Ironic twists: Restricting Freedoms and Choices

....Congressman Ron Paul - Restricting Freedoms and Choices - Texas Straight Talk: "news from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that many health care facilities under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Church may be shut down as a result of the so-called “Freedom of Choice Act” for refusal to perform abortions.

Not only does this Act seem to have growing support in Congress, the President-elect and his Administration have indicated support for this legislation. Since many people cast their votes in a way that they believed would help to improve and increase availability of health care, this is an ironic twist.

Of course, the government takeover of health care began a long time ago, but we should be wary of how far that takeover will go if more private providers are forced out of the marketplace....

Mon River solids are a threat to machinery, but not health

Mon River solids are a threat to machinery, but not health: "State Department of Environmental Protection tests show levels of microscopic contaminants are high again in a low-flowing, 70-mile stretch of the Monongahela River that serves as the water source for 350,000 people.

Although most of the customers of the 11 public water suppliers drawing water from the river will notice only the 'hard water' problem when they see the spots and cloudy residue on glassware emerging from their dishwashers, industry and utility companies are experiencing significantly higher water treatment costs.

There was a time when the captains of the steam ships that ran along the rivers here would not use the river water for their ship's engines. They would only use 'fresh water.'

Meanwhile, at the same time, there were seven beaches along the banks of the rivers here for swimmers -- all within the city limits.

Here we go again. We'll give the coal-fired power plants cleaner water than we'll serve ourselves and our kids from the tap. Likewise, we build more expensive places for the Penguins in the PPG Zoo & Aquarium and the Penguins in the National Aviary to swim within -- as opposed to places for our kids to swim.

Schenley student missing since Friday - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Schenley student missing since Friday - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Pittsburgh police are looking for a Schenley High School senior who hasn't been seen or heard from since Friday.

Joseph Harris, 17, of Sheraden, was last seen Downtown boarding a Port Authority bus bound for Brighton Heights, where he told friends he was going to meet a man named 'G,' city police Lt. Kevin Kraus said.

Harris friends and relatives told investigators they don't know who 'G' is or why Harris was headed to meet him. Harris' cell phone has been turned off since friends saw him boarding the bus at 9 p.m. Friday, Kraus said."

A photo at this site:

Parents Plead For Return Of Missing Schenley High Student
WPXI.com - Pittsburgh,PA,USA
PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh police are asking for the public’s help to find a 17-year-old Schenley High School senior who has been missing since Friday. ...

Bailouts are bad, so says a Libertarian or two about the

Talking bailouts.

Andrew Davis Director of Communications of the Libertarian Party wrote of the big three:

Friend of Liberty,

This week, the main buzz is sure to be about possibly bailing-out the automotive industries in Detroit, known as the "Big Three." The Big Three consist of the three major automotive manufacturers: Ford, General Motors and Chrysler.

Politicians looking to appease their nervous constituency, interest groups (both from the United Auto Workers and those representing Big Automotive) looking for a handout and know-nothing political pundits looking for a juicy story will all tell you this is necessary for the economic well being of the nation.

In this time of economic turmoil, it's easy to suggest government has the answers, especially when it is backed by sweet-sounding rhetoric and promises of better times. For those that don't know the historical failures of government intervention in the market, it just might sound good enough to swallow.

However, like most government programs, the reality is far, far different from the rhetoric.

Bailouts are ALWAYS bad for the taxpayer, for the economy, and for business. Why? Because rewarding the mismanagement of American corporations with a taxpayer-subsidized lifeline does NOTHING to encourage reform or fix the problems that pushed the companies to the brink of failure. As we said in a recent statement, these bailouts do nothing but prolong the inevitable collapse of companies suffering from extreme mismanagement and poor investments.

This is especially true in the case of automotive companies.

Detroit auto manufacturers have failed to keep up with trends in the automotive industry, locked themselves into destructive union contracts and demonstrated a complete lack of initiative in automotive innovations that make their products enticing to consumers.

Why are taxpayers being used to reward this mismanagement?

This is why Daniel J. Mitchell, a senior fellow at The Cato Institute, said the bailouts were like "giving an alcoholic the key to a liquor cabinet." Mitchell went on to list three important reasons why bailouts are bad news:

• A bailout will hurt the overall economy by misallocating resources. When politicians grant special favors to a certain industry or a particular union, such decisions necessarily mean that market forces are being replaced by special-interest deal-making. This type of interference with free markets is why nations such as France, Germany and Japan tend to grow more slowly and enjoy less prosperity.

But if America goes down this same path of government intervention, it is inevitable that we will suffer the same fate of stagnation and higher unemployment.

• A bailout will encourage other industries to seek taxpayer handouts. The Wall Street bailout was a disaster in many ways, most notably as measured by the weak stock market and economic volatility. But another negative aspect of the bailout is that other industries have now decided that it is OK to stick their snouts in the public trough, as well.

First Wall Street's high fliers get a bailout. Now the inefficient management and union at the Big Three want a handout. Who will be next in line to pillage taxpayers? Giving handouts in exchange for political support is akin to getting high. Once politicians decide they like the buzz of campaign contributions, they'll turn into junkies with ordinary Americans footing the bill.

• A bailout is a perverse transfer from poor taxpayers to rich taxpayers. America's Founding Fathers surely never envisaged that the federal government would take money from one group of Americans and give it to another group. Yet much of the federal budget is devoted to redistribution programs.

So, if the government can't bail-out these companies, what should happen to them?

Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy is by no means a no-hassle "way-out" for companies that have made bad decisions in the past, but it is by far preferable to taxpayers footing the bill for these companies struggling to stay afloat.

Bankruptcy will allow these companies to restructure to a more cost effective format, and it will allow them to "trim the fat" from their overhead so that they may once again become productive (and profitable) without risking trillions of dollars in taxpayer money. With court-oversight, these automotive factories may also redo expensive and entangling contracts with the Unions—a major reason why these automotive companies have become so costly to operate.

Overall, letting these companies go into restructuring, instead of preserving the status quo with taxpayer funds, is best for the long-term economic stability of both these companies and the nation.

There is no magic bullet for the current economic situation. However, we can learn from our mistakes, and refuse to repeat them—that is, don't run to the government to solve the problems that the marketplace should be taking care of itself.

At the beginning of the financial crisis, before government decided it would bailout these firms (by the way, check out how your money is being spent), other companies were looking to buy up their devalued competitors. Then, government rushed in to do a patch-job, and ended what could have been a very healthy market work-out without the government's help. Instead, government made the problem worse, with your money on the line.

Unfortunately, both Republicans and Democrats were behind it, leaving the taxpayers with no representation while your money was at stake.

Only the Libertarian Party is the true friend of the taxpayer, and we want you to know we are working night and day to maximize your economic freedom by limiting the power of the government to get involved in the economy. You've heard of the separation of Church and State, well, we'd like a separation of economy and State.

Hopefully you can use what you've read today to help battle the collective wisdom that bailouts are good for the economy, and we'll check back in next week with more for you about liberty and freedom in the United States.

Live free,

Andrew Davis
Director of Communications
Libertarian Party

Pittsburgh IB World, also known as "I B High"

Pittsburgh IB World: "Welcome to The International Baccalaureate 6–12 website*. Welcome to The International Baccalaureate 6–12 website*."

At least I. B. High is better than Weir High.

Today, my son, Erik, 13, 8th grade, young jedi, is at I.B. World HS -- or what's to be that next year. He's with a 10th grader on a 'shadow experience.' We'll de-brief later.

Libertarians and Corporate Power: Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Cato Unbound » Blog Archive » Libertarians and Corporate Power: Actions Speak Louder Than Words The economic distortions and inequities created by government granted patent and copyright monopolies are enormous.

While there may be areas in which patents are an effective policy for promoting innovation, the abuses associated with patents for prescription drugs should be libertarians’ poster child for government policy gone crazy. The country is projected to spend almost $250 billion for prescription drugs this year (more than $800 per person). In the absence of government patent monopolies, we would spend close to one-tenth of this amount. Those generic drugs that Wal-Mart can profitably sell for $4 a prescription are not chemically distinct from the brand name drugs that can cost several hundred dollars.

Okay. Let's make a few libertarian-friendly bailouts for the sake of the economy.

Close the patent office for the next 10 years.

End all copyright protection cases and all allow for copyright infringement for the next 10 years. That might help the newspaper and media industries -- including the sale of flat-screen TVs.

From NZ dump

Another huge problem brewing is the cost of malpractice to doctors and the resulting loss of doctors in Pennsylvania. It OBG Docs are few and far between. They might all flee if something isn't done soon. Cap all medical harm cases to >$200,000 plus the cost of care into the futute.

The EPA, the FDA, the War On Drugs -- are all costly and different changes can be made with a new category of governmental saction. Outlaw all drug company advertisements to consumers for 10 years.

If you really want a stimulus package -- we can do that.

Allow those that suffer from the pollution to sue those make the pollution.

Wild haired suggestions are flying around like crazy. The pigs are in heaven. Let's get a grip on what really matters.

Stop investing in bombs.

Just sent to KDKA-Radio's Marty G:

Marty's comments about fixes from the bottom up do NOT wash as his target isn't really the bottom.

Helping the poor isn't what is being suggested with offered-solutions.

Say, "From the middle-up" is okay.

"From the bottom-up" is a lie.

The poor can't, won't and should not benefit from a tax credit for the purchase of a new car nor for hosting, yet alone attending, an office christmas party.

Honesty works.

The one solution he does speak of that is more for the poor is for the bailout to the poor municipalities such as Clariton and the Mon Valley.

Tim's Letter to Editor @ Obama's win to the Tribune Review

From Tim Stevens, Chairman, The Black Political Empowerment Project

Letter to the Editor

From Tim Stevens, Chairman, The Black Political Empowerment Project

Co-convener, Coalition Against Violence, November 10, 2008

As an African American who in 2009 will be celebrating forty (40) years as a community activist, I along with millions of African Americans throughout this nation, and millions of others of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds, were brought to tears, and near tears, with the election of Barack Obama as the President-elect of the United States of America. Many Americans at my age and older wondered if we would ever live to see such a day in our lifetimes. Tears of so many millions of voters were because what we had all been told all of our lives…that anyone could possibly grow up and become President of the United States. We were moved to tears because on November 4, 2008 that oft repeated belief had indeed become a reality with the landslide victory of Barack Obama. Instead of celebrating the record turnout of U.S. voters and the fact that Senator Obama, by winning several so-called “red states”, had in fact already begun to make this nation more of a “united states”, The Tribune Review chose to belittle the accomplishment of a candidate for whom many gave no chance when he first announced almost two years ago. He beat the odds and he beat them BIG!! The Tribune Review chose instead to ignore the comments of very impartial and even conservative pundits who clearly stated that Senator Barack Obama ran the superior campaign of anyone of either party, from beginning to end, and one which will be studied for years to come because of its excellence, effectiveness and efficiency. Barack’s campaign created new thresholds and new approaches, ones which will be emulated by many campaigns in the future. The nation was not, as the Tribune suggests “blinded” by the call for change, it embraced the need for change, stimulated by an exciting and inspiring candidate and by the fact this nation, during this current administration, is currently in its worse financial crisis since the Great Depression and still dealing with a war that millions, including many conservatives, agree should never have been launched. Neither of these unacceptable realities were under the supervision of an Obama administration. If there was any President of the United States “dangerous to all”, as the Tribune seems of accuse Sen. Obama of becoming, it should be the individual who has been sitting in the Oval Office during the past nearly 8 years. The reason why millions of German citizens waived those U.S. flags in front of Sen. Barack Obama when he spoke to them months ago, was because he represented to them what the United States of America has represented to the world historically, and what it could represent once again. The euphoric reaction to Mr. Obama’s election from so many parts of the globe should not be something belittled, but something embraced by all Americans.


As an African American who for the past year and one half has co-convened with Valerie Dixon of the Coalition Against Violence, approximately 65 meetings, it would have been great to see the Tribune Review boldly state that the election of a Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States could create a whole new sense of pride in Black youth, and particularly in Black males, hopefully leading to a new and more peaceful climate within the African American neighborhoods currently reeling from senseless deaths of young people. It would have been great to have the Tribune Review state that though they opposed his candidacy his election does seem to bring about to many millions a sense of hope not felt by many in this nation since possibly the election of Sen. John Kennedy to the Presidency. Instead of wishing the nation “the best of luck…for they’ll need all the luck that can be”, maybe the Tribune Review should have been saying that because of the youthful passion and intensity of a Barack Obama, his soaring and inspiring eloquence, his obvious ability to pull diverse people and sections and segments of our country together, his obvious brilliance and organizational skill, the Tribune should have been instead been saying “WE lucked out as a nation, now let’s get behind this inspirational leader and let him lead!”

Tim Stevens

c/o The Hill House Association

1835 Centre Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Moon School board takes action regarding swim coach

Moon School board takes action In a private meeting yesterday morning, Moon's school board decided to remove Jamie Morton from his position as aquatic director but to retain him as a middle school social studies teacher and as the varsity swim coach.

Mr. Morton, 41, had been faulted by the State Ethics Commission for using his position as aquatics director to enrich himself in private businesses. He has taught in the district since 1996.

There was 'shouting and arguing' during yesterday's meeting, said board member Benjamin Bonham.

'I'm very disappointed that the administration and the board lacked leadership to deal with a very obvious problem,' he said, adding that he believed that Mr. Morton deserved a harsher punishment. 'This is a terrible example to set for our children. Ethics obviously don't matter.'

This has been and remains a crazy ride.

I've got a lot to say, but will use guarded words, when I have the time to further investigate what's what. Until then -- you tell me (us), by leaving a comment in the blog post below.

Free Ian Freeman | Is 93 Days in Jail Just Punishment for Having a Couch on your Lawn?

Free Ian Freeman | Is 93 Days in Jail Just Punishment for Having a Couch on your Lawn?: "When Ian failed to sit down fast enough at 'trial', the 'judge' sentenced him to 30 days for contempt of court, moved him to a back room, sentenced him for another 60 days and, finally, 3 days for refusing to pay the couch-related fine.

Ian is currently incarcerated, serving a 93 day sentence - for refusing to bully his tenant into removing the couch and for sitting down too slowly. Is that just punishment?

What would Jim Motznik do - if he was the judge? What about Gene Ricciardi?

Could Bruce Kraus make a law to enforce about this too?

BarCamp Pittsburgh is a "Go" -- next weekend

Hello!

I've confirmed a small space at the Wilkins School Community Center
for BarCamp Pittsburgh next Saturday, 22 November, 2008. The BarCamp will
be colocated with the WPLUG November meeting. Full details are
available at:

Website: http://barcamp.org/BarCampPittsburgh
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=36047457634
Upcoming: http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/1365124/

I could use your help to forward these details to any discussion
groups, mailing lists, or blogs. A blurb about the event is included
below, though feel free to create your own. If you have any
suggestions on who else I should contact about BarCamp, please forward
me their info.

Also, I'm still looking for a few other organizations to help sponsor
the event. I'm covering the costs of the venue for the day, but could
use other sponsors to provide food for lunch, t-shirts and badges (all
optional, but very nice to have). Finally, if we could get one or two
digital projectors to use for the day, that would also help out.

Thanks so much!

--

BarCamp Pittsburgh launches Saturday, November 22

The first BarCamp Pittsburgh will be held next weekend on Saturday, 22
November at the Wilkins School Community Center in Swissvale. The
event will be co-located with the Western PA Linux User Group’s
November members meeting. However, you don’t have to be a kernel
hacker in order to attend BarCamp. Everyone is invited: programmers,
hackers, engineers, bloggers, artists, musicians, designers, writers,
poets, creators and makers of all stripes and colors.

Pittsburgh has already held a successful PodCamp for three years
running. Like PodCamp, BarCamp is a participant created event. The
schedule and agenda is determined by the attendees at the opening
session. Unlike PodCamp which has a specific focus on new media,
BarCamp is completely open to any topics. Typically sessions have a
creator/maker bent with everyone from designers to engineers showing
off their creations and teaching others how to do the same. For more
background on barcamp, read the wikipedia article or check out the
barcamp wiki.

Event Details

Date-Time: 22 November 2008, 9:30 AM for registration
Location: Wilkins School Community Center, 7604 Charleston Ave, Swissvale, Pennsylvania 15218
Web Site: http://barcamp.org/BarCampPittsburgh


--
J Aaron Farr jadetower.com [US] +1 724-964-4515
馮傑仁 cubiclemuses.com [HK] +852 8123-7905

Campaign Kick Off for Theresa Smith for Pittsburgh City Council -- today

Friends to Elect Theresa Smith for City Council Campaign Kick-off Event!

On Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 5 pm at Guardian Angels Church, (Formerly Saint Martin’s) 1030 Logue Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

Event Will Include: Beer, Light Food and Refreshments, Door Prizes, D.J. and Dancing, Chinese Auction and More!!!

For Additional Information, Please Call: Theresa Smith C: 412-969-4991

Be there if you care.

I'm a big fan of Theresa Smith. She may get my endorsement. Time will tell, of course. But for now, Go, Theresa, Go. I'll be there!

Three teens die in river in Illinois

The Teens, so the radio report said, snuck out on an trip at night. Took to some boats that had been "winterized." That means that the floor plugs on the bottom of the boats had been removed. Hence, they would have sunk.

So sad.

Looking for more details. Know anything, feel free to post in comments.

PodCampEDU

PodCamp Community UnConferences / PodCampEDU: "PodCamp for educators and those interested in education and multimedia!

Wish I was there.

OMGPittsburgh has a face lift and looks nice

Rauterkus Archive at OMGPittsburgh: "OMGPittsburgh is a grassroots group blogging project, born of...

With a nice new look!

It might snow this weekend!

We have a new furnace, (pump and boiler), new chimney liner, and I know how to bleed the system and use a hand pump -- a bike pump -- to restore pressure in the line after bleeding. So, we're getting ready for the colder weather.

New arena's cost rises $31 million

New arena's cost rises $31 million: "The cost of the replacement for Mellon Arena has soared to $321 million, forcing the Penguins, the state and the city-Allegheny County Sports & Exhibition Authority to pony up more money to complete the project."

No worries. The Pens just beat the Red Wings in a game this week. The $31 M looks like a pimple next to those other bailouts.

My Facebook Blub at Keep Brandeis Swimming & Diving Alive!!

Facebook | Keep Brandeis Swimming & Diving Alive!!: "The swimming pool is like a classroom -- or better yet -- a lab. Chem labs, Physics labs, Computer labs, swimming pool. And, in the swimming pool lab, one gets to study human performance that stands a test of time, space and, of course, relationships. Keep the pool -- as you want to keep great places for learning. Keep the team, as you want to keep scholars fit. Keep the program, because you want to keep (and keep attracting) the institution competitive with the best and brightest around the east and around the world.

Mark Rauterkus

PS: students from Pittsburgh apply to and attend Bradeis -- and we were impressed with them and their prep that allowed them to enter Brandeis.

Brandeis Future In Limbo

Anyone with a connection to Brandeis and/or swimming is asked to speak up ASAP.

CollegeSwimming.com::Brandeis Future In Limbo As many of you have heard, the Linsey Pool has been closed indefinitely due to major mechanical issues. I have been in close contact with Coach over the past 2 weeks as the team has been training off campus. Although no announcement has been made, all indications point to the very real possibility that the program will be cut after this season.

This decision will be made by senior university administration – not the athletic department. We have a tiny window of opportunity to express ourselves so our efforts must be unified, and directed through the proper channels. Our most immediate primary objective is to prevent senior administrators from announcing that the program has been cut. Once an announcement has been made it will be even more difficult to convince them to reverse course.

Election Frauds - Views - Potter's Field - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh

Splendid reporting and story telling!

Election Frauds - Views - Potter's Field - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh: "In Allegheny County, Republicans -- the 'family values' party -- challenged emergency ballots filed by several pregnant women who were in labor on Election Day. Unless their claims of pregnancy were notarized, Republican attorney Ron Wicks told WTAE-TV news, 'We don't know if there's really an emergency.'
Seeking notaries for an emergency-ballot request is proper procedure. But if Republicans were willing to go toe-to-toe with pregnant moms ('Oh, and thanks for choosing life, ladies!') you can be sure they'd have trumpeted any fraud they discovered. Their silence is telling."

Fine Mess - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh

Open up a business in Pittsburgh and have to deal with this treatment. Then the business closes. Go figure.

Fine Mess - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh: "In 2005, Milton Barr used lots of green paint to cover the exterior of 1020 East Carson St. with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mural. But he may need a lot more green -- about $200,000 more -- to erase the fines he incurred by doing so.
Barr, 21, closed his South Side arcade and video-rental store, MIB Ninja Entertainment, in August. The lime-green Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mural has since been covered with dark-red and brown paint. But although the mural is out of sight, it's still very much in the city's mind."

We used to shop there. We miss them. But, we don't miss them worth $200,000.

If South Siders have been complaining for years about the mural, whey is this the first I heard of the complaint? Was there ever an informational picket? Was there ever a letter to the editor? Perhaps there was and I just missed it -- stuck in my turtle shell.

And it isn't only the video store that is gone. MDI, the computer consultants that have been business people for the past decade or more are gone too. I noticed that the business was vacant a few weeks ago and it caused me to wonder. Now the answer is out, it seems.

By the way, our house in the South Side is just outside of the historic district. Perhaps he would like to buy the outside of my house for $200,000. Let's negotiate.