Live Blog Bruce Kraus on KDKA Radio with Marty Griffin

Six agencies and the other enforcement agencies (two more?) are necessary to take away the rights of property owners. All of those agencies are good for a big government advocate.

Bruce is still glowing about his mind-expanding trip to San Francisco.

Wonder if any of those lines by the sidewalk cafes were painted by Bruce himself.

Jason got in a zinger at the start of the interview by passing on an instant message: "Tell Adolph Kraus he's fired."

Bruce says many people can't get to the post office because they can't navigate around the outside tables at Falino's. Humm. Tom's Diner was the place that had the giant election signs for the Kraus opponent, twice. If one lives in a cronies world, then to the victor go the spoils. Bang. Pay back. Blow back.

Kraus said, "You don't rule the world, Marty." Who does?

The zoning code in the Strip District is different than what applies in the South Side.

Penny calls: Bruce worked on the removal of the sidewalk cafe on his first day. Not after getting a ton of complaints. Penny has to come out to defend herself. Sidewalk is 18 foot wide.

Puts a rope around the neck of the small business owner.

Bruce wrote the sidewalk cafe ordinance. Bruce says it is not a personal issue. Bruce has HOW many businesses in HIS district? Bruce has 33,000 constituents.

Caller from Monroeville: "That guy does not have a clue!"

John calls and says "Bruce is from another planet." Where are you at on the cars parking on the sidewalks. Marty, he is an absolute liar."

My instant message: Ask Bruce if we'll be able to open South Side's Oliver Bath House for the summer of 2010 in the months of June, July and August for swim lessons? It is closed all summer.

Ask Bruce about the still closed indoor ice rink in the close South Side Park. Any progress there? This is a place that they said was being used for G20 protesters.

Penny got in a closing word. Back in the day....

Library system trims five Carnegie branches across city

Library system trims five Carnegie branches across city: "'There were a lot of pained expressions in the room over the vote,' city Councilman Bruce Kraus, who's also a trustee, said yesterday, 'but it was clear the library really did its homework on these decisions.'

Jeepers. The Library did not do its homework. It has made a long series of mistakes.
I was there and making strong objections to moving the Hazelwood branch of the library years ago. That was a bogus move. It was wrongheaded. We told ya.
The state charter for the library says that a librarian should be at the helm. But, political appointments put a person there who IS NOT with library credentials. Wrong again. Wrong homework. Wrong outcome. Hack. Now this.
There are plenty of other things in the 'homework realm' that can be done and should be done.

Peaceful Rally to Denounce Dan Onorato's candidacy for Governor of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 4TH, 2009
CONTACT: ALBERT PETRARCA 412-350-8278 MOSQUEAVENGER@AOL.COM



What: Peaceful Rally to Denounce Dan Onorato's candidacy for Governor of Pennsylvania

When: Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Where: Outside IBEW Hall, 29th and Sydney (one block off Carson Street towards the river on Pittsburgh's South Side

Time: 5:00 PM


County Executive Dan Onorato and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl are the two leaders who presided over and sanctioned the imposition of a police state on the city of Pittsburgh during the G20.

By announcing his candidacy for Governor this coming Tuesday, Mr. Onorato wants to extend his brutal and destructive leadership to all of Pennsylvania. A coalition of student and community groups will peacefully assemble outside the IBEW Hall on Pittsburgh's South Side to declare that Dan Onorato is neither morally nor politically fit to be Governor.

In addition to trampling on our constitutional rights and violently repressing both protesters and non-protestors alike, Mr. Onorato has, in general, been disastrous for the people of Pittsburgh. He supported the costly and unnecessary North Shore tunnel to service the needs of sports franchise and casino owners while simultaneously raising fares and cutting service to city and county residents who depend on public transportation. While on city council, he was the most vocal opponent of the creation of the Citizen Police Review Board. In general, he has placed the interest of Corporate Pittsburgh above the needs of the people of Pittsburgh.

In a democratic society, one of the means available to the people seeking accountability and justice is the electoral process. We are coming together to use this avenue of civic participation to see to it that Dan Onorato does not become Governor of Pennsylvania. Not in our city - Not in our state - Not in our name!

D.C. trail project embarks on longest mile

D.C. trail project embarks on longest mile: "trail project embarks on longest mile"

Not really.

The trail on the South Side that goes behind the Allegheny County Public Works garage, where they park the trucks that fix the roads, is not a trail at all. It is not complete. It is dangerous. It is right under their nose. Fix that Dan.

Welcome Home Craig

Onorato puts Philly first - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "RETURN OF 'SPOKESBOY.' Our old buddy Craig Kwiecinski, for years the mouthpiece of dour former Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy, is coming back to town.

Kwiecinski was hired Wednesday by Pittsburgh Public Schools to serve as head flack for Superintendent Mark Roosevelt. He begins his new duties Nov. 1.

Since Murphy left office in 2006, Kwiecinski has worked for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority in Washington, D.C.

Kwiecinski, 36, spent nine years as a Murphy staffer. He was nicknamed 'Spokesboy' by several media types for his youthful-looking face, from which often emerged acerbic responses to reporters' questions.

I never called Mr. Kwiecinski names.

PPS RFPs for 2010 Summer - A for Athlete

PPS RFPs for 2010 Summer - A for Athlete PPS RFPs for 2010 Summer

I've been in a hole working on these four proposals. They were passed into Eddie at Pittsburgh Public Schools on Friday, the day that they were due.

All in all, I'm happy with them. They could be much better, of course. But, they interject a lot of new ideas and discussion points for our city and how we should conduct summer enrichment -- given the bounds of the RFP's call.

Give a glance if you are interested.

Post to my blog or the wiki if you want to ask questions and I'll follow up for all to see.

Your $.03 is welcomed, of course, as always.

Summer 2010 could be an exciting time for summer enrichment for kids going into middle-school grades.

Jack Wagner aims to boost Pennsylvania colleges with scholarship program

Two PA Education articles in today's paper:

Article 1:

Wagner aims to boost Pennsylvania colleges with scholarship program - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Gubernatorial hopeful Jack Wagner pledged Saturday to start a scholarship program to help students who decide to stay in Pennsylvania to attend college."

Article 2:

Pennsylvania System of School Assessment science scores vex educators - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Statewide, fewer than 40 percent of 11th-graders passed the exam, up only slightly from the year before. Fifty-five percent of Pennsylvania eighth-graders passed their version of the test, and 83 percent of fourth-graders passed theirs by logging scores in either a 'proficient' or 'advanced' category."

Will the PA scholarship program lessen the benefit to what the Pittsburgh Promise delivers? Or, does it not really matter because we don't have any belief in politicians nor their promises. Plus, he won't win with planks like that anyway.

Rather than talking at all about college kids in the future, it would be more prudent to talk about how the state does not have a budget and schools today are needing to take a 3rd and 4th dip into their endowment just to stay open. Present tense state folly is killing education in PA on many different levels.

H for Homecoming.

These 18 visit South Side before stepping out downtown!

Rio! Victory!

Folks: please comment at the link if you can.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-zirin/victory-chicago-loses-the_b_307995.html
Victory: Chicago Loses the Olympics
By Dave Zirin

I am absolutely reeling with shock that Chicago was knocked out in the first round and the 2016 Olympics are going to Rio de Janeiro. Some quick thoughts about Victoria Brasilia and the Chicago/Daley/Obama humiliation.

1 - This is a victory for the people of Chicago. Pushing back against immense pressure from the Daley political machine, organizations like No Games Chicago went grass roots, corner to corner, and spoke out against the Olympic storm of gentrification, tax hikes, and police misconduct. Certainly one reason the U.S. got the high hat was the lingering bad taste of George W. Bush. The global community, after eight years of sneering contempt from Washington DC, isn’t ready to rinse with the Obama mouthwash.

But it’s the community activists of Chicago who should feel a tremendously gratified. They - along with the millions of Chicagoans who expressed their trepidation in polls - saved their city. They have every right to say with pride, "THAT'S the Chicago way!"

2 - Barack Obama may not be feeling it, but he is the luckiest man alive right now. Yes, President Obama traveled all the way to Copenhagen and didn't even get a lousy t-shirt, but he is damn fortunate it went down like it did. Obama is the first U.S. President to ever appear before the International Olympic Committee and plea for the games. If they had come to the Windy City, it would have been an eight-year distraction and political gold for his opponents. Every time an Olympic project came in late and over budget, every time a scandal hit the tabloids, every time a crime was captured on a cell phone camera it would have been "Obama's Olympic Folly.” Imagine Rush Limbaugh or Glen Beck oozing over to Chicago with every blip in the process. It would have all been at best a distraction and at worst, and endless spigot of champagne for his enemies. The person who really has egg on his face is Mayor Richard Daley. He wanted to show everyone he was a bigger man - and mayor - than his Daddy with an Olympic sized stadia to boot. Now expect all the Daley arm-twisting and all the dirty skullduggery in the lead up to both come to light and come home to roost.

3 - This is no time for NIMBY. NIMBY of course means not in my back yard. The No Games Chicago movement has a responsibility right now to do a helluva lot more than just cheer their triumph. Now is the time to stand with the people of Rio. It's no secret why the IOC licked their lips at the thought of Brazil. Like China, Brazil is an emerging market yet to be fully "branded" by global multinationals. They also have a police force that shoots first and asks questions never. Their President Lula, who comes from a radical union background, has clearly shown the decrepit, corrupt, IOC Mafiosi that he is willing to play ball. If history is any kind of a guide, the pain for Brazil's working people is now on the immediate horizon. It's our duty to do whatever we can to express solidarity with the favelas, the landless peasants, and the workers about to stare down the barrel of "Olympism." Our work has just begun.

Now That The G-20 Is Over: Pro Sports In Pittsburgh!

Legendary Tag Team Demolition Shoot For KSWA Gold In Pittsburgh

by Trapper Tom, Ring Announcer/Wrestling Journalist

For the first time in years, former World Wrestling Federation 3-time Tag Team Champions “Demolition” will challenge for tag team gold, and they will lay that claim in Pittsburgh.

On Saturday, October 10, Ax and Smash will descend upon the Lawrenceville Moose and take on the current Keystone State Wrestling Alliance Tag Team Champions—the VIPs—”The Enforcer” Shawn Blanchard and “Dr. Devastation” Lou Martin.

Demolition's appearance was cemented earlier this year when KSWA Owner Bobby O announced that Ax was going to bring his long-time tag team partner with him to face the VIPs. It just so happens that recently Blanchard and Martin secured the championships as part of Millvale Days.

“This is really a coup for us,” said Bobby O, KSWA Owner. “And a great opportunity for Pittsburgh, just a few weeks after the G-20 summit was held here.”

Almost a year ago, Demolition Ax made his return appearance to Pittsburgh. The 30-year veteran is a native of Brownsville, PA who started his professional career in the Steel City. After the initial return, Ax came back on March 28, 2009 to face Blanchard in a match to determine the Number One Contender for the KSWA Heavyweight Championship. Blanchard was victorious by underhanded means. Nevertheless, Ax was inducted into the KSWA Hall of Fame for his career achievements.

After the controversial loss, Ax was banned from the KSWA for hitting fellow KSWA Hall of Famer and VIP Advisor Frank Durso with a folding chair. KSWA Owner Bobby O later re-instated Ax and announced that the reunited Demolition would come to Pittsburgh October 10.

Demolition first appeared in the WWF in 1987 and for a short time was managed by Pittsburgher Johnny Valiant. Later the team was more famously managed by the diabolical Mr. Fuji.

At Wrestlemania IV, on March 27, 1988 Demolition defeated the team of “Strike Force”—Tito Santana and Rick Martel—for the WWF Tag Team Championship. Demolition held the titles until July 29, 1989 when they were defeated by “The Brain Busters”—Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard (no relation). Demolition's first tag team title reign (478 days) remains the longest in WWF history.

On October 2, 1989, Demolition regained the titles from the Brain Busters before losing them to “The Colossal Connection”—of Haku and Andre the Giant on December 13, 1989. As part of Wrestlemania VI on April 1, 1990, Demolition won the titles for the third and final time, beating the Colossal Connection.

After the team dissolved, Ax and Smash went their different ways. However, in the past two years, the duo has re-teamed and sound success around the country.
A shot at the KSWA Tag Team Championship in a major venue such as Pittsburgh could motivate the veterans to once-again claim championship gold.

The VIPs say they are not afraid of Demolition or its legendary success. Shawn Blanchard is also the current and 5-time KSWA Heavyweight Champion, while Lou Martin is a former KSWA Champ and the duo was the KSWA's first tag team champions in 2000.

Demolition vs. the VIPs for the KSWA Tag Team Championship will be the Main Event for Autumn Annihilation, at the Lawrenceville Moose at 120 51st St in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh on Saturday, October 10, 2009. Also on the card, Golden Triangle Champion Kris Kash, Double-A Anthony Alexander, The Latin Assassin, “King” Del Douglas and many more. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for kids. Card subject to change. For more information or for ticket information, call 412-726-1762 or go to www.kswa.net.

Police use acoustic warfare to disperse crowds - quote from Catherine

Catherine Palmer, director of audiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, said 140 decibels can cause immediate hearing loss. But there's no way to know if anyone was exposed to sounds that loud without knowing how far away they were, she said.

Catherine is my wife.

Research and testing on these sound machines should be done by someone at Pitt. I don't think we've heard the last of this.

Full article:

Police use acoustic warfare to disperse crowds By JOE MANDAK, AP

PITTSBURGH — Police ordered protesters to disperse at the Group of 20 summit last week with a device that can beam earsplitting alarm tones and verbal instructions that the manufacturer likens to a "spotlight of sound," but that legal groups called potentially dangerous.

The device, called a Long Range Acoustic Device, concentrates voice commands and a car alarm-like sound in a 30- or 60-degree cone that can be heard nearly two miles away. It is about two feet square and mounted on a swivel such that one person can point it where it's needed. The volume measures 140-150 decibels three feet away — louder than a jet engine — but dissipates with distance.

Robert Putnam, spokesman for the manufacturer, San Diego-based American Technology Corp., said it's "like a big spotlight of sound that you can shine on people."

"It's not a sonic cannon. It's not the death ray or anything like that," Putnam said. "It's about long-range communications being heard intelligibly."

During the Pittsburgh protests, police used the device to order demonstrators to disperse and to play a high-pitched "deterrent tone" designed to drive people away. It was the first time the device was used in a riot-control situation on U.S. soil, according to American Technology and police.

Those who heard it said authorities' voice commands were clear and sounded as if they were coming from everywhere all at once. They described the "deterrent tone" as unbearable.

Joel Kupferman, who was at Thursday's march as a legal observer for the National Lawyer's Guild, said he was overwhelmed by the tone and called it "overkill."

"When people were moving and they still continued to use it, it was an excessive use of weaponry," Kupferman said.

Witold "Vic" Walczak, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union in Pennsylvania, said the device is a military weapon capable of producing permanent hearing loss, something he called "an invitation to an excessive-force lawsuit."

The operator of the device is usually behind it and not in the path of the focused beam of sound.

Catherine Palmer, director of audiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, said 140 decibels can cause immediate hearing loss. But there's no way to know if anyone was exposed to sounds that loud without knowing how far away they were, she said.

Putnam and public safety officials said the complaints prove the device worked as designed.

"You have to put your hands over your ears and cover them, and it's difficult to throw stuff," said Ray DeMichiei, deputy director of the city's emergency management agency.

Police said they used the device last Thursday to issue prerecorded warnings to disperse when hundreds of demonstrators, including self-described anarchists, without a protest permit held a march that threatened to turn violent.

Aware of concerns about the volume, police were careful to use it about 12 feet off the ground mounted on a tactical vehicle, so no individual would be directly in its path or too close to it, Assistant Chief William Bochter said.

"The only way anybody gets hurt is if the deterrent is on full blast and they stand directly in front of it," Putnam said.

A regional counterterror task force bought four of the devices from American Technology using $101,000 in federal Homeland Security funds, DeMichiei said. Because the amplified message was prerecorded, police could be sure the protesters heard exactly the instructions police desired and have confidence those in the back of the crowd could hear, Bochter said.

Such devices also have military and commercial applications. Putnam said the primary purpose is to transmit specific orders loudly and clearly.

They have been used against protesters overseas, and police in New York threatened to use one during demonstrations near the Republican National Convention in 2004.

He said the city of San Diego uses them to instruct people to leave large sections of beach after festivals. It has also been used in SWAT operations.

In military applications, it allows ships to hail approaching vessels and determine their intent, the company says. Cargo ships use them to tell pirates that they had been spotted. When the pirates know they have lost the element of surprise, they will not attack, Putnam said.

Putnam said those complaining about the device have probably exposed themselves to sounds nearly as loud at rock concerts, and for longer periods of time. Walczak, the ACLU attorney, isn't buying the analogy.

"People don't flee the front row of a rock concert. Why would they be fleeing here?" Walczak asked. "Because it's loud, it's painfully loud."

Titus North, former candidate for Mayor and US Congress on the Pitt situation on the G-20 weekend

Friday night in Oakland was clear proof that the government is simply trying to get us used to living in a police state. It had nothing to do with protecting property. The dispersal order was coming from Schenley Plaza, where there is no property to protect other than the grass. I was watching from in front of the library when the dispersal order came at about 10:45. The kids dispersed. The left the "immediate vicinity," as ordered by police. Some went to the Cathedral lawn, where they were arrested. Some went down by O's, where they were sprayed. Some when back to the dorms, which the police tried to raid only to be stopped by the University Police. I know some of the kids who were arrested and I can guarantee that the ones I know didn't riot after the Superbowl or leave broken beer bottles in the street. The party kids and the political kids are two different tribes.
On Friday night there were no G-20 leaders in the neighborhood to protect. Schenley Plaza was still open. The kids there weren't acting unlawfully. What made it an "unlawful assembly" other than an arbitrary and baseless decision by the police? Why should the students who disperse but continue to watch from a block or two away be subject to arrest? Why should people who have come to the perimeter only to witness and record events be pepper sprayed? This was a simple matter of getting people to accept arbitrary curtailments of their freedoms. It had nothing to do with the kids' behavior or even their politics. Police broke up an orderly anti-Fed demonstration in the Strip District also.

Giving the police arbitrary powers to prevent us from assembling and to arrest anyone who watches them should not be one of the demands of a "pro freedom" movement.

Titus

Saturday's police pinch

Bram is still scratching his head wondering about the most serious injury or serious few injuries sustained by protesters/students on Friday night.

--

Where to begin? ....

The constitution got its ass kicked.

The oath of office taken by the police bullies got its eyes smoked.

The trust in the mayor, county executive and chief got toasted.

My rights and their rights as well as your rights are intimately linked.

The loss of rights of a single student is a serious loss to us all.

I wasn't there. But I care. Those rights are my rights too.

Windows can be replaced. Property has cash values that can be measured. But there is a different kind of damage done by the police then, there, that holds no price tag. That damage cut very deeply.

We all lost plenty. As this unfolds, we may never be the same again.

Greenpeace response to the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh - 7thSpace Interactive

Greenpeace response to the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh - 7thSpace Interactive: "Greenpeace today called on leaders of the industrialised world to match rhetoric on climate change with action"

Bravo to The Sassy Republican for getting this military body snatcher understood

The Sassy Republican: "Pittsburgh G20 'Kinapped' Person Revealed

Has everyone now put this to rest. It was real, mostly.

Well done Sassy One!

Hi Ed!

Luke should buy this women a new pair of pants.

Oakland need not look like this.



I'm not sure it this was today. I think it wasn't.

Notes to Fred Honz Man of KDKA Radio - REDRESS

Ever been IN a PARADE, with a permit, and try to hand out politcal materials?

Baloons (full of hot air) don't count as political lit to me.

I marched with Russ Diamond, PA candidate for Governor on 4th of July at a few area parades and you should have seen the 'authorities' then -- trying not to have head's explode.

Be real Fred.

BTW, G20 protestors who have Fed loans for college should be IN SCHOOL -- not tossed out. They've got lots to learn yet.

Ed, a KDKA caller, gave a bogus civics lesson on the air saying that there is no constitutional right to have a revolution. What?

The caller before was saying that the Minutemen didn't need a blasted permit to hold a protest nor revolution. The caller was worked up about all the laws now and need for permits, must have health insurance, etc.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

That final part, to petition the government for a redress is the right to toss a revolution without the need for a permit. The redress is to say the emperor has no clothes -- needs a redress, needs a reform. Citizens can take the government down and out as a full redress.

G20 Sports Opportunity at CMU for Women - Soccer Pitch Needs You

Orginal post from 9 am on September 24, 2000. Updated below:

Larry Evans, friend, Mt. Lebo guy, soccer and sports person, organizer from way back, sent this message and could use some helpers / players / running mates for a G-20 sports cooperative venture -- right away.

We're looking for players for an intergenerational coed team which will compete in a friendly (and publicized) symbolic soccer match this Friday morning 10 am to noon, September 25 at the CMU Stadium field versus an squad from Iran (persian). Their pick-up team is made up of 10 women (ages 22-27) and 5 fellas (their coaches).

This match will be played rain or shine to highlight women's rights during the ongoing G20 Conference.

Soccer competence need not be very high. The team formed just this past month for the purposes of this symbolic game.

The CMU playing field, the site for the game, was just obtained today. This game was originally scheduled for this Friday evening at Schenley Park as part of an International Citizen Athlete SoccerFest but was cancelled weeks ago over G20 permitting issues. Some sorority and intramural soccer players at CMU have already expressed interest, but some veteran help is most welcomed. This was another injury in the permit process.

So, you can go play soccer on Friday, go to The Great Race Expo on Saturday and run in The Great Race on Sunday.

So, if you want to play, and you are in high school or older, then you should send an email to Larry Evans, cell = 412-445-2951, leifevans@comcast.net. Tell him your name and where you are from and what position(s) you'd prefer to play. Larry will insert your name into a quick line-up / program.

You can play in sneakers or spikes. The squad from Iran is wearing green, so don't wear green, unless you want to cheer for them on the sidelines. Other colors are fine -- colors of the world. Better to wear shin guards and tall socks too. The World Team will wear yellow pennies unless a better offer / uniform can be delivered in time for the game.

I don't think the soccer players would want to wear water polo caps, so I can't really help.

Update:

Mark Rauterkus and event organizer, Larry Evans.


Player photo after the game. The world team won, 5 to 2.

September 28, 2009

Iranian Solidarity Soccer Match at CMU

Wrap-Up

A friendly coed soccer game was brilliantly played this Friday morning, September 25th at 10am-Noon at Carnegie Mellon University’s Stadium. A Persian team - wearing green to show their solidarity with the Iranian reform movement was coached by Arash Farsi, a graduate student from CMU. They fought gamely against a Pittsburgh team made up of student women and adult men players from all over Western PA and coached by Larry Evans. Pittsburgh won 5-2 in an 80 minute match officiated by veteran referee Frank Correnti.

The spirited event was organized by Citizen Athlete Games, Organizing for America, the Persian Panthers, a Persian Student Organization and the University of Pittsburgh-Iranian Cultural Organization. The match’s symbolic intent was to highlight Iran’s situation after its rigged presidential election during the excitement and madness of the G20 Conference.
The Persian team’s flag and banner waving supporters chanted UNITED FOR IRAN and DEMOCRACY IN IRAN throughout the contest while Yinzer team fans just stuck with their old chestnut “RAH RAH REE, KICK ‘EM IN THE KNEE. RAH, RAH, RASS, KICK ‘EM IN THE OTHER KNEE. No G20 celebrities viewed the game unless possibly from one of the many fly-over helicopters buzzing around the Oakland demonstrations. Although invited to kick out the first ball and thus use the universal body language of soccer to send a message to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, an very busy President Obama instead chose to deal with the increased tensions with Iran by issuing some stern words at the G20 Conference. Oh well, Barack’s bad.

The Game rosters:

Persia

Hassan Takabi - Goal Keeper
Christina Colosimo - Defender
Amirreza Masoumzadeh - Defender
Elham Khatami - Defender
Sarah Gad - Defender
Amir Soltani - Defender
Gaby Vargas - Midfielder
Matt Falzon - Midfielder
Somayeh Nassiri - Midfielder
Sepehr Nemati - Midfielder
Diana Gomez - Striker
Anahita Khojandi - Striker
Jaime Tupino - Striker
Kerri Gatti - Striker
Coral Wright - Striker
Arash Farsi - Coach


Pittsburgh

Kurt Lesker III – Wing
Kurt Lesker IV - Left Fullback
Richard Papp - Midfield
Mike Page - Forward
Dan Rogan - Right Fullback
Dave Paschel - Goalie
Len Scheinman – Stopper
Miriam Feiler – Striker
Kate Smith – Wing
Ian McIntyre - Sweeper
Mark Rauterkus - Midfield
Larry Evans – Coach/Midfield

Pondering Schools

Just posted this to a thread at Pure Reform Blog about the seven year sub who was denied a job by the guy at the top -- who now is on vacation too.

Agree: Pgh citizens are quite, by and large, apathetic on many areas of our community life.

Agree: Fear is a big factor that can silence and freeze actions. Blow back is real. Stepping out of line often comes with dire consequences for you, your ideas and worst of all, others associated with you, such as your children.


Beyond fear, another factor to help explain and understand the landscape is 'division.' Divide and conquer. One family I know has three kids in high school and all are in different schools, yet all are public schools.

Pittsburgh is a city of bridges, because we need those structures. Our social landscape needs more bridges too, so that the divisions among a H-U-G-E district can be more easily navigated.

Thank goodness for the PURE REFORM blog, as it is one such bridge to help soften the large and often fractured communities of the PPS.

Meanwhile, how many high schools are in Jefferson Hills? The size of the district plays a hand in their capacity to make demands from powered positions.

And, IMHO, finally, if PPS ever got a grip on its real issues and built trust (without yanking families around so) -- the outward migration would reverse.

Pittsburgh's Freedom Conference 2009 - Protest of Knowledge - Prior to the G-20

The Libertarian Party of Pittsburgh helped to sponsor this event. It made me proud -- and -- it made many think again about what the heck is going on with our world, financial concerns, the G-20, freedom, the Federal Reserve, Central Banking, IMF, and so forth.

Part 1 has an intro from Tom. Then comes Dimitri Vassilaros to introduce the speaker(s). First up: Joan Veon. Running time about 52 minutes.



Part 2:



Part 3: The best is last, of course.