------Original Message------
From: Julian Heicklen
Hi:
I was released from prison on June 8 at about 6: 00 pm. The case against me has been dropped in the interest of justice.
My cell phone was confiscated, so I cannot access nor return any phone calls calls. Do not call me.
I have not read any e-mail lately, so I have not responded. It may take several days to read it all.
I am swamped with some personal items which must be attended. Once I get caught up, I will send progress reports and scheduled of events again.
Yours in freedom—Julian.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
About Journalism That Matters: Create or Die in Detroit, June 3-6, 2010 | Journalism That Matters
About Journalism That Matters: Create or Die in Detroit, June 3-6, 2010 | Journalism That Matters: "About Journalism That Matters: Create or Die in Detroit, June 3-6, 2010"Think again gets lots of fuel here.
Blinders
BLAST from the past when dealing with PIIN (Pgh Interfaith Impact Network).
Most institutions and major media outlets and others look at brokenness. Bright blinders overlook the beautiful voices from many of the girls but dwell on how many are pregnant. They are interested in problems, not potential.
PIIN's Recreation and Youth Policy committee is different. Come and leap our Interfaith Network from connections to engagements of potential.
Most institutions and major media outlets and others look at brokenness. Bright blinders overlook the beautiful voices from many of the girls but dwell on how many are pregnant. They are interested in problems, not potential.
PIIN's Recreation and Youth Policy committee is different. Come and leap our Interfaith Network from connections to engagements of potential.
Why Not Crowdsource Oil Disaster Cleanup Ideas? | techPresident
Why Not Crowdsource Oil Disaster Cleanup Ideas? | techPresident: "Since the start of the response to BP's oil disaster, the company and government have solicited suggestions from the public for ideas to stop the gusher, cleanup oil, or otherwise improve the current cleanup operations."
Not in another place!
Happiness, knowledge, not in another place -- not for another hour, but this hour.
From Walt Whitman
From Walt Whitman
Fw: Thank You via Russ Diamond
From: Russ Diamond <russ.diamond@comcast.net
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2010 15:33:21 -0400 (EDT)
To: <mark@rauterkus.com>
Subject: Thank You!
| Having trouble viewing this email? Click here |
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Good for Rev Burgess
Pittsburgh Council approves parking study: "Pittsburgh City Council this morning gave final approval of a $250,000 study of the city's parking assets, so it can make an informed decision about whether to lease them to shore up the pension fund.
The vote was 8-1, with Ricky Burgess calling the study a 'waste of taxpayer money.'"
Lane 9 News Archive: Clemson Swimming and Diving Looking for Help from Board of Trustees
Lane 9 News Archive: Clemson Swimming and Diving Looking for Help from Board of Trustees: While, initially, the Board of Trustees meeting likely looked to be a rubber stamp for the phase-out, information provided to Swimming World has indicated that the Board of Trustees might be interested in looking into the issue deeper. The decision to phase-out the program was made completely due to not having a 50-meter pool. It was not made due to Title IX issue (Title IX actually likely saved the women's diving program in the cuts). With this in mind, and the fact that the Clemson swimmers and signed recruits did not seem to have a problem with training and competing in a 25-yard pool, the Board of Trustees might be able to reverse the decision.
For more information on what you can do to help save the Clemson program, please visit the SaveClemsonSwimming web site at http://www.saveclemsonswimming.org/ .
Students must be ready to learn
Nice article.
Students must be ready to learn: "Bingo! Increased student and parent engagement through a multidisciplinary approach? An educational system that better serves the needs of the individual student? Sign me up!Wait. Such reforms would be expensive or not? They could be cost-effective, perhaps. The reforms will have a heavy price in terms of change, perhaps. But, I'm not too sure what the cost in dollars would be.
Yes, such reforms would be expensive, but let's examine their cost-effectiveness. In fact, money would be saved by the consolidation of services and increased efficiency.
In November 2004, the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation reported results of the longitudinal study of the Perry Preschool Program, located in Ypsilanti, Mich. The study documented 'a return to society of more than $17 for every dollar invested (italics added) in the early care and education program, primarily because of the large continuing effect on the reduction of male crime.'"
Don't Tread On Me: Unifying a Movement
A new film is unifying Americans everywhere, the message is simple, "Don't Tread On Me!"
by: Angie Ress - Staff Writer - RestoreTheRepublic.com
In the years leading up to the Revolutionary War, thirteen separate and sovereign colonies joined forces to overthrow the oppressive taxation, monetary policy and police state of the distant and detached British kingdom.
"Join or Die" was the famous slogan seen in Benjamin Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette in 1754. The image featured a snake cut into eight sections to represent the English colonies. Originally intended to unite the colonies during the French Indian War, the image was later adapted to unite the colonies against the British. Once unified against a common enemy, another familiar image appeared, the image of a coiled snake ready to strike and the words "Don't Tread on Me".
In the same spirit, and for the same reasons as the founders of old, 192 cities in 42 states are erecting the "Don't Tread on Me" banner and gearing up for the next revolution, not by firing bullets but by hosting screenings of the latest film from producers Gary Franchi and William Lewis, "Don't Tread On Me: Rise of the Republic".
Almost every organization that can be considered a member of the Freedom Movement has registered to host one of the 97 screenings for the general public on or around this June 26th.
"We're unified," says writer/producer Franchi, "not since the theatrical release of 'America: Freedom to Fascism' have I seen such cohesion and force to spread a common message."
Franchi is referencing the film created by late Hollywood producer Aaron Russo that Congressman Ron Paul credits with spurring massive grassroots support for his 2008 Presidential run. Franchi worked alongside Russo before Russo lost his battle with cancer in 2007. Russo managed Bette Midler and produced several films, including the classic "Trading Places" starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd.
The list of Freedom Movement organizations unifying around the new film includes the Tea Parties, Campaign for Liberty, Restore the Republic, the Libertarian Party, the Constitution Party, We Are Change, Infowarriors, Concerned Citizens of America, Freedoms Phoenix, the John Birch Society, Oath Keepers, the NRA, 9/11, 9/12, Young Americans for Liberty, Fully Informed Jury Association, main steam political campaigns, and more.
"While this movement may be made up of different organizations with differing agendas and leaders it is clearly the message of this film that is unifying us all" states Franchi.
When asked about the message of "Don't Tread On Me: Rise of the Republic," writer/director Lewis took a break from production on the teams next project, "Enemy of the State: Camp FEMA 2" to explain, "Our vision was simple. Show the American People the boundaries the Federal Government cannot cross, using the Constitution of the United States as our guide. We wanted to provide a path to remind the Sovereign States and the People of their power. We hand selected our interviews to provide the best, brightest and most concise education on the issues that plague us today, with solutions that can be applied by State Legislators and the People themselves."
All one needs to do is take a look at the miserable defeats going on in political races across the country to see the people have had enough and are stepping up to take charge. They are ridding themselves of the useless representation they have had in the past. They are definitely breathing in the Spirit of '76 by drawing their line in the sand and declaring, "Don't Tread On Me!"
More information, maps of screening locations, and trailers
for the new film can be found at: http://donttreadonmemovie.com/
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Blast from the past: District 3 Special Election Guide
Gearing up to the 10,000 post on this blog, and in advance of our open house on July 4, 2010 -- all are welcome -- comes another blast from the past.
From The Pitt News, March 13, 2006
From The Pitt News, March 13, 2006
District 3 Special Election Guide By Pitt News Staff
published: Mon, 13 March, 2006
Neal Andrus (R)
Neal Andrus wants to shake things up for Pittsburgh.
"I'd like to be a voice for change on City Council," said Andrus, who is currently running on the Republican ticket for Tuesday's election.
Andrus has made a goal of "restoring fiscal sanity to city government," something that he believes should be voters' top priority when they head to the polls.
Hoping that District 3 residents will cast their votes "with an idea in their heads that they're tired of the same old thing and that they want something new," Andrus has promised to seek creative ideas in tackling the city's financial woes.
A 30-year-old who obtained degrees in political science and economics from Pitt in December 2004, Andrus has lived in the district for eight years. He said he does not seek to become a politician.
"I don't think anyone down there has any idea what needs to be done," he said of the current council.
He wants to bring up new ideas and "do something different." Shunning the idea that City Council's mission should include creating new jobs or "bribing" companies to come to Pittsburgh, Andrus believes in drawing commercial industry by working with the county and state governments to create a more attractive business environment.
He also suggested seeking unconventional moneymakers, like New York City's $166-million deal with Snapple to make the company the official city vendor of iced tea, water and chocolate milk.
-Senior Staff Writer J. Elizabeth Strohm
Bruce Krane (I)
Bruce Krane's slogan is "Building a better Pittsburgh," and he wants students involved in the process.
"I want to engage them and work with them," he said.
Krane, an independent candidate, said his administration would recognize the need for a student liaison. He said that if elected, he would hire a student to work with him part-time.
"I think we need the refreshing creativity of university students to pose some alternative ideas and hopefully solutions," he said. "Because we aren't seeing a lot of that on Grant Street right now."
Krane, who has lived in Pittsburgh for 16 years and currently resides in the South Side, is the vice president for the South Side Community Council.
"I would describe myself as a community advocate," he said.
Krane volunteers with Pittsburgh's Community Access Television Channel, where he hosts and produces programs. He credited the station with helping him make the decision to run in the special election because of his experience interviewing office holders on his programs.
Krane said he is in favor of term limits and referendums, or "putting issues on the ballot." He said he could use the pulpit and media exposure of being a councilman to go directly to the people through this process.
But according to Krane, there is no key issue that will determine which candidate people vote for.
"There's no 900-pound gorilla," he said. "It's going to be who can get their supporters out to vote."
-Staff Writer Angela Hayes
Jason Phillips (G)
Jason Phillips wants to bring a student voice to City Council.
"For the last 16 years, we've basically had zero representatives on City Council," Phillips said, adding that this election marks a "very opportune time" for students to claim their voice.
Phillips declined to single out a specific goal for his time on council, explaining that he hopes to tackle many issues. He mentioned that the city is in financial "dire straits," and that he hopes to improve Pittsburgh's transportation system, nightlife and other things that matter to students.
"This is a time when we need to elect people with college educations, people with government experience," Phillips said, noting that he is such a person.
Phillips, a 24-year-old Pitt student who plans to complete his studies of political science next year, said he has worked in the lieutenant governor's office and served as a consultant on a number of candidates' campaigns within Pennsylvania. A resident of the South Side Flats and graduate of Pittsburgh's Art Institute, he has lived in District 3 for more than two years.
"I'm the only candidate who, if elected, could walk right into the office and not need to take time to learn the ropes," Phillips said.
Emphasizing the importance of students' votes, Phillips said it is "immature" of students to not bother to show up on election day.
-Senior Staff Writer J. Elizabeth Strohm
Matthew Bartus (I)
Perhaps the city needs a new coat of paint.
Matthew Bartus, a painter for Pittsburgh's General Services department, is a candidate for the vacant District 3 seat that will be filled in Tuesday's special election. He could not be reached for comment.
He said to the Pittsburgh City Paper that he has a chance to beat Democratic candidate Jeff Koch because there are so many other candidates running in the election.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Bartus plans on relocating the South Side police station to the Neville Ice Arena. The current location is 1725 Mary St., near 18th Street.
He also said to the Post-Gazette that he wants to reduce the size of city council from nine members to five and have non-profit organizations give more to the city.
The University counts itself among Pittsburgh's non-profit organizations.
Bartus, 50, currently lives in Carrick, a neighborhood south of Downtown that is near the neighborhoods of Brookline and Mt. Oliver.
-Assistant News Editor Andy Medici
Mark Rauterkus (L)
Mark Rauterkus grew up in Penn Hills, moved out of state for a few years, and then moved back to Pittsburgh in 1990.
The South Side resident said that part of his motivation for running for council is that the city is in a big crisis, and he believes children have been ignored.
Rauterkus, who has two children, said that if elected to council, he would like to chair the Committee on Youth Policy and the Citiparks Committee.
One of the things that Rauterkus would like to accomplish is to restart the Pittsburgh Marathon.
He would also like to integrate additional programs into the city's neighborhood parks.
"There's a lot to be done there," Rauterkus said.
Rauterkus is a swim coach for the Carlynton Swim Club.
He said he would like to acquire funding to open more of the city's pools, which have been closed at times because of budget cuts.
Rauterkus added that he is dedicated to his campaign "for the long haul."
If he does not win this election, he plans to build a network of volunteers and issues.
"Whoever does win might only be there for a year and half," Rauterkus said. "They're going to have me to contend with next week."
-Senior Staff Writer Laura Jerpi
Jeffrey Koch (D)
Jeffrey Koch wants to clean up Oakland.
Koch - the Democratic candidate for City Council representing District 3, which includes Oakland - said that if elected, he would work with the Oakland Planning and Development Corporation to pick up trash in South Oakland.
One program he supports, called Adopt-a-Block, involves approximately 50 students cleaning up around South Oakland to make the area more appealing.
Koch also hopes the college vote will make a difference.
"I hope the students show," he said. "They could make a big difference in this election."
He said he would not implement immediate changes or policies but would welcome the chance to sit down with students and talk about issues concerning Oakland and Pitt.
Koch is a landscaping contractor and Department of Public Works employee. He has lived in Arlington, a section of District 3, his entire life. His parents also lived in District 3 their entire lives.
He is endorsed by Mayor Bob O'Connor, the Pittsburgh Firefighters Union and the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers.
-Staff Writer Jared Trent Stonesifer
Bruce Kraus (I)
Bruce Kraus wants to make Pittsburgh neighborhoods safe, clean and green.
The South Side resident is the chair of Pittsburgh's Graffiti Task Force, which "[assists] city officials and neighborhood groups in their efforts to combat graffiti vandalism," according to http://Bruce4council.com.
Kraus, 51, could not be reached for comment, but his Web site outlines three main tactics for bettering the city: outreach, education and enforcement.
According to Kraus's Web site, he will "work toward curtailing the criminal nuisance activities that his constituents do not want," while maintaining "the green setting" they do want.
Kraus also outlines several plans for paying for his initiatives, which include "an expansion of the tax base with increase property values" and "attention from the state and the county for special grants for beautification."
In response to a questionnaire from the League of Young Voters, Kraus wrote that he wants students to be "engaged in the process of stewarding [their] futures."
"I will advocate for your 'place at the table,'" Kraus said in the questionnaire, "to ensure that you are provided with all the opportunities to work on the solutions to the problems you are facing with regards to job creation, education, creative housing, transportation, recreation, and an active social network including nightlife and the arts."
-News Editor Adam Felming
Michael Waligorski (I)
Independent candidate Michael Waligorski must be a busy man, because he's hard to find.
Waligorski "runs a painting business, sells real estate and has been a perennial candidate," according to a March 6 editorial in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
He's known - among local journalists, at least - for being difficult to contact, despite his frequent campaigns in local politics.
"Waligorski, a frequent candidate for public office, did not return phone calls," reported the Pittsburgh City Paper on March 2.
The 56-year-old handyman, Army Reservist and South Side Flats resident is running on what he calls the Disclosure Party ticket and "wants to see more openness in government," according to the Post-Gazette.
Waligorski's phone number is unlisted, and he did not return phone calls when The Pitt News obtained his number from City Paper.
A Jan. 31 Post-Gazette article noted, "Independent candidate Michael Waligorski of the Flats could not be reached for comment."
Waligorski did not respond to a Sierra Club questionnaire regarding Tuesday's election and environmental issues, reported local activist organization Progress Pittsburgh on Feb. 23.
-Editor in Chief Jessica Lear
Saturday, June 05, 2010
The Moonlight Scribbler wants to save the Civic Arena too. Yes!
The Moonlight Scribbler: "My personal opinion is that the Arena should be saved and repurposed for a new function. I believe that the unique and iconic design of the arena is too important to lose and to re-use it shows that in this age of disposability, there is a place for the older classic structures given a new lease on life. It's easy to tear something down. But wouldn't it be nice to see the leadership of the city of Pittsburgh show some 'out of the box' thinking for once, and find a use for this structure instead of just tearing it down and replacing it with yet another look-alike grid complex of chain stores and entertainment outlets and acres of boring nondescript parking lots. I'm not against those uses, but can't we find a way to integrate the two ideas together? With the brainpower produced by the universities in this town, we can't find enough smart people who can make this happen instead of taking the easy way out and swinging the wrecking ball?"
Fast pace hinders Beethoven's 9th
My wife and boys, and a guest, are at Heinz Hall tonight to take in this show.
Fast pace hinders Beethoven's 9th: "Last night at Heinz Hall, the music director and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra returned after a successful European Tour to perform the 'Choral' Symphony, moved to this weekend because of another international event, the G-20. It was yet another personal mark on a masterpiece by the Austrian conductor. I imagine that some will love it and others won't -- the kind of healthy collection of responses a music director should engender.
Blast from the past: Winter of 2006 press release as a candidate
Press Release: ImmediateMark Rauterkus, candidate for Pittsburgh's City Council, district 3, special election slated now for March 14, 2006, released a four point plan to those in attendance at the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce meeting today after the Craig Patrick of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins presentation.
From Daniel Repovz, Media Coordinator, Elect.Rauterkus.com Media@Rauterkus.com, 412-904-2976
The Rauterkus campaign stresses freedom, future, fitness and flow to benefit our entire region. Rauterkus said, "The plan is simple and as we think again on these opportunities, everyone I talk to is in agreement with me. 1) Own what you build. 2) Return what you lease. 3) Grow where you can flourish and contribute to flow. 4) Fix what you broke."
1. Should the Penguins get a new arena from the windfall of the gambling casino, then others must keep it. The city should not own the new building. Mario could own, operate, insure and program the new building. Do not build a new building and expect to hand its ownership over to the city nor an authority.For further information or quotes, call Mark Rauterkus, 412-298-3432 or Mark@Rauterkus.com
2. Should the Penguins move out of the historic Civic Arena, then they should not be the ones to tear it down. The Mellon Arena can return as a civic arena and stay as a place for other events such as Disney on Ice, Circus, Carrick High School Graduations, and scholastic basketball tournaments, such as the WPIAL and PIAA championships. Those events don't require luxury-corporate boxes with leather seats and catering services.
3. The Penguins and other civic and regional leaders should build the new hockey arena at the old airport or some other area in suburban Pittsburgh. The arena does NOT need to be built in downtown.
4. We should re-open the now closed, indoor ice rink on the South Side located behind UPMC's South Side Hospital. Rebuilding that venue and grounds should provides quality recreational opportunities to the city residents and the region. The Penguins had a big hand in getting that rink covered. Private operators had the contract to operate the facility at no cost to the city. Much more can be done to build there for many benefits of fitness and the future.
Stuck in the middle of the road
Letter to editor:
http://www.pittsbur ghlive.com/ x/pittsburghtrib /opinion/ letters/s_ 681961.html
States should experiment
Thursday, May 20, 2010
We have red states and we have blue states. We have people who want to decrease the size of government and we have people who want to increase the size of government.
We have battles in Congress that result in compromise legislation giving neither side what it wants. Those who want more government controls and safety nets claim that the free market has created our current problems. Those who want less government claim that we have not had a free market for many years and that perverse government incentives created the problems.
The United States of America was created as an experiment in freedom, but the middle path we are now on prevents either side from getting its way and actually seeing who is right.
Why not let each state go its own way and see which states succeed and which fail?
We can remain the "United" States but reduce the things we do in common to a minimum. That way, we can be free to experiment on a state-by-state basis in such things as welfare, health care, immigration, free trade, taxation, regulation, drug laws and other areas of current government involvement.
Nick Kyriazi
Deutschtown
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
http://www.pittsbur ghlive.com/ x/pittsburghtrib /opinion/ letters/s_ 681961.html
States should experiment
Thursday, May 20, 2010
We have red states and we have blue states. We have people who want to decrease the size of government and we have people who want to increase the size of government.
We have battles in Congress that result in compromise legislation giving neither side what it wants. Those who want more government controls and safety nets claim that the free market has created our current problems. Those who want less government claim that we have not had a free market for many years and that perverse government incentives created the problems.
The United States of America was created as an experiment in freedom, but the middle path we are now on prevents either side from getting its way and actually seeing who is right.
Why not let each state go its own way and see which states succeed and which fail?
We can remain the "United" States but reduce the things we do in common to a minimum. That way, we can be free to experiment on a state-by-state basis in such things as welfare, health care, immigration, free trade, taxation, regulation, drug laws and other areas of current government involvement.
Nick Kyriazi
Deutschtown
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Tiger Water Polo - Summer 2010 V2
2010 Summer Season
Water Polo
· 2010 Summer Season (June, July, and August)
o Membership Fees - $200 for all Members – due by June 15, 2010
o Practices – All Sessions at North Park Swimming Pool starting on June 14th
· All teams are off the week of June 6th
· All High School Boys and Girls at North Park starting June 14th
o M, T, W, Th, F from 7:30am to 10:00am
· 14 and Under “A” at North Park starting June 14th
o M, T, W, Th, F from 7:30am to 10:00am
· 14 and Under “B”/Novice at North Park starting June 14th
o Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 10:00am
· Coach Rob will assign athletes to groups prior to June 14, 2010
· Coach Rob and Coach Patrick will align on water polo and swimming balance for the athletes
· Rain days to be held at NASH from 10am to 12pm
o Rain days for High School only
o 14U will be cancelled
o Notification via e-mail and twitter
o Additional Summer Season Notes
· We’ll continue to work toward finding quality playing opportunities for the kids
· Special focus on opportunities/alternatives for the HS girls to offset the loss of the Coronado trip
· Tournament at Navy in June and July should provide strong competition and great bonding/fun for boys and girls teams. Trips should also be very wallet-friendly as we’ll likely be able to stay on-campus at the Academy for these trips.
· We plan to have more coaches on deck than at any time before. Plan is to have dedicated coaches for each skill group
· Summer Highlights
o High School
§ June
· Week of June 6th – Off week for all teams! Get a good rest
· June 13 – Boys and Girls at Cumberland Valley
· June 18, 19, and 20 – Boys and Girls @ Navy Classic – Annapolis
· June 23rd – Possible games with Erie teams
§ July
· July 9, 10, and 11 – Boys and Girls @ Navy Summer Championship - Annapolis
· July 16, 17 and 18 – Pgh Tournament- TBD
· July 22 to 26 – Boys @ National State Challenge – Coronado
§ Last week of July – Girls at Kingfish - TBD
o August
§ Week of August 8th – Off week for all teams!
§ August 16 – Start of Boys and Girls Varsity Team Training
§ August 20, 21 – “Sneak Peek” Tourney – North Park
§ Late August – Boys and Girls Tournament in Reading, PA
o 14 and Under/Middle School
§ June
· Week of June 6th – Off week for all teams!
· June 13 – Middle School Players at Cumberland Valley
· June 18, 19, and 20 –@ Navy Classic – Annapolis
§ July
· July 9, 10, and 11 –@ Navy Summer Championship - Annapolis
· Last week of July – Start of Youth Summer League (just like Spring League)
§ August
· August 7 – Tentative Summer League game day
· August 14 – Tentative Summer League game day
· August 21 – Tentative Summer League game day
· August 20, 21 – “Sneek Peek” Middle School Tourney – North Park
Democracy ideas in Letter to Editor
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10154/1062736-110.stm
Voting changes would help
Who should have the right to vote in governmental elections? Is it ethical for people who are on welfare or who work for companies that have government grants to vote for politicians who promise to keep the money flowing to them? Is it ethical for people who work for government to vote for politicians who promise to continue their jobs? I say that anyone who benefits monetarily from government programs should be disqualified from voting.
In addition, in order to solve the problem of the "wasted vote" for third-party candidates, why not implement a system of "approval voting" in which people vote for all the candidates of whom they approve? The winner still takes all but, if you are afraid of an opposing candidate winning by voting for a third-party candidate, you can vote for the best candidate as well as one who may only be the better of two evils.
These two changes in our voting system would, I predict, result in substantial changes in the direction our country is now headed.
NICK KYRIAZI
North Side
Comcast's Next Purchase: Gov. Rendell
From: Josh Stearns, FreePress.net
Cable and Internet giant Comcast has been trying to boost its bid for NBC Universal by shopping for political allies. And it looks like Gov. Ed Rendell’s support was for sale.
Since 2002, Comcast’s PAC, its employees, and the spouses of its top executives have donated $634,350 to the governor, who also reportedly earned $20,000 a year as a commentator for a Comcast sports program. In exchange, Rendell joined the governors of New York and California on a letter praising Comcast’s plans to merge with NBC.
In the letter to the FCC, Rendell called Comcast a "great American" company. This comes just weeks after Comcast was named the worst company in America in a consumer poll.
Comcast's takeover of NBC will mean higher prices and fewer choices for consumers across Pennsylvania and the country. It will likely lead to layoffs at local media outlets and will stifle competition in cable and online services. Even worse, it would trigger a new wave of media consolidation as other companies try to build their own media empires.
This would be one of the biggest media mergers in a generation, giving Comcast the NBC broadcast network, hundreds of channels, tons of websites, exclusive programming rights and a movie studio -- as well as control over distribution of all that content. Gov. Rendell has made it clear whose interests he represents. … and they’re not yours.
We need you to speak out against this merger today. The FCC has the power to stop the merger, and has asked for public comments on the proposed deal, but their review of these comments ends soon.
Your views should be more important than those of these sellout politicians. Take one minute to send your comments to the FCC.
The FCC must hear the real voice of Pennsylvania. Forward this e-mail to a friend and share it on Twitter.
Thank You,
Josh Stearns
Associate Program Director
Free Press Action Fund
FreePress.net
Cable and Internet giant Comcast has been trying to boost its bid for NBC Universal by shopping for political allies. And it looks like Gov. Ed Rendell’s support was for sale.
Since 2002, Comcast’s PAC, its employees, and the spouses of its top executives have donated $634,350 to the governor, who also reportedly earned $20,000 a year as a commentator for a Comcast sports program. In exchange, Rendell joined the governors of New York and California on a letter praising Comcast’s plans to merge with NBC.
In the letter to the FCC, Rendell called Comcast a "great American" company. This comes just weeks after Comcast was named the worst company in America in a consumer poll.
Comcast's takeover of NBC will mean higher prices and fewer choices for consumers across Pennsylvania and the country. It will likely lead to layoffs at local media outlets and will stifle competition in cable and online services. Even worse, it would trigger a new wave of media consolidation as other companies try to build their own media empires.
This would be one of the biggest media mergers in a generation, giving Comcast the NBC broadcast network, hundreds of channels, tons of websites, exclusive programming rights and a movie studio -- as well as control over distribution of all that content. Gov. Rendell has made it clear whose interests he represents. … and they’re not yours.
We need you to speak out against this merger today. The FCC has the power to stop the merger, and has asked for public comments on the proposed deal, but their review of these comments ends soon.
Your views should be more important than those of these sellout politicians. Take one minute to send your comments to the FCC.
The FCC must hear the real voice of Pennsylvania. Forward this e-mail to a friend and share it on Twitter.
Thank You,
Josh Stearns
Associate Program Director
Free Press Action Fund
FreePress.net
Fw: The Prop 14 Disaster: The End of Free Speech, Independence, Choice and Dissent
From: wayne@rootforamerica.com
Subject: The Prop 14 Disaster: The End of Free Speech,Independence, Choice and Dissent
Is Schwarzenegger A Fool or a Traitor to Tea Parties and Limited Government/Fiscally Conservative Causes?
This coming Tuesday June 8th, California voters will be voting on Proposition 14, aka "Top Two." It is a disaster for anyone interested in free speech, choice and dissent. As often happens in politics, Prop 14 is the exact opposite of what it appears to be. The proponents of Prop 14 claim it will eliminate the current party primary system in favor of an "open primary." So instead of Republicans, Democrats and independents (third parties) each freely choosing their own candidates in a primary, then meeting on the November ballot to determine who will be elected to represent the people, with "Top Two" every candidate runs in a non-partisan free-for-all (aka "open primary") and only the top two vote-getters appear on the November ballot.
Prop 14 supporters claim this new "Top Two" system would take away power from the 2 big parties because of the non-partisan "open primary" nature of the system. In reality Prop 14 eliminates choice on the ballot in November. Independent candidates and third parties (with less money to spend to reach voters) will literally cease to exist. Independent candidates (Libertarian, Conservative, Tea Party, Green, etc) could not survive the open primary system, thereby guaranteeing only candidates from the 2 major parties on the ballot each November. Do you want your free speech and choice violated or eliminated? If so, you'll love Prop 14. But is this the American way?
National polls prove that more voters now call themselves "Independent" than at any time in modern political history. More voters call themselves "Independent" than either Republican or Democrat. More voters respect "the Tea Party" than either the Republican or Democrat parties. More voters desire a third party Presidential choice than at any time in modern history. Do all these poll results indicate that now is the time to eliminate choice?
To eliminate dissent?
You would think that now would be the time to expand choice and dissent. But that's not what the backers of Prop 14 think. According to the backers of Prop 14, what you want is meaningless.
But the problem with Prop 14 actually goes much deeper. If you want to see smaller government, lower spending, and lower taxes, you're plum out of luck with Prop 14. This deal was cut in the smoky backrooms of Sacramento to insure that the 2 major parties can operate in the future without dissent, opposition, or pesky "citizen politician" gadflies pointing out their corruption, waste, and fraud. Who is behind it? Prop 14 guarantees that the same corruption and cozy relationship between big unions, big corporations and big government will go on forever- but this time without even the hint of dissent, or the remote chance of an upset. Even "remote" isn't good enough for these groups...they want zero chance that any independent candidate can ever upset their stranglehold on government and unchecked power over the people.
Want proof? Look no further than the 2 states that have already used Prop 14 political systems- Louisiana and Washington. Third parties have been silenced- they no longer have a reason to exist. Corruption runs wild- Louisiana has been the worst governed state for 35 years and counting. Incumbents literally NEVER lose in these states. If you want to guarantee career politicians can last a lifetime in office screwing the voters and taxpayers, then Prop 14 is for you.
But my final plea is to fiscal conservatives and Tea Party activists in California. You, my friends, are being targeted for extinction by big government proponents. Your Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has sold you down the river. He is either a fool or a traitor. Common sense tells anyone that Republicans will be badly damaged by Prop 14 in a deep blue liberal state like California. The non-biased and scholarly Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles now predicts that Democrats will most certainly gain the most from Prop 14. They predict that up to one third of Congressional and legislative districts in California will be reduced to 2 Democrats in the November elections by "Top Two." The dissent being silenced forever will be Conservative and Tea Party dissent in a liberal big government state like California.
If you are a California Republican, your own Governor Schwarzenegger has signed your death warrant. It isn't just independents, but rather Republicans, conservatives, and Tea Parties who are the victims of Prop 14. Or did you think big unions, big corporations and big government proponents are friends of fiscal conservatives? This deal stinks to high heaven. Your only choice is to strongly and LOUDLY vote "NO on Prop 14.
Subject: The Prop 14 Disaster: The End of Free Speech,Independence, Choice and Dissent
Is Schwarzenegger A Fool or a Traitor to Tea Parties and Limited Government/Fiscally Conservative Causes?
This coming Tuesday June 8th, California voters will be voting on Proposition 14, aka "Top Two." It is a disaster for anyone interested in free speech, choice and dissent. As often happens in politics, Prop 14 is the exact opposite of what it appears to be. The proponents of Prop 14 claim it will eliminate the current party primary system in favor of an "open primary." So instead of Republicans, Democrats and independents (third parties) each freely choosing their own candidates in a primary, then meeting on the November ballot to determine who will be elected to represent the people, with "Top Two" every candidate runs in a non-partisan free-for-all (aka "open primary") and only the top two vote-getters appear on the November ballot.
Prop 14 supporters claim this new "Top Two" system would take away power from the 2 big parties because of the non-partisan "open primary" nature of the system. In reality Prop 14 eliminates choice on the ballot in November. Independent candidates and third parties (with less money to spend to reach voters) will literally cease to exist. Independent candidates (Libertarian, Conservative, Tea Party, Green, etc) could not survive the open primary system, thereby guaranteeing only candidates from the 2 major parties on the ballot each November. Do you want your free speech and choice violated or eliminated? If so, you'll love Prop 14. But is this the American way?
National polls prove that more voters now call themselves "Independent" than at any time in modern political history. More voters call themselves "Independent" than either Republican or Democrat. More voters respect "the Tea Party" than either the Republican or Democrat parties. More voters desire a third party Presidential choice than at any time in modern history. Do all these poll results indicate that now is the time to eliminate choice?
To eliminate dissent?
You would think that now would be the time to expand choice and dissent. But that's not what the backers of Prop 14 think. According to the backers of Prop 14, what you want is meaningless.
But the problem with Prop 14 actually goes much deeper. If you want to see smaller government, lower spending, and lower taxes, you're plum out of luck with Prop 14. This deal was cut in the smoky backrooms of Sacramento to insure that the 2 major parties can operate in the future without dissent, opposition, or pesky "citizen politician" gadflies pointing out their corruption, waste, and fraud. Who is behind it? Prop 14 guarantees that the same corruption and cozy relationship between big unions, big corporations and big government will go on forever- but this time without even the hint of dissent, or the remote chance of an upset. Even "remote" isn't good enough for these groups...they want zero chance that any independent candidate can ever upset their stranglehold on government and unchecked power over the people.
Want proof? Look no further than the 2 states that have already used Prop 14 political systems- Louisiana and Washington. Third parties have been silenced- they no longer have a reason to exist. Corruption runs wild- Louisiana has been the worst governed state for 35 years and counting. Incumbents literally NEVER lose in these states. If you want to guarantee career politicians can last a lifetime in office screwing the voters and taxpayers, then Prop 14 is for you.
But my final plea is to fiscal conservatives and Tea Party activists in California. You, my friends, are being targeted for extinction by big government proponents. Your Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has sold you down the river. He is either a fool or a traitor. Common sense tells anyone that Republicans will be badly damaged by Prop 14 in a deep blue liberal state like California. The non-biased and scholarly Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles now predicts that Democrats will most certainly gain the most from Prop 14. They predict that up to one third of Congressional and legislative districts in California will be reduced to 2 Democrats in the November elections by "Top Two." The dissent being silenced forever will be Conservative and Tea Party dissent in a liberal big government state like California.
If you are a California Republican, your own Governor Schwarzenegger has signed your death warrant. It isn't just independents, but rather Republicans, conservatives, and Tea Parties who are the victims of Prop 14. Or did you think big unions, big corporations and big government proponents are friends of fiscal conservatives? This deal stinks to high heaven. Your only choice is to strongly and LOUDLY vote "NO on Prop 14.
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