City parks convention draws 500 visitors here

City parks convention draws 500 visitors here: "City parks convention draws 500 visitors here
Saturday, September 20, 2008
By Patricia Lowry, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh's revitalized parks will be in the spotlight for the next few days as the 2008 International Urban Parks Conference brings almost 500 parks professionals and advocates to town to tour the city's parks and designed landscapes."

Presidential Candidate visits Pgh after Morgantown this week

Wednesday, September 24th, 2:00pm - Morgantown WV

Nader for President 2008 Rally with Ralph Nader
West Virginia University
Gluck Theater in the Mountain Lair Student Union (University Ave)
Suggested Contribution: $10/$5 student
More information: (504) 319-9312 or events@votenader.org

Wednesday, September 24th, 7:30pm - Pittsburgh PA

Nader for President 2008 Rally with Ralph Nader
University of Pittsburgh
David Lawrence Hall, Room 120
Suggested Contribution: $10/$5 student
More information: (724) 833-5158 or events@votenader.org

For additional information, please call our national headquarters at 202-471-5833, or e-mail events@votenader.org

Get-tough initiative to target city killings

Get-tough initiative to target city killings Pittsburgh's hardest young troublemakers will be identified, rounded up, and brought together.

Come together -- in jail.

Pittsburgh does not even have a detention center. Remember that.

The hardest young troublemakers can generally be found in middle schools.

U of Delaware Hosts 28 World Coaches - Heavy Medal - Washington Post reporters blog live from venues at the Beijing Olympics

U of Delaware Hosts 28 World Coaches - Heavy Medal - Washington Post reporters blog live from venues at the Beijing Olympics U of Delaware Hosts 28 World Coaches

In its latest attempt to reach out to the international sports community, the U.S. Olympic Committee has invited 28 coaches in 15 Olympic sports from Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania and the Americas to take part in a coaching seminar at the University of Delaware that begins Monday.

With Chicago bidding for the 2016 Games on the heels of New York's fourth-place finish in its quest for the 2012 Summer Games, the USOC is keenly aware of its need to reach out to developing nations in the international sports community.

Called the International Coaching Enrichment Certificate Program (ICECP), the program is a joint project among the USOC, the IOC's Olympic Solidarity and the University of Delaware.

Among the invitee: Ivo Lakucs, coach of the gold medal-winning BMX team from Latvia and Atanas Nikolovski, a whitewater kayak athlete who carried the flag bearer for The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia during the Opening Ceremony in Beijing.

The first phase of the program includes guest lecturers, seminars and field trips. The second module will team the coaches up in an apprenticeship with either their respective U.S. national or collegiate team, with the University of Delaware, Penn State University, Northern Michigan University and Texas Wesleyan University among the participants. The coaches also will travel to the Philadelphia Eagles training facility and the Philadelphia sports complex.

They will also fly to Colorado Springs, Colo., for lectures conducted by the USOC's Sport Performance Division at the U.S. Olympic Training Center Oct. 12-29. The final phase of the program will take place at the Maison du Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, April 18-22, 2009.

"As a part of our commitment to international partnership and outreach, the U.S. Olympic Committee is excited to partner with Olympic Solidarity and the University of Delaware to offer coaches from around the globe a world class coaching education program," Jim Scherr, Chief Executive Officer of the USOC, said in a release. "The International Coaching Enrichment Certificate Program will provide national level coaches the possibility to keep abreast of the latest coaching principles from national level University professionals from the University of Delaware, and from USOC coaching and performance experts."

The IOC's Olympic Solidarity program is designed to get assistance to national Olympic committees around the world that most need it. The recent Summer Games in Beijing featured 586 athletes from 150 countries who benefitted from Olympic Solidarity.

The 28 coaches will be housed on the University of Delaware campus and at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. They were were nominated by their respective national Olympic Committees and selected by Olympic Solidarity and the USOC to receive scholarships to participate in the program.

Following is a list of the participating countries: Bangladesh, Barbados, Botswana, Burundi, China, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Georgia, Greece, Guam, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Latvia, Lesotho, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands Antilles, Oman, Republic of Korea, Romania, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Virgin Islands, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Matthew J. Robinson, UD associate professor of sport management, is director of the program. Robinson has created international sport initiatives in Turkey, Senegal, Ireland, Cape Verde and India.

By Amy Shipley | September 19, 2008

Where is Pitt and Duquesne in this effort? What about UPMC?

Furthermore, this is wonderful for the rest of the world. What about for our kids in the city?

I want to see programs like this where we bring in experts -- who are not thugs. They think the ones who have graduated from jails are key motivators to our youth. Rather, I want to see international and regional talent. I want to develop leadership.

They took a couple of parking spaces and made them into a 'park' next to city hall today. I went. There was talk about being 'competitive' from Patrick Dowd. But, there was not a hint of coaching. Without programming -- you've got fake grass. That's it.

Parks are places to teach -- not just park in a lawn chair to witness fireworks.

Parks are places to interact with kids -- not just for the removal of vandals and their tags.

Well done Delaware.

I'd love to hear an interview on Wednesday with the professors at Duquesne Univ. who are doing the sport-business show on Pgh R.R. Radio -- and Ron Morris. These are the issues we as a region should tackle.

Pittsburgh targets youth crime

OMG.

Pittsburgh targets youth crimeSimple terms: Identify the worst criminal groups responsible for more than half of the violence, tell them that violence won't be tolerated and that there are other options and then follow through.

Citizens, time to get out your decoder rings.

The message: Our promise to you is, after we have this meeting, the first group that kills somebody, pack your toothbrush, because we're rolling you all up," he said. "You punish the entire group ... They start policing themselves.

So, we'll have ANOTHER Pittsburgh Promise.

The first promise is still not proven to work, or have taken root.

The formal plan SHOULD be available to the public. Could, would, should.

The city has volumes of plans. It has shelves of laws that go without any enforcement. We've got plans for sky-bus to subway stations with skylights.

They think it will have an impact in six months -- about the time of the mayor's primary. Go figure.

When does the formal plan get delivered?

If they are going to punish entire gangs for flare ups -- where do they put the new prisons? Isn't the Allegheny County Jail already full? How much room is available? Where are they going to put the punished?

What happens with they dish out punishments that don't match with the ones did the crime?

Guilt by association puts Pittsburgh onto the highway to a fascist community. This is much like Miami Vice and the spread of the War on Drugs. If you got a boat -- you're a guilty drug smuggler.

Clincher:

"If it is done with reasonable goodwill and if it is kept in place, you will get these too-good-to-be-true results," he said.

So, the heavy handed police state needs to be operated with reasonable goodwill. And, it needs to happen day-in-day-out.

Mr. Ravenstahl has pledged $160,000 in city funds and Mr. Burgess $40,000 in council funds toward the costs of retaining Mr. Kennedy and the University of Pittsburgh's School of Social Work, which will participate in the research component.

The $160,000 and the $40,000 are not from the mayor's office nor from city council. Those funds are our funds -- city taxpayer money.

A chunk of that money is going to a retainer for someone in Boston. How much? Is his role that of 'cheerleader' and 'teacher?' Is this Boston model with benchmarks for Pittsburgh?

What exactly are we going to hold these folks accountable for?

Frankly, I'm all in favor of gang activities. But, I want our kids in gangs that we control -- positive gangs. Swim teams, orchestra, and the Ozanam Basketball League are gangs that work for us.

Motivation comes with both a stick and a carrot. I hate to see them deploy bigger and bigger sticks.

Woman killed in school bus accident

Bad pedestrian death to a mom.

Woman killed in school bus accident: "Police said the victim had just taken her 18-month-old child to a day-care center near the scene of the accident. Officers said she was walking across Shady Avenue when the bus, turning left from Monitor onto Shady, struck her.

Other pedestrians yelled for the bus driver to stop, and once they caught her attention, she backed up and struck to victim again, police said.

So sad.

I just came back from a special event on Grant Street where a temporary park was made within two parking spots next to the City-County Building. Luke Ravenstahl and Patrick Dowd must have parked elsewhere today.

While there, I got to meet the new bike czar. He was quick to point out to me that he is not a 'czar.' Boy I was glad to hear that from him. I ranted about how Pittsburgh does not need any czars, again. Pat Ford was a czar. Czars often fall from power and have space inserted between head and torso.

The bike coordinator is also with duties for pedestrians and is part of planning.

As a city, we've got a lot to do.

BBC SPORT | Olympics/Paralympics blog

BBC SPORT | Olympics/Paralympics blog But on Tuesday 23 September the magic evaporates - the videos will all disappear. You have just a few days left to gorge yourselves on the very best of Beijing.

The reason the videos expire on Tuesday is that our agreement with the International Olympic Committee allows the BBC to provide video online in the UK, but only for a certain period of time during and after the Games - which is now coming to an end.

Such a shame.

M. Phelps's Home Pool Seeking USOC Funds - Heavy Medal - Washington Post reporters blog live from venues at the Beijing Olympics

M. Phelps's Home Pool Seeking USOC Funds - Heavy Medal - Washington Post reporters blog live from venues at the Beijing Olympics: "Michael Phelps's personal coach Bob Bowman led his first coaches' meeting at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club Wednesday, but no major changes to the facility or star athletes are expected to arrive until the club learns whether it receives the funding it has requested from the U.S. Olympic Committee in the coming weeks, according to NBAC Founder Murray Stephens.

Dr. Phil and with Conan O'Brien in one day

Ralph Nader to appear on both Dr. Phil and with Conan O'Brien's "Triumph the Comic Dog," on Friday September 19th.

The Hermit with Davis Fleetwood

Ralph Nader on the "Progressive Dilemma"

Ralph Nader: "God Is Not A Real Estate Agent"

Ralph Nader: "The End of America?"

Red State Update Meets Ralph Nader

Red State: Ralph Nader On Anal Flutter

Movie Preview: Washington, You're Fired

Seagate to close Pittsburgh center

Seagate to close Pittsburgh center: "Computer hard drive giant Seagate Technologies is planning a 'phased closure' of its Pittsburgh research center, located in the Strip District. The shutdown will be complete by June, 2008.

The facility will be closed by June. The phases are "fast," then "lights out" and then "closed." At that speed, I'm not sure that the electric company will have a crew ready to handle the disconnect by then.

I want to know what is going to happen with the Seagate Triathlon?

No one voted to pour taxpayer funds into Wall Street. And no one voted for the government to take over an insurance company.

Nobody voted before the spending of the money for a bailout of AIG.

Another Federal Bailout: “I Told You So,” Says Bob Barr | Libertarian Party “It appears that President George W. Bush should say that we are all socialists now,' says Barr, as he explains that the government has now taken over insurance giant AIG with an $85 billion loan, for which it received an 80 percent equity stake in the company. 'In other words, the federal government now will own and run one of the nation's largest insurance companies.'

“This administration, supposedly devoted to free markets and fiscal responsibility, has bailed out the housing industry, the quasi-government mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the investment house Bear Stearns, and a leading insurer. What’s next?” asks Barr.

“And how will we pay for this ever-rising bill for corporate welfare? The national debt already runs $9.5 trillion,” Barr explains. “The deficit this year will run a record $407 billion. Next year the red ink will be even greater. And there are trillions upon trillions of dollars that will come due under Medicare and Social Security as the Baby-Boomers retire,” he adds.

United Stock Tanks on False Bankruptcy Rumors | Travel Industry Blog | BNET

Speaking of miss-information on the internet.

United Stock Tanks on False Bankruptcy Rumors | Travel Industry Blog | BNET United Stock Tanks on False Bankruptcy Rumors

Education: Pittsburgh schools trying to get away from race-based admissions - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh

Education: Pittsburgh schools trying to get away from race-based admissions - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh In any case, the magnet program seems to be in limbo for now.

The magnet program is in limbo, so says the newspaper (Pgh City Paper).

Well, well, well.

Without the magnet program, Pittsburgh would be a ghost town. The magnet program has been the saving star that has kept the PPS afloat.

It seems as if some administrators are hell-bent on trying to destroy the school district, and in turn, the city.

I agree with the statement in the newspaper. The magnet program is in limbo. Limbo is not a good place. Limbo is not what parents want to hear. Families don't choose to opt into limbo.

Limbo = FUD = Fear, uncertainty, doubt.

With limbo comes an acceleration of the exodus.

The magnet program has been a crown jewel of the school district for many reason. The diversity factor is one element. But there is more to the magnet than just a lottery for an entrance into a school.

The magnet program means choice. And, it seems that a lottery is less about choice and more about chance. The choice is not up to the luck of the draw. Rather, the choice needs to be put onto the realm of the family.

The lack of solutions and understanding as to what works and what is folly is frustrating.

Some sort of modified lottery is nothing but a way for lawyers and bureaucrats to CYA. (CYA = Cover Your Ass) To run a school district based upon some sort of modified lottery is a bad bet and formula for failure.

Some say the the lottery, be it PowerBall or other flavors of state-sanctioned numbers running, is a "stupid tax." The odds of winning are not favorable. Those who spend money to buy Lotto tickets are the least capable of covering the expenses.

Our school district needs to be smart with our kids and not aspire to "stupid tax" solutions.

This is no way to lead a nation and conduct our democracy. I'm for OPEN and HONEST discusions.

The Commission on Presidential Debates, which was created by the Republican and Democratic parties, still refuses to make public the contract negotiated by the Obama and McCain campaigns that will govern our presidential debates. This lack of transparency is unacceptable. It is time to take action.

Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC) of the McCain campaign and Representative Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) of the Obama campaign directly negotiated the secret contract that will dictate the terms of the upcoming presidential debates.

PLEASE CALL the offices of Sen. Graham and Rep. Emanuel and demand that they make public the debate contract. They are elected officials who are obligated to serve the interests of the voting public:

Phone number of the Office of Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC): 202-224-5972
Phone number of the Office of Rahm Emanuel (D-IL): 202-225-4061

Also, PLEASE CALL the Commission on Presidential Debates and demand that it makes public the debate contract. The Commission claims that its mission is to “provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners.” Hold them accountable to their mission.

Phone number of the Commission on Presidential Debates: 202-872-1020

Please let us know what happens.

Open Debates is teaming up with nine other pro-democracy organizations to issue the following press release today demanding the release of the debate contract: http://www.opendebates.org/makecontractpublic.html

Additionally, you can hear Open Debates Executive Director George Farah on the radio show “CounterSpin” at the following link: http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3610

Court rejects Republican effort to strike Barr from ballot

Libertarian Presidential candidate Bob Barr to remain on the ballot in Pennsylvania

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
3915 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
http://www.lppa.org/

For Immediate Release:
September 17, 2008
Doug Leard (Media Relations) at Media-Relations@lppa.org or
Michael Robertson (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS / chair@lppa.org

Philadelphia, PA - The Honorable Judge Johnny J. Butler of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania rejected a Republican effort to set aside the substitute nomination certificate of Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr, keeping Barr on the ballot. The lawsuit, brought by Cumberland County Republican Chairman Victor Stabile, claimed the Libertarian Party and Bob Barr mislead electors by continuing to collect signatures with the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPa) candidate's name on nomination papers after Barr was nominated in the National Convention on May 25, 2008. The signature gathering period began in February 2008 and ended on August 1, 2008.

"There is no legal mechanism in the Pennsylvania Election Code that allows for the substitution of candidates until the nomination papers are filed," explained LPPa Chair Michael Robertson. "We knew we would have to substitute the candidate and a Committee to Fill Vacancies was identified on every nomination paper. The only way to proceed under the law was as the LPPa had done by filing the nomination papers, withdrawal form, and substitution certificate. Judge Butler recognized there was no intent to mislead electors."

This case could have had dire consequences for the ability of voters to freely choose their representatives in government had the objector's petition been upheld. The current election laws in our Commonwealth favor some candidates at the expense of others. To help expand political choice in Pennsylvania, the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania urges support of the Voters Choice Act. This act, supported by Pennsylvania state senator Mike Folmer, will move Pennsylvania one step closer to free and equal elections as required by our Commonwealth Constitution.

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.

Bumper Sticker Snickers

Saw one on the South Side today: McBush - Stalin. The pro-choice group ran a contest and came up with some cute ones:

* McCain-Palin: 15th Century Solutions for the 21st Century
* McCain-Palin: The Anti-Choice
* McCain-Palin: The Bridge to No Choice!
* McCain-Palin: (Supreme) Courting Disaster
* With McCain-Palin...There is NO Choice!

Tomlin Motivates “Ninth Grade Nation” Of Pittsburgh Schools - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

See the Pittsburgh Promise mention at the end of the article.

Tomlin Motivates “Ninth Grade Nation” Of Pittsburgh Schools - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh: "Steelers coach Mike Tomlin spoke in a rally to motivate the “Ninth Grade Nation” of Pittsburgh area schools.

“We all dream of doing great things,” Tomlin said. “What are you going to do today to make it happen?”

Tomlin, as well as Steelers players Charlie Batch and Max Starks, gave speeches to launch the class of 2012 on their first year of high school.

The class of 2012 will be the first to receive college money from Pittsburgh Promise, the organization responsible for the rally.

Humm. I had expected that the students who graduated last June would be in college now and would be getting money from the Pittsburgh Promise. What's up with that?

Perhaps the coach is talking in coach-speak? It could be "first" as in "First Down."

t r u t h o u t | Bob Woodward's Not-so-Secret Weapon

t r u t h o u t | Bob Woodward's Not-so-Secret Weapon These are the horrors that happen when journalists give up their role as watchdogs and become running dogs for Shock and Awe, surgical strikes, enhanced interrogation techniques, the latest counter-insurgency tactics, or whatever else the National Security State wants to sell. But the horror will be far worse if we forget that the Pentagon has explicitly committed itself to make its new tagging, targeting and locating technology available for use within the United States.

To be, ... or ... Not to be ... (a panda)

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