Monday, April 09, 2001
Investing into the internet - bubble?
INVESTING IN THE INTERNET
BACKGROUND
The Internet economy has grown at an unheard of rate -- over 170% annually -- and may be responsible for a third of the growth in the national economy. Many e-commerce-related IPO's have been super successes, encouraging investment in yet more startups. Traditional businesses like Wal-Mart, Barnes & Noble, and Compaq also are working to "e-commerce" themselves and compete in this new environment. The Internet as a global phenomenon permits information to move freely, at little cost, across continents.Nearly everyone, including individual investors, corporate investors like Microsoft, and venture capitalists has been betting on the Internet as The Next Big Thing.
A selected and limited number of sports organizations have jumped on the internet bandwagon as well. However, most of the players in sports have not tapped into the potential of the internet, just yet, due to many reasons.
But is the Internet economy a "bubble"? Could it burst? What then for entrepreneurs and their prospects? Entrepreneurs have seen e-commerce and Internet initiatives as welcome avenues for business creation. Will this remain the case if the bubble pops or will the entrepreneur be blasted away? How can an entrepreneur plan for possible dramatic change?
Letter to AMS swim coaches at swim meet at Highland Park Pool
formal role and job title to be announced later
108 South 12th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203-1226
Mark@
AMS Coaches
Dear Coach,
Welcome to Pittsburgh's Highland Park Pool!
I'm passing around this letter as a way to get your feedback and make an introduction of myself. Are you ready to share ideas? Let's touch base with one another, anytime, anyway, if you so desire. Catch me on-deck, send email, call, or let's talk on the first day of JOs.
Pittsburgh's city-based team, Three Rivers Aquatics, is going to attempt to make some changes with its programs. TRA does not need a head coach. Hosea is going to continue as the head coach, for sure. Perhaps you can help in other ways?
I'm going to lend administrative assistance and leadership with TRA. A news release about this role is pending for the weeks ahead. But for now, can you please spare some of your insights as we make an evaluation and inventory of assets?
This city has some excellent facilities. However, we realize that the city kids and region's competitive swimmers are not connecting with excellent programs. We want better opportunities with facilities, city-kids and regional swimmers.
The TRA team is small and central to the city. One potential agenda is to host and coordinate a number of special events that can include swimmers from your team. But, what to host, when, and for what groups is our question. What activities do you desire and what would gain your comfortable endorsement and encouragement? Some examples follow to stimulate early discussions.
We'd like to hold a week-long day camp at Highland Park that would feature morning long-course practices and an afternoon zoo camp.
We'd like to hold spring water polo practices one-time per week and a summer evening practices geared for boys and girls over the age of 13. Perhaps a Pittsburgh team could travel to an out-of-town tournament as well.
We'd like to have a youth bike race and some developmental sessions at the new bike course very near to Highland Park. A staged triathlon, perhaps in association with the Marathon or Great Race could be held too.
We'd like to utilize the month of August, after zones, for swim carnival events. The beach volleyball courts are to be done soon. Even Lifeguard Competitions and Canoe Polo could help to stimulate and engage the senior male swimmers.
We'd like to hold challenge practices on a monthly basis for test-sets, data collection and pulse-plots.
We'd like to host a sports-lecture series attracting national and international sports coaches and athletes from Olympic sports. Furthermore, we'd like to have a literacy program/book club that could supplement the headline events. Cable and radio broadcasting crew duties.
Other considerations include built-in extras to better accommodate participation. Finder's fees, open records, optional attendance, open-door welcoming of area coaches, advanced booking of visiting experts, flexible co-leader roles, team-wide reservations, and summary statements mailed to your home.
Reminder: These are all simply ideas. No program decisions or announcement is included in this letter. Rather, we are most interested in getting your feedback and insights for the betterment of the region's suite of swimming experiences.
Thanks for your interest.
Sincerely yours,
Mark Rauterkus
Sports Advocate, Retired Publisher, Full-time Dad
Friday, April 06, 2001
Ebook Discussion List Contributor
Contributions to the e-book discussion list
1. eBook-List Archive
---------------------
Due to popular demand, and because it is a good thing to do, I spent the
weekend cleaning up and uploading the entire archive of eBook-List to
Exemplary's server. The archive files are currently downloadable via
anonymous ftp at:
ftp://ftp.exemplary.net/pub/ebook-list/
The file 'archive.info' gives complete information on the archive, including
a strong copyright statement.
It is hoped in a few weeks to a few months to implement a Web-based archive
search engine for the entire eBook-List archive, but it is intended that the
ftp-based archive will still be maintained.
2. eBook-List Daily Digest
--------------------------
Several people have asked for a digest to eBook-List, and I have been working
hard on this the last few days.
Since:
1) eBook-List may move servers in a few weeks to a few months, and
2) Implementing digest-mode in Majordomo may be problematic on the current
server,
I decided to take Bowerbird's advice and setup the eBook-List digest at a Web
mailing list service, specifically, OneList. This digest is intended to only
be a temporary solution (for a few weeks to a few months).
For various reasons, including the need to keep list administration simple,
the daily digest is accessible ONLY by the Web -- it will not be mailed out.
It is not possible to post or subscribe to this digest apart from eBook-List.
The URL to access the daily digest is:
http://www.onelist.com/viewarchive.cgi?listname=ebook-list-daily
(The list at OneList is called 'ebook-list-daily', and so named to reflect
that it is a daily digest.)
Note that you do not need to be a "member" of OneList to access the daily
digest.
Also note that I have turned off subscribing and posting to ebook-list-daily
at OneList -- it is strictly a "mirror" of eBook-List. If you wish to post
to eBook-List, you still have to do it as currently done, *and* of course you
have to be a subscriber of eBook-List to post. But if you do not intend to
post to eBook-List, and only wish to read daily digests of all the posts made
to eBook-List, then this should work for you.
3. Charter
----------
I have updated the Charter to mention the new archive and temporary daily
digest, and to amplify on posting etiquette. Since the "etiquette" changes
are only amplifications and clarifications on the current Charter terms, I
felt no need to ask the subscribership for prior feedback. The new Charter
will soon be posted to eBook-List.
4. Miscellaneous
----------------
On the fun side, while cleaning up the archive, I had a few moments to answer
a question which has interested me for a while: "Who is the most prolific
poster to eBook-List since it started?"
To answer this pressing question of great importance, I did a simple 'grep'
of the archive files, and out of the first 5600 posts in the archive, here's
all those who have made approximately 50 or more posts:
562 Bowerbird
449 Jon Noring
267 Michael Hart
206 Eric Eldred
162 Roy Johnson
137 Laura Kecherson
130 Don Kafrissen
97 Charles Demas
94 Ron Gustavson
92 Lee Harrison
91 Chet Novicki
88 Daniel Munyan
85 Paula Mader
78 Bennett Kobb
62 Tony O'Seland
60 Michael Ward
60 Ben Trafford
58 Jean Lorrah
53 Julie Petersen
53 James (N. Post?)
51 Mark Rauterkus
50 Art Pollard
My congratulations to Bowerbird for his posting stamina. Of course, I came
in a close second, and Michael Hart came in third. The only excuse for my
high numbers is that some of my posts are administrative-related. :^)
Anyway, here ends the latest administrative news for eBook-List-Land.
Jon Noring
eBook-List Admin
--------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for using eBook-List, Discussion about Electronic Books
--------------------------------------------------------------
Post Message: ebook-list@exemplary.net
Get Commands: majordomo@exemplary.net "help"
Administrator: Jon E. Noring, jon@exemplary.net
Unsubscribe: majordomo@exemplary.net "unsubscribe ebook-list"
Tuesday, April 03, 2001
A struggle awaits
A struggle is happening. Today, the Dems are in a struggle.
The majority of Pittsburghers -- a great majority of people don’t vote -- are watching that Dem struggle.
The two nights in shinning armor -- Bob and Tom -- are going to go at it with each other.
The personality match.
Meanwhile, the real dragons are not being addressed.
We, (Republicans) have been in neutral. We have been mostly idle. Starting line.
We need to light a fire under you all now. The waiting is over.
Bob said on KDKA Radio -- it is a 1-million-to-1 chance that a Republican Mayor can win in November.
That 1-M-2-1 matter -- it has got to fire you up. Hundreds of folks are switching parties to the Dem’s side?
I am here to tell us all -- the struggle has got to go a certain way. A new way. The greater struggle is from the old-ways to the new-ways.
Sure, they will fight it out among themselves, but we have to encircle them and ride the waves that they create to great new heights. We have to use that negaitve, mindless, sense-less buzz and turn it into positive buzz -- into wonderful wisdoms, into engaging discussions, into nimble relationship building opportunities.
Frankly, you all need to know that I can’t walk in the shaddow of an ant. And, I’m not going to try.
Their island of their fight is very little. Their island of knowledge is very small as well.
We have to tell everyone -- over and over -- to think again.
Great change is not caused by ideas alone. But, great change can not happen without ideas. Pittsburgh needs great organized ideas. And, Pittsburgh needs organized people. And most of all, for this change to happen -- we need passions. Heat and passions are needed to melt the chains of past authorities that have been keeping us down for all too long.
Their passions are kindling and we need to capitalize uponn them -- use them to our advantage. We need a ying-yang approach to take their furry and put it to our benefit. We need to dance above it all -- and we need to be nimble, graceful, and with great scope and depth.
Compelling Sense in the end. Groupware now. You roles are obvious to me.
I am the team builder. I can -- with a bit of your help -- make the case for a new era -- for a FREE MARKET Republican time for the next four-years. I’m prepared. I’m out there now. I’ve got the insights and have made the city-wide efforts to deliver an avalance of compelling reason to turn on all the people of Pittsburgh.
Right now -- the enemy is us.
We need to turn you all on. We need to get an endorsement. I need to win that by 100-1. I need to have you all come to me, understand me. Then -- I need you to start with your marching orders.
I need $300 to create a large stack of $1-million-dollar bills. We need to tell Bob O’Connor and the rest of the city that we’ll take him up on his odds. We’re not out of the picture and we’ve got a guy who is publishing a book. Just check out that web site. Wait until you hear him speak.
His opponent is no slouch -- But Rauterkus.com is an inspred stay-at-home dad who doing all of this on his own -- like a great coach does -- because he is fed up and he is getting us all involved. He is grass-roots. He is prepared. He is worthy of my effort and time. We are going to have fun with this and we’re going to make history -- not be slaves of it.
History makers and the die-hard advocates are on his side now. We understand.
Check it out.
This is no April Fools Joke.
I want your Groupware address now.
I want to get you over to our campaign headquarters ASAP.
I want Million-$-Bills this week -- and I want you all to pay for them. I’ll pass these out through channels -- gimic style -- and then we are going to do wooden nickles.
We’re going to have fun. And, we’ve got messages to deliver.
I can deliver messages -- a book on biking and Schmoozing.
Enjoy.
Pondering some ideas for the neighborhood
From the website of:
Mark Rauterkus
Mayor's Race Candidate
http://Rauterkus.com Mark@Rauterkus.com
108 South 12th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
April 3, 2001
Some Ideas to Ponder
Dear Neighbors of the South Side and Citizens with Interests in Phillips School,
Tonight, I'd love to start the process rolling where we could plan serious quality time together in the near future. In this Mayor's Race, very few opportunities have been afforded to the citizen-candidates. Our messages are not being covered by the watchdog journalists in town. And, on-the-trails conversations are getting trampled by heavyweight opponents who refuse to "debate."
If the process of the campaign is only that of a personality contest -- then we all are going to suffer into the future. Nobody wins. Our democratic landscape suffers. The success of democracy depends upon the reaction of the people to the opportunities presented.
This formal request goes beyond the School Board vote, also a very important matter. There is much to do in that endeavor as well, and I'll help there as well. But, my burden now centers upon the Mayor's Race.
Requested Action Items
Let's sponsor a serious, in-depth, forum for a full-fashioned policy address about education and public policy. I would love to have the podium to give a 45-minute address about what we as a community should do and focus upon.
The Republican opponent could also be involved to give his policy address too. It could be the same night, or afternoon, or else at a second night. So, I'd like to be "fair" in this treatment of the topic as there are plenty of great ideas that would flow between my opponent and myself.
The School-Board Members, as well as others in government, as well as others who are candidates could be engaged in this event as well. We could have minor roles for them to play in the event. They could ask questions. They could give shorter emphasis talks. They could meet and mingle with the audience. They could provide campaign literature.
The Republican Party in Pittsburgh, and this is more than 8,000 members, as well as the Republican Party in the County, could also be invited and play a role as to filling the audience, creating excitement. This would allow the school and the neighborhood to showcase itself to plenty of visitors.
A various media outlet, perhaps a Radio or TV station, perhaps a newspaper, could use the event as a way to promote and be engage in the community. This is possible, but we'd have to get the process started quickly. Perhaps PCNC Nightalk would be able to tape the event and play the highlights for others to see later. Perhaps there is a PC21 show that would want to have an exclusive access to the broadcast rights?
The school administrators, teachers and union workers from around the district should have more access and opportunity to get in-depth awareness from the various candidates and ideas.
The home-schooled population, the private school parents and teachers, as well as the other minor groups that exist in the greater community -- such as the charter school advocates -- should all have an opportunity to gather and mingle with neighbors and share ideas on various educational issues.
An event(s) that is visional, if done well, can be a joy to organize. Most of all, the event can be a dress-rehearsal for the next season's general election cycle. And, given the resources of who is in the area, our central locations, and the buzz of local politics starting to re-energize the city -- these events can become long-term opportunities for Phillips to make meaningful contributions with the ideas and nonprofit cash flow. Yes, these events can make money.
Let's set in motion a sponsorship for serious, in-depth, forums for full-fashioned public policy talks and gatherings for the general election cycle. I would love to be sure that the winners of the Primary Election Cycle (as well as any Indies) have plenty of opportunities to cover the issues of the day in the General Election Cycle as well. Presently, that opportunity is wide open.
The other party members need opportunities. I'd like to be "fair" in this treatment of the topics as there are plenty of great ideas that would flow between my opponent and myself.
Thanks for your interest and feedback.
Sincerely yours,
Mark Rauterkus
start the process rolling
Mayor's Race Candidate
http://Rauterkus.com Mark@Rauterkus.com
Some Ideas to Ponder
Dear Neighbors of the South Side and Citizens with Interests in Phillips School,
Tonight, I'd love to start the process rolling where we could plan serious quality time together in the near future. In this Mayor's Race, very few opportunities have been afforded to the citizen-candidates. Our messages are not being covered by the watchdog journalists in town. And, on-the-trails conversations are getting trampled by heavyweight opponents who refuse to "debate."
If the process of the campaign is only that of a personality contest -- then we all are going to suffer into the future. Nobody wins. Our democratic landscape suffers. The success of democracy depends upon the reaction of the people to the opportunities presented.
This formal request goes beyond the School Board vote, also a very important matter. There is much to do in that endeavor as well, and I'll help there as well. But, my burden now centers upon the Mayor's Race.
Requested Action Items
Let's sponsor a serious, in-depth, forum for a full-fashioned policy address about education and public policy. I would love to have the podium to give a 45-minute address about what we as a community should do and focus upon.
The Republican opponent could also be involved to give his policy address too. It could be the same night, or afternoon, or else at a second night. So, I'd like to be "fair" in this treatment of the topic as there are plenty of great ideas that would flow between my opponent and myself.
The School-Board Members, as well as others in government, as well as others who are candidates could be engaged in this event as well. We could have minor roles for them to play in the event. They could ask questions. They could give shorter emphasis talks. They could meet and mingle with the audience. They could provide campaign literature.
The Republican Party in Pittsburgh, and this is more than 8,000 members, as well as the Republican Party in the County, could also be invited and play a role as to filling the audience, creating excitement. This would allow the school and the neighborhood to showcase itself to plenty of visitors.
A various media outlet, perhaps a Radio or TV station, perhaps a newspaper, could use the event as a way to promote and be engage in the community. This is possible, but we'd have to get the process started quickly. Perhaps PCNC Nightalk would be able to tape the event and play the highlights for others to see later. Perhaps there is a PC21 show that would want to have an exclusive access to the broadcast rights?
The school administrators, teachers and union workers from around the district should have more access and opportunity to get in-depth awareness from the various candidates and ideas.
The home-schooled population, the private school parents and teachers, as well as the other minor groups that exist in the greater community -- such as the charter school advocates -- should all have an opportunity to gather and mingle with neighbors and share ideas on various educational issues.
An event(s) that is visioned, if done well, can be a joy to organize. Most of all, the event can be a dress-rehersal for the next season's general election cycle. And, given the resources of who is in the area, our central locations, and the buzz of local politics starting to re-energize the city -- these events can become long-term opportunities for Phillips to make meaningful contributions with the ideas and nonprofit cash flow. Yes, these events can make money.
Let's set in motion a sponsorship for serious, in-depth, forums for full-fashioned public policy talks and gatherings for the general election cycle. I would love to be sure that the winners of the Primary Election Cycle (as well as any Indies) have plenty of opportunities to cover the issues of the day in the General Election Cycle as well. Presently, that opportunity is wide open.
The other party members need opportunities. I'd like to be "fair" in this treatment of the topics as there are plenty of great ideas that would flow between my opponent and myself.
Thanks for your interest and feedback.
Sincerely yours,
Mark Rauterkus
Sunday, April 01, 2001
A speech to City Republicans
A struggle is happening. Today, the Dems are in a struggle.
The majority of Pittsburghers -- a great majority of people don’t vote -- are watching that Dem struggle.
The two nights in shinning armor -- Bob and Tom -- are going to go at it with each other.
The personality match.
Meanwhile, the real dragons are not being addressed.
We, (Republicans) have been in neutral. We have been mostly idle. Starting line.
We need to light a fire under you all now. The waiting is over.
Bob said on KDKA Radio -- it is a 1-million-to-1 chance that a Republican Mayor can win in November.
That 1-M-2-1 matter -- it has got to fire you up. Hundreds of folks are switching parties to the Dem’s side?
I am here to tell us all -- the struggle has got to go a certain way. A new way. The greater struggle is from the old-ways to the new-ways.
Sure, they will fight it out among themselves, but we have to encircle them and ride the waves that they create to great new heights. We have to use that negaitve, mindless, sense-less buzz and turn it into positive buzz -- into wonderful wisdoms, into engaging discussions, into nimble relationship building opportunities.
Frankly, you all need to know that I can’t walk in the shaddow of an ant. And, I’m not going to try.
Their island of their fight is very little. Their island of knowledge is very small as well.
We have to tell everyone -- over and over -- to think again.
Great change is not caused by ideas alone. But, great change can not happen without ideas. Pittsburgh needs great organized ideas. And, Pittsburgh needs organized people. And most of all, for this change to happen -- we need passions. Heat and passions are needed to melt the chains of past authorities that have been keeping us down for all too long.
Their passions are kindling and we need to capitalize uponn them -- use them to our advantage. We need a ying-yang approach to take their furry and put it to our benefit. We need to dance above it all -- and we need to be nimble, graceful, and with great scope and depth.
Compelling Sense in the end. Groupware now. You roles are obvious to me.
I am the team builder. I can -- with a bit of your help -- make the case for a new era -- for a FREE MARKET Republican time for the next four-years. I’m prepared. I’m out there now. I’ve got the insights and have made the city-wide efforts to deliver an avalance of compelling reason to turn on all the people of Pittsburgh.
Right now -- the enemy is us.
We need to turn you all on to this campaign. We need to get an endorsement. I need to win that by 100-1. I need to have you all come to me, understand me. Then -- I need you to start with your marching orders.
I need $300 to create a large stack of $1-million-dollar bills. We need to tell Bob O’Connor and the rest of the city that we’ll take him up on his odds. We’re not out of the picture, and we’ve got a guy who is publishing a book. Just check out that web site. Wait until you hear him speak.
His opponent is no slouch -- But Rauterkus.com is a place to be inspred with a stay-at-home dad who doing all of this -- like a great coach does -- because he is fed up and he is getting us all involved. We can be grass-roots. I’m preparing. Our energy is worthy of our effort and time. We are going to have fun with this and we’re going to make history -- not be slaves of it.
History makers and the die-hard advocates are on his side now. We understand.
Check it out.
This is no April Fools Joke.
I want your Groupware address now.
I want to get you over to our campaign headquarters ASAP.
I want Million-$-Bills this week -- and I want you all to pay for them. I’ll pass these out through channels -- gimic style -- and then we are going to do wooden nickles.
We’re going to have fun. And, we’ve got messages to deliver.
I can deliver messages -- a book on biking and Schmoozing.
Enjoy.
A day in the life of Tom Murphy, campaign mailer.
Compelling Sense -- opening of a book -- draft version .03
Compelling Sense
Crafting a Philosophy of Performance Through Politics Pittsburgh's People, Public Policy and Passions
Perspectives Linking Our Past, Present and Future
Prime Contributor: Mark Rauterkus, Republican Candidate in the Mayor's Race, City of Pittsburgh, 2001
Latest edition posted at: http://www.Rauterkus.com/communications/compelling-sense/
Mark+@Rauterkus.Com
Version .03 alpha, April 2, 2001 Copyright, 2001 with the Digital Science License and Public Domain
Draft Introduction (giving a peek into the book)
Pittsburgh is distinctive. Pittsburgh is someplace special. Yet, Pittsburgh is still in the making, or depending upon your vantage point, Pittsburgh is still in the breaking. Either way, Pittsburgh is a living space. As life marches, time tugs at Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh moves into the future with grace — or with rust and gridlock. A struggle between the old and the new is unfolding.
The mission of Compelling Sense is a shared one. The task at hand is to create the foundation for a community-wide, sustainable discussion. Pittsburgh's civic wellness is to come into focus.
To introduce some unity into life, some harmony into thought, action and feeling, is a central achievement. To realize one's relation to others and guide one's own life thereby, is life's noblest rule.
To find vent for the capacities of feeling, of emotion, of thought, of action, is to find oneself. The result is not anarchy. The self so found has as the pivot of its life the power of control.
Concerning power, control and the delivery of messages, the mayor's race presents a ripe opportunity. Organized ideas coupled with organized people can garner power. Being fresh counts for getting media buzz. Having depth and scope counts more for getting the citizen activist to join our camp.
If the traditional Mayor's race campaigns linger in the mode of sound-bite and personality/popularity contest, we all lose. We can do better. Pittsburgh deserves such. Let’s interact and make it so.
The keys to Pittsburgh's success have got to include at least one plan that aims for success. This is a pursuit for excellence. These ideas start to map a collective vision for improving our civic landscape. Let's come to understand and ponder potential.
To thrive and to survive are not similar. Pittsburgh's overall condition is in serious decline. Our population base is dwindling. Debt runs high. Taxes have increased again. Our collective health is on the brink. The downward spiral continues. A public-policy noose binds us to an anchor of excessive corporate welfare.
Pittsburgh's present leadership seems to dwell upon various band-aid approaches. Too often our choices amount to selecting outcomes that are just slightly better than worse. Grant Street movements are not proactive and arrive in doses that are too little and too late. (Examples: the flood in Hays, the unified taxes, closing schools and budget deficits.)
Desired pathways for exceptional government can't be stumbled upon by continually pressing legal proceedings and waiting for the judges' decisions. Pittsburgh can't tolerate additional court-orders, consent decrees, city hall lawsuits, investigations, more independent reviews of the auditor's independent reviews. The negative tension on Grant Street is reason enough to cleanse and vote against the incumbents.
Our process of dealing with each other and with various community issues seems flawed. Our language is convoluted. We can't hope to thrive when we can't come together in the same space. Our aim is off the mark.
The hope for a reverse of the downward spiral arrives here, on the backs of the citizens with a
grassroots movement.
Pass the word. Mention: Freedom, liberties, justice, democracy, inclusion, the free marketplace, quality of life, infrastructure, respect, duty, shared interactions.
Vote for new leadership that blends the passions of Pittsburgh with its wonderful people.
We need to accentuate our character to a higher degree. Mindful actions that push and pull our distinctive edge can provide short-term benefits and fabulous new opportunities for thriving in the future.
To accentuate is to heighten for effect. To accentuate is to pronounce or mark with an accent or stress. To emphasize matters is critical. Stay bold, distinctive, determined and pleasant.
As parents, we raise our children to be proud, to communicate well (to use their words and express their ideas), and our boys are asked to be gentlemen. This campaign is partly about parenting, stewardship and trust. This is about sacred responsibilities. This is about governance.
Insights and ideas matter. Expressed inclinations on issues are on the internet. But this is more so about inclusion. A Free Market Republican values interactions. Interactions are idea transactions. Just as the free market itself values transactions, sustainable development and energy that springs from liberty, a free-market politician can enliven everyone's inclusion.
Imagine inclusion. Meanwhile, let's ignore corporations seeking subsidies. A free market approach is at the opposite end of the spectrum from a corporate-welfare approach. The heavyweight opponents include two corporate-welfare Democrats. I'm more with Libertarian views.
Great change is not caused by ideas alone. But changes can not happen without the ideas. Pittsburgh needs organized ideas and organized people. But at this juncture, Pittsburgh does not have either the organized ideas in a blueprint, nor are the people in ranks for movement.
We to need to build on two fronts. Pittsburgh needs an in-depth conversation of merit that goes far beyond the sound-bites and campaign promises. As we dive deeply into the Pittsburgh web of life and come to better understand the scope and magnitude of our surroundings, Pittsburgh needs to gather in ranks.
Knowledge of how the system works today takes a back seat to imagination of how the system of the future can be built for everyone's benefit.
On-the-job experience can be made into handicaps when we agree on the ideals in our aspirations. Solutions are not to be found, rather they are to be lived.
The dogmatic statements made here begin a shared foundation. This is a bottom-up and not top-down effort. To advance, our basic elements should be tightly described. The groundwork centers on heavy issues, truths, values and ideals. Meanwhile, the delivery of the specific steps that address the typical polarized issues are for later, in due time. Rather than giving nitty-gritty details about whether or not to renew the contract for the Chief of Police, let's explore and come to some understanding on the global situations.
Those who must jump ahead to look at a specific element, check for replies with inclinations via the internet and ask questions from the campaign trails.
As a candidate for mayor, I'm inclined to enact a Living Wage ordinance, turn heavily to land-value taxes, eliminate the deed-transfer tax and institute an immediate hiring freeze so as to begin to contain costs. These details are on the campaign's website (http://Rauterkus.com).
Cookbook approaches make for a hollow base of understanding principles, ideals, and philosophies. The essence of Pittsburgh and our struggles for success in our shared spaces and relationships are much more telling. Let’s think again and then go into action on how to disassemble the Urban Redevelopment Authority, or not.
Thanks in advance for your attention, patient attitudes, feedback and involvement. Your reactions matter, and the success of our democracy depends upon your reactions.
A deep-rooted personal hope is to be known as the most inclusive candidate you will ever have the opportunity to vote for. My background and my ambitions drive me to become the ultimate team builder in this race. My team building is going to extend beyond this race as well.
Winning the Republican primary on May 15 is an obvious goal. And, in doing so, moving to the November general election provides opportunities and time to reduce skepticism for both long-term and short term gains.
As a Republican emerges from the primary season, there will be an inspired option. In the fall, no voters will feel that they are being asked to pick between the lesser of two evils. The November 2001 ballot will include a performance centric choice in the Mayor's Race, at least on the Republican ticket.
In the next seasons, volumes of issues and ideas are going into the public domain. We are going to gather ourselves. We are going to put forth a sustainable discussion. We are going to express visions. We are going to increase hopes and extend the conversations. We are going to decide to make choices so we can all THRIVE.
To keep our unique nature is easier to say than to accomplish. We need to understand Pittsburgh and the qualities that we value. Our distinctive Pittsburgh is a product of our unique civilization.
Pittsburgh and our government makes a combination product which is still in the making. Ways of being and historical ruts work upon Pittsburgh's character. To understand the new, which is our main purpose, we must glance at the old.
The thoughts within this pamphlet, it is to be called, Compelling Sense, aim to link Pittsburgh's past with the future. We are here to make history, not be a slave of it. To do so, we'll build bridges of perspectives.
At the time of the American Revolution, one immigrant patriot, Thomas Paine, produced a small book called Common Sense. That work, published in 1776, had a tremendous reach. In the colonies, one-out-of-five had come to know that book, by reading it, or having it read to them. Common Sense, just as is the hope with Compelling Sense, set the stage for independence. Reading stirred emotions and feelings. That book helped to motivate a society to choose a huge change. Paine's writings were actually read to the troops of George Washington on the eve of some expecting battles.
The Revolutionary War pitted an underdog, grassroots force against the Red Coats and the King of England. This campaign that we're in now has some common threads besides a similar sounding title to a book.
Incredible odds, “one-million-to-one” so it was said on KDKA by City Council President, Bob O'Connor on March 30, favor the heavyweights.
Rising taxes without earnest representation press upon the thoughts of the people.
The battle-ground of issues includes increased independence, enhanced democracy, accountability in government, and authoritarian rule:
Authorities and top-down attitudes in leadership cripple Pittsburgh: Does the URA, Parking Authority, Port Authority, Stadium Authority and Water-and-Sewer Authority help or harm? To a smaller extent, the neighborhood groups that live upon the handouts from the Mayor's office need to be questioned too. The corporate-elite (PNC, Mellon, Heinz, Alcoa, Lazarus and TIFs) sway office-holding, Democrat, leaders causing even greater harm to our civic-governmental landscape. Our attitudes in government have encouraged an endless parade of lawyers and consultants employed by a bloated government.
Many Pittsburghers call themselves, “liberal democrats.” The liberal legacy matters in who we are and what we've created for ourselves. But mostly, it isn't understood. The tag of “liberal,” just as the tag “conservative” — as well as the hundreds of other labels tossed about in our conversations are as clear as river-bottom mud. Our language gets twisted and does more to confuse than to soothe. We need a common base of understanding for our shared foundation in dealing with the future. Let's go back to common sense. And, as we get back to the basics, let's reflect and explain both the landscape and principles. Then we can move into better decisions with various campaigns. Let’s think again and not be so quick to assume all the terms, tags and labels are universally understood by all of our people in all of our converstations.
Pittsburgh's legacy of “liberalism” is going to change. We are going to concentrate upon the fabric of our civic place. Let's look at the big picture and appreciate our interdependent web of life.
Shouting, “The emperor has no clothes!" isn't becoming a lone voice. Heckling can't work when the goal is the advancement of the greater good. Rather, much more is needed. We'll wage our battle with scope and depth based on true meaning and dialog. We'll draw illustrations from within and without history. If descriptions fit and can prove a point, then let's dress the heavyweight incumbents in matching red coats -- just as the opponents wore in the late 1770s.
Summary:
All-the-king's horses and all-the-king's men couldn't put Humpty Dumpty together again. In Pittsburgh we need the people plus the king, plus the king's horses, plus the king's men to put Humpty together again. Humpty isn't going to look the same. Yet Humpty can still evolve and remain distinctly Pittsburgh. But, the truth of the matter is, we are all going to come together and put our efforts into fixing our places. And, by all means, this is going to be a lot of fun trying.
Friday, March 30, 2001
Mark Rauterkus, candidate questionnaire, 2001 to the Gertrude Stein Political Club of Greater Pittsburgh
Wednesday, March 28, 2001
Tech Grants
The Progressive Technology Project is pleased to announce its Spring 2001 grants pool. PTP plans on making 15-20 grants of up to $10,000. These grants are to be used to help grassroots groups strengthen their social change efforts through the use of technology.
Please note the process will be highly competitive. PTP is likely to receive between 300-400 proposals for this round. PTP's funding is targeted to grassroots groups working to address the systemic causes of poverty and injustice. See the RFP for more information regarding organizational fit.
The Progressive Technology Project (PTP) seeks to strengthen citizen action, increase public participation by under-represented communities and build stronger grassroots organizations by supporting the effective use of information technology. PTP provides capacity building technical
assistance and grant making to assist grassroots groups in the use of information technology to strengthen their social change efforts.
http://www.progressivetech.org
Sunday, March 11, 2001
Presentation at the JCC
The JCC (Jewish Community Center) activities room held a meeting at 11 am on Sunday March 11, 2001. Former mayor, Sophie Masloff, was in attendance.
Coach
I'm a coach. I've been a swim coach most of my life. I think like a coach. I'm going to approach this campaign much like my style in coaching. I'm the team builder on the ballot. Perhaps I'm one of the best team builders throughout the entire community. I think Pittsburgh needs a team builder at this time.
Perfect 50
As a coach, all the practices begin with a drill, and exercise called the Perfect 50. This is one of the first activities taught to the team and it is repeated daily.
Practice Makes Perfect
We've all heard that "practice makes perfect." That slogan is popular. I think it is untrue. Only perfect practice makes perfect.
Without Bad Habits
Positive coachspeak demands perfect execution for the charges. We shoot for the stars. We want the best for ourselves. In this campaign, the others are the ones with the experiece. But they are the ones with the bad experiences and bad habits. You can't to perfect results by building upon bad experiences and bad habits.
I'm going to be the one who asks us all to soar. I want Pittsburgh to be the best. Our potential is not being realized.
Ninty-nine percent
Another important point I deliver to the teams that I coach is contained in the concept: Ninty-nine percent correct is 100-percent wrong.
The easy way to illustrate is to get onto an airplane in Pittsburgh and hear the pilot tell the passengers that this flight to Chicago is going to go 99-percent of the way. The plane trip would end in a fire-ball outside of Joliet and it would be 100% wrong.
Certain elements in life need to be 100% correct. Government offers some of those instances.
Inclusion
To have some of the people included is not right. We all need to be included.
Line up of Speakers
I'm happy to see that both of the Republican candidates, 100% of the line-up, is present today. I'm disheartened to see that only two of the Democrats are here. None are in the room now. Five are on the ballot. All of the candidates need to be a part of the process.
Success
The success of democracy depends upon the reactions of the people to the opportunities presented. The success is important to understand. We want to succeed.
Process
The process matters. How we do things is important. I'm going to focus upon these elements for Pittsburgh. We need to have a bottoms-up style of government, not a top-down style that excludes others from the process.
Soaring
For Pittsburgh to soar again, like an eagle above all the rest and to be in the clouds, we need our wings to stretch out to the right, another wing to the left, and some tail feathers. I'm a liitle more like tailfaithers, perhaps. But, we need all the parts in our political landscape to soar. We are not there now. We've got a one-winged beast.
Population
Pittsburgh's population fell by 10-percent in the past 10 years. We lost some 30,000 people. We lost about as many people in the past decade as for those who voted for Mayor Murphy in winning his last election.
But of serious trouble is to hear how those numbers and our decline is going to turn around in 2010. That makes no sense to me. Pittsburgh has many seniors. Lots of these seniors are not going to be around in the year 2010 and these seniors are not having babies at a rate that they can replace themselves. Pittsburgh is not going to turn its numbers around in another ten years with the pathway we've been traveling. Theirs is a false hope that makes no sense.
Brink
Pittsburgh is on the brink. We have dire times ahead. We are with huge debts. We are losing our people. Our citizens vote with their feet. We have confusions in the tax structure.
As a stay-at-home parent I tell the story of Humpty Dumpty. Humpty took a big fall. The king's horses and king's men could not put Humpty together again. But, the people, along with the king, the king's horse and king's men could. Humpty won't look the same. But we will have fun trying.
Inclusion
One way to get everyone involved is with the internet. We can get on-line. We can get sustainable discussions. We can reply with email.
In a recent WTAE TV poll held on the internet, I was the top vote getter. But, the day I took the lead in the poll, the poll was taken off the web site. Those are other matters, but it is important to note that my reach with the internet is going to have extensive powers. We are going to run circles around the others with our use of the net.
Running
The straw-that-broke the camels back for me and got me to run in the Mayor's race brings in one more swim coaching story. I've been a coach for six years at the NCAA Division I level. I've coached in six states, published books on the sport, traveled and worked at many Olympic Training Centers. I know a great deal about swimming and coaching, at all levels.
My little neighborhood swim pool is on the South Side, right near the foot of the Birmingham Bridge behind the library. There is a Citiparks swim team there.
Two weeks before the summer swim season I wrote a letter to the pool manager, Andre, asking to be a volunteer swim coach. My son, age 6, could swim accross the pool. I'm a stay-at-home dad. I could be at practices every day from 12 to 12:45. I wanted to contribute and help with my talents.
I was forbidden from coaching. I was told, "The pool is Andre's pool. He can do what he wants."
I said, "No, I don't think so. That is our pool. The taxpayers own that pool. Andre works for us."
This went on all the way up through channels, to Mike to Dwane. This ends one level below the Mayor's office. That is an attitude that is not very close to even 80-percent correct. I am sure that it is 100% wrong to have the big hand of governement coming between my and my son.