Citizens Police Review Board, $.02

We voted for the Citizens Police Review Board. Its failure costs us dearly.

The Citizens Police Review Board is a way to challenge power. It is a check and balance. It has never operated as it should and could -- because those in power have not seen fit to let it act on its mission.

The Citizens Police Review Board could bear fruit after we get people into top administrative and elected offices who are willing to do their jobs -- not just grab for all the power that they can leverage.
Also posted at Bram's blog, http://PghComet.blogspot.com

Networks Police YouTube For Copyright Violations : NPR

Think again.

Networks Police YouTube For Copyright Violations : NPR: "The presidential campaigns have fallen victim to a common copyright problem on the Internet. News networks complained that campaign commercials were using their footage and they demanded YouTube take them off its site. Free speech advocates say this is a high profile case that's part of an ongoing problem.

The networks have lawyers. Ouch.

This is another great example of how it is nearly impossible to get a candidate to run for office.

Catherine's day with eye-candy and ear-protection

Catherine, my wife, goes to Beaver County on Wednesday to present to a classroom full of music educators for an in-service day. She'll present for three hours. It is a chance to teach the teachers. The students there must have a day off.

Kids and adults in musical classes could be exposed to sounds that are so loud that they're getting hearing damage. Drumming, brass instruments and other sounds can be so loud, especially in tighter quarters (like rehearsal rooms) with block walls that permanent damage could be a result.

We don't send our kids to school and expect them to get hurt. Furthermore, music teachers appreciate their sense of hearing.

The tiny hair cells in the ears, once damaged, do not grow back. The aim is to never loose them in youth or at later ages due to either very loud short bursts of sounds or with lesser volumes but for longer durations.

Catherine's wish, that ears would bleed. If blood came flowing out of the side of your head after noise (and loud music) exposure, most people would be more careful. Our ears go softly, sadly.

Those in chem class need to wear protective goggles. Play football and you'll need to wear a helmet. Well, march in band and you need to take care of yourself.

From Beijing 2008

In other news, Catherine has been formally invited from those in China to be on an advisory group. Sadly, she reports, there won't be any need to go back to China to fulfill these duties.

Government makes it easier -- giggle.

Chicago! Adolph Kiefer, my 2nd home town and my pal

Pittsburgh Promise Program Receives Big Funding - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

In a Tuesday press conference, the Pittsburgh Promise program announced that it will be receiving $8 million in funding from two
Pittsburgh-area foundations. The program helps parents and students afford their education after high school by helping students pay for college. The Pittsburgh Foundation awarded $3 million, and it has agreed in principle to give another $2 million over the next four years.

The Buhl Foundation awarded $3 million to Pittsburgh Promise over the next 10 years, equaling the biggest grant given in the history of the foundation.
Of the two grants, Grant Oliphant, Pittsburgh Foundation's CEO, said, “They will reaffirm this city’s commitment that makes Pittsburgh famous around the world.

Third Party Presidential Debate to Take Place on Thursday, October 23rd

Free and Equal Elections
Attn: Politics Editors, Campaign 2008 Editors, National Editors
Contact: Christina Tobin, 312-320-4101

This morning, Christina Tobin, Director of Free and Equal, announced an Independent/Third Party Presidential Debate, which will take place on Thursday evening at 9:00pm EST on October 23 in Washington DC at the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel.

All six candidates who qualified for enough state ballot lines to be eligible to win the presidency on November 4th have been invited.

To date, two candidates have confirmed participation: Independent Presidential Candidate Ralph Nader, and Constitution Party Presidential Candidate Chuck Baldwin, who have been endorsed by Congressman Ron Paul.

The debate will last for 90 minutes, and follow the below format:
-No opening statements
-There will be six of the following question and answer series: The moderator will pose a question. Each candidate will be permitted 90 seconds to respond. The candidates' preliminary answers will be followed by a 5-minute "discussion" period, during which the moderator will be permitted unlimited follow-up questions and the candidates would be encouraged to engage one another in actual debate. This will last about 60 minutes.
-After the above six question-and-answer series, each candidate will be permitted to ask a single question of one or more of the other candidates, with each candidate permitted 90 seconds to respond. This will last about 10 minutes.
-After this, submitted questions from the audience will be selected and presented by the moderator. This will last for about 10 minutes.
-Each candidate will be permitted a 2-minute closing statement.

School Board Transparency — Sunlight on Board-Union Contract Negotiations

New blog worthy of watching.

School Board Transparency — Sunlight on Board-Union Contract Negotiations: "School Board Transparency"

When do we get to talk about the next banner flap. We're still under marshall law regarding signs.

The Pens are back on the ice and I'm wondering when the next round of silly discussions and governmental finger wagging is going to kick up again about signs, banners, and other goofy governmental intrusions?

From ABCs of sports

Here is a hockey banner to make you blush.

And, it is a women hockey player too.

The Penguins might be able to put up a team banner if it is to include a lost kitten notice within the fine print. When do the Penguins play the "Panthers?" Who is going to 'be found' around here -- or not?

Hey - we won one. It feels good. Now go watch his Pittsburgh presentation so you know who you are voting for - and against.

It is unbecoming to vote with only half, or 2/5ths of your brain.

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Affirms Libertarian Presidential Candidate Bob Barr

Republican Appeal to Strike Candidate from Ballot Fails

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

For Immediate Release: October 20, 2008

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

Harrisburg, PA – The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPa) is pleased by the one page per curiam order of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Middle District issued October 17, 2008. The order affirmed the previous order of the Commonwealth Court, confirming Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr will appear on the Pennsylvania ballot. The Supreme Court order was in response to an appeal by Cumberland County Republican Chairman Victor Stabile of his lawsuit contending that the substitution certificate for Bob Barr should be set aside and the candidate disqualified from the November ballot.

The Commonwealth Court ruling from the Honorable Judge Johnny Butler, issued on September 15, 2008, dismissed and denied Mr. Stabile's petition to set aside the substitution certificate of Bob Barr as the Libertarian Party (LP) presidential candidate. This ruling and the Supreme Court affirmation have confirmed the practice of candidate substitution in compliance with Pennsylvania's election code.

LPPa Chairman Michael Robertson noted “It is disappointing that such a prominent member of the Republican Party would undertake this effort to limit the choices of Pennsylvania voters. The citizens of our Commonwealth deserve better than the misinformation offered by the Republican leadership during this episode.”

Former Republican county committeeman John Parks added "I just think that it is a shame that both parties want to disenfranchise the voters of Pennsylvania. If they believe that elections should be free and equal, they should be encouraging people to run, not running them off the ballot."

LP Presidential candidate, Bob Barr, represented the 7th District of Georgia in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003, serving as a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, as Vice-Chairman of the Government Reform Committee, and as a member of the Committee on Financial Services. He now practices law with the Law Offices of Edwin Marger and runs a consulting firm, Liberty Strategies LLC, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with offices in the Washington, D.C. area. Barr works tirelessly to help preserve our fundamental right to privacy and our other civil liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.

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.

By the way, screw you Republican leaders who see fit to take this type of sillyness all the way to the Supreme Court. And, it goes just as bad to the likes of Dan Onorato who wants to fight the ballot access for those who have obtained tens of thousands of signatures -- as in the drink tax question.

Didn't Colin Powell talk about this too on Meet the Press? If he didn't he should have.

So, Bob Barr is on the ballot in PA. It isn't only about Obama and McCain. If you have doubts about both Obama and McCain, do your homework and check this out. You might like what you hear. And, you might want to vote and feel good about doing so on November 4.

Fastbreak for Fathers, Nov. 2 at Carnegie Science Center

Dear Fatherhood Friends,

Please see the attached flyer and registration sheet for the 6th Annual Fast Break for Fathers and Families event on Sunday, Nov. 2nd. The event will be held at Carnegie Science Center this year due to the impending demolition of SportsWorks. Please forward this to those who may be interested.

If you are willing to volunteer for the event, please contact Evelyn Hines, Executive Assistant, National Fatherhood Initiative, Website: http://www.fatherhood.org.

See comments for her email.

Bonus pay for Pgh Principals gets some attention and heat

Where is the Act 47 to control the spending of the Pgh Public Schools asks a caller to the KDKA Radio show with Marty Griffin.

My message to him:

Pgh Public Schools' troubles spring from the other end of the spectrum. Bonus blahs for me.

Poor performing principals (and teachers, etc.) need to get the ax more quickly.

Downgrades and 'no pay' options need to be on the table as well.

Finally, Fed $ is still my taxpayer money.

Mark Roosevelt, superintendent of Pgh Public Schools, said that the bonus money was not taxpayer money. But, it is, as the host pointed out. The money is from a 'Federal Grant' so Roosevelt said.

Tranditionally, the problem has been with poor performing principals and other laggards in various roles. They have been allowed to stick around.

This gripe about poor performing teachers and principals are long-standing ones that might be less of a pressing problem now. I'm not sure how many bad performers are in the system this year. Pittsburgh schools could have a perfect staff in place this year where every employee is in a perfect role for his or her talents.

Often a failed teacher and/or a failed principal is a sign of a poor deployment -- not ill will on the part of the individual caught in a situation where there isn't a good 'fit' -- or else worse, in a no-win situation.

The deployment of the teachers, staff and principals needs constant evaluation and management. I've seen some movement and 'musical chairs.' Great. I hope that the moves are made for the right reasons. And, I hope that the right people are being supported in the right jobs.

The radio report says that only five principals got no bonus money. The majority of the principals got a bonus.

Punch her and catch a bullet

Wouldn't it be great if all bullies faced a similar fate.

I'm glad she turned herself in and I'm especially glad the police quickly let her depart.

WPXI is reporting the story as this:

Road Rage Incident On Parkway West Ends In Shooting

Sunday, October 19, 2008 – updated: 10:43 pm EDT October 19, 2008
PITTSBURGH -- Police said a man threw a punch and a woman turned the tables, pulling out a gun during a violent road rage incident on the Parkway West.

The woman, 24, of Pittsburgh, was pulling onto Interstate 376 from Route 28 when police said she cut off another driver.

Officials report the other driver, a male from Ohio, reacted by speeding in front of the woman and halting traffic, causing her to stop.

State Police said the man walked on foot to the driver's side of the woman's car and punched her in the face.

That is when authorities said the woman pulled out a licensed firearm and shot the man in the stomach.

The woman turned herself in to police after the incident. She has since been released.

The man drove himself to a nearby hotel, where he was transported to Allegheny General Hospital.

Officials have declined to name the parties involved until after the district attorney has reviewed the case.

Time will tell if this is the real story, or not. Hard to get too overblown as the names of those involved are not being released and being a bit skeptical is always prudent.

Since burnout hit Prof Madison and Pittsblog, here is something that he might have posted about:

Thornburgh Family lecture series

DisabiliTy law & Policy

presenter: I. King Jordan, former president of Gallaudet University

October 30, 2008 at Barco Law Building, Teplitz Courtroom, 1–2:30 p.m. with Reception to follow.

I. King Jordan was the first deaf president of Gallaudet University, the world’s only university with all programs and services designed specifically for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Jordan’s historic presidency came after a student-led protest in 1988 that today is called Deaf President Now (DPN). DPN was a turning point in the lives of deaf people worldwide, and Jordan’s term as president was a beacon of self-
determination and empowerment for deaf and hard-of-hearing people everywhere.

In addition to holding positions as professor, department chair, dean, and president, Jordan holds 11 honorary degrees and has been the recipient of numerous awards, among them the Presidential Citizens Medal, the James L. Fisher Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the Larry Stewart Award from the American Psychological Association, and the Distinguished Leadership Award from the National Association for Community Leadership.

For more information, call 412-648-1373.

Lecture is open to the public.

The Thornburgh Family Lecture Series in Disability Law and Policy was created through the generosity of Dick and Ginny Thornburgh. As 2003 recipients of the Henry B. Betts Award, the Thornburghs donated the proceeds from the award to the University of Pittsburgh to establish this lecture series. The fund has been supplemented by grants from the Office of the Chancellor, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and School of Law.

This course has been approved by the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board for one and one-half (1.5) hours of substantive credit. Register at the door.

Richard sent a message about a techie gathering. Open Street Maps visits Pittsburgh

Email message says:

I'm organizing an OpenStreetMap mapping party for Pittsburgh on or about the weekend of the 15th or the weekend of the 22nd of November. And I need some local Pittsburgh knowledge as a reality check.

Can you tell if there are any advantages / disadvantages of the two dates in terms of Pittsburgh events that would conflict or enhance the event?

And could you suggest a venue for the event? Ideally we like to have a public-ish venue with free wifi and close to public transit and something cool to add to the map.

Do you know of some local technology sites / blogs that would be interested in promoting the event?

Can you tell me of any local cycling, hiking, mountain biking, running groups that might be interested?

And if you would like to help me organize the event beyond the very helpful answers to my questions, I would be thrilled to co-host with you.

Best regards,
Richard Weait.
==

You can also read the message at http://www.openstreetmap.org/message/read/22243
and you can reply at http://www.openstreetmap.org/message/reply/22243

Chill out. You didn't miss the 3rd party debate. We get to watch game 7 without feeling guilty

Game 7 of a baseball series is tonight. It is do or die for both the Red Soc and Devil Rays. But for the 3rd party candidates for US President, it is like a snow day. They've seen their final exam washed out and have an extra week to cram before the big show.

Free and Equal: "Presidential Debate Rescheduled for October 23rd in Washington D.C.
The Independent/Third Party Presidential Debate to have been held in New York at Columbia University on Sunday Oct. 19th has been rescheduled, and will occur on Thursday evening at 9pm EST, October 23 in Washington DC.

Powell, Colin, not David, gives more than thumbs up to the Senator from Illinois

Post-Gazette NOW Powell endorses Obama, chides McCain campaign

David Powell, the chair of the Libertarian Party of Allegheny County, spoke last week and said he might have been able to vote for the Obama of 2005, but not of 2008, due to his votes on a few key issues in recent years. However, the other Powell, a guy who doesn't give endorsements, until today, had things to say.

I didn't watch the show, but my wife and mother-in-law did. She had it on tape and they rushed to see it after church this morning.

My wife said that there wasn't one thing from Colin Powell that she was in disagreement with. Wow. She said that what he said on Meet The Press was just what she has been saying for many months now.

It's over for McCain. The only thing that Obama needs to do from today forward is keep playing the statements from Colin Powell. Those are her reactions.

For me, I'll watch on Monday after I cool down from Sunday night swim practice with the Phillips kids and Podcamp Pittsburgh, PCPGH3.

Working on my PodCamp Pittsburgh PCPGH presentation

From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events

I'm slated to speak tomorrow, Sunday, at Podcamp Pittsburgh. I'm working on the photos and slide show now. Should be fun.

From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events

It is a small world.

From people & vips

Guess where we are when this photo was taken? (Find the answer in the comments.)

From people & vips

Print your badge, yet? Tonight's social on the South Side for a kick-off.

I'll be on the South Side for a PodCamp kickoff party tonight, after swim practice, of course. It is at AlphaLab (2325 East Carson Street, 15203). Called the official icebreaker. Tonight, on Friday, Oct 17, from 6–8 PM. Enjoy appetizers, drinks and the opportunity to meet your fellow social media explorers, all under the roof of ittsburgh’s new incubator for tech startups.

Still to Come, the Third-Party Debate - The Caucus Blog - NYTimes.com

Interesting.

Still to Come, the Third-Party Debate - The Caucus Blog - NYTimes.com Still to Come, the Third-Party Debate
By Leslie Wayne
If you haven’t gotten your fill of presidential debates after watching the McCain-Obama match-up this evening, mark your calendar for Sunday night.
That’s when Free and Equal.Org, a group formed to encourage third-party candidacies, is promoting a debate at the Columbia Political Union at Columbia University in New York for all six candidates seeking the presidency. The group is pretty much resigned to the fact that neither Senator John McCain nor Senator Barack Obama will be there.
But, others will show, they say. Amy Goodman, principal host of “Democracy Now!” a program of the left-leaning Pacifica radio, will host the event. C-SPAN will also be there to record it. Ms. Goodman, in a recent syndicated column, called for opening the current two-party debates, to more candidates. “It will not only make for better television,’’ said Ms. Goodman in her column, “it will make for better democracy.”

Just exactly who will be there is still murky, since certified letters have just gone out to all candidates, say event organizers. Ralph Nader, who is on the ballot in 45 states as an independent candidate, has indicated he will show up. Cynthia McKinney, former member of Congress from Georgia and the Green Party candidate, will also be there, according to her website. Ms. McKinney is on the ballot in 30 states. Also invited is Chuck Baldwin, running on the Constitution Party ticket in 35 states.

Mr. Baldwin is perhaps the least known of the group. He’s an evangelical minister and hosts a conservative talk show in the Florida panhandle region. He also has gained the endorsement of Ron Paul, whose bid for the Republican nomination garnered a loyal and enthusiastic following.

The only question mark is Bob Barr, the Libertarian Party candidate. Mr. Barr has made it clear that he will only debate Mr. Nader and no one else.

Christina M. Tobin, an event organizer and a Nader campaign staffer, said that she “challenges” Mr. Barr to show up.

“Let him show that he is a true Libertarian,” said Ms. Tobin, who grew up in a prominent Libertarian family. “This is a golden opportunity to get exposure and for people to hear his views. For him not to show up would be denying his Libertarian principles.”

Ms. Tobin added that if this event, which will be held at 8 p.m. is successful, her group plans to hold another one a few days later.

If Bob Barr does not show up to this event, he'll be a jackass in my book. Of course he'll be there. Of course he is just inserting a little drama into the event. Of course he is not going to sink his and our principles and be cowardly.

It would be a hoot and a winning move if either Obama or McCain showed up for these debates. One could go on Saturday and then the next would need to be there when this was a success.

I can dream, can't I?

Bob, pack your bags.