REAL ID – A very real threat to gun rights

Homeland Security claims far reaching power over your guns

Harrisburg, PA - Pennsylvania gun owners breathed a sigh of relief at the Heller vs. DC Supreme Court ruling, but the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPa) warns that major threats to gun rights still exist. One such threat is REAL ID, the federal mandate turning driver's licenses into national ID cards.

The long-term plan for REAL ID is to force its biometric ID functions on federal, state, local and private entities for all transactions. Thus, ID confirmation by a distant bureaucracy becomes permission for essential daily activities including banking, doctor visits, transit, school attendance and purchases -- including guns.

According to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) final rule handed down in January, DHS "will continue to consider additional ways in which a Real ID license can or should be used and will implement any changes to the definition of 'official purpose' or determinations regarding additional uses for Real ID consistent with applicable laws and regulatory requirements. DHS does not agree that it must seek the approval of Congress as a prerequisite to changing the definition in the future."

Do you want to risk your gun rights on the appointment of someone opposed to our second amendment rights as Secretary of Homeland Security?

"The very thought that the sale of firearms and ammunition could be stopped based on some political agenda in Washington is frightening," remarked LP Activist Mark Crowley. "We saw the disastrous consequences of such an agenda in New Orleans during Katrina when some police abandoned their posts leaving citizens defenseless and criminals armed. We must never put Pennsylvanians into a position where they can only hope that distant Washington bureaucrats will do the right thing."

“The implementation of REAL ID presents a significant threat to gun ownership in the United States of America." added Michael Robertson, LPPa Chair.

By participating in REAL ID, Pennsylvanians will be subjected to scrutiny by a host of federal agencies with every swipe of a REAL ID card. This is de facto gun registration, only worse. Once a gun buyer is identified, other information such as military service, purchases, rentals, travel, and medical history will be easily cross-referenced and subjected to interpretation. It's inevitable that politicized standards will emerge that can be used to deny Pennsylvanians the right to keep and bear arms -- everyone except violent criminals and politicians' bodyguards.

LPPa Media Relations Chair, Doug Leard, added, “A few years ago when the NICS [National InstaCheck System] computer system crashed, no one could be validated for a gun purchase. A political agenda is one thing and bureaucratic incompetence is another. When a state submits to REAL ID, it submits its citizens to the possibility of being denied not just gun purchases, but ATM cash, credit card purchases and even a critical prescription pickup. Pennsylvania must emphatically reject REAL ID."

The LPPa urges Pennsylvanians to contact their state legislators and instruct them to support state House Bill 1351 and state Senate Bill 1220. Be wary of other recently introduced legislation such as H.B. 2537 that claims to oppose REAL ID, but ignores the central issue of biometric data collection of Pennsylvanians.

Despite the Heller case, the anti-gun movement will continue to seek alternatives to eliminate our gun rights. REAL ID provides them an unguarded backdoor. Let's nail it shut in Pennsylvania.

The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in Pennsylvania and the United States. More than 200,000 people across the country are registered Libertarians, and Libertarians serve in hundreds of elected offices. Please visit www.LP.org or www.LPPA.org for more information.

Source:

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania

3915 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
www.lppa.org

For Immediate Release: July 21, 2008

Contact: Doug Leard (Media Relations) or
Michael Robertson (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS / chair@lppa.org

Chris Brogan asks on Twitter:

When you pick your knows, where do you put the bloggers?

Hope Boston has a great PodCamp. The light the opening torch on Saturday morning.

Mayor Unveils Plan To Curb Violence

So, do you rest easier knowing now that they were untruthful in the past?

kdka.com - Mayor Unveils Plan To Curb Violence Mayor Unveils Plan To Curb Violence

For years, we've been told by the city's leadership that where the police station sits is not a factor in preventing violence. The officers were all in their designated zone and didn't respond to calls by departing their desks in the police station. They had sectors. They stayed in those sectors, by and large. The station was just a place for the commanders to hang out.

Getting to a call for the police is much unlike that of the firemen. Firemen and even the EMS have stations. They have equipment. They respond to calls from a base. The police are rolling. They rove around. Where the police station sits -- West End -- matters little.

Well, now Luke Ravenstahl has a new plan. He'll curb violence by moving the police station.

Are we going to have COPS again. The COPS are "Community Oriented Police Stations." They are mini-stations for one person.

Furthermore, what happens in St. Clair Village is still not within sight of the new location for the police staion at the corner of Warrington and Arlington Ave.

Luke didn't mention a peep about the new cameras that he promised to have installed by summer.

I don't like the cameras. I think we need more cameras that are pointed at the politicians and the police -- and not the people. However, what's up with that?

Beijing steps up battle against smog - World Blog - msnbc.com

Beijing steps up battle against smog - World Blog - msnbc.com Twenty-two days before the Olympic Games open here, the capital is awash in smog – an unseasonably thick haze that seems part pollution, part humidity.

More negative press from the Mainstream Media.

Where did I put those rose colored glasses?

The UK press might have a smog alert feature now -- but have you heard that the site in Londor for the 2012 Games is radioactive!

Mark Cuban in Pittsburgh on Monday with FCC meeting

Mark Cuban is part of the line-up for the FCC meeting at CMU on Monday. I blogged about this on Thurs -- scroll down to FCC and see the comments.

Welcome home Mark!

The last time we talked, face to face, was in the Bay Area in some convention center when he was doing webcasts, pre-buyout. That was a long, long time ago, perhaps 1990.

I wish he would have purchased -- not the Pirates, not the Steelers, not the Pens, not the slots parlor -- Pitt Stadium. That could have been a crown jewel for his portfolio.

NowPublic Blog - Career posting

NowPublic Blog � Careers NowPublic.com, the world’s largest Citizen Journalism web site, has an immediate need for a Deputy News Director.

I'm watching these guys as they are getting into some Beijing coverage too.

Need to tag: BG08

Looks like there is an effort to have tags for Flicker for photos and blog posts for Beijing, #BG08. I'm not sure if the # is to be there or not. Please advise. So, I've set up a new tag at this blog too.

YouTube: Beijing Boomtown

City to move police station from S. Side to Allentown

City to move police station from S. Side to Allentown When news of another St. Clair Village shooting reached Mayor Luke Ravenstahl yesterday, he was in a meeting about moving the South Side police station up to the Hilltop and decided, then and there, that it was time to pull a different kind of trigger.

More boots. That is the same kind of trigger.

So, South Side is without its High School. Without its Catholic Schools. Without its private elementary school, (Waldorf). Without its hospital shortly, as UPMC South Side is closing. Without its hockey rink. Without its Rookie Ball in the park. Without its South Side Summer Street Spectatuclar (horray). Without its rec coordinator at the South Side Market House. Without its indoor swim pool in the summer months. Without its Youth Hostel. (woops, that is in Allentown.) Without its debates for candidate elections. Without its parking. Without its EMS. Without its bridge lanes on Briminham to Oakland. Without its bridge, off and on, to Mt. Washington.

What else?

Frankly, I'm so excited that we have the lights on the Hot Metal Bridge.

These are quotes from Bruce Kraus:

"We have a revolving door in the commander's office," he said. "I am staffing 18 neighborhoods with 22 officers being my prime number at any given time."

Moving the station, he said, "was a unilateral decision made from an ivory tower by someone I'm not convinced knows the community."

Kraus is doing this?!?!?!?

Democracy Rising Reports about the PA Folly

Dear Friend of Democracy,

The latest news from the Capitol tells us one more time what we already know: Our legislature can't police itself, and it can't reform itself.

It's time for us to reclaim our government. But how?

By holding Pennsylvania's first comprehensive Constitutional convention in 135 years.

We need to re-invent our government - without touching the parts of the Constitution that guarantee our basic rights as citizens.

To do it right - to inform and engage the voices of ordinary citizens - won't be easy, and it won't be cheap. To be prepared, Democracy Rising PA spent two years collecting your ideas for changing our Constitution. You can find them all at our web site: www.democracyrisingpa.com . Click on " Constitution Rx ."

To meet the challenge of giving your ideas real power at a convention, Democracy Rising PA needs your help now. Please donate now to strengthen the voice of citizens at the convention.

Most of us already get it.

Even the opinion polls that our political leaders have bought - using our money - say so. Even before the most recent scandals, a clear majority of us understood that Pennsylvania needs a Constitutional convention to:

* Stop the perks.
* Stop the wasteful spending.
* Stop the self-dealing.
* Stop the insider trading.

But a Constitutional convention isn't just about stopping the corruption. It's also about debating and deciding ideas that citizens have for making our government better. It's about creating a government we can believe in again.

DR has been pushing for a constitutional convention since our founding, and we will keep pushing. But we need your support to:

* Educate citizens about our Constitution and about how our fellow citizens think we can improve our government.

* Help citizens understand how a convention works and how they can become a delegate.

Now is the time to push even harder and louder, and we need your support to do it.

* Click here to receive our FREE electronic newsletter, Democracy Rising PA News.
* Click here to donate securely online. Your donation is fully-tax deductible.
* Forward this appeal to your friends and neighbors so that they can become part of this movement for a government that truly represents the citizens of Pennsylvania.


Do your part for our future.

In the past three years you have made history by voting key public officials out of office. Now it's time to make the future by reclaiming our government.

Help us prepare citizens for a Constitutional convention. Please take a few minutes and make the most generous donation you can - today!

I say that it is time that we stop the staff. We don't need to shrink the size of the house members and state senators as much as we need to fire all of their little drones who campaign, file petition challenges and have do-nothing jobs.

I'm sure that some are fine workers. But, they didn't do enough work to not allow the others from putting poision into the well of trust with the citizens and voters.

Flush them all down the drain. Then, perhaps, in a couple of years, we'll see where we need help. Help the citizens -- not government workers.

Your input is welcomed:

AforAthlete.wikia.com

The Next Steps with Pgh School Reform, replacing bad board members with good ones

From an email list and Barb (see comment):

It seems that an excellent effort has been made to participate in and influence government at the School Board level only to find out that the outcome and results were very unsatisfactory.

It turns out that as good as the effort of the Schenley supporters was, bad government prevailed and frustrated the efforts.

The focus should now be to change bad government itself so that better government is available to respond to the needs of the parents, students, voters and taxpayers.

As Dr. Moore (using a speech prepared by Larry Myers) stated to the Board, 'every time the Board looks over their shoulder, they see the posse of Schenley supporters following'.

It is possible that a Schenley graduate of 2008 could serve on the School Board in 2009.

The requirements to run for a School Board seat are:

Age 18
Residency of 1 year in the district
10 signatures on a nominating petition
No filing fee

School Board members who voted to close Schenley are:

Heather Arnet District 2
Bill Isler District 4
Theresa Colaizzi District 5
Jean Fink District 7
Floyd McCrea District 9

Odd numbered districts are up for election in 2009. ( Colaizzi, Fink, McCrea)

The election process should start in January 2009.

Determine who in the Parents group resides in the appropriate districts.

Find a candidate to run against the Board member. There may already be someone out there who plans to run, they need to be contacted and supported as necessary.

Frequently, School Board members get reelected because there is no opposition. (Fink, McCrea in 2005)

Need to circulate a petition to get name on the ballot (10 names).

Make contact with Democratic Committee to identify Ward Chairs. Their leadership stated their support of Schenley at the hearing on June 16, 2008.

Try to obtain endorsement of Democratic Committee. These folks can do Poll work.

The following table shows the election results in 2005. It indicates some vulnerability of all three candidates, especially Colaizzi where Tom Baker was able to get 2,493 votes while running as a Republican in the general election. Since the others had no opposition, it may turn out that they can be voted out by a viable candidate.


Candidate District Votes % Opposition Votes

Dem. Primary 2005:
Colaizzi, district 5 = 3825 vs. Tom Baker = 2224
Fink, district 7 = 4,000 vs. for none
McCrea, district 9 = 3,282 vs none

Dem. General 2005:
Colaizzi, district 5 = 4,303 = 63.3% vs. Tom Baker (Republican) 2,493
Fink, district 7 = 3,722 vs. none
McCrea, district 9 = 3,707 vs. none

I am presently gearing up for a trip to China in August. And, I'm on the ballot in November 2008 as a candidate for the Electorial College.

However, I'm considering a run for school board in 2009. I live in district 5 -- a seat that is presently occupied by Ms. Colaizzi.

Not only do we need to get good school board members, like those who won't storm out of meetings when a non-paid citizen is permitted to speak, we need to get candidates for Mayor and some city council seats too.

From PPS

Update:

Candidate	District	Votes	%	Opposition	Votes
Dem. Primary 2005
Colaizzi	5	3825	63	Tom Baker	2224
Fink	7	4000	100	none
McCrea	9	3282	100	none
Dem. General 2005
Colaizzi	5	4303	63.3	Tom Baker (Republican)	2493
Fink	7	3722	100	none
McCrea	9	3707	100	none

KDKA show host bumped Carlynton discussion

Sadly, the show host seems to have bumped the 10:05 segment about kids.

Rather, he wants to talk about a goofy politician who lost his gun and it killed a guy -- months ago. That turned into a witch hunt -- and that turns Marty on, I guess.

Pittsburgh's Hilton Hotel is making payroll -- but stiffing others

Radio conversations say the Pgh Hilton -- downtown -- is not paying its bills. The construction crew is off the job. This is much like the other big building project on the other side of the river, the Majestic Star Slots Parlor. The workers there left their jobs a couple of weeks ago because they were not being paid.

To be fair, (giggle) the Downtown Hilton suffered with the two year closing of Point State Park for that rehab. All will be better now that the ditch in the park was filled in -- for $15-Million.

Same too with Pittsburgh's "Big Dig," the tunnel under the Allegheny River for extensio of the light rail to the North Side stadiums and slots parlor. Hey, the Gateway Center T stop is closed. Oh my. How are people expected to get to The Hilton with the T-closed?

Marty Griffin -- KDKA Radio to do segment on Carlynton efforts

Francismary writes:

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

The discussion of the Carlynton Facilities policy and how it was passed has been moved to Friday, July 18, at 10:05 am on AM1020 (KDKA).

I will be a call in guest on the Marty Griffin show.

I am asking again that you please listen to the program and call in to voice your opinion on the policy and on the way it was passed. The more calls they receive the more attention they will give it and if they get enough calls, they will consider moving it to a TV slot.

The call in number is: 412.333.KDKA (5352)

I appreciate your support in this.

For more insights see a blog and wiki pages that I've helped her to post:

http://Carlynton.Blogspot.com

Chronological list of PRIORITIES for the Ron Paul movement:

1) CIRCULATE NOMINATION PAPERS for third party candidates. Without candidates our movement will have little substance.

2) NOTARIZE AND FILE nomination papers in Harrisburg on or before AUGUST 1st.

3) Organize transportation and lodging for the RON PAUL CONVENTION in MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota. This occurs while the GOP convention is held in the same city.

4) Campaign for candidates that have filed nomination papers and will be on the ballot.

FCC comes to town

The FCC commissioners are headed our way. These folks are not to be trusted. They live on a panel and screwed up net neutrality, WQEX and a host of other things in recent decades.

MORE INFO: http://www.thisishappening.com/EventPage.php?eventid=59338&show=profile
EVENT TYPE: *Issues;Politics

The Federal Communications Commission is coming to Pittsburgh on July 21 for a public forum on the future of the Internet. There is no more important time than now to speak out for our Internet rights, which is why it's vital that you attend this hearing.

The FCC has published the agenda .

WHEN: Deadline: Mon Jul 21: 4PM
WHERE: Carnegie Mellon University McConomy Auditorium
http://www.thisishappening.com/VenuePage.php?curVen=38668&show=profile
NEIGHBORHOOD: Oakland
IT'LL COST YOU: $Free
AGES: all ages

http://www.fcc.gov

Despite progress, state to still monitor city finances

Despite progress, state to still monitor city finances City Controller Michael Lamb liked the decision.

'There's a lot going on behind the scenes to begin to address those [long-term] issues,' he said, noting a push for statewide municipal pension reform that might steer more aid to distressed cities.

There is a lot going on behind the scenes -- elsewhere. Not here. Nothing is going on in Pittsburgh, either under the spotlight nor behind the scenes, when it comes to real effort to manage the costs of local government.

No wonder Michael Lamb liked the non-decision. We are stuck with more of the do nothing, too little, too late actions from those who have been elected.

Yep. The city lacks a plan.

Here is a my plan, from the past.

While the OVERLORDS are in town, and we've got two sets of them to get rid of some day, we taxpayers have to pay triple the costs of government.

We are paying for Act 47. We are paying for the ICA. We are paying for the regular office holders too.

All of those groups can pass blame and still point to Tom Murphy as well. Nothing gets done. They all have cover. That is just what they want. That is just what the citizens don't need.

Everyone in city hall should have a pay cut by 50% until the overlords depart.

Everyone who is getting state money (our money) to be an OVERLORD should get their contract reduced by 50% as well. The other money that is due to the contract holders and the employees will be put aside into an escrow account and paid to them after their work here is proven to have been completed.

There is no incentive for them to finish their work.

Michael Lamb can be less of a controller because he has the OVERLORDS to lean upon. They do some of his work for him. Same too with the mayor. Same too with the law department. Same too with the state reps and state senators. Everyone is getting paid -- and we are paying for it.

Another example: Of course Pat Ford wants to have a long, drawn out vacation as he is still not working but getting paid to be the head of the Urban Redevelopment Authority. We have been paying his salary for months and he has been doing nothing.

These oversight bodies cost the taxpayers tens of millions of dollars every year. There is no end in sight.

Half of the money can be put aside to pay them when their work is finished -- and when their work has proven to be effective. So, I'd take 1/3 of the held money and give it to them upon the completion of the contract. When they close their offices. I'd take another third and pay them once they've been gone for one year and the city is still not slipped back into a financial slump. And the final third would go to them three years after they've departed and the city is still solvent. Benchmarks should be obtained or else they don't get paid.

Open Government Amendment, Pittsburgh City Charter -- Homepage

Open Government Amendment, Pittsburgh City Charter -- Homepage Shall Pittsburgh have Open Government?

Makes good sense to shed Pittsburgh's smokey city methods.

The Pittsburgh City Paper has a rather long feature article on David and his recent efforts. I was interviewed by the reporter in advance of the article, but he had just filed the story's first edition before my quotes were obtained.

It is a good article. Here is my take.

David T has done some good. His battle to get the voter database onto CD-ROM from Allegheny County's Dept. of Election was a major victory. Presently, anyone who shows himself/herself say with a driver's license, can get a two-disk version of the data without cost. Before, the policy made the obtaining the data nearly impossible as it was very expensive and poorly delivered.

In life: Your friends can hurt you worse than your enemies. Same with politics. Hence, it is often better to be a "lone wolf" so you don't drag your friends into the fray, either by design or by accident. Dave is a bit of a lone wolf. Same too, whttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifith myself and many others who jump into the political scene.

Furthermore, the machine players and status quo power holders are notorious for making 'blow back.' Counter attacks against associates and buddies for unjustified reasons, except to 'teach em a lesson' is right in the front of their play book. They often attack the messengers and miss the message. They often send in the health department, call favors of other department regulators, mess with public services and deny opportunities to your children. Of course jobs, contracts and employment are all down the drain -- gone in a blink of an eye.

Last night, I heard of a person who filed an ethics complaint and then the spouse gets served with papers and is the target of an investigation too. Blowback happens all the time here, sadly.

Seldom do we have organized groups make strong statements that make an impact in local political dealings. We've had the firefighters do it. We are seeing the bar owners do it now with Whiskey Rebellion II. Bloggers have their day in the sun -- but we are very loose as to an organized group and as an agenda moving operation.

Pioneers are the ones with the arrows in their backs. But the boundaries get moved by them.

We need insulated, secure, fast moving, rebel rousing, lone wolf advocates. It is better to have street credit and better to have a wide reaching voice. But, we'll take various running mates from various sectors and try to amplify their message, for what its worth.

Those that have the weight of the world on their shoulders could better change the world if everyone else with a sense of justice could take a couple of ounces of the load. That's a path to victory and a better community. And, it happens here, generally.

By and large, people don't want to devote ten hours to get a blank petition and then go out to friends, family and neighbors to get 20 valid signatures for David Tessitor, or for Ron Paul, or for Ralph Nader, or for an Open Government Amendment.

However, most people will sign the petition when confronted with the opportunity. Most people are generous for a minute or two.

Dave's got the weight of the world on his back trying to get 20,000 signatures this summer. That's fun for him to a point. Going on vacation and sitting at Sandcastle and thousands of other summer activities are way more fun. It would be wonderful if the city had 200 people who could each be counted upon for 10 signatures. Pittsburgh would be like heaven when we have 400 people who are willing and responsible for each getting 25 signatures.

200 x 10 = 2,000

400 x 25 = 10,000

See where the devil resides: in the total number of signatures needed.

That's why dead people like to sign petitions for Michael Diven's campaigns -- and he was one of the ones in power.

Nirvana comes as the number of signatures needed is put to a reasonable amount.

We should never need more than 100 signatures to put anything onto the ballot. Once it (a candidate or an issue) gets onto the ballot, votes are still necessary to have it win. And, many ballot efforts would be non-binding. Hey, Allegheny County voted to NOT pay for the building of the new stadiums and convention center. Some good that did, right.

At last night's Allegheny County Libertarian meeting, I put up this article and the petition drive as a topic of conversation.

We wish you luck and good times in trying to gather those signatures David.

Meanwhile, we've got our own candidates to get onto the ballot for the fall election.

Go read the news article:

OPEN SEASON (News), by: Adam Fleming - July 17, 2008, Pittsburgh City Paper. Activist tries once again to bring transparency to city government http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws//gyrobase/Content?oid=49396

Ravenstahl expects election challenge - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Ravenstahl expects election challenge - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 'It's tough for me to take anything Council President Shields thinks seriously anymore.'

Life's tough. Tough is out. Shoot the messenger -- ignore the message. That's not going to fix Pittsburgh.

And like last week's leak about Shields and his ambitions to enter a political race in 2009 somehow was the straw that broke the back on the messages and babble from Doug Shields. Don't you think Luke would know what to expect from Sheilds before last week? Jeepers. Come to your senses already.