Friday, October 03, 2008

Sarah Palin, Joe Biden And The Lost City of Incan Gold

I just read where Hillary Clinton had nice things to say about Sarah Palin, the Alaska Governor who is running for vice president on the Republican ticket. It's obvious that through her decidedly silent support of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton knows that the Democratic standard bearer is nothing but an empty suit.

I heard a little of the debate on my satellite radio last night, after seeing a Sneak Preview of the wonderful movie "Flash of Genius." Biden sounded tremendous, exactly like the 30-plus year Washington insider should. On the radio Palin sounded a little rehearsed, a little nervous. Critics had pounded it into our heads that Palin needed to come out like Rocky Balboa in the final round of Rocky II, you know where the Italian Stallion won it all for Adrian.

The results were remarkably standard: Democrats said Biden won, Republicans were assured that Palin won. In many ways, they both won. And in many ways they both lost.

I've said since the Palin pick that unless the wheels fell off the wagon, the Republicans had the election in the bag. Then Wall Street took a nose dive. Fickle America blamed President Bush and the Republicans.

That might just be the wheel off the wagon. It's looking more like the most unqualified Presidential candidate in the history of Presidential elections might get the key to the Lost City of Incan Gold.

The PBS Moderator who has a vested, financial interest--not unlike a bettor at a dog track--in Barack Obama winning was smart enough to not divulge that very important information to the group that chose her for the most eagerly-awaited vice presidential debate since they've been airing on television. Gwen Iffill is just the latest of the Limousine Liberals to call themselves objective journalists involved in this election cycle. Oddly enough, Gwen was quoted in an Associated Press article leading up to the debate, saying that there was nothing "out there" to claim she was pulling for Obama's ticket. She must have forgotten that she is in the midst of writing a book about famous African Americans who she admires. It was quickly pointed out that Colin Powell, who was never elected to any post anywhere, is also featured in the book. Woop tee doo.

The comparisons between Obama and Jesus have been toned down considerably, but there is still an outpouring of Liberal assistance, positioning the Democratic ticket as the best thing since Jesus provided anything to anybody.

Dennis Miller, who is clearly the most thoughtful comedian out there working mainstream rooms today--he's the ONLY comedian not comparing President Bush to Satan himself--was on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He was quick to point out the obvious...like him or hate him, President Bush is not the Anti-Christ, which got a tremendous response from the audience. I've called Bill Cosby the most important comedian, perhaps of any generation that paid attention to comedians, because he bucked the trends of vulgarity and non-accountability. Sure, Cos has had his own personal demons, but who wouldn't in his position. Miller may just be the most important in 2008 because he doesn't always go for the low-hanging fruit of conservative damnation.

If Hillary Clinton opened the door for women in national politics, Sarah Palin blew it completely open. Hillary has been angling for the post since the day Bill Clinton first announced he was running for president. Sarah Palin didn't need to hold onto her husband's coat tails for anything. Plus, she seems completely and absolutely likable. Anyone who thinks Palin should be removed from the ticket simply doesn't "get it." She's the best thing in this entire campaign, and the true trail blazer, not Obama.

Joe Biden needed to be chosen by Barack Obama because he is the "experienced old white guy" he needed. During the last Presidential election cycle, producers of American Idol wanted a "Presidential Idol" type show, and candidate. Quietly that show idea went away. Instead, four years later we have a terrorist and extremist-loving empty suit with a creepy, doll's eyes wife who is close to the Oval Office.

Rachel Maddow, the mainstream-hating smirk-meister was on her television program today, picking apart Palin's quotes from the debate. With half-quotes and quarter-sentences, Maddow questioned everything about Palin, expect for her hair style. Maddow prefers the bulldog Bob of the average Rosie O'Donnell blog reader. Let's see Maddow, with her constant "why isn't everyone an elitist like me" Elvis lip curl do any better on the biggest stage of her life.

History professors, the smart ones anyway, will teach future generations that--despite the ultimate turn out--that this is the most groundbreaking Presidential election in quite a while, not just because a pampered African American made it to the top of the Democratic ticket, but a truly notable woman has changed the political landscape forever.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Website Marketing SEO Score Tool

If you like navel gazing, check and compare.
Website Marketing SEO Score Tool
This report has been stored in our system for your future use. You can access this report at any time using the following link: Website Grader Report For Rauterkus.blogspot.com
My blog scored 81 out of 100. Some areas to improve upon seem obvious.

Prep hoops powers eye new postseason tournament - USATODAY.com

Prep hoops powers eye new postseason tournament - USATODAY.comPrep hoops powers eye new postseason tournament

Nike, Paragon Marketing and ESPN are working on a postseason eight-team national boys high school tournament in April in Washington, D.C.

The tournament would include national powers that do not play state championships, such as St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.), which finished No. 2 in last season's final USA TODAY Super 25 rankings; Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), which has won six Super 25 titles; Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.), which has finished in the final Super 25 rankings five times, including ninth in 2005-06; Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), which was the national prep school runner-up last season; and possibly the Washington and Baltimore Catholic League champions. The event would be held Final Four weekend (April 3-4) at Georgetown Prep.

"The event has the potential to someday determine a national champion," said Tony Dorado, national manager of high school basketball for Nike.
Perhaps Pittsburgh's CAPA and Pittsburgh Public Schools Sci-Tech and PPS University Prep can get an invite to these early year tournaments. Those schools can't play in the state tournaments. Heck, those schools can't even field a team in the WPIAL nor PIAA playoffs. Not because of win/loss record.

Just like Chatham's football team, these schools are going to be undefeated for the next five years if Mark Roosevelt has his way.

Not to pick on Chatham. Chatham is a women's university and doesn't field a football team. But, it does field a water polo team and a full range of athletic squads including hockey N@.

'Dark side' lurking as coaches persevere through tough times - USATODAY.com

'Dark side' lurking as coaches persevere through tough times - USATODAY.com'Dark side' lurking as coaches persevere through tough times
Syracuse has a bad case of bad karma after it gave its men swim team the shaft. Sports purgatory is due them for 10 years or more -- and the movie just out on the first black Heisman winner, an Orangeman, is serious salt in the wounds. Fix the men's swim team, then all will be well again.

Bring On Paulson 3.0 - Forbes.com

Bring On Paulson 3.0 - Forbes.com: "Bring On Paulson 3.0"

Bill Ogden's ideas about the current bailout situation

Good Afternoon Everyone!

My calculator only goes up to 99,999,999. So I had to use some brain cells that I thought were used up -- a notebook and pen! Here is what I figured:

President Bush wants to bail out all the Banks because the Banks aren't being paid back the money that they lent out.

Already...it is estimated that the President gave out about $300,000,000,000 ($300 Billion) to banks and other corporations who have overextended themselves--(within last 60 days)

Now He wants an additional $700,000,000,000 ($700 Billion) to bail out wall street again.

He, Congress, and Talking Heads are spinning. "They" say they want to help "Main Street" and hate it whenever anyone says Wall Street. BTW: "Main Street" is supposed to mean you and me.

Who will be responsible for paying back the $1,000,000,000,000 ($1 Trillion)???
You and me silly... Main Street USA.

The way I see it, we would all be better off if we learned how to live within our means.

I am speaking from experience because I'm also guilty of using credit beyond my earnings. This means that I need to correct my situation with personal sacrifice and hard work.

The President, Congress, and the Talking Heads ignore these lessons of life.
Sacrifice and paying off debts are not in there vocabulary.

The Answer to this Nations Dilema is pulling ourselves up by our proverbial bootstraps and not using credit cards--etc...it's our biggest addiction problem. GUILTY as charged! I cut all of mine up today 09/30/08 at 2:30pm...the withdrawals are beginning to settle in...shake shake twitch twitch. It means purchasing items that I can afford. Want and Need aren't always the same. Even if it means that Debra and I remain in the same home or keep the same car longer.

As a Nation, it may take 7 years of hard work and sacrifice across the board.

Let's play Devils Advocate for a moment. $1,000,000,000,000 divided by 225,000,000 (225 million US Residents 18 yrs and older) equals about: $4500 each.

If Big Brother wants to play Big Bank to everyone and own you....ahh ahh I mean "Help" you--Main Street...then...why not print up some more Federal Reserve Notes and mail them out to all of the US Citizens 18 years and older?

Who cares if the US dollar depreciates in value...it going to anyways after they bail out Wall Street...ahh ahh I mean the banks....ahh ahh I mean Main Street...uggghhhh!

How's this one instead: Americans are Forgiven all past Tax Debt no matter what the amount is great or small and Everyone receives a clean slate...as well as a Free Pass for all of 2008! Do you think this would help "Main Street" as well as "Wall Street"??
What's good enough for Wall Street should be good enough for Main Street...and vice versa.

When a person or entity restructures personal and commercial debt--it is important to eliminate unneccessary expenses. Some families implement a monthly budget and sometimes go to great lengths to pay off debts--ie: Yard Sales etc...

The Federal Govt. is the largest employer in the world...with no end in site.
Beginning 05/01/09 we can Start from Scratch by cutting spending.
Abolish the IRS and implement a National Sales Tax...everyone will begin paying their so-called "fair share" inclulding Illegal aliens and Syndicated Crime who have false ssn numbers. The US citizens who are on "fixed" incomes can show a card giving them a discount for purchases.

Is the National Sales Tax (Fair Tax) perfect? Nothing is...but it has to be better than the thousands of pages of tax codes and inconsistencies. End all "Tax Write-Offs"...no more Tax Filing. April 15th will be declared "American Freedom Day!"

There is plenty more to CUT...but I don't want to upset the millions of people that I send this out to.

Okay...back to work everybody!

--Bill Ogden

Ben Smith's Blog: Barr wins the day - Politico.com

Ben Smith's Blog: Barr wins the day - Politico.com Barr wins the day

Politico's Gameday feature, rightly, gives the day to Bob Barr, who fought the bailout, and whose spokesman has been known to attempt to get reporters' attention by confessing to imaginary crimes.

That's another way of saying that neither of the leading candidates covered himself in glory, or effectively led a country without a clear leader. Neither made the clear positive argument, for instance, for a bailout they seemed both to support. McCain appears to have tried and failed to move some House members; Obama didn't lobby the House directly.

Which isn't to say in the zero-sum, two-man game of electoral politics that this wasn't a better day for Obama.
Comment, McCain is a Mr. Magoo. Funny to older farts like me.



Also see:


Commentary: Bankruptcy, not bailout, is the right answer - CNN.com: "This bailout was a terrible idea. Here's why."

AG Corbett does PR in month before election, wrongly, IMHO

Mcall.com: Capitol Ideas with John L. Micek Blog Is This What They Call Escalation?
Democratic Attorney General candidate John Morganelli says he wants Morganelli Auditor General Jack Wagner to look at incumbent Republican AG Tom Corbett's spending on radio PSAs touting an illegal gun task force in Philly.
In an e-mail missive we received this morning, Morganelli says he also wants to know why the spots are now appearing on twice the number of stations they have in the past.
'These are nothing but political advertisements disguised as 'public service announcements' saturating the airwaves of southeastern Pennsylvania in an election year,' Morganelli charged.
I think the D candidate, John Morganelli, has a legit beef on this.

But rather than ask for help from Jack Wagner, someone should be putting in an ethics violation. But, if an ethics complaint was filed from the candidate, he'd not be able to talk about it, due to the gag order that is part of that process. So, I hope, there are others who are able to carry the water on this underhanded PR campaign.

KDKAradio interview with PNC Bank dude.

PNC banker guy wants the bailout, $700B, (or more) because it is cheap. The cost of business just went up -- without the bailout, so he says.

Frankly, I think he has it upside down. He must be like the guy two weeks ago who said that the bailout was just like a "haircut." The PNC guy thinks bailout is cheap then.

His bottom line: He does not wish to cut off his nose despite his face. Great advice from a guy who wants to hold onto his job in the banking industry.

Marty Griffin was 'slimed' yet says thanks to the guy for putting the bailout into terms that the man on the street can understand. Meanwhile, Marty can't even begin to come to grips with the word trillion, as to his own self criticism.

Update: Part 2 message:

'Trillions' are not 'gone.'

That was paper money.

The house value for the building you live in is how different from yesterday, or last week?

You're Jewish holiday message stinks. Take a day off to get into the book of life as there is more to some than the wallet.

I'm fine with Congress taking a day off. Better would be giving them a week off and best would be a year off!

Monday, September 29, 2008

PR 2.0: The State of Social Media 2008

PR 2.0: The State of Social Media 2008 In Technorati’s 2008 State of the Blogosphere report, the company observed that blogging is becoming mainstream, leading the way for an Active Blogosphere - defined as the ecosystem of interconnected communities of bloggers and readers at the convergence of journalism and conversation. I’d also add that as the Active Blogosphere further permeates our daily information consumption and distribution processes, that the Social Web equally becomes pervasive. But, it’s so much more than an Active SocialMediaSphere. As networks become densely populated and new communities arise and thrive, we're experiencing a fundamental shift in content creation, distribution, and consumption, thus creating an Active and Participatory Media society that is inspiring and seeding a more literate and enlightened generation.

Express. Are you ready for some silver screen football?

Must see flick.

Tutorial on the bail out



I've been pounding on both of the candidates from the main parties. One might have been hit more than the other. They both are worthy of getting the knocks due.

Atlanta Magazine - Getting to know Bob Barr, candidate for US President

Extensive profile article on Bob Barr:
Atlanta Magazine - October 2008 Bob Barr Once the crusading champion of the GOP, Bob Barr has disavowed his party and much of his past in a quest to become the first Libertarian president of the United States.
Nobody is perfect.

Text From Steelers' Rookie To Ravens Friend Fuels Monday Night Fire - Sports News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

So, is this player's phone really stuck up on a bulletin board in the dirty-bird's locker room?
Text From Steelers' Rookie To Ravens Friend Fuels Monday Night Fire - Sports News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh: "Mendenhall, who is friends with the Ravens' Ray Rice, sent a friendly text, telling Rice he was going to have a big game Monday night. However, Rice passed that message along to his teammates, who didn't seem to be too pleased.

'Thanks for the bulletin board material, rookie,' Ravens' Bart Scott replied.

But Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward said the incident is no big deal.

'For him, he texted one of his friends and unfortunately in this business, you got to be careful who you text nowadays, because now they use that and put it as bulletin board material,' Ward said. 'But if you need that to motivate yourself, then your mind isn't really into the game if you're worried about a text message.'
I just hope he holds onto the ball throughout the entire game.

2008 Great Race complete results - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Elisa got 3rd place! Way to go.
2008 Great Race complete results - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "3. Elisa Varlotta, 11, Pittsburgh, 00:56:01
She is a classmate of my son and family friend! She also plays violin and got 1st place for Phillips in Pittsburgh's Elem. School Championship swim meet!

From phillips-swim


Running Mates -- how did you do in the Great Race?

Giuliani's law firm seeking bailout business -- Newsday.com

Giuliani's law firm seeking bailout business -- Newsday.com: "Giuliani's law firm seeking bailout business"
Another source...
Giuliani's law firm seeking bailout business 26 Sep 2008 In the midst of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, former Mayor [9/11 co-conspirator] Rudy Giuliani has begun drumming up business, positioning his law firm to advise corporate clients on how to profit from the government's $700 billion bailout. Bracewell & Giuliani LLP announced it has formed a corporate task force to advise "financial institutions, private investment funds, institutional investors and other market participants" on the costly package. "Our team of former government officials and experienced attorneys in the fields of legislation, enforcement and finance are equipped to guide institutions in this quickly evolving and complex environment," Giuliani said.

This big-money, big-corruption, big-government, big-celebrity, big-law approach has turned off too many people.

Sci-tech school courts minorities

This new school should be a great success --- but --- they are making some serious mistakes.
Sci-tech school courts minorities A 'Dream. Discover. Design' curriculum will require each student to specialize in one of four fields and work with industry, academia or civic groups to solve science problems. A balanced enrollment likely will be viewed as one indicator of a successful school launch.
The curriculum is a much bigger problem than the lottery to get into the program.

Industries are not the one's pushing schools in Pittsburgh. If anyone noticed, most of the industry that was in Pittsburgh is now gone. People in industry that are here are a little too busy to worry about a middle school.

Pushing occurs in the schools with parents, teachers, unions, students themselves and academic weenies in the educational fields. Government makes a bit of a push too.

We'll be watching:
To that end, the district Wednesday will launch a school Web site at www.pghscitech.net and mail postcards to district families promoting the school and registration process. Information sessions will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Carnegie Library in Homewood, at noon Oct. 11 at Carnegie Science Center on the North Shore and at 6 p.m. Oct. 16 at district offices in Oakland.
When the Sci-Tech school web site is working, do try to give a little bit of web site attention to the schools that are already open. Some of the school web sites throughout the district are a bad joke.

Schenley's web site -- in a school that just opened too -- is way out of date. The IB program need students too.

There are boutique schools in Pittsburgh now. That is the trend.

Meanwhile, the other schools are still drop out factories.

Furthermore, the new schools are not proven to work wonders, with the exception of CAPA. But, CAPA is getting a major upheaval next year too as the high school will begin to accept students in grades 6, 7 and 8.
...the school will be rigorous. That's why graduates will get an honors diploma.
But the school will not be offering AP classes. An honor's diploma might not be worth the paper. Time will tell. It is unproven and without a hook to national standards that can easily transfer into college credit.

... Pittsburgh officials have planned a special advising process, other academic supports and flexible scheduling to help students pull through.
Advising and support are two of the many elements that coaches offer students and athletes. Sadly, Pgh officials are going to not have any scholastic coaches in this building. No sports.

For McCain and Team, a Host of Ties to Gambling - NYTimes.com

Wonder if John McCain is into 'slots parlors' too. Pittsburgh won't have 'table games' in its new, river-front facility. So, do you think we'll see the likes of McCain in Pittsburgh for gambling?
For McCain and Team, a Host of Ties to Gambling - NYTimes.com Mr. McCain portrays himself as a Washington maverick unswayed by special interests, referring recently to lobbyists as “birds of prey.” Yet in his current campaign, more than 40 fund-raisers and top advisers have lobbied or worked for an array of gambling interests — including tribal and Las Vegas casinos, lottery companies and online poker purveyors.
Interesting article.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

The Corner on National Review Online

The Corner on National Review Online Palin Will Spend More Time With Couric [Byron York]

Sarah Palin's schedule for tomorrow includes time at 8:00 a.m. and again at 11 a.m. listed as 'Media Interview.' It turns out Palin will be spending more time with Katie Couric. Palin and Couric will tape a 'Day in the Life' feature that will run on the CBS Evening News on Monday and Tuesday, according to CBS.