Dear Liberty Activists:
After the debate and amendments to the PATRIOT Act were shut down by a cloture vote in the Senate late Monday, today Senator Rand Paul (RLC-KY) carried out a heroic seven-hour filibuster on the floor of the Senate to buy time to fight back against the proposed four-year extension of the PATRIOT Act. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and other leaders in the House and Senate still don't want to hear debate or consider amendments to the bill, but we now have another day to put pressure on the Senate and probably two more days to try to influence House members.
For a report on Senator Paul's filibuster see the coverage in The Hill, which explains the details of the procedural process which the PATRIOT Act will now have to go through before it gets renewed. You should also visit Senator Paul's website for a summary of what is in his proposed amendments to the PATRIOT Act. While it would be ideal to see the PATRIOT Act disposed of once and for all, the proposed amendments offer a compromise which would address some of the worst violations of civil liberties in the PATRIOT Act while not fully repealing it. The protections for gun owners privacy and other fourth amendment rights are particularly important. We wouldn't normally send out another email so quickly on an acti vism issue like this, but events are moving incredibly fast and there's a real opportunity to have an influence. Many Senators and Representatives are on the fence. On Monday our calls and emails convinced several Senators to change their votes and there are reports that many House members are also wavering. In his weekly newsletter Representative Allen West wrote:
"Let me make myself clear, there is no one more focused on the security of the United States, but I also believe in preserving the liberty of our citizens. The record checks and roving wiretap provisions cause me concern, resulting from my research and query of local and federal law enforcement officers. Over the coming days, I will be reviewing documents to make a careful assessment so I can determine my support or opposition to this further extension to the PATRIOT Act."Like others he is aware of the public concern over the PATRIOT Act and he appears ready to be convinced to do the right thing and vote to restore our Fourth Amendment rights. I hope you can take time to call and email your Senators and Representatives on Wednesday morning. Ask them to demand that the leadership allow debate to take place and amendments to be considered in both the Senate and House.
Edmund Burke wrote that "All government – indeed, every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue and every prudent act – is founded on compromise and barter." The proposed PATRIOT Act amendments are a reasonable compromise to offer to those Congressmen who are not ready to fully oppose renewal. If you have time, please also email Sen. Paul or call his office at 202-224-4343 to express your support for his heroic efforts on this issue.
Make sure your voice is heard! Just click on this link to find contact information for your representatives.
Keep fighting for liberty,Dave NalleNational ChairmanRepublican Liberty CaucusRepublican Liberty Caucus
www.rlc.org • 202-239-6207
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Fwd: Another Chance to Speak Out on the PATRIOT Act
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
NCAA Market - Robert Morris needs a head women's ice hockey coach
Qualified candidates should submit a letter of application, current resume and a list of three references to Human Resources, Robert Morris University, 6001 University Blvd, Moon Township, PA 15108; or e-mail to jobs@rmu.edu.
Visit our website at www.rmu.edu for additional information about Robert Morris University.
Robert Morris University is committed to increasing diversity in its community and actively pursues individuals from all backgrounds. Additionally, RMU complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws and provides equal opportunity in all educational programs and activities, admission of students and conditions of employment for all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation or national origin. EOE"
NCAA working with HBCUs to clear APR barriers - NCAA.org
NCAA working with HBCUs to clear APR barriers - NCAA.org: "HBCU advocates say the reasons for the downward movement are complex and extend beyond a lack of resources, though that factor is cited most often as a reason for poor academic performance. Where many institutions with more funding can hire academic advisors, tutors and other people to ensure their student-athletes go to class, many HBCUs just don’t have that kind of cash on hand."
Fw: [DW] Global Transparency Research - FreedomInfo.org -Special Report, May 24, 2011
-----Original Message-----
From: Steven Clift <clift@e-democracy.org>
Sender: newswire@groups.dowire.org
Date: Tue, 24 May 2011 15:51:16
To: <newswire@groups.dowire.org>
Subject: [DW] Global Transparency Research - FreedomInfo.org -Special Report, May 24, 2011
From: "Toby McIntosh" <TMcIntosh@bna.com>
Date: May 24, 2011 3:00 PM
Subject: FreedomInfo.org -Special Report, May 24, 2011
To: <FREEDOMINFO@hermes.gwu.edu>
FreedomInfo.org - Special Report, May 24, 2011
First Global Conference on Transparency Research Held
A FreedomInfo.org special report covers many of the 130 research papers, on
a wide variety of transparency topics, presented during the two-day meeting
at the University of Rutgers-Newark. Highlights include:
Overview: What happened at the conference, including calls for more
attention to womens transparency needs and for more transparency of an
international climate change fund; plus reports on macro-views of the
transparency movement.
http://www.freedominfo.org/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=5730
Future Research: A call for more research from the donor community.
http://www.freedominfo.org/2011/05/donor-community-eager-for-deeper-research-tisne-says/
Plus, recommendations from conference participants.
http://www.freedominfo.org/2011/05/next-steps-on-transparency-research-sketched/
Africa: Explanations for the comparatively few FOI laws in Africa.
http://www.freedominfo.org/2011/05/transparency-researchers-gather-at-rutgers-conference/
Theory: Papers presented on the theory and philosophy of transparency.
http://www.freedominfo.org/2011/05/theory-philosophy-of-transparency-explored/
Influences: What affects passage and implementation of FOI laws?
http://www.freedominfo.org/2011/05/foi-passage-factors-elucidated-in-research/
Mexico: A new study on FOI implementation in Mexico.
http://www.freedominfo.org/2011/05/mexican-rti-case-study-looks-at-facilitating-factors/
Local e-Gov: Evaluating e-government at the municipal level.
http://www.freedominfo.org/2011/05/transparency-researchers-gather-at-rutgers-conference/
Open Data: Evaluating the Open Data movement in Latin America.
http://www.freedominfo.org/2011/05/researchers-examine-future-of-open-data-in-latin-america/
Corruption: Is transparency working?
http://www.freedominfo.org/2011/05/is-transparency-losing-in-fight-with-corruption/
Trust: Does transparency build trust in government?
http://www.freedominfo.org/2011/05/transparency-trust-dynamic-explored-in-new-studies/
China: The development of transparency in China.
http://www.freedominfo.org/2011/05/papers-probe-drivers-of-transparency-in-china/
South Korea: New studies on transparency in South Korea.
http://www.freedominfo.org/2011/05/studies-explore-transparency-performance-in-south-korea/
WikiLeaks: A new chapter for transparency?
http://www.freedominfo.org/2011/05/is-wikileaks-a-new-chapter-in-transparency-history/
Link to all stories from the overview story here:
http://www.freedominfo.org/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=5730
Read more at http://www.FreedomInfo.org
Follow us on twitter! http://twitter.com/freedominfoorg
_______________________________________________________________
FreedomInfo.org is a one-stop portal that describes best practices,
consolidates lessons learned, explains campaign strategies and tactics, and
links the efforts of freedom of information advocates around the world. It
contains crucial information on freedom of information laws and how they
were drafted and implemented, including how various provisions have worked
in practice.
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Replies go to members of Newswire - Steven Clift's Democracies Online Newswire with all posts on this topic here:
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Pressing onward, or not, with Pittsburgh Public Schools in the wake of the times of the day.
We know that Dr. Lane stands right in the same place that Mark Roosevelt stood. She wants to plug along and do the work that has begun. She wants to stay the course.
With this in mind, I wonder about sports reform then. Mark Roosevelt put a priority upon those efforts for sports and afterschool in his fifth year. Sports, so I was told, was on the back burner until then. But in 2010, it came to be important. The sports discussion moved off the back burner.
This month a report was sent to the school board of Pittsburgh Public Schools. So now it seems as if sports goes right back into its slumber, or not? Are sports and after school efforts going to get some attention? Is the sports reform element part of the overall district wide reform agenda?
I think that athletics and activities are a huge part of a community and school life and that PPS has had serious problems in this realm. This is an area that calls for reform and is part of the overall package of changes for PPS.
But, now what?
I do not want 'sports reform' to go away just because the times are tough. Perhaps a few administrators need to be given their dismissal slips and seek employment elsewhere. PPS should not try to build a new stadium with capital money as teachers are being released. Perhaps teams can live another season in their existing uniforms and families will need to do what they can to help boost the programs. Fine. But let's not quit. I don't want to 'give up' on the hope of system-wide sports reform for PPS just because some administrators at the Board of Education are elsewhere.
We need to increase sports participation because we need to elevate school spirit because we need to expand community involvement because we want to insure more kids study and stay in school and graduate. We want to push and pull each other to higher levels of fitness, lower our body fat, increase our metabolic rate, strengthen our bodies and sharpen our minds with better transferable skills developed with movement and sports.
We want a longer school day because more should be getting better instruction after the last period by being part of a team with positive peer pressure and demanding challenges that matter greatly to the kids, where they can test themselves.
In the talk that Superintendent Lane gave she said it was 6 pm and she hoped that all the kids were out of school and at home and doing homework. No way! At that time of night, I don't want my kids at home. I want them on the court, in the swim pool, on the bike trails, playing with their friends. I want them to be under the guidance of excellent coaches and instructors in past-times that require lots of energy, stamina, strength development and challenges. And, I'd love for this to occur more so at facilities that we own, such as our schools.
At 6 pm I want our kids hitting the showers after a grueling workout. I want another set of kids prepping for a game that evening. I want more people headed to our gyms and facilities to play in Rec Leagues -- so we can RE-CREATE our city. That recreation allows for better scholarship in the days to come. That recreation allows for better cognitive advancements in the classrooms the next day.
This statement comes in her talk in the video below at 3:44 in the timeline.
WDUQNews: Civic Arena Hearing
WDUQNews: Civic Arena Hearing Civic Arena Hearing
Pittsburgh City Council held a public hearing in Uptown to hear testimonials from residents about whether the Civic Arena should stay or go.
If city council grants the arena historic status, it could save the building from being knocked down. And a lot of people have a lot to say about that.
On Monday night over 70 people had something to say about it – either in favor of re-purposing the building, or knocking it down and redeveloping the land. A little more than half believed the arena should be saved. They gave testimonial to five council members in a church sandwiched between the old arena and the recently constructed one.
Among the speakers was Sala Udin, former councilman and actor who wants the building to come down.
'The redevelopment can begin the healing process to preserve the people,' he said.
From its inception, the arena and the 28 acres surrounding it has been controversial – displacing 8,000 Lower Hill District residents and destroying a community. Last year, after the arena was shuttered for a new neighboring complex, the Sports and Exhibition Authority voted to knock down the building.
Local groups have filed for historic status. Among them, Preservation Pittsburgh, which helped organize a 50th Anniversary of the arena celebration just before Monday’s meeting. Scott Lieb, president of the group said although the arena is a remnant of urban renewal, it is here now and should be used to benefit the community. He also said the building is unique and is part of the fabric of the city.
"This building was revolutionary when it was built in 1961. It was the first retractable dome building in the US. It really is a part of Pittsburgh’s brand, it uses technology from Westinghouse, from US Steel, from American bridge," he said at the celebration.
The city’s historic and review and planning commissions have already rejected historic status.
Council has until mid-August to take a final vote.
Bakersfield Releases Coaches, Combines Programs & Encourges them to Re-Apply
Bakersfield Releases Coaches, Combines Programs & Encourges them to Re-Apply: "Bakersfield Releases Coaches, Combines Programs & Encourges them to Re-Apply"
CSU Bakersfield Athletic Director Jeff Konya met with members of the CSUB men's and women's swimming and diving programs, informing them of a new coaching model that will be in place starting next season. Unfortunately, much of the details of this were misreported over the weekend in published reports about the coaching futures of men's coach Chris Hansen and women's coach Pat Skehan.
Responding to the misleading reports, Konya says CSUB is not renewing the current contracts of both coaches and will have both the men's and women's swimming and diving teams coached by a single head coach or "coaching director." This new position will then assemble a coaching staff that will assist with the programs' needs. He says both current coaches have been encouraged to apply, something that was never mentioned in previous reports.
According to Konya, this coaching model is common in Division I swimming and includes top-25 programs such as Auburn, Florida, Arizona, USC, and Virginia. All of which have one head coach for both programs.
"This is something we needed to due in order to operate more efficiently while still maintaining a quality product in the pool, Konya said. "If this is something that a top-10 team like Auburn can execute, or USC, than why shouldn't we do the same here?"
Another underreported aspect of this decision is the necessity of the move in order to maintain current funding levels for student-athlete scholarships. According to Konya, during these tough economic times, moving forward with one less head coach was much more attractive than limiting the opportunities for student athletes to pursue their education while swimming at CSUB.
"It's very similar to when corporations restructure and cut management positions in order to maintain a series of other jobs that keep the company running," Konya commented. "Without our student athletes, we are nothing, I wanted to protect that and make sure they had the same opportunities next season."
As far as the coaches are concerned, both Skehan and Hansen were encouraged to apply for the newly-created coaching position and Konya says they will be heavily considered. Responding to earlier reports, he also said that claiming they both "won't be returning," is misleading and at this time, false.
"We haven't decided on the future yet, we know we will have some quality candidates in-house and hopefully some outside interest as well," said Konya. "We are starting the search this week and hope to have the position filled shortly so we can build on the success we had in that sport this past season while we move forward in a more efficient manner."
Separate Men's and Women's Programs that still remain include:
California-Berkeley
Columbia
Harvard
Massachusetts
Miami (Ohio)
Michigan
Northwestern
Notre Dame
Ohio State
Princeton
Purdue
Southern Methodist
Stanford
Tennessee
Texas A&M
Texas
Air Force Academy
Naval Academy
Yale
Division III
Carthage
DePauw
Ithaca College
Kenyon College
TCNJ
New York
Tufts University
Washington & Lee
Address 'protocol' causes stir in city
Address 'protocol' causes stir in city: "'At this juncture, our advice is that council request that the Address Committee begin sending all recommendations to the body in formal bill form,' associate city solicitor Yvonne S. Hilton said."Of course. This is a no-brainer. Pittsburgh City Council always wants others to do the jobs of the council for the councilors. The duties of crafting the legislation are going to be passed down to others, such as an address committee. Have the guys in Public Works who sit on that committee, or a 9-1-1 operator, or a firefighter, write the darn law. City council is there to vote on the written works of others, not come up with the laws too.
The proper thing to do is have the member of council who is also a member of the city address committee do the work and write the legislation. After the legislation is written, it should be presented to the address committee for prior approval. Then it should go to City Council for a full vetting among members and the public.
Upper St. Clair budget slashes middle school sports
Preliminary Upper St. Clair budget slashes middle school sports: "Mr. O'Toole said there is about $25,000 left for middle school sports, meaning that most teams will no longer be able to travel to other schools. He said he will work with booster groups and coaches to determine which programs will be eliminated, scaled back or modified."Wow. Imagine this, a school board and administration working with its boosters. Sad news to need to curb much of the middle school sports program. But, great news in that they are doing so with a cooperative spirit.
Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh Public Schools, our booster organizations are, how do you say, "frail." And even if they are "robust," they are seldom put into a collaborative setting with school and district administration.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Three Cheers for the Westinghouse High School Alumni Association
The Westinghouse Alumni Association has put together a list of points that make a big plan for Pittsburgh Public Schools. The list is a huge addition to the discussions in our community.
Well done.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Fwd: Save Community Broadband
by towns and communities to build their own high-speed Internet networks.
The bill was rammed through the state legislature, and is
now sitting on the desk of Governor Bev Perdue, who has until tomorrow to
decide whether to veto it.
If signed into law, it would have repercussions far beyond North
Carolina. The phone and cable companies are waiting to see the outcome
of this bill before they introduce
similar measures in statehouses across the country.
We must stop it now, or we could face a national campaign to kill
community broadband:
Call North Carolina Gov. Perdue and urge her to veto the Level
Playing Field/Local Government Competition Bill (H129).
<http://act2.freepress.net/go/4151?akid=2529.8833392.r_xEin&t=1>
The legislation is sponsored by — guess who? — Time Warner
Cable. It wants only two choices for North
Carolina, and the rest of the country: Second-rate
broadband provided by big cable, or none at all. And it is willing to pour cash
into the election coffers of local legislators to move these sorts
of bills swiftly through statehouses.
North Carolina has long been recognized as a
national leader in community broadband. Networks built by towns and cities
across the state are providing fast and cheap Internet access to local
citizens, including
those in rural and poor areas that have been ignored by Time Warner Cable.
Predictably, Time Warner Cable is up in
arms at the thought that local communities would want to create a homegrown
broadband option.
But we can't let Time Warner Cable legislate away our choices. Call
Governor Perdue and tell her to veto.
<http://act2.freepress.net/go/4151?akid=2529.8833392.r_xEin&t=2>
What happens in North Carolina could happen in Pennsylvania. If Time
Warner Cable and its cronies are allowed to stop the movement for
community broadband in North Carolina, they'll be emboldened to squash
similar projects in states across the country.
At its core, this fight is about our right to access information.
Don't let big corporations block it.
Please call Gov. Perdue now and urge her to stand up for all
Americans and veto this bill.
<http://act2.freepress.net/go/4151?akid=2529.8833392.r_xEin&t=3>
Thanks,
Josh Levy
--
--
Ta.
Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://FixPA.wikia.com
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell
Economic event at Pitt, May 24th, 7:30-9pm
Where
William Pitt Union, Dining Room B University of Pittsburgh
Lectures, conferences and public forums
Created by office@thomasmertoncenter.org
Description
Forum: Capitalism Hits the Fan -- Understanding the Global Economic Meltdown
5/24/2011 7:30 to 9:00 PM William Pitt Union, Dining Room B University
of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, 15260
"CAPITALISM HITS THE FAN -- The Global Economic Meltdown and What to
Do About It" Filmed lecture by noted Economist Richard Wolff followed
by open discussion.
--
--
Ta.
Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://FixPA.wikia.com
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Libertarian and Green Parties slam GOP
For Immediate Release—May 19, 2011
www.lppa.org,
www.gpofpa.org
Contact: Lou Jasikoff at ljasikoff@gmail.com or 570-677-2607
Carl Romanelli at cjromanellii@yahoo.com
Libertarian and Green Parties slam GOP
Judicial Choice
Stabile not deserving for Superior Court Judge
Wilkes-Barre, PA—Pennsylvania Libertarian Party chair Lou Jasikoff
declared the GOP's choice for Superior Court Judge as nothing short of
shameful. Mr. Stabile led the charge to get Libertarians knocked off
the ballot in 2008 and was recently quoted as being pleased by efforts
to keep the Green and Libertarian Parties from appearing on the
statewide 2010 ballot. "Mr. Stabile cloaks himself in the American
flag while trampling on the very cornerstone of our democracy and
should not be rewarded under any circumstance with a judgeship on
Pennsylvania's Superior Court," insisted Jasikoff.
Green Party representative Carl Romanelli stated, "The last defense of
democracy and the Constitution is the judiciary. When it is corrupted
or co-opted, it represents the most significant threat to the
principles that once made America the grand protector of liberty. The
shame and disgrace of Stabile should not only be rejected by victims
of his partisan decisions, but also by his peers. The lack of
meaningful review reflects as poorly on justice in Pennsylvania as
does Stabile's blatant obstruction of our rights. It is sad to think
that the cradle of democracy, Pennsylvania, has now become its
graveyard."
Romanelli, the US Senate candidate in 2006 for the Pennsylvania Green
Party, has long contended that his own removal from the ballot could
not have been accomplished without the aid of partisan judges.
Romanelli, a retired employee of the Luzerne County Courts, added,
"Stabile's comments, and record in ballot access cases, prove that
both old parties are equally corrupted at the judicial level. The
prevailing attitude is that anything goes in keeping other voices out
of political debate and participation. Judges remain in violation of
the Judicial Canons with such partisan behavior."
Ken Krawchuk, the Libertarian candidate for Pennsylvania Governor in
1998 and 2002, was shocked to hear Victor Stabile was running for
Superior Court Judge. "This is the same man who led the failed
challenge to have the 2008 Libertarian presidential candidate removed
from the statewide ballot. When someone is so ignorant of the law as
to mount a frivolous challenge, or so inconsiderate of the voters of
Pennsylvania to attempt to limit their choices on the ballot, it's
clear he lacks the knowledge, character and integrity to serve as a
judge at any level." Krawchuk, who is the Libertarian representative
to the Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition (www.PaBallotAccess.org),
added, "If Mr. Stabile had any sense of justice at all, he'd be
working with us to reform Pennsylvania's atrocious ballot access laws,
which are among the worst in the nation, not exploiting them for
political gain."
"Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation where judges elected in
partisan elections determine which candidates may appear on the
ballot," said Oliver Hall of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for
Competitive Democracy. "Now that Pennsylvania courts have begun to
assess costs against candidates just for defending nomination
petitions that they are required by law to submit, it is more
important than ever that judges demonstrate a commitment to protecting
candidate and voter rights to participate in free and equal elections
– rather than the partisan interests of the judges' campaign
contributors."
Wayne Allyn Root Vice-Presidential candidate on the 2008 Libertarian
ticket concluded, "Ballot access is a fundamental right we enjoy as
Americans. We can no longer allow or tolerate political operatives
like Mr. Stabile to subvert that right; simply put it is Un-American.
To purposely disregard laws on the books that allow for candidate
substitution, or applaud efforts that totally ignore voter intent is
unconscionable. Mr. Stabile is the face of everything wrong with
Pennsylvania's ballot access laws and his flawed and biased judgment
should not find its way on Pennsylvania's Superior Court."
The Libertarian Party along with the Green Party and groups like the
Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition, Free and Equal Organization and
other liberty groups in Pennsylvania intend to make ballot access a
major focus of conversation this election cycle. Only when all
Americans can freely compete in the arena of ideas will we be able
break the back of corruption that has so permeated our political
system.
--
--
Ta.
Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://FixPA.wikia.com
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Two days of water polo come Saturday and Sunday
Grant will "cap up" for high school games on Saturday, starting at 9 am. Then he has a full day of action on Sunday. He plays 3 games in the morning and then plays as part of the house league in the 2 pm to 4 pm period. There will be two games there, at least.
Shaler's team, with some city kids, is team #4 in the Sunday League, Sunday 2-4 pm. But, Morgan and Erik won't be present.
Monday, May 16, 2011
newly elected Chair for the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania: Lou Jesikoff's first letter
My name is Lou Jasikoff and am your newly elected Chair for the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania. I would appreciate you taking time to read this letter as I believe it is important to you as a Libertarian and for our future in Pennsylvania as citizens and for our Party.
I would like to thank Mik Robertson for all the work he has done with LPPa as Chair for over four years now. Having been a former Chair myself for two years in New Jersey, I understand first-hand the enormous amount of personal time and resources it consumes. Mik has been a friend and always helpful to me in the past, and I will rely on his knowledge and expertise in many areas as I move forward to build on his successes.
We, as Libertarians, are presented with enormous opportunities, not only this year but for years to come, to make the LPPa a force to be reckoned with in the politics of Pennsylvania. Never before have we heard the word “Libertarian” used as much in the media and press. It was not so long ago when I told people I was a Libertarian, they would look at me and say, “Huh? Liberal, librarian, what is a Libertarian?” Today Libertarians are in vogue, it is ‘chic’ to be a Libertarian. And so it should be. No other party talks of limited government, personal responsibility, and individual rights like Libertarians do. Tell me what other party understands the true meaning of “property rights?” I, for one, am damned proud to be a Libertarian and hope you feel the same. Collectively we can make a real difference, and collectively we will, but it takes us all to make it happen.
So for those who don’t know me, or little of my background, let me fill you in on what you are getting. I have a degree from Fordham University in Accounting and have been pretty much self employed most of my life. Started and built a small restaurant and motel in Montana, where we raised our family for over 20 years. Returned back east in the 90’s and after a successful but brief stint in the corporate world once again went the private business route and built a nice transportation company with 50 employees, in Totowa, NJ. In 1994 went to my first Libertarian meeting, (almost my last, but that is a different story for another day). In 1995 was asked to put my name on the ballot as a paper candidate for NJ State representative and in 2006 was asked to run for Congress as the Libertarian candidate.
Can you imagine that? Was I excited! I was going to run for Congress and have the full backing of the Libertarian Party behind me! Life was great! It was later that year I realized we needed to be better organized and looked for ways to make that happen. After the election, I was nominated for Chair of the New Jersey Libertarian Party and promised myself to give it everything I had to help build that organization. I believe most feel I did that. We marched across the state in support of medical marijuana, found a way to have an office right on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, qualified for the “clean and fair” election program in New Jersey (yes, an oxymoron), ran candidates and partnered with Jim Babb and the LPPa for first combined convention NJ ever had. We were active and people knew who we were. And that was years ago, when people never heard of Libertarians and had a biased NJ media that once told me there is no room at the table for you Libertarians (but quite honestly it is New Jersey you know, must we say more?). The opportunities here in Pennsylvania and in this current political atmosphere are one hundred-fold with what we had to work with in NJ.
More recently, I served as Eastern-Vice Chair for LPPa and Chair for the Northeast Pennsylvania Libertarian Party. A little over a year ago I got together with longtime activists Betsy Summers and Brian Bergman to form the NEPA Libertarians Group. What a great group we have here and growing! Tim Mullen ran as a Libertarian in a very competitive three way race for State Rep in the 120th District. Although finishing third, it was the second highest vote total a Libertarian received in a three way race this past year in the United States. But more importantly, all these NEPA candidates are running again this year. They are known, well-liked and we are in the media all the time. This same enthusiasm and success are what we will bring to you and your groups throughout Pennsylvania.
So what is the call for action, what can you do to help make us as an organization be successful? Since this is the first letter you are receiving from me, let’s keep it simple. Visit our website and join, or re-join the LPPa if you are not a current member. Many receiving this letter have either expired memberships or just dropped out. Expect a welcome call from me shortly. I promise you this: I will give it my all and hope you do the same to ensure our success. Contact me anytime with the good, bad and the ugly. If you would like me to come to your Libertarian organization and help build your local membership, let me know and I will show up. If you have things you would like to implement to get your groups moving, let me know. Our goal is to assist and help, not put up roadblocks. Your ideas are important, so let me know what you are thinking. The only thing holding us back is ourselves. The future is ours and the future is now. Help us make the Libertarian Party one to be feared and relevant in the politics of Pennsylvania. The state and country needs us now more than ever to be heard.
Lou Jasikoff
Chair, Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
lou@jasikoff.com
www.lppa.org
www.nepalibertarians.org
Sports Reform: Business as usual is not welcomed, then. But now?
In the spring of 2010, Mr. Lopez, one of the top administrators of Pittsburgh Public Schools, hosted a meeting to talk about sports reform.
Friday, May 13, 2011
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Study: 90% of Pittsburgh's young adults unfit for military service - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Study: 90% of Pittsburgh's young adults unfit for military service - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Study: 90% of Pittsburgh's young adults unfit for military service"
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