Here I am on the Great Wall. Shows my better side too.

Erik took this photo of me as we were climbing The Great Wall. You don't just walk or hike it. The ups and downs are steep.

From Beijing - Great Wall

There were few people on this stretch of The Great Wall -- so we had some peace and quiet to absorb its magnitude.

Doing the water cube -- off the board with clothes on -- Beijing scenes of us.

Sure, we went to see Michael Phelps and the rest of the amazing swimmers. But we also got to check out the water polo players as well as spend some time on the diving board!

Ron Paul - In Government We Trust? Part 2 - Texas Straight Talk

Congressman Ron Paul - In Government We Trust? Part 2 - Texas Straight Talk Imagine if the money you earned had honest, stable value, or even appreciated like an investment! No such special measures, like converting dollars to gold, would be required to ensure that your savings would sustain you in your golden years. That is the way it could be and is supposed to be. However, the government's thirst for power will not be easily, or cheaply, quenched. Fiat currency is one tool governments have to extract wealth quietly from the working class. It is time for the people to wake up to this ruse and look to the Constitution to restore sound currency.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac get bailout - as did others like Bear Stearns

I am sure you must be as angered as I am by the government take over of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This taxpayer rip-off is guaranteed to cost you and me billions. . . and who is to benefit?

First and foremost, THE BANK OF CHINA. That's right, the government bank in the People's Republic of China. Among others, numerous countries in the middle east and institutions around the world are also benefiting. Billions and billions are being sent overseas at our expense.

What do Senators McCain and Obama say about this government nationalization of our home lending system? They are both reported to be supportive.

I can tell you unequivocally, that Presidential candidate Bob Barr opposes this bail out!

Why? Because our tax dollars are being used (once again - remember Bear Stearns?) to fatten the bank accounts of speculators who bought bad loans. This is a case of the government rewarding those who took high-risk investment positions and were about to lose. . .

And where is Congress through all of this? Today they are back from a six week vacation and after just three more weeks, they quit work for the rest of the year! Between lengthy paid vacations, you can be sure they will be privately encouraging federal regulators and bureaucrats to bail out their friends. You see, Congress is paid handsomely - in the form of campaign contributions and other gifts - to make sure that the wealthy are protected from their own mistakes.

Do you need still more evidence that the only ones to benefit from this bail-out are foreign investors and Wall Street, check out all the major stock exchanges TODAY and you'll see massive gains that you are paying for.

John McCain and Barack Obama support this. No surprise there. Bob Barr is alone in blowing the whistle on this multi-billion bail out.

Scolding: I sliing this in the wake of a bone-headed comment

A most silly posted in another blog, Burghreport.blogspot.com, reads:

The last thing this country needs is another oil state governor with boob connotations (he is one, she has them.)
Anonymous | 09.08.08 - 9:53 am | #

My reply:

So, it is okay to judge people on where they live? (oil state)

Isn't PA an "oil state?" It used to be, i.e., Oil City, PA.

The sexist part is ignored.

I'd say the "last thing this country needs" is someone (racist/place-ist and sexist) to de-rail the conversations with silly comments.

Behaviors matter. Voting is a behavior too. Words and deeds in the weeks to come are sure to be measured at great length. Anonymous can help -- or hinder. To hinder by design brings a scolding.

From Passion to Action” Parent Leadership Training

Pittsburgh: September 19 & 20, 2008

Harrisburg: October 17 & 18, 2008

Pennsylvania Parent Information and Resource Center (PA PIRC) is sponsoring two regionally based workshops for parent leaders from local, regional and statewide parent leadership and parent advocacy groups, including parent members of family-school-community partnership teams.

PA PIRC supports strong connections between families and schools and advocates the
development of family-school-community partnerships focused on student success. PA PIRC
recognizes that to contribute effectively to these partnerships each member benefits from solid information to support him or her in this work.

“From Passion to Action” Parent Leadership Training

The two-day workshops, scheduled on Friday, September 19, 2008 and Saturday,
September 20, 2008 in western Pennsylvania and Friday, October 17, 2008 and Saturday,
October 18, 2008 in eastern Pennsylvania, are designed for parent leaders who want to
have an integral role in achieving student success through effective parent involvement and leadership in family-school-community partnerships.

Presenters will facilitate workshop sessions that will include:
Discussing personal leadership experiences

Understanding parent roles as leaders in the family-school-community context
Learning about the National PTA Standards of Parent Involvement

Reviewing the Federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) regulations governing parent
involvement with schools

Utilizing Pennsylvania’s “From Compliance to Effective Practice”, a standards-based
rubric aligned with the regulations

Parent leaders will have opportunities to learn and enhance involvement and leadership skills through networking with one another. Each participant will leave with a plan for transferring what they have learned to other parents.

Sign up: via PA PIRC at http://www.center-school.org/pa-pirc/workshops08.php

Action Alert: Verify Our Voting Software!

At 5 pm on Tuesday Sept. 9, 2008 we get to tell Allegheny County Council and Our Board of Election to "Audit Our Voting Software."

If we can't have a paper ballot, at least verify that our voting software is authentic!

County Council Meeting - Tuesday at 5pm, Sept. 9th
4th Floor, County Courthouse - Gold Room

Sign up to speak to council before Monday at 5pm with this link here:

http://www.county.allegheny.pa.us/council/meetings/recomm.asp

When you sign up, put "Verify Voting Software" in Agenda Item.

In the two years since our voting machines have arrived from a factory in the Philippines, the voting software has never been audited for authenticity. We are asking for public software audits that compare our voting software with the software certified by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. "Unauthorized Patches" have been used illegally in other states by the voting machine vendors. Allegheny County promised to verify our voting software. Now, we are calling for the Board of Election to hold a special meeting to make software verification happen.

Our goal is to have 30 voters show up this Tuesday at county council and call for software verification. All folks have to do is walk up to the podium and say "Please, Verify Our Voting Software!" If we show up with 30 voters, we will make news.

See you there!

David Brown, VoteAllegheny.org

Missing blacks at GOP Party and in line-up for US Congress

My instant message to KDKA Radio's Marty Griffin who is race baiting:

Smart black candidates run as for office as an Independent, not Republican. That's why there are only 7 blacks running for US Congress. Marty's concepts and benchmark is more mole-hill than mountain.

FixPA.wikia.com is a wiki that you can influence

See, read, link from, edit, contribute, fix: http://FixPA.wikia.com

URA ignored its own rules in parking lot contracts

Get out!

URA ignored its own rules in parking lot contracts: "Mr. Ravenstahl has said there was no connection between the award and a $10,000 campaign contribution from Matthew McTish, the firm's president.

No fooling.

Ugh. There is so much to say. But the first thing that needs to be said is, "Good job Rich Lord." Thanks for being a watchdog. Thanks for the research. Thanks for telling the story. We need -- Pittsburgh needs -- articles like this to come into the light of day. Pittsburgh needs the 4th estate to rise up and help to correct its ills. Splendid job here.

Restaurant owners face ban on food sales -- city councilor trying to enforce it

Part 1 about Kraus and his relationship with local investors / business people was in the Pgh City Paper, still out for 2 more days.

Food Fight - South Side restaurant owners say a ban on outside food sales -- and the city councilor trying to enforce it -- are bad for business - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh: "'Why enforce it now?' Obaid asks.

Some say the answer is easy: Councilor Bruce Kraus.

'He's making life miserable for us,' says Mary Tolomeo, a bartender at City Grill, located next door to Obaid's market.

Tolomeo says that in recent weeks, Kraus has warned her that City Grill will be cited if she doesn't move her pizza stand off the sidewalk and inside the restaurant. She says he's even taken pictures of her and other vendors selling on the street.

'It's harassment,' Tolomeo says."

Notice the trend: Bigger government, over-reaching, anti-marketplace, enemy creation, fear establishment, sustained uncertainty, doubtful laws.

Other elements might be part of the trend too.

What do you think?

South Siders urge review panel to reject cafe owner's plan for patio

Part 2:

South Siders urge review panel to reject cafe owner's plan for patio: "City Councilman Bruce Kraus, who represents District 3 and spoke at the meeting, said he did not advocate a position but asked for a resolution that didn't involve the courts.

'I feel a judiciary responsibility to the city to not let it come to litigation,' he said.

Neighborhood residents who serve as the city's historic review monitors spoke against the patio last week. They had opposed the demolition two years ago.

Architect Bob Russ, who serves on the local committee, had defended the neo-Dutch colonial facade of the demolished building as unique and worthy amid an architectural collection that is largely Victorian."

Bruce Kraus won't take a stand other than to wish upon a star and hope that the decision does not come from a person wearing a robe.

Again, what do you think?

Both articles are worthy of a full read. Follow the links.

Come back to "your vote doesn't mean shit anyway."

A comment at another blog went:

I will not be voting this election. I have talked to many folks about this and they all say the same thing. Why vote? Your vote doesn't mean shit anyway. The past few months have proved this. They make it to where everyone is confused and they get who they want in there anyway..

My reply, re-posted here:

Your vote is welcomed with the Libertarians. If you feel your vote doesn't mean shit -- make it so -- walk the talk -- deliver a good deed to turn the tide -- and cast your vote for President of the USA for Bob Barr, Libertarian.

You'll feel better for that day at least. And, it insures you'll have bragging rights for the next four years -- or longer -- if we ever turn our nation to a pathway of lawful peace and justice for all.

Inequity found in city staff's pay - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Inequity found in city staff's pay - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: 'But (Pittsburgh) is a city that still runs on patronage and who knows whom,' Hansen said.

But, it is worse than this. You gotta know the person and you gotta not care that the work gets done in a quality way. If everyone knew one another and the city was a model of productivity and efficiency, we'd be able to say we are just friendly, easy to know, and outgoing. But, we've got the best buddy thing down pat so it is often 'cover one's ass' while naps get taken on the job and not much gets done.

So, bad patronage is about who knows whom and all in that network care to do as little as possible. Understood? Rocking the boat is not tolerated. And, the gate-keepers know those people as well.

My comment at BurghReport

So, it is a "Bush economy" now that it is bleeding jobs and unemployment goes sky high to 6%. (See Burghreport.blogspot.com)

It isn't the "American economy?"

My point: I get very worried when any of those over-reaching fix it all politicians take credit for macro things with micro tinkerings.

Empowering them to, for example, fix the energy mess by building power plants (etc.) and in the next breath hearing them saying that they'll deliver 'smaller government" plus have 100-year occupations of foreign lands - golly -- those conflicts do not sit well with me.

Bush's economy is BS.
Bush's war is right on.

The US president can run an invasion just fine on his own. But it is a different matter for this -- or other D & R Presidents - to run an economy.

College Football in a nutshell

We've been neck deep in international athletics and the Olympics. American college gridiron -- err -- football has been only a fleeting memory. But now it is time to get up to speed on the new season.

If you like underdogs, this might be a "glory year." Pitt lost to B-G-S-U-cks on opening day with few in the stands and lots of booing.

Great article for all to read:

Yolk’s on egg-laying Big East, ACC, Big Ten: The Register-Guard, Eugene, Ore.: "the Big East, where Louisville was trounced by Kentucky, Pittsburgh was shocked by Bowling Green and Rutgers was run over by Fresno State. Oh, and Syracuse looked as bad as ever in a loss to Northwestern.

,,, snips about Pitt ...

But how’s this for desperate: the Big East is pulling for Cincinnati to raise the league’s stature. The Bearcats are at Oklahoma.

“If Cincinnati went out there and got a win, that would do a lot for Cincinnati and a lot for our conference,” UConn coach Randy Edsall said.

Indeed, it would. But beat the Sooners in Norman?

“This is a huge measuring stick for our program and our football team,” Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly said. “Certainly we cannot go to Norman and lay an egg.”

Why not? Half of the league already did.

It’s truly the Pitts

Is there any team that needs a win more than Pittsburgh? The Panthers play host to Buffalo but might rather be on the road after that 27-17 loss to Bowling Green led their own fans to boo Pittsburgh off Heinz Field.

“It was probably justified,” Pittsburgh coach Dave Wannstedt said. “I mean, let’s be real ... when people are disappointed, they are going to express it.”

They’re also going to be questioning the coach. Wannstedt replaced Walt Harris, who was eased out despite a 32-18 record in his final four years, including 2-2 in bowl games.

What’s Wannstedt done? He’s 16-20 (three of the wins over lower-division foes) with no bowls, and there seems to be a notable pratfall every season. He did receive an extension last December that takes him through the 2012 season, but the best advice right now would be better beat Buffalo.

... another giggle ...

Even the ACC winners didn’t look very impressive in what should have been one-sided openers as North Carolina struggled past McNeese State and Maryland held on to beat Delaware.

How bad was it in the ACC? North Carolina hired a pair of skydivers to land at its Kenan Stadium with the game ball, but the two parachutists instead arrived at midfield of Wallace Wade Stadium, where Duke was warming up to play James Madison. That means they missed their mark by only about eight miles.

“In about five years, this will be funny,” said Rick Steinbacher, an associate director of athletics at UNC. “Right now, I’m just glad no one was hurt.”

I think it might be more rewarding to devote my limited attention to spectator sports in the direction of the Paralympics now ramping up in Beijing.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7599318.stm

China Journal : After the Games, China looks High-Tech

China Journal : After the Games, China looks High-Tech: "While debate continues over how much the Olympics changed China, a recent survey indicates that hosting the Beijing Games changed some views of China among the 4.7 billion people who watched the event on TV.

PS in email from Iceland says "You suck."

A webmaster in Iceland thinks I suck.

Well, he might be right. But, I hate this crap.



Earlier today I send a nicer, yet still scolding email, to Rev. Ricky Burgess of Pgh City Council. He was able to lead a prayer at the start of today's city council meeting and prayed for "both candidates" for US President. Shame, shame, shame.

See reply in thread comments.

Hiring: Pgh part time job

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (PART-TIME), THREE RIVERS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION – PITTSBURGH

POSTED: 8/28/08

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

In 1989, a small group of community activists joined together to create a new kind of philanthropy in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Recognizing that grassroots community organizations are often too small to gain the attention of larger foundations, the Three Rivers Community Foundation focused its efforts on funding groups that were too small, too new, or too controversial to get traditional streams of funding.

Three Rivers Community Foundation embraces the philosophy that the best way to bring about social justice is to support community-based organizations working “on the ground floor” of change. This idea has been exemplified in our grantees. The Foundation’s grants are designed to help people work to change their own lives and communities for the better, resulting in sometimes small but critical changes. Our grantmaking committee is dedicated to an open, honest, compassionate, and accountable decision making process. It is made up of activists, community representatives, past grantees, donors, and Board members, all of whom have an equal voice.

Since our humble beginnings in 1989, the Three Rivers Community Foundation has been at the forefront of recognizing critical social justice movements in the region. We have awarded nearly $837,000 in grants to 257 different organizations.

While we are proud of all our grantees, and what they’ve accomplished, there are some standouts:

Before it was legal to have a needle-exchange program in Allegheny County, Prevention Point Pittsburgh (PPP) was on the ground, passing out clean needles to drug users to prevent the spread of blood-borne diseases. The Three Rivers Community Foundation funded the organization many times during this, and watched with pride when, in 2002, PPP became a legal, officially-sanctioned syringe exchange program.

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students, along with their straight allies, decided to help others struggling through high school by forming Dreams of Hope (DOH), a performing arts troupe. DOH members perform their own pieces, telling their own, personal stories, and encouraging honesty and openness. Each performance is followed by a talk-back session with the audience, where all questions are answered.

Not being content to just provide food to the hungry, Just Harvest Education Fund consistently works on educating the community about the links between hunger and public policy, giving people the tools needed to take action against hunger.

Formed after police brutality killed Jonny Gammage, the Black and White Reunion works to build bridges between black and white communities, and hosts the annual Summit Against Racism in January.

Chain of Hope, a recreational and vocational center in Wilkinsburg, was established by and run by mental health consumers. With a grant from the Three Rivers Community Foundation’s, they created a 25-minute video addressing mental illness and self-help, and a manual to establish similar centers around the country.

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Revenue generation

1. Increase funding through the organizations annual campaign and endowment giving programs.

2. Oversee all grant writing efforts

3. Develop collaborative projects/partnerships with other community providers

4. Manage fundraising efforts including direct mail, special events, sponsorship proposals, United Way, corporate solicitations and in-kind donations

5. Develop a donor stewardship plan to keep donors engaged.

Personnel and human resources

1. Manage the organization’s part time office manager

2. Evaluate and update the employee handbook as needed

Financial management

1. Monitor and report to the board and key stakeholders on financial activities

2. Develop, obtain approval from the Board and manage annual budget

3. Manage outsourced accountant to ensure proper record keeping and tracking

4. Monitor grant spending and reporting to funders, oversee all compliance issues

Organizational management

1. Ensure that systems, policies and procedures exist and are being followed at all times

2. Manage risk, due diligence, insurance and other operational best practices

3. Ensure that the organization is in compliance with all laws and guidelines governing nonprofit organizations

4. Manage vision and purpose, work within goals identified by Board of Directors, report out on how the organization is performing to the board and appropriate committees

Communications

1. Redesign the Three Rivers Community Foundation newsletter and issue to donors bi-annually

2. Give a written Executive Director’s report on a monthly basis to the Executive Committee. This report will be shared with the Board at each Board meeting and should highlight monthly accomplishments.

3. Expand the profile of the Three Rivers Community Foundation in the community.

External and board relations

1. Board of Directors

   1. Support and prepare for board and committee meetings

   2. Work collegially and collaboratively to accomplish organizational goals and support board governance and oversight

2. Volunteers

   1. Recruit, manage and support volunteers in the office, on committees and at events

The Three Rivers Community Foundation has an expectation that the part-time Executive Director will work 20 hours per week out of our Point Breeze office with oversight of our part-time office manager.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

In addition to the requirements stated above, the ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Outstanding communication skills, including written, verbal and presentation skills

• Experience in raising funds

• Interpersonal skills required to relate well to, and work well with, all people, including volunteers, sponsors, donors, and board members

• A high degree of integrity that garners the trust and respect of others

• A track record of successful growth and the demonstrated business acumen to continue the growth trajectory of the Three Rivers Community Foundation

• A pragmatic and professional nature exhibited by, among other things, an ability to establish and meet deadlines and to establish clear priorities quickly

• A high degree of organization and a work ethic that promotes thoroughness, timeliness, attention to detail and an ability to work effectively under pressure

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

• Prior experience working with or reporting to a Board of Directors preferred

• A Bachelor’s degree, although a Master’s degree would be preferred.

TO APPLY:

Please send cover letter and resume by September 30 to:

Marcie Eberhart, Board Vice President, at eberhartm@ae.com

Secret Service confiscates books & buttons at event

The worst that happened to me while in China was that my mini-tripod for my camera was held at the gate of the flat-water canoe venue.

We need to worry more about the authorities in the USA than in China, it seems.

Secret Service confiscates books & button from Ron Paul delegates | Daily Newscaster: "Today at the Republican National Convention, as the Ron Paul Delegates were taking a picture in front of the model White House inside the Convention Center, they were surrounded by Secret Service which proceeded to search the bags of all the delegates. They took any and everything related to Ron Paul including signs, buttons, videos, slim jims, cards, even books.

Alternate Delegate Dennis Rothacker from Florida said “We were done taking the picture when Secret Service started walking into the room and surrounded us. There were about 30 of them. When they searched my bags they took my Ron Paul sign and turned a deaf ear to my complains, they just walked away.