it conspicuously into a box in the corner of the Letters section.

Congratulations, Mark!

Mortgage fraud prime suspects are the feds themselves


If U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan really wants to prosecute subprime criminals ("24 Indicted as Mortgage Fraud Probe Widens," Feb. 5), then two prime suspects from the Federal Reserve warrant her attention.

Former Chairman Alan Greenspan bailed out technology firms and investors with easy credit to soften bad investments. This distorted the marketplace, rewarding and encouraging more bad investments. It also levied an "inflation tax" that robbed honest savers and made the poor even poorer. Think theft and counterfeiting.

Current Chairman Ben Bernanke continued this bailout scheme for the banking and mortgage industries. Easy credit generated more bad debts further ravaging our currency. In 2007 the dollar index fell from 85 to 75 -- 12 percent inflation. Imagine the national magnitude of that theft. Think RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act).

Messrs. Greenspan and Bernanke had partners. Multiple Congresses and administrations distorted, hid and quietly accepted inflation statistics that in no way represented the drastic decline in the dollar's purchasing power. In exchange the partners received debt-generated revenue that funded unconstitutional warfare, welfare and wealth transfer scams.

Think evidence tampering, conspiracy and treason.

Unfortunately, Ms. Buchanan is part of the same syndicate. It focuses her attention far down the food chain. So when might she investigate a prime suspect?

Think never.

MARK CROWLEY, Plum

Edge of Sports gets an interactive face lift

New site makeover now allows comments on every article.

Edge of Sports Behind the Clemens, Congress Claptrap

School update -- it's going to be gut check time this week

Public Hearing: Monday, February 18th, 7:30 pm, Board of Education (BOE) Building in Oakland. Email your comments or sign up to speak before noon by calling 412-622-3600.

Agenda Review: Wednesday, February 20th, 6:30 pm, BOE.

The Board and staff review and discuss the education and business/finance items on the agenda.

This meeting will be available for viewing on City Channel Pittsburgh, Comcast Channel 13, on the following dates and times:
Thursday, February 21, 7:00 PM
Friday, February 22, 10:00 AM

Legislative Session: Wednesday, February 27th, 7:30 pm, BOE.

The Board will take action on education, business/finance and personnel matters on the February agenda.

This meeting will be available for viewing on City Channel Pittsburgh, Comcast Channel 13, on the following dates and times:
Thursday, February 28, 7:00 PM
Friday, February 29, 10:00 AM

---

So, the vote to begin moving programs will take place at the meeting on the 27th. Guess when the first meeting to "ask for input" from parents about these changes (the A+ schools meetings) is scheduled? On the 28th.

As far as we know, the plans for Schenley have not changed at all, save for the building closure vote being taken off the table. That means these plans are likely to be voted on at the legislative meeting (sorry for all the asterisks, they're at the end, no need to skip down there now):

1) Moving the 10-12th grade Schenley students to Reizenstein.

2) Keeping current Frick 8th graders at Frick for 9th grade.*

3) Creating University Prep** at Milliones, starting with a single grade of 9th graders* (how many?) next year.

4) Spending $ to make changes to Frick to accomodate the 9th graders (estimated at 150 students***).

5) Spending to renovate Milliones for the University Prep program (6-12).

6) Spending to renovate Reizenstein**** for a 6-12 IB program.


So, we're still asking for pretty much the same thing we've been asking for since the beginning. Right now, we'd at the least like the word TEMPORARY put into any plan to move students and any further spending on renovation cut out.

Or in other words, move all Schenley students together, temporarily, and save the big costs of renovation or changes at 3 buildings (Reizenstein, Milliones, Frick). Clearly renovation spending at 3 buildings greatly reduces the chances for Schenley's future. It also guarantees the creation of a far more segregated school in University Prep at Milliones.

Except for CAPA, there are no solid plans for any of the other high school reform plans proposed. Where is the new Science and Technology going to be located? How can we plan responsibly without knowing that? There will be 4 high schools clustered in the East End with at least two of them far under capacity. What are the plans to deal with that? Call your board member if you're comfortable with that and also encourage parents not directly concerned with Schenley but interested in the future of the district to email the school board asking them to get more information and get it out to the public!

Write to the board yourself, too, (not sure how effective the spoken testimony is, unless it's centered solely on money or building condition issues. We're hearing that they're sick of hearing how great Schenley/Schenley spirit is. ;-D) and encourage them to either:

-- vote for a temporary move and no spending on renovation until a complete plan is developed

-- vote not to move the students at all (ceiling plaster could be removed this summer, preventing any danger from falling plaster)

-- vote to table these items until all information about changes are available to the district and to the public.

Just a little more in support of these options:

Other districts are committing to their historical structures. Delaying or postponing a vote would give the district time to actually completely develop the plans for high school reform and determine where the best practices should be implemented and to further gain community support for these programs.

We've not yet been given the go-ahead on fundraising for Schenley. Without district support for that effort, we can't ask for money -- grants, personal, corporate.

Interestingly, the Pennsylvania Dept. of Education website seems to agree with our position, here are some quotes from School Construction Reimbursement Criteria:

" School districts must develop a complete building facility study of all
district educational facilities "

"School districts are encouraged to consider the impact of acoustics,
daylighting and other factors on academic effectiveness and building
efficiency in the design process. "

"In addition, school construction projects should be planned in the context
of sustainable community development."

"School districts should take all reasonable efforts to preserve and
protect school buildings that are on or eligible for local or National
historic registers. "

*********************************************************

* How does the district intend to staff three separate schools? Are they going to ask teachers to drive around, losing instructional time to travel time? How do you even begin to attempt to insure the possibility of equal access to the best teachers and classes? As a parent of an 8th grader, I admit to having a vested interest in that one year of schooling -- if this 8th grade class hadn't seen so many changes in teachers already, I might be less concerned, but they've been subject to a revolving, uh, classroom of teachers over the last few years.

** The University Prep is predicted by the district to have an 80% African-American, 20% "other" split. The only way that is possible is counting the "other" students from Arsenal Middle School. Will they join the University Prep program at 9th grade and with a disadvantage to the other students or is Arsenal the next school on the chopping block, if all of its Schenley feeder students are moving to Milliones over the next few years?

*** I'm not sure where this number of students continuing on in IB/IS comes from. I have not been asked if I still intend to keep my child in the IB program and I know there are others who are choosing other school options in light of these changes.

**** I have yet to hear an architect (or contractor) in Pittsburgh say that spending money on Reizenstein is a good idea. Those that have been in the building are the most opposed to using it as a school! I have heard plenty about the green aspects of Schenley, about the importance of natural lighting, and about the fact that money spent on a solidly designed and solidly built building is better than money spent on a building that won't last for nearly as long. Many of the open school, 70's era buildings like Reizenstein have already been ditched or are being closed now, across the country.

I should definitely give out prizes for reading! Thank you if you've made it this far --

Jen Lakin

Ravenstahl Appoints 28th Ward Chair to End Political Plowing

The Burgh Report: Ravenstahl Appoints 28th Ward Chair to End Political Plowing Ravenstahl Appoints 28th Ward Chair to End Political Plowing

Pittsburgh's Plan For Better Snow Removal Announced - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh's Plan For Better Snow Removal Announced - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh: "Pittsburgh's Plan For Better Snow Removal Announced

Hold the phone headline crafters and spin generators. The plan is to spend money on equipment and software for fall of 2008. That's it. There is little else.

Extras: One guy in Public Works gets a new title and no increase in pay. Another guy gets put only on the desk job. Plus, the drivers are told to follow their route and not go elsewhere. Going out of their way is not allowed, even if Moses says that the the Bat Cave under the Mon Warf is under 10-foot of new snow.

A better headline would be, "Don't call 3-1-1 or else I'll get really mad."

Or, "Garbage trucks to damage more cars on narrow streets with snow plows."

20/20 on ABC to uncover the already naked, skin-less bodies of dead people

The Science Center is hosting the exhibition, Bodies. Yada, yadda, yadddda.

Go see Lion King instead.

We're going to see Amadeus tonight.

Question: If these bodies come from the prisons of China --are the babies and kids from the same places?

On campus at the university in Chengdu, China, there is a "Body Building." They don't mean "body building" like flexing of muscles and striking a pose after lifting weights for years in a competition. That "body building" had no windows -- or if they did -- they were kept open. Medical students went there so others don't.

That was part of our tour that we didn't take. Likewise, I've not been to the Science Center's exhibit.

And, I'd not want to say that our choice is a 'boycott.'

EU: Avoid political issues at Games. Goofy POLITICIANS should boycott their own advice to athletes

Sports is too important. Humm....

SI.com - More Sports - EU: Avoid political issues at Games - Thursday February 14, 2008 3:22PM The European Union wants athletes to resist raising human rights and other sensitive political issues during the Beijing Olympics.

'Sports is too important. It is too important to use it as a political instrument,' Milan Zver, the sports minister of Slovenia, which holds the EU presidency, said Thursday.

This is weird. Heavy Or Not, perhaps.

Perhaps this is a bit of the 'nonprofit brotherhood' in action, but on the world stage. In Pittsburgh, the nonprofit folks always stick together. For example, the North Side's Childrens Museum wants to see its neighbor, the a historic branch of the Carnegie Library, move away. The buildings are side by side in a park / commons. The two offer great programs for the public that work in harmony with each other. However, the nonprofit weenies that work in one site want to back the others and enable them to move out of the neighborhood.

Only in the world of Pittsburgh nonprofit weenie can you find a person who thinks that the library is a bad neighbor.

Well, here, in the world stage, the EU officials don't want those pesky citizens nor jocks to rain upon their own parade and make a stink about politics. But the parade is on the other side of the world.

Who is the coach of the EU Olympic Team?

How do those with the IOC expect to enforce the notion that athletes can't discuss political issues within the Olympic zones when these people are all decorated in the flags of their home nations?

Crazy.

Zver argues that political pressure through sport doesn't work. He said the boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games was largely politically ineffectual, but did major harm to sport and the Olympics.

I agree to a point. The 1980 Olympic boycott was ineffectual. It was bad. Very bad. President Jimmy Carter insisted that the USA team would NOT travel to Moscow to compete. Carter was a jerk with that move. Bad move.

The boycott then, and elsewhere, does hurt sport. They hurt humanity too.

The stupidity of the boycott was found within the statements and actions of the politicians -- NOT the athletes. The screw up as that of the party official working in a capital. The harm was to the athletes, coaches, fans, societies and world of sports. But the talking and the guilty were not those athletes.

It is the E.U. jagoffs that need to see what's what and come down hard in favor of the newest retraction from the Brits. Allow the athletes to speak freely. Allow the games to go on. Allow the play to occur -- without restrictions.

Boycotts suck. So, let's be certain to NEVER repeat the same mistakes. Let's NOT put boycotts onto the backs of the athletes in their actions. And, any IOC boycott of political chatter is going to be ineffectual.

Time again, for those whacked out (not Mac) high school basketball scores

The city league sports scene features league play were nobody wins. It happened again last night in a playoff game. The final four for girls basketball had a final score of 79 to 27. Playoffs. Winner advances to the city league championship game.

Plus, South Vo Tech isn't playing any more. This isn't a WESTINGHOUSE score.

Our city schools need to get into the WPIAL.

Pittsburgh needs to figure out how to compete -- day in and day out. Every day competition needs to flourish here. What we've got now sucks. And, it won't be expensive. It is a cheap improvement.

The city's boys' semifinal basketball game this evening at Brashear at 6:30 PM: Schenley vs. Carrick, (got 4th seed).

Girls' basketball last night saw Schenley winning their semifinal match against Perry at the Allderdice gym by score of 79 to 27. Even with the one-sided action, the games are very exciting with some amazing passes and lots of 3 point shots in preparation for the finals at the A.J. Palumbo Center on Thursday, at 7 PM. (boys' finals are at 5:30).

Schenley's swim team finished its dual meet season last evening with a loss to Allderdice, the perennial city league champs. The city league championships are 12 pm Saturday, February 23 at Trees Hall, University of Pittsburgh. Last year, the Schenley Spartans came in second to 'Dice and our swimmers won several medals. Ellie Tecza qualified for states at that meet ( 'Dice had only one qualifier).

PSCC: The regularly scheduled meeting of Schenley's PSCC is Wednesday, Feb. 20th at 6 pm in the Schenley library. The scheduled topic this month is world language/IS/IB. If you have questions about the program, block scheduling, sequence of classes, electives . . . Wednesday will be a good opportunity to get some answers. High school reform will be discussed at a later meeting.

Did anyone attend the workshop held on 2/11 for filling out the FAFSA forms sponsored by NEED?

If anyone has IS related information to share with the email list, I will be happy to send it.

amy moore

My boys and I dropped into the swim meet yesterday, between traffic jams. The meet was nice.

Jen found the anti-talk -- from developers (?) of Arena deal

Jen posted in an email blast:

It was brought to my attention that Craigslist Rants and Raves is full of anti one hill posts today, many of which are ignorant and racist. My biggest concern is that they are publicizing Dan and Luke's phone numbers and asking people to call (first link) an that supposedly some folks have sent emails (second link). If you want to see the whole discussion its the third link, though its pretty infuriating. Rather than argue with anonymous idiots and trolls on rnr I thought a better response might be to have people from around the city drop Dan and Luke a line and ask when negotiations are going to continue and to express support for not only one hill but the whole cba idea. Please take a few minutes today to do this, and feel free to pass on this request.


Dan Onorato Phone# 412-350-6500 Email- executive@alleghenycounty.us

Luke Ravenstahl Phone#412-255-2626 Email- mayorcompl@city.pittsburgh.pa.us

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/rnr/574867125.html

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/rnr/574972252.html

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/rnr/

Some time ago, Bram ran into a group with the same type of chatter as well. Are these the same?

New Video site on politics -- Ron's good here

Danny Glover, former editor of the National Journal’s Technology Daily and Beltway Blogosphere, and current editor of AirCongress, launched Eyeblast.tv, “an online platform for people to share and view videos, photos, articles and opinions on topics that are important to them — from news to political issues and rip-roaring humor.” The About page doesn’t mention that the content is exclusively conservative; it’s supported by conservative media watchdog group the Media Research Center. In an interview with techPresident contributor David All, he makes it clear that he’s “proud to be a conservative” and that’s “it’s nice to be out of closet.” Somehow, we always knew! We’ll keep an eye on the new project.

A popular remake.

Urban Conservative

Grow the Economy, Not Government

What does it mean to be an "urban conservative"? The Center of the American Experiment recently asked this question of 40 different writers. Matt will chat with four of them--Mitch Pearlstein, Michael Barone, Andrew Cowin, and Roger Magnuson--to find out what they think. Read more (PDF).

When I was a Republican, I called myself a 'free market Republican. I've said to many that we need to have an "urban Republican' tag and understanding too.

I'll have to read the article later. But, there is a different understanding of what it means to live in community in an urban setting.

I don't know if this will catch on or not. Another tag that I liked that never 'stuck' was from Professor James Carmine. He talked of a "New North.' Pittsburgh can be a leading city in the 'new north' just as Atlanta was at the vangard of the "new south.'

Kraus on KDKA Radio

Kraus read a list of streets. He said there are dozens of streets that have not had a spec of salt put on them.

First of all, those are NOT the streets of "BRUCE KRAUS." He calls them, "MY STREETS."

Kraus calls this, "political plowing." Kraus was the victor. To the victor go the spoils. Kraus isn't worried about political plowing. He just wants to be the one to call the shots. Kraus wants the spoils.

You don't micro manage and say that Koch should be in an administrative position. There is a problem -- and we need all hands on attack mode. Those that are in the administration need to be putting the shoulder to the wheel. Koch is getting in trouble for doing a job.

The over-reaching is from the one in the legislative role.

Some of the dozen streets that are still not salted are flat. Some of these streets have never been salted.

By the way -- the solution I'm waiting to hear still isn't being talked about: SALT BOXES.

In another blog:

The Burgh Report: Insubordination!: "By the way, MG (Marty Griffin), it's not 'political plowing' until we can establish that Doug Shields' street never gets plowed, or that Bill Peduto's driveway gets the snow plowed into it.

UPDATE: It's treason, then. Um, we mean insubordination.

Marty said you can't get 4 inches of ice off your street. He hung up on Dorothy.

One salt treatment can't take care of 4 inches of ice either. However, a coating of cinders can really help.

The streets need attention throughout the storm.

Another caller debunked the Kraus claim that a woman called via personal friend to Koch.

Live blogging via radio.

Mayor put a plan together.

Rob is Dept. Director for Operations of Public Works. Reports to Guy Costa.

Mike Gable is in charge of administration.

Will be purchasing best snow removal and routing system. He doesn't know what that means. Unscientific poll. Luke says 9 out of 10 says no. Garbage gets 9 out of 10 saying yes.

Put in a scientific model in Envir Services to put into snow removal.

Not wanting to suggest a silver bullet will work. It is clear that we need to do a better job.

Take a look at snow plows on refuse trucks and other trucks.

The sound is poor. They are chasing their tails. If they go off their route there will be repercussions.

Luke wants to commend the city of Pgh employees. They are doing the best that they can. Luke is not satisfied with the equipment and the directions they are given.

Luke is frustrated, upset and angry to lack of attention to the detail.

That has to change: 1,100 calls to 3-1-1.

Winter of next year -- sounds like we'll install a bubble over the city.

Questions, then KDKA goes to hype and commercials.

Where do you want to go? Why isn't Pittsburgh in that list?

Tech Pointers of Mark Rauterkus

* Amsterdam, The Netherlands
* Beijing, China
* Bratislava, Slovakia
* Budapest, Hungary
* Dundalk, Ireland
* Orvieto, Italy"

Where do you want to go? Place a vote.

InstantStretch v3.0 - Instant Stretching Routines

InstantStretch v3.0 - Instant Stretching Routines: "Have you ever tried to design a stretching routine for yourself or your clients?"

Snow removal frosts mayor and councilman Kraus micro-manages

Slow snow removal frosts mayor: "Mr. Kraus also got into a feud with a former political rival who he said interfered with snow removal in his district.

'It was like running a telethon this morning,' he said. 'The streets are beginning to dry, but I see no salt residue anywhere. ... Whatever we're doing is not working.'

The snow situation is what it is. Those like Darlene Harris and Bruce Kraus that want to "over reach" are sure to hinder and not help.

Just so you know, I was not the political rival mentioned in the story. I guess it was Jeff Koch, the new czar of 'special streets.' Mayor Ravenstahl gave him that post after Kraus voted for Doug Shields as City Council President. But now the mayor is going to have a press event this morning to yap about streets and his scorn for their treatment this week. Go figure.

The way to fix the streets, by the way, is to re-deploy the salt boxes. Back when Gene Ricciardi was on city council and Mayor Murphy wanted to make a crisis, he nixed most of the salt boxes that would get stationed on most of the steep city streets.

With the salt boxes, we don't need city employees at critical times nor as often.

The salt boxes are a bargain. They need to be managed. They need to be planned. They need volunteers too.

Mayor Murphy really screwed this city. And, the folks who have been there since then have done little to nothing to un-do the harm that he caused.

Salt boxes!

The real problem isn't street cleaning after snow and ice. The traffic on the streets has never been worse. And, there is no hope for improvement.

Yesterday afternoon, traffic in and around OAKLAND sucked. The gridlock on 2nd Ave, Bates, EAST CARSON STREET, 18th Street, 10th Street, Hot Metal, and Bingham all stink.

It took an hour to get out of Oakland yesterday afternoon. Snow was NOT a factor.

We're screwed. People can walk and get there two to three times faster. This is why we need to have the Brimingham Bridge open to pedestrians.

"I know there were trucks on my street," he said. "They don't listen to me."

He said he will reiterate the order.

So few words, yet so much to say.

First of all, if I'm the mayor and people don't listen to what is told to them -- they don't work here any more. Secondly, only a fool would tell the crew that ONE STREET is to be the LAST STREET. The mayor is telling them WHAT NOT TO DO.

People should NOT get in trouble for doing MORE. The MAYOR should NOT be telling the work crew to DO LESS. The Mayor's management style is upside down.

Furthermore, globally, the mayor pegged Jeff Koch to handle the oversight of the street program. Fine. Ravenstahl tossed an 'ex-politician' at a political problem yet wants to remove politics from the tasks. Give us a break.