Rauterkus house gets some TV time -- but this isn't ours

See the comments about another Rauterkus family and their old house.

Olympic canoeing champion Kolonics dies - 2008 Olympics - SI.com

Sports drama hits and tugs at life itself, knocking gold medalist dead.

Olympic canoeing champion Kolonics dies - 2008 Olympics - SI.comGyorgy Kolonics, a canoeing gold medalist at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, died Tuesday after collapsing in his canoe while training for the Beijing Games. He was 36.

A true legend of Hungarian sports passes. The 2008 Olympics in Beijing, to start in next month, would have been his fifth Olympics.

Jim Motznik had a blog that lasted just about as long

Okay... here is a game.

I found a new local blogger. He put up a site. He was asked to take down the site. No blog for him.

That sucks.

This is how freedom fails in Pittsburgh.

Now, I could talk about him and his boss -- but -- I don't have a salary to cover his paycheck after he gets fired for his blog and my remarks about his situation. So, I'm less free as well.

We all suffer as one of us gets hammered.

Bonusgate: A Tsunami for Reform Bonusgate: A Tsunami for Reform

From Russ Diamond:

In 2005, the legislative pay raise was a seismic disturbance that rumbled beneath the surface of Pennsylvania's political ocean. In 2006, the electoral effects were felt in what was commonly dubbed a "political earthquake." Three years later, the resultant tsunami - otherwise known as Bonusgate - has finally come crashing to shore.

Citizens should applaud the agents of the Attorney General's office and members of the grand juries. The volume of man-hours apparently involved in pouring through mountains of records and testimony to reach this point is astounding. That the investigation continues and more arrests are likely is even more breathtaking.

The biggest accolades, however, must be reserved for the people of Pennsylvania and their historic reaction to the pay raise. Absent the intense citizen activism during the 2006 election cycle, Bonusgate would not even be a blip on the radar.

Although the grand juries found that the intermingling of campaigns and legitimate legislative functions began prior to 2006, the sheer number of electoral challenges that year created an opportunity for the practice to be utilized to an extent that commanded the attention of the media and law enforcement.

Without pay raise outrage, the practice might have quietly remained behind the scenes for years to come. Without pay raise outrage, journalists might not have had the editorial foresight and ripe audience required for stories that grow "legs." Without pay raise outrage, law enforcement might not have felt compelled to launch such a substantial investigation.

Under grant of immunity, one individual involved in the scandal nailed it: the pay raise "changed the whole map."

Bonusgate should spur aftershocks from voters for the same reasons the pay raise did. Both incidents arose from the fault line of arrogance and greed that unfortunately runs directly beneath our Capitol's dome. For some, apparently, the weight of incumbency is simply not enough advantage in the ongoing fight for power and personal privilege.

Despite gerrymandered legislative districts, the availability of free media coverage for legislative work during re-election season, the ability to dole out public funds, taxpayer-funded newsletters and public service announcements, certain individuals within at least one caucus viewed retaining their positions and gaining a majority in the House of Representatives as objectives that reside above the law.

Although the recent revelations are likely just the first phase of the tsunami, Pennsylvanians must begin considering the cleanup and rebuilding efforts now. Clearly there are instances of individual abuses, but many of the problems of Harrisburg are rooted in the structure of government and inherently systemic.

Will further internal legislative rule changes be enough? Will stronger statutes and threats of stiffer penalties prevent such activity in the future? Can any legislative body effectively police itself, or should Pennsylvania tackle the Mother of all Reforms - an objective constitutional convention where sitting public officials are prohibited from serving as delegates?

These questions can only be answered properly if Pennsylvania's citizens are informed, actively engaged in the process, and honest about both the mistakes of the past and the challenges that lie ahead.

As the waters from the Bonusgate tsunami retreat back to the proverbial sea, some parts of the political infrastructure in Harrisburg will have crumbled while others remain standing. Those that remain standing will have been built on the solid ground of the law, ethics and accountability. It is these principles that will guide us in finally ending Pennsylvania's crisis of confidence.

Constitutional Convention Enabling Act (SB1290)

China announces 598 Olympic homestays in Beijing - People's Daily Online

China announces 598 Olympic homestays in Beijing - People's Daily Online China announces 598 Olympic homestays in Beijing

From Uprising to Movement: Five Ideas - CommonDreams.org

From Uprising to Movement: Five Ideas - CommonDreams.org End the Oxymoron of Autocratic Progressivism: Autocratic Progressives, as I discussed yesterday, are those who think you can build a progressive movement with anti-progressive, autocratic, top-down, command-and-control structures. This is elitism at its worst. If we want to take this uprising moment and channel it into a progressive movement, then the movement institutions we build have to be small-d democratic. Sadly, most of the much-vaunted new progressive infrastructure — from Moveon.org to well-funded left-leaning think tanks in Washington, D.C. — run the gamut from mostly undemocratic to completely undemocratic. That’s not the way to build a movement — and I say that not just from a moral, pro-democratic standpoint, but from a pragmatic one.

We are ready -- sorta. Well, at least my sons are with paperwork in order

The passports and visas for Erik and Grant have arrived. The ones for Catherine and I are still on the way. We hope.



Details later. Hold thumbs! Or, if American, you can cross your fingers for us.

Perhaps if all the bloggers piched in a few bucks, this could come about.

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium's new baby girl elephant has a new name and she is going out into the elephant yard. "The baby's name is Angelina, chosen by a special donor," says Dr. Barbara Baker, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. Angelina will be out on exhibit everyday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. "We are excited for our visitors to have the opportunity to see her," says Dr.Baker. "But she is still young and we do have to be protective of her especially because she has very sensitive skin and we don't want her to get sunburned." Angelina's schedule will be dependent upon weather or if she is acting unusual for some reason. Her schedule will also be affected when the Zoo's second female elephant, Moja, has her baby. Moja is due any day now. Visitors can call the Zoo to check on Angelina's schedule. Visitors also can see Angelina through the large viewing windows at the Elephant Family Room where she is spending time with her family. "The family bonding is going very well," says Dr. Baker. "We are extremely proud of Angelina's older brother, Callee. At first he wasn't sure he liked having a little sister, but he likes her now. He gently touches her and he stands beside her to make sure she is ok." Angelina is 37 inches tall, but keepers have not had a chance to weigh her yet. That will be done within the next couple of days.

The next arrival should be named, "Rufus Peckham."

How did the state bonus scandal happen?

How did the state bonus scandal happen?: "How did the state bonus scandal happen?
The million-dollar 'bonusgate' was fueled by politics and a breakdown of the Democratic caucus' managerial system"

Frankly, it happened because of the combination of greed and "governement jobs." All in all, smarts, purpose, liberty were not the driving factors.

Throw the bums out.

Respect the bus

Getting on the bus, Gus, works in other places.

Respect the bus movies - Peoria, IL - pjstar.com: "local transit ridership is up by 24 percent in Peoria this year isn't surprising.

Sign of the times: Rolling Rocks -- a budding cancer

Bram has something on this topic too.

The city law department gets tangled in this story too. Face it: The city law department sucks. They are a serious drag on "moving forward." They should all be fired. The law department is a liability. Laws are not. But, the way they act and react are what is to blame. The blame is so deep, that they can't shake it.

If Mayor Ravenstahl was at a meeting -- or if he wasn't -- does not matter. There is no way one person should be 'above the law.' The mayor can be wrong. They can't work to protect the mayor while work to squander both honesty and accountability.

People do not want to live in a place where rules are irrelevant. People choose to avoid lawlessness. The stentch of corruption and being where rules matter little -- except for the connected -- drives people away. This is why the city is shrinking.

It is much easier for the citizens to pack up and depart, rather than to fight.

We want people to go through the process. Back in 2001, when I ran for mayor, I put a top priority on process. How things work and how they don't -- matters most. For Pittsburgh: the questions of who and what are less important than the question of how and why.

Another way to say the same thing is to concentrate on software, not hardware. This isn't about 'stadiums' as much as it is about how deals get hatched.

Software problems and process problems are much more demanding in terms of communications and philosophy. Plus, it is harder to see process, generally.

Joel from the sign company is quoted as saying that the company would sue the city if ordered to take down the sign. That is fear. That is uncertainty. That is doubt. All in all -- it is called FUD.

One firm flings FUD and the law department blinks, as expected.

The law department, the firm, this sign and even the mayor are but pawns in this bigger story. Here is another chapter, but the saga is about the city's approach to process. Is Pittsburgh still going to be a 'smokey city' where back-room deals drive the outcomes. Or, is Pittsburgh, as I would hope, turns the corner and heads to open ways.

By the way, the firm had a green light -- and jumped through some hoops. However, it didn't do enough. They fumbled at the goal line.

When is Mr. Ford going to have his pay checks terminated? Does that come before or after they terminate the head of law department goes?

On May 7, Historic Review Commission members agreed they would not have approved the sign had they been asked. They asked the Law Department to outline their options.

"The current owner is taking the position that, based upon the record, they have the right to continued approval, and we are researching that," city Solicitor George Specter said. An answer might come next week.

...

"[T]he city's public process serves to protect the public interest, and when it has been circumvented, or there is the appearance of such, we all have cause for serious concern."

Mr. Aaronson argued that the sign doesn't have "any real, substantial impact on the integrity of the neighborhood. ... People should say, 'Well, we'll be diligent next time.'"

Next time is a luxury that Pittsburgh does not own at present.

Next time works from time to time when an abundance of good will has been earned and is entrusted within the institutional ethos.

Pittsburgh is shattered. Trust is cracked. Now is the time for Pittsburgh to scatter further -- or instead, -- inject glue so as to begin to heal with the attaching of the pieces.

Luke Ravenstahl needs to reply upon the red tape for the fixing of things.

Meanwhile, I hate red tape, as a principle. But, you can't cheat it. By design, red tape can be eliminated. But, that isn't what Bob Ford and Luke Ravenstahl have been doing.

The city, could, get rid of the law department. Take that budget to $0 for the next six months.

The city could, on another front, put a question onto the ballot that asks the voters of the city if we should suspend all zoning rules for a five year period. We can get rid of the planning department, zoning and the URA. We can get rid of red tape -- by design -- so as to save money, increase freedoms and put some energy into the local marketplace. That's more of a radical fix. But, it is a deliberate. We can measure it with discussions and projections. Then we can vote upon its merit.

Finance markets crumble

The outlook for the state of the American Economy has hit a new, recent low. This isn't going to be good. More bad news is expected shortly.

Schenley and the rest of the district, too --

Still here! After a little time for a summer break and breather, there's more afoot. The stream of letters to the editor being published in the Post-Gazette seems to indicate that we're not the only people ready to keep going.

All along it's been clear that there's a lot more to HS reform than just closing Schenley under the (fake) cloud of a "$70+M asbestos problem." We're still working on getting accurate information out there to counteract the misleading (or plain wrong) impression that's been left.

But, it's also been clear all along that there are many other changes which were effectively hidden by the Schenley news and they will affect each and every family in the PPS.

Issues like:

* the move to several 6-12 grade themed magnet schools (there will be three beginning in the fall of '09)

* a move to a district wide lottery system for all schools (with changes to feeder patterns and no guarantee of a specific neighborhood HS)

* a lack of clarity on what the district will look like in 5 to 10 years -- for instance, which comprehensive high schools will be left and who will attend them?

* a lack of discussion about the effect of more and smaller schools on competitive team sports, electives and extracurricular options?

No matter what your opinions are on these and other changes proposed -- the thing we've learned is that by the time parents and community members are asked for input, it's too late for plans to change.

So -- are you ready to get the word out there? We really need to let friends, neighbors, children's classmates, co-workers, etc. know that these changes are coming and that the time to be heard is NOW. We're considering a petition drive and/or having letters to sign and mail in to the BOE and other grassroots ways to get people to talk to 10, 20, 100 people they know and make them aware of the changes that are coming and the vital need to start speaking up now, while we might still have a chance to have a voice in these reforms.

If you wish to be removed from this list, let me know. If you're willing to spend an hour or a weekend or whatever time you can give to start getting the word out, let me know that too. Ideas for how best to find and talk to people? Send them my way. And, let's keep the letters to the editor going too -- mark a time on your calendar and commit to sending in a letter. Send me a copy or let me know, if you'd like, it would be interesting to see our ratio of sent letters to printed letters.

Thank you --
Jen Lakin

Ken Krawchuk: Come watch as Abington Township violates the Constitution again

Folks:

Abington Township is violating the Pennsylvania Constitution again, and (for some inexplicable reason) wants to talk with me about it -- in District Court! Come watch the fun next Wednesday morning, July 16th, at 9:15 AM in District Court 38-1-05, 875 N. Easton Rd., Glenside Penna. 19038.

What's it all about? Article 1 Section 1 of the Pennsylvania Constitution plainly states that citizens have "certain inherent and indefeasible rights", including "acquiring, possessing and protecting property". Furthermore, Section 25 affirms that those rights "shall forever remain inviolate".

Yeah, right. "Forever" has apparently come and gone, because Abington Township Ordinance 1760 flatly denies citizens the right to possess certain kinds of property; specifically, an operable car sitting in your driveway. The Ordinance unconstitutionally claims that a citizen is not "permitted to have any motor vehicle which is not currently registered, not currently inspected, not currently insured, and is not capable of being legally operated on a public street." Isn't your motor vehicle your "property"? Can't you keep your own car in your own driveway?

And the ordinance is not just unconstitutional, it's also illegal: state law explicitly forbids any municipality from enforcing its own vehicle laws, specifically, 75 Pa.C.S.6301, which says that all "prosecutions under local ordinances [are] superseded by title [75]".

There are other aspects to their official repression, but let me save a few surprises for Wednesday. Suffice it to say I want that Ordinance declared unconstitutional, I want monetary damages for their hassling me in the first place, and it's long past time to take whatever legal steps are necessary to remove from office any judge,
commissioner, or township staffer who has violated their solemn oath to uphold the Constitution. Enough is enough!

It'll be fun. Hope to see you there.

It's Time to Reboot America. | Rebooting America

It's Time to Reboot America. | Rebooting America It's Time to Reboot America.

Where is John McCain's Technology Policy?

What's John McCain's Technology Policy? Not so shockingly, the computer-free senator's campaign is not as plugged in as his rival's. In fact, his campaign website fails to address America's lagging performance on broadband access or affordability, the technological capabilities of the federal bureaucracy, or the Internet's ability to increase government transparency. 'There are red flags,' says Brian Reich, author of the book Media Rules!: Mastering Today's Technology to Connect With and Keep Your Audience and the former editor of Campaign Web Review, a blog that tracked the use of the Internet by candidates, campaigns, and activists.

The best in class technology that Obama should promise is simply, "open source."

TRAITOR

Wow. Watch the promo. The truth is complicated.

TRAITOR

A friend's brother had a hand or two in this. Good to watch after we return from Beijing.

What are you doing next month?

NBC will cover 212 hours of Olympics per day
NEW YORK (AP) -- Start stockpiling eye drops.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/olympics/2008/07/08/nbc.coverage.ap/index.html

Pittsburgh Councilman Dowd running low on political capital - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

This makes me giggle.

Pittsburgh Councilman Dowd running low on political capital - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Now Heath, who runs the blog 'Cognitive Dissonance,' worries Dowd's ability to get legislation passed could be hurt.

'I don't think he's picked up any alliances at all. I think he's cut himself a little hole,' Heath said. 'Grudges seem to be a fact of life around here. That could hamper his ability to get things done.'

It is interesting to see a blogger get press. That's nice.

However, onto the issue: The real straw man on Grant Street is the fact that there is any division at all. They all are of the same party. They all have been running in lockstep to greater debt and more meaningless status.

Dowd does not need to make any alliances with those who waste plenty.

Dowd took the place of a 'yes man'. Boadack could not fix the ills of the city. We need those who can rock the boat because the boat is on the rocks, again.

Letters to the editor: Pittsburgh is squandering the asset of education

Great letter.

Letters to the editor Pittsburgh is squandering the asset of education

The vote by the Pittsburgh Board of Education is sad and distressing ("School Board Votes to Close Schenley Building," June 26). As a parent of two Schenley graduates and one more who attended her first two years, I am convinced that no one in positions of power ever really got it in Pittsburgh.

When we moved to the city from Chicago in 1989, we were thrilled. The Pittsburgh schools were considered by most objective sources to be the finest urban schools in the nation, thanks to the vision of Richard Wallace and the dedication of the district's teaching corps. As each year passed we saw how the district progressively lost its edge through bickering, politics and small-mindedness. Middle-class families with the ability to leave did. We came to Pittsburgh for the schools and left for the same reason.

Schenley was a beacon of hope -- a school that combined class and race, academic achievement and athletics, arts and science at a level that was hard to rival even in the suburbs. The district has failed, over and over again, to explain how the spirit of Schenley will somehow be replaced in the "new" plan. The ludicrous notion that combined middle and senior high school programs make any educational sense will only further push what is left of Pittsburgh's middle class out of the city altogether. The downward spiral of the city's neighborhoods will continue, and history will record that it was the educational system that did it to us. This did not have to happen -- we did it to ourselves.

JOSEPH BUTE, Pine (and formerly of Pittsburgh)

There is no doubt that most of the "leaders" are clueless as to what happens in the lives of families in this region. Clueless.

Pittsburgh is at the brink because we treat our kids like dirt, or worse. It is getting worse.