North Allegheny visits PPS Peabody for water polo play on Friday the 13th

We don't know the real score, but it is safe to say we all were winners. Jim, the guy in the photo below, said it well. "It is a great day when we play water polo." And it was.

The guy on the bench was the ref. Jim coached the visitors. The Shaler crew was split between both of our teams. And Peabody's pool, and our kids, got a nice workout.

Warm-up swims.

Sheradan, our full-time goalie, and Grant, my son. Grant said he had four goals today. We were not counting -- yeah right. Our other goalies, Donald and Christopher, didn't show up. Boys, a sleep over is not an excuse. The game didn't start until 10:30 am.

Other notes of interest: Thanks to Marshall Melnyk for bringing your pal. Hope he comes back. He jumped in for his first time ever to play waterpolo into a game. And he held his own very well. Impressive.

Devon is on the wall with both hands. He swims at Allderdice and with the Kingsley Stingrays. He has been attending practice in the swim pool at Highland Park, 50-meter. Then he joins us right after that for waterpolo. He got a goal today!

In the water, everyone isn't equal -- but they are more equal than if on land.

Waterpolo is for girls and boys of all ages. Even former Penn State polo players / present day coaches get into the action. I'd love to get more adults playing with us. Then as we advance in participation, we'll be better able to break the groups into more similar settings.

Gay umpire's ordeal shows sad state of sports - MLB News - FOX Sports on MSN

Gay umpire's ordeal shows sad state of sports - MLB News - FOX Sports on MSN: "Ump's ordeal shows sad state of sports"

Urgent Rally

Earlier this week – and at the last possible moment – the Democrats and Republicans filed legal challenges regarding the ballot access petitions of EVERY third-party statewide candidate, regardless of party, plus a number of local candidates as well. Read the Inquirer story at www.tinyurl.com/2be88hu. A joint press release issued by Pennsylvania’s third parties is copied below.

Should the challenges succeed, not only will the candidates be summarily booted off the ballot, they could also be fined over $80,000. That’s what happened to the challenged statewide candidates in 2004 and 2006, and both the Pennsylvania and U.S. Supreme Courts have already upheld the legality of such draconian fines.

This sort of suppression of democracy is unconscionable. It’s time we take action.

This coming Sunday, August 15th, four separate rallies in support of voters’ choice will be held in Southeastern Pennsylvania at the homes of four of the politicos who are using legal shenanigans to crush their competition. We’ll be calling on them to renounce their unjust political games and let the voters of Pennsylvania have a true choice on the ballot this November.

The rallies will be held in South Philadelphia and near Media in Delaware County beginning at 12:30 and ending at 4:30. A map showing the exact locations and times can be found at http://www.tinyurl.com/RallyForVotersChoice . The rallies are intended to be peaceful, and since there are sidewalks at each rally location, feel free to bring the kids along for a valuable civics lesson. If you’re the artistic type, you may want to take a few moments beforehand to create some colorful signs and banners. I’ll be bringing along my picture of “Uncle Joe”, below. He seems to be the perfect logo for the event.

Please pardon the short notice. We only received word of the challenge on Tuesday, and the court proceedings start this coming Monday. Time is short. The time to act is right now!

See you there,

- Ken
--------------------------------------------
Ken Krawchuk
Libertarian for Pennsylvania Governor (1998, 2002)
Past Chair, Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (2002-04)

Duquesne men's basketball signs Jamaican-born player

Duquesne men's basketball signs Jamaican-born player: "Duquesne men's basketball signs Jamaican-born player"

The interesting facts: Two of the five are prep school kids.


Wright, nicknamed "Air Jamaica" was born in Jamaica, lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. and attended Brittain Academy in North Carolina.

The forward/center, Derrick Martin, is from Montgomery, Ala. and George Washington Carver High School and then the prep school is Flora MacDonald Academy in North Carolina.

A high percentage of the kids going to Duquesne next year are not straight out of high school. They went to a prep school for 13th grade. They got to mature and develop as players and students. They got to find the right match for them at the college ranks. They still have all their NCAA eligibility.

If these students went to CCAC, then they would not be able to transfer into Duquesne University and play right away. They would have also lost a year, if not two, of eligibility.

Pittsburgh Public Schools should get a 13th grade option for its students. Then our kids would not need to go to North Carolina to find a prep school.

Free food. But, there is more to the story than just the food.

Celebrate the Commitment &
Hard Work of 180 Urban Youth
Dear Stakeholders of the Youth Career Development System:

Let’s celebrate! The Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation and its workforce development partner, the Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center, are pleased to invite you to a celebration of the success of our summer youth interns.

Your presence at the event will reinforce to the 180 youth the importance of their commitment to training and career development. Far too often, the negatives of the urban communities are highlighted. Media stories and images place the spotlight on youth that are involved in crimes and deviance. This is an opportunity for us to recognize urban youth and families that have displayed a commitment and strong work ethic throughout the summer. It is a vital step in the maturation process for these youth to see that their proper behaviors and accomplishments are recognized and valued by employers and community leadership.

Plans for the event include lots of food and entertainment. Some youth, worksite supervisors, and local and state leaders will briefly address the crowd to talk about their experiences and the importance of youth workforce development. The schedule for the event is:

Date: Monday, August 16th
Schedule: 3-4:30 PM - Food/Entertainment
4:30-5 PM - Success Stories
Location: BGC Youth Development Center
5321 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Attached, please find a flyer with all of the event details. We really hope that you are able to attend this important day that puts a spotlight on the amazing summer that we all experienced. Anyone is welcome to join us, so please feel free to spread the word about the celebration.

Yours Truly,

Richard Flanagan
Youth Development Director, Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation
Director, Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center

On Monday at 5 pm, we'll be jumping in the pool to play water polo at North Park.

'Reuse The Igloo' Tries To Stave Off Civic Arena Demolition - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh

'Reuse The Igloo' Tries To Stave Off Civic Arena Demolition - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh: "'Reuse The Igloo' Tries To Stave Off Civic Arena Demolition"

Save the Civic Arena.

Start of school: 9:10 for middle school and 7:45 for high school.

The start time for Pittsburgh Obama grades 6-8 are 9:10 AM and the end time is 4:03 pm.
The start time for Pittsburgh Obama grades 9-10 are 7:45 am and the end time is 3:00 PM.

Woops. I was wrong. I had heard (bad rumor I guess) that the start and end of the school days for the middle and high school students would be much closer together this year. Perhaps I was wishing that they were more together.

It is weird to have two students in the same building be not be able to have them in the same realm of travel. But, I guess that is what they want.

Moreover, I was hoping that the school day would end for the middle school students so that the high school kids could start their afterschool at 3 pm and not need to deal with avoiding the physical education classes of the middle school students.

For instance, when the high school is done and ready to start swim practices, there is a one hour delay before they can get into the swim pool because there are middle school physical education classes until 4. Same too with the gym.

I'll be talking with the principals about this again within a week when I get to visit with them.

Last year they made a GREAT ACCOMIDATION for the swim team and nixed the last period middle school physical education swimming period when the bulk of the swim season arrived. The kids did other activities so that the 40 or more high school kids could swim and get home at a decent hour.

Perhaps something is in the works with getting the final period to be for health or for outdoors activity?

Open Letter to Students and Families of PPS Summer Dreamers, Health Smart at Peabody

From: Mark Rauterkus, swim coach

Date: August 13, 2010

With Summer Dreamers, we got to do some swimming. But there is a whole lifetime of fitness and learning that needs to continue. This letter is an invitation to join us for additional, ongoing fun at the swim pool with water polo.

Many of the students in Summer Dreamers made great progress in the three lessons at the Kingsley swim pool. Almost all who came got to the point of being able to swim across the pool in the deep end. Messages of closing your lips, body position, floating, head under, rolling, big strokes and kicking were blended with some high energy games and teamwork play.

We played a modified game of WATER POLO -- and I'm not sure about the kid's reactions -- but I had a great time. The lifeguards and camp leaders all played hard with the kids. The effort level was high and new rules were followed.

Everyone needs to know how to swim. Swimming can save your life. Use our city pools with Citiparks, our school pools with PPS, and the Kingsley Center opportunities. Visit the Allegheny County Pools, such as North Park. Be confident to swim at Sandcastle, the beach, and then one day, swim around off your boat while on vacation. I'd love for all the kids to be strong in the water. Now is the time to dedicate yourself to getting those skills and growing up fit.

Learn how to master flip turns, butterfly, breastroke, backstroke. Learn how to race and compete on a swim team. Train with a coach and team mates. Strive to be on a high school squad and do relays and participate in the City Campionships. Score goals in a real water polo game against out of town players.

When swimming is offered at school in gym class, get in the water. Ask the teachers to show you something new. Try new skills. Consider getting a job as a lifeguard too. Always respect the water and the environment.

Some of the students have splendid swimming talents. Most can become aquatic athletes with practice. If you want to continue with some structured instruction, see these details.

Join us for WATER POLO on:

Monday, August 16, 10 am to noon at Kingsley Association.

Wednesday, August 18, 10 am to noon at Kingsley Association.

Cost $0. www.KingsleyAssociation.org, 6435 Frankstown Ave, 15206

Plus, the Kingsley Stingrays are another option for year-round competitive swimming.

We had a great time. Let's keep going to the pool. There is much more to do, learn and explore. Develop into scholar athletes and responsible adults that value community fitness.

Hope to see you soon!

Today Show, Navy Seals, Water Polo

This is from months ago, but I'm just seeing it.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Final Day of Summer Dreamers is here. I've been making some posters and gearing up for the final water polo tournament

The first ever Summer Dreamers Camp, organized by Pittsburgh Public Schools comes to a close on Friday. It has been five weeks and I've been helping with the Health Smart Camp that operated out of Peabody. Each week a different group of kids would join us and we'd cover some lessons and spend three days at the swim pool.

Tonight we built some posters for the end of camp wrap-up. Here are a few elements from those posters.

I'm not too sure how many kids will be swimming tomorrow with the Summer Dreamers -- nor with our other water polo group that meets at 10:30 am. In both sessions, we'll have some game play.

With the PPS Summer Dreamers, I've set up a end of season tournament. It is a work in progress as we'll have to deal with the kids that show. Some might opt for the zoo. Others will opt for flag football in the gym. I hope to get three or four teams. Not sure of the numbers -- so I've got both situations ready.

Furthermore, I'd love to get the kids excited about swimming and water polo into the future. All are invited to next week's practices. So, Summer Dreams is over -- but -- we can still meet for sessions next week.

The sessions unfold for the Summer Dreamers starting at 12:30 as lunch finishes. Then we hike up to the Kingsley Center. We'll have a huddle and welcome at 1 pm with all the kids and any parents that attend in the gym in the bleachers. Then we'll get into the activities. That needs to end by 2:20 or so for snacks, final certificates and a walk back to the school to catch our buses home.

Stay tuned for final results.

Championship Rules for the Summer Dreamers Water Polo Tournament:

EVERYONE PLAYS for a TEAM.
Team selection does NOT match Health Smart Colors perfectly.
1. Only ONE hand on the ball, else turnover.
2. Sinking ball is a turnover too.
3. Six players per team (unless adjusted). Subs sit out of pool at corner to wait for turn from coach.
4. Game is 1 period, 10 minutes.
5. Ejections are for 30-seconds or 1-minute by referee for brutal acts. Two ejections and out of the game. Third ejection is out of event.
6. No talk back to officials.
7. Be ready for next game without delay, sitting in chairs on pool deck.
8. Do not stand or walk behind the goals so you do not get hit by balls or cones.
9. Assistant officials help with goal and off-sides calls.
10. Games can end in a tie.
11. Total goals scored can help establish teams finish. Keep play moving!

Join us for WATER POLO play in the days to come.

After Summer Dreamers Ends, join Coach Mark and other city kids for more fun.

Monday, August 16, 10 am to noon at Kingsley Center.
Cost $0.

Monday, August 16, 5 pm to 7 pm at North Park Swim Pool
Youth Admission 6 - 12, $3
Junior Admission 13 - 17, $4
Adult Admission 18 - 59, $5

Wednesday, August 18, 10 am to noon at Kingsley Center.
Cost $0.

Wednesday, August 18, 5 pm to 7 pm at North Park Swim Pool
Youth Admission 6 - 12, $3
Junior Admission 13 - 17, $4
Adult Admission 18 - 59, $5

Saturday, August 21, 5 pm to 7 pm at North Park Swim Pool
Youth Admission 6 - 12, $3
Junior Admission 13 - 17, $4
Adult Admission 18 - 59, $5

Starting August 23, we hope to have a schedule at Pittsburgh Schenley / PPS Obama at Reizenstein.
Call Coach Mark Rauterkus, 412 298 3432.
Join the Facebook Group: Pittsburgh Schenley Water Polo

Four Team Schedule:
(First Team Defends Locker Room Side)

Game 1 = Green vs. White

Game 2 = Purple vs. Red

Game 3 = Red vs. Green

Game 4 = White vs. Purple

Game 5 = Red vs. White

Game 6 = Purple vs. Green

If time permits:

Game 7: Championship Game:
Top two teams play.

If time permits:

Game 8: Runner Up Game:
Other teams play.

Three Team Schedule:
(First Team Defends Locker Room Side)

Game 1 = Green vs. White

Game 2 = Purple vs. White

Game 3 = Purple vs. Green

If time permits:

Game 4 = Knock Out Game
Lowest Scoring team vs. Highest Scoring team

___________ vs. ___________

If time permits:

Game 5 = Championship Game:
Team not in Game 4, vs. Winner of Game 4


___________ vs. ___________


If time permits:

Game 6 = All Star Team vs. Adults

Calling Jim Roddey and the GOPers to let the people decide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 12, 2010

CONTACT:
Oliver Hall - (202) 248-9294

PENNSYLVANIA MINOR PARTIES CALL ON REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS TO WITHDRAW PETITION CHALLENGES AND TO CONDEMN USE OF PUNITIVE AND DISCRIMINATORY ELECTION LAWS TO SUPPRESS VOTER CHOICE

Major Party Challenges Filed Against Every Non-Major Party Candidate for Statewide Office in Pennsylvania Are an Assault on Democracy that Attempts to Deny Voters a Free Choice at the Polls, State Constitution, Green and Libertarian Parties Say

HARRISBURG, PA – In a display of non-partisan unity on behalf of all Pennsylvania voters who desire a free choice of candidates in the November 2, 2010 general election, the state’s Constitution, Green and Libertarian Parties today called on Republicans and Democrats to withdraw the nomination petition challenges that major party operatives filed against every non-major party candidate for statewide office in Pennsylvania. The minor parties also called on the major party candidates who are the intended beneficiaries of the challenges to condemn them as an attempt to suppress voter choice in the upcoming election. Under Pennsylvania’s uniquely punitive and discriminatory ballot access scheme, minor party and independent candidates may be ordered to pay $80,000 or more in litigation costs and attorneys’ fees if they defend against such challenges.

The Constitution, Green and Libertarian Parties specifically called on Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Corbett to condemn the challenge filed against Libertarian Party gubernatorial nominee Marakay Rogers. They called on Republican congressional candidate Pat Meehan to condemn the challenge to independent candidate Jim Schneller. And the minor parties called on Democratic senatorial nominee Joe Sestak to condemns and withdraw the challenge that he personally filed to Green Party senatorial nominee Mel Packer. Corbett, Meehan and Sestak must condemn the challenges whether or not they were involved in the filing, the minor parties say, because they are the intended beneficiaries.

"These petition challenges filed against every non-major party candidate for statewide office in Pennsylvania prove that when it comes to elections, Republicans and Democrats both stand against voter choice," said Constitution Party State Chair Wes Thompson. "Voters cannot allow our democratic process to be hijacked by private, entrenched political parties that want to decide who we can and cannot vote for."

"Pennsylvania Greens have fought to give voters a free choice on election day, and now we are asking voters to stand with us," said Green Party State Chair I.K. Samways. "Tell Joe Sestak that you oppose his anti-democratic effort to deny you a free choice of candidates in November."

"No one knows the potential for corruption to infect the petition challenge process better than Attorney General Tom Corbett," said Libertarian Party State Chair Mik Robertson. "It is a shame that so many soldiers have died to bring ballot choices to people in Iraq and Afghanistan, while the political machines in Pennsylvania work to restrict ballot choices for our own citizens."

In 2004, Pennsylvania courts adopted a uniquely punitive ballot access scheme, by authorizing the assessment of litigation costs against minor party and independent candidates who defend their nomination petitions when challenged by a private party. Prior to 2004, no state in the nation, including Pennsylvania, had ever ordered candidates to pay such costs. That is because, as the Supreme Court of the United States observed more than four decades ago in Harman v. Forsenius, "It has long been established that a State may not impose a penalty upon those who exercise a right guaranteed by the Constitution." Several landmark Supreme Court decisions since then have reaffirmed that states may not impose mandatory financial burdens on candidates and voters as a condition of their participation in elections.

Nevertheless, in 2004 Commonwealth Court Judge James Gardner Colins ordered independent presidential candidates Ralph Nader and Peter Miguel Camejo to pay $81,102.19 in litigation costs to the parties who challenged their nomination petitions. Relying on that unconstitutional decision, in 2006 Commonwealth Court Judge James R. Kelley ordered Green Party senatorial candidate Carl Romanelli to pay his challengers more than $80,000 in costs and fees.

Attorney General Tom Corbett’s Grand Jury investigation into the "Bonusgate" scandal subsequently revealed that employees of the State House Democratic Caucus had illegally prepared the Nader-Camejo and Romanelli petition challenges at taxpayer expense. The Pennsylvania courts still refused to set aside the judgments awarding costs to the challengers. The candidates continue to oppose enforcement of the judgments.

"In the wake of the Bonusgate scandal, which exposed rampant corruption in the petition challenge process, the Pennsylvania courts ratified a discriminatory ballot access scheme that subjects minor party and independent candidates to bank-breaking and clearly unconstitutional costs and fees if they defend their nomination petitions," said Oliver Hall, an attorney with the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Competitive Democracy, which is representing Pennsylvania’s Constitution, Green and Libertarian Parties in a federal lawsuit challenging state election laws. "If Pennsylvania voters want a free choice at the polls, they must stand up for candidates’ rights to seek office, regardless of partisan affiliation."

The Constitution, Green and Libertarian Parties say that Republicans and Democrats must pledge not to file nomination petition challenges until Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional election laws are reformed. The Voter Choice Act (SB 252), which State Senator Mike Folmer (R-48) and eight co-sponsors introduced in February 2009, would enact the needed reforms by eliminating the discriminatory requirement that minor party and independent candidates submit nomination petitions with tens of thousands of signatures. The bill, however, has languished in committee.

"The time is ripe for reform, but so far it’s business as usual in Harrisburg," Hall said. "The major parties are going all out to deny Pennsylvanians a free choice of candidates in November, and they will continue to do so until voters make it clear that they will not tolerate such anti-democratic tactics."

A caller after my call with Ron Morris and Jim Roddey said, "In Germany, Hitler won with only a smaller percentage of the vote. If you get a lot of folks on the ballot we could be electing someone like Hitler."

Hitler was NOT ever elected to office. He was appointed. It was corrected on the radio show.

The race for governor: Onorato's ploy - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "And a review of Mr. Krupa's nominating petitions, filed last week, shows that it's members of labor unions that have endorsed Onorato -- and even one of Onorato's campaign workers -- behind the petitions."

No way.

I would never call anyone who signed a petition to put a citizen onto the ballot a 'rat.'

Governor Rendell signed the petition to put another candidate on the ballot in a race where Rendell was running.

It is polite. It is civil. It is justified to help anyone get onto the ballot if the person's desire is to stand for political office.

Parking lease changes would slow rate hikes

This no compete zone is a huge sticking point in my view. I'd vote no just because of that element.

Parking lease changes would slow rate hikes: "The no-compete zone for Downtown parking garage construction initially covered an area roughly bounded by Fort Duquesne and Fort Pitt boulevards, Liberty Avenue and Delray, Smithfield and Grant streets, plus an area bounded by Ross Street, the Boulevard of the Allies and the Parkway East. The new zone essentially connects those two areas, increasing the no-compete by zone many blocks.
Private developers and certain government agencies may continue to build public parking garages in the zone; the no-compete clause does not apply to them.
If the city and authority want to build garages for general-purpose public parking, the leaseholder would have the opportunity to prove revenue loss and seek compensation.

As a counter offer, I'd say a no compete for five years is fine. For ten years is less than ideal. Past that -- no way.

Green Party candidate expects to be removed from ballot

Mark Rauterkus and Douglas Jamison, Libertarians. Doug is runnig for US Senate in Pennsylvania in the fall 2010 general election.

Green Party candidate expects to be removed from ballot: "Mr. Sestak similarly was able to remove Robinson machinist Joe Vodvarka from the Democratic primary ballot this spring."

Two good reasons to never vote for Joe Sestak.

Judge orders identities of commenters be revealed

Different strokes for different folks. I just saying that I'm free to post as I choose -- and put my name to my comments.

Judge orders identities of commenters be revealed: "Anonymous bloggers beware. You may not be as anonymous as you think.
Forward Township Supervisor Thomas DeRosa has won a court victory in the action that he filed in November to uncover the identities of people who posted comments on an online bulletin board that he said defamed him."

I understand that some are not so fortunate to post freely. And, I also wish that we'd have more civility as well as hopes of privacy.

This was last year.... and we want to do it again!

Here we were in 2009 at Citiparks Swim Pool at Ammon Rec Center, Hill District.



We should do it again in 2010. We've been playing at Peabody High School. But, that ends in 2 more days. So, it would be great to move outdoors to either Ammon Rec or else Highland Park Pool.

I just sent this to Shelley, the boss of City of Pgh aquatics. I CCed to the Mayor and the Operations Director, Mr. Ashley. Mr. Ashley helped us get this started last summer.

---

Hi,

The City Swim Meet was fun. Thanks! Good job.

I've struck out in recent months trying to get water polo at Citiparks
in the summer of 2010. Still, I'd love to hold another clinic / set
of practices this summer too. We have been playing at Peabody as I've
been helping with PPS Summer Dreamers Camps for middle school kids in
the afternoons. So, I might be able to get some of those kids into the
fold with a new effort.

Here is what I'd love to propose.

We could hold practices at Ammon Rec Center from August 16 to August
27, M-F, for 90 minutes. I think we did this from 11:00 to 12:30 pm in
the past.

I do not know when you are going to close Ammon. But, if you close it
the second week, I'd love to move the practices to Highland Park Pool. (FYI, Ammon closes as do most of the other swim pools as school begins and lifeguards go back to colleges.)

Is that possible? Do you have the hours for the guards?

Last year we had 50 kids playing water polo in The Hill District at
Ammon -- one day. It was great. POSITIVE stuff. Now they want to build
a new Y. Fine. Let's do this as a city thing so folks get into the
hill.

Furthermore, we've got some kids coming to play with us from Shaler.
And, a Pitt player too.

I know this request is late -- but -- I think it is worth it if we can
get a guard to open and get those water polo goals back in the water.
I have the balls, hats, and a number of kids in tow.

Do let me know. If it is out of the question -- let's be sure to make
a plan earlier this year for next year. We ran into the snow emergency
stuff when I wanted to meet with those at City Hall this year.

Ethics in Politics

Good job to Wayne Allen Root, Libertarian.

New Turf at South Side Cupples Stadium looks to be finished -- sans track

The new grass (artificial turf) at South Side's Cupples Stadium, a PPS facility, seems to be done. However, they are not going to do the track that circles the football field until later. There were some problems and the time to do the track is not present now as football season nears.

The best thing about the field is that it is flat and without a big crown. The soccer players will love it as the past field had a slant so that the balls would roll too fast to the sidelines.

Crying me a river: Ballot Access News » Blog Archive » All Statewide Minor Party Petitions in Pennsylvania Challenged

Ballot Access News » Blog Archive » All Statewide Minor Party Petitions in Pennsylvania Challenged: "An earlier blog post today said that a challenge had been filed to the statewide petition of the Pennsylvania Green Party. Since then, the Libertarian and Tea Party statewide petitions have also been challenged. See this story.
Tolerance for minor party and independent candidate election activity in Pennsylvania has drastically declined during the last 70 years. After 1938, and until 2004, no minor party or independent candidate statewide petition was ever challenged in Pennsylvania. But starting in 2004, such challenges have been filed every even-numbered election year in that state. A challenge to Libertarian Party presidential nominee Bob Barr was defeated in 2008, but challenges succeeded against Ralph Nader in 2004, and the Green Party statewide slate in 2006."

Here is my solution to this mess -- and I've been here and done that dance in the past.

If a challenge knocks the ONLY opponent off of the ballot, then the replace for that candidate is "NONE OF THE ABOVE."

If we had NONE OF THE ABOVE put onto the ballot, either by the force of a knock off or else as an automatic slot in all elections in PA -- then we'd be sure to have some choice and more competition for these elections.

West Mifflin school director cites death threats

West Mifflin school director cites death threats: "In the report, the workers said they made repairs to Dr. Graham's swimming pool and installed a new dishwasher. Later, the workers provided photos of the work alleged to have been done at Dr. Graham's pool."

Swimming pools are in the news again. But, not in a good way -- and with mentions of deaths -- and that's never in a good way. But here, it swirls in with ethics. Good golly. The Mon Valley is so special, isn't it.

All Choice Model -- can't happen -- back of the room whispers

At the meeting last night, there were a few board members attending and I had a short, whispered conversation with one from the Pittsburgh Public Schools, Sherry Hazuda. She asked some questions at recent meetings that goes along with my thinking that we should make the move to eliminate all feeder patters in the city for high school students. I want to advocate for an all-choice model.

Seems she heard that an all choice model is 'illegal.' What if the student does not make a choice? That student needs to be assigned to go to some school. That's the reasoning, so it seems.

Say what?

Okay, then. Let's assign all the kids in the city to attend Brashear High School. Then if they do NOT make a choice, they go there. Otherwise, they can make choices and go to CAPA, IB (Obama), Sci Tech, Allderdice, Carrick, Gateway Vo Tech (whatever Oliver is to be called), Single-Gender Westinghouse, U-Prep, Langley, -- etc.

Next objection, anyone????