DAVID Salo -- Coach at USC -- Superior Choice!

CollegeSwimming.com: Dave Salo, one of the nation’s top club swimming coaches for more than 15 years and a former Trojan assistant coach, has been named head coach for USC’s men’s and women’s swimming teams, Athletic Director Mike Garrett announced today (April 21).

He replaces Mark Schubert, who is assuming USA Swimming’s head coach position after guiding USC swimming for the past 14 years.

“Dave Salo brings a wealth of experience at all levels of competitive swimming,” said Associate Athletic Director Dr. Brandon Martin, who conducted the nationwide search to replace Schubert. “We believe that Dave is a perfect fit for our department, in terms of both developing and educating our student-athletes as well as winning championships.”

Salo, 47, who has coached Olympic medalists such as former Trojans Lenny Krayzelburg and Gabe Woodward, Aaron Peirsol, Amada Beard, Staciana Stitts, Colleen Lanne and Jason Lezak, comes to USC after serving as head coach of the Irvine Novaquatics from 1990 to 2006.

“Returning to USC, following in the footsteps of Hall of Fame coaches Peter Daland and Mark Schubert, is a coach’s dream,” said Salo. “The fact that it becomes my reality can’t be described adequately.

I just blogged about David the other day when a person requested his book. Then I tune into this news.

Wow. This is great for him and for USA Swimming.

“I have had a dream coaching career – coaching some of the best swimmers in the world with one of the best clubs in the country. The opportunity to come back to USC to coach one of the most storied programs in the history of collegiate swimming is tremendously exciting. I am looking forward to contributing to the culture of expected excellence at USC.”

Salo guided the Novas to numerous Junior National and U.S. National team titles as well as several age group championships. He was tabbed 2002 U.S. Swimming Coach of the Year after leading the Novas to U.S. Spring and Summer national titles.

In addition to his work with the Novas, he has served extensively at the national level, including head coaching assignments for the United States at the 2005 World Championships (men) and the 2001 Goodwill Games (men). His assistant coaching duties for the U.S. include the 2004 Olympics (men), 2003 World Championships (men and women), 2002 Pan Pacific Championships (men), 2000 Olympics (women) and the 1999 Pan American Games (women).

Nova swimmers and alums who trained under Salo have consistently dotted the roster of U.S. national teams, often in starring roles. Peirsol, the world record holder in the 100 and 200 backstroke (lcm), is a two-time Olympian and won 2004 Olympic gold medals in the aforementioned events. Beard is a three-time Olympian with seven medals, one of many elite breaststrokers who have come under Salo’s tutelage. Lezak, a four-time Olympic medalist in two appearances, is among American’s greatest sprinters.

Besides duties with the Novas and the U.S. team, Salo served as co-head coach at Orange Coast College from 2000 to 2004. The Pirates won the 2003 California state title and Salo was honored as state Co-Coach of the Year. Also in 2003, he became the Founding Director of Aquatics at Soka University in Alisa Viejo, Calif., where he recently completed his second season with the Lions.

Salo joined the Novas after five seasons (1985-90) working under legendary USC swimming coach Peter Daland. He helped guide Troy’s men’s team to five Top 5 NCAA finishes, including second-place marks in 1987, 1988 and 1990. Troy also had perfect dual-meet records in 1988, 1990 and 1991. Among the USC swimmers he helped coach were NCAA champions and Olympians Dave Wharton and Dan Jorgensen.

Salo graduated from Long Beach State with a B.A. and M.A. in exercise physiology and also served as an assistant women’s swimming coach there in 1981 and 1982. He earned his doctorate in the same field from USC in 1991.

Salo swam for Santa Rosa Junior College from 1976 to 1978 before transferring to Long Beach State.

The second book I ever published, Sprint Salo, by David Salo, was done before he was hired at Irvine for Nova.

getting a medal

This is where RMU and Point Park should be swimming

CollegeSwimming.com The American Swimming Association University League is an association of student-run swim clubs from colleges and universities across the United States that enjoy the sport of swimming in a friendly, competitive environment. ASA U. was founded in response to the elimination of so many collegiate varsity swimming teams across the country. For more information and to join, please visit the 'University' link on www.americanswimmingassociation.com

Old Congress Critter faces school teacher Isaac in D's primary

I like the underdog. I've got to know Mike Isaac a bit in the past weeks. He seems like a good guy that is worthy of your vote.

Campaign 2006: Rep. Doyle faces school teacher Isaac: "The 34-year-old Scott native acknowledges that he is a distinct underdog against the six-term veteran. He says he is running to give the district's voters a choice, noting that he differs from Mr. Doyle on abortion -- he is pro-choice, the incumbent opposes abortion -- and has criticized Mr. Doyle's votes on an omnibus energy bill and an anti-gang measure that would extend the federal death penalty to some juveniles. Reflecting the reasonably civil tone of this race, however, Mr. Isaac noted in a recent interview that he supports significant aspects of the incumbent's record, notably his position on the Iraq war."

Baylor To Coeds: Pose For Playboy, Face Consequences

WPXI.com - Education - Baylor To Coeds: Pose For Playboy, Face Consequences: "WACO, Texas -- The world's biggest Baptist university warned students not to pose for Playboy, but a magazine spokeswoman said some showed up to meet photographers anyway."

I went to Baylor for a year for graduate school in HPER. This same story surfaces every year or so. Then it was the girls of the SWC (Southwest Conference).

The SWC has gone away, but the values of the university remain.

Wi-Fi in the City's Downtown neighborhood -- on the sidewalks -- stinks

I spoke up today about the plans in city council and with the PDP (Pgh Downtown Partnership) about some plans for Wi-Fi. The plans stink because the area is limited to downtown. And, the downtown coverage only goes to the sidewalks and the first two stories of the buildings.

The plan has many reasons to be skeptical.

We'll get wi-fi for the All-Star game and be cutting edge, like Spokane and hundreds of other municipalities.

I was interviewed for story on TV 11. WTAE 4 was in the hearing too.

Squeek, squeek.... I.B. stays at USC and ACLU can pull law-suit

Upper St. Clair keeps it I.B. program!

Now hundreds of families don't have to move to Pittsburgh Public Schools and attend Schenley High School.

The city has an I.B. program. Some have called for plans to expand the city's IB program to middle school grades too.

The Carbolic Smoke Ball - musical chairs

The Carbolic Smoke Ball Bush read a joint statement: “It is admirable that both Don and Craig have exhibited a steadfast willingness to remain completely inflexible and to 'stay the course,' in spite of vast empirical evidence suggesting that innumerable other routes would have been preferable.”

The Carbolic Smoke Ball: Protestor at White House reception yells at Hu to stop religious persecution in China

Funny -- and not so funny.

The Carbolic Smoke Ball: Protestor at White House reception yells at Hu to stop religious persecution in China 'Well, we have an effective way of dealing with them, too,' Bush assured him. 'For example, recently a rich lawyer got out of line, so I arranged for him to go quail hunting with my Vice President.'

Hat tip to Unspace.

Hobnob

Hobnob: "Hobnob, Inc. Corporate Headquarters:

5850 Ellsworth Avenue
Suite 300
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Phone: 412.924.0630
FAX: 412.362.1440

E-mail: info@hobnob.com"

Altoona Mirror: Pittsburgh Law Blogger gets ink

Sorry Mike, not you this time.

Altoona Mirror - Making It Happen For You
It’s still up in the air as to whether bloggers are entitled to the same First Amendment rights as other media, and whether bloggers could be sued for libel and defamation, according to media attorney David Strassburger, partner in Strassburger, McKenna, Gutnick & Potter law firm in Pittsburgh.

Amazon.com: Sprintsalo: A Cerebral Approach to Training for Peak Swimming Performance: Books: David C. Salo

It is always nice to have nice things said about the work you do.

Amazon.com: Sprintsalo: A Cerebral Approach to Training for Peak Swimming Performance: Books: David C. SaloSprintsalo, November 4, 2003
Reviewer: 'tiffanygp' (Portland, Oregon)
This is one of the best swimming books written. It outlines Dave's approach to his training methods that eventually lead his team to win BIG TIME! Great book, I wish it was in print, my copy was stolen by another coach!

Recently I got a request, again, for the book, SprintSalo. This was the second book I ever published. A friend in California is back into coach, as am I. He wanted a copy of the book. So, I check here, like the rest of the world.

Every once in a while I wonder if I should get back into publishing books. I take a nap and the thought passes.

Google's China Problem (and China's Google Problem) - New York Times

Lots of buzz this week on the net with the visit to America of China's President. I don't have THAT much to say and would rather talk about the WPIAL AA Boys Tennis Champion, a girl. But, here is another chance to smear some additional photos from my archive.
Tomorrowland in Hong Kong Disney.

Google's China Problem (and China's Google Problem) - New York Times Inside the New China

A four-hour television series and interactive web site by The Times, The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the ZDF network of Germany.

Disney in Hong Kong, techie cool.

What others are saying, (sorta like self promotion) -- around the Diamond issue

I've gotten a few off-line emails. Generally, I hate off-line emails. Send your comments to the blog, or to a list, or expect the comments to flow out of my mouth some day or onto my own blog.

I'm not so good at thinking on my feet when I've got a bunch of secrets to protect. So, I live best when there are NO secrets to protect. So, I don't really like to be burdened with secrets in the first place. This is a public effort for the public good. I love to be open and try to walk that talk.

Hi Mark,

I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for very honestly, intellectually, and eloquently destroying these ridiculous arguments that Michele and CO. are making to justify their ridiculous, vindictive actions. ( Bitter, . . Party of 3 your table is ready ) I particularly enjoyed the “come to the commons, drop a turd and call it air freshener” That ROCKS!

Not that it matters (as you write addressing points not people) but I just thought I let you know that .....

Russ will over-come this non-issue with the character and ideology that has carried him to this place, . . and also with the help of intelligent, principled writers like yourself who excel in calling a spade, a spade. . . . Thank you Mark.

Clean sweep journey man.

I took this photo on the streets in China. There, the number one issue with the Communist Party is to fight corruption. They do a lot of clean up too. Lots and lots of people are on trash pick-up jobs. The city landscapes are often way better than anything we have here in terms of efforts to clean up.

Sorta sorry state <;/

That feud is over now.

ALL APOLOGIES. The super-secret folks at the www.politicspa.com Web site sure are sensitive.

Two weeks ago in this space, we accurately reported the Internet site for governmental geeks and policy wonks was off-line and printed speculation widely discussed in political circles as to the reason why.

Last week, we noted the Web site's return and welcomed back its operators.

This egregious conduct resulted in the anonymous people who run the site throwing a hissy fit, demanding a retraction and an apology for publishing correct information.

We're not sure if this qualifies, but we are indeed sorry that we don't apologize for printing facts.

If this doesn't suffice, people, at least get the name of this newspaper right if you again attempt to use it to try to increase your Web site's loyal readers beyond a few dozen. We're the Tribune-Review.

Trust us -- we'll get your names correct should we ever decide to print them.

Philadelphia Inquirer on Pa. legislators boost their pay day by day by...

Philadelphia Inquirer | 04/23/2006 | Pa. legislators boost their pay day by day by... Pa. legislators boost their pay day by day by...
Three lawmakers used the generous $141 per diem to collect more than $46,000 each over the last two years.

By Mario F. Cattabiani, Inquirer Staff Writer

Per diem means 'by the day' in Latin.

State Rep. Gaynor Cawley (D., Lackawanna) speaks it fluently.

So do Reps. Christopher Sainato (D., Lawrence) and Mark Cohen (D., Phila.).

Over the last two years, the three lawmakers each have collected more than $46,000 in per diems - flat payments given to lawmakers for meals and lodging while on official duty.

That's tops among the state's 253 legislators, and about double what the average House and Senate member collects, an Inquirer review of expense records shows.

Another great article.

The Mercury - Diamond comes out of the rough

The Mercury - Diamond comes out of the rough Diamond comes out of the rough, by Tony Phyrillas

The blue jeans and black T-shirt are gone. Russ Diamond is wearing a suit and tie these days.

Diamond, a thorn in the side of the political establishment for nearly a year, wants to be taken seriously. He wants to be Pennsylvania’s next governor.

Great article.

Part 2 of a crap trap

My response: Alright then. I guess I've worked tirelessly for
PACleanSweep since July because I want to sustain the status quo?

Apples and Oranges. But really, Apple Seeds to Apple Pie.

You want to get a free ride with what you did in the past? What you did in the past has nothing to do with what you are doing today. You can't rest on your laurels.

many people have raised the notion that Diamond's candidacy is controversial.

I don't buy that notion, for the reasons I mentioned. That is the crap trap. Because a lot of folks don't vote -- that does not mean that the best thing to do is not vote.

To me, (a repeat), the fact that Diamond is a candidate boils down to a decision of the individual, Diamond himself. I can't tell him what to do. You can't tell him what to do. If you want to say otherwise, you stand for less personal freedom. Diamond's decision to be a candidate or not should have nothing to do with you as his master. Diamond, nor anyone else, should NOT be a slave to anyone else.

The "controversial elements" of the Diamond effort should be (and could be) the CAMPAIGN, not being a candidate. There is no controversy to run or not to run. But I hope there is a lot of controversial aspects on what he says, how he says it, what messages people hear, and how this all unfolds with voters, media, supporters and other candidates. That is the "sustained conversations of the campaign" -- and that will rub people all different ways. That's the message and that's the essence of the interactions among politics. That's where the controversial elements MUST reside.

The BISHOP of the Pittsburgh Diocese could choose to run for PA Governor -- and that won't be a 'controversial decision.' He would be permitted to run for public office if he so chooses. If the Bishop shows up to a political TV debate and brings altar boys and the tall red Bishop's hat -- well, then comes a "controversial" moment.

Thanks for the spelling tips, BTW. I was in the middle of a lot of Earth Day fun and didn't touch up the typos until now.

Everyone has a right to be concerned. Everyone has a right to vote with their feet and leave organizations. Fine. But, you fail when you make a concern about the future into a threat. This goes to the core RIGHT -- the DIAMOND decision wasn't theirs to MAKE. To stay or leave is up to them.

I'm glad Diamond chooses to run his campaign with a 'my way or highway' approach. He should. It is his right, again. You are foolish to project otherwise onto him.

The board can be delicate now (OMG) -- after it shattered its good will. They (and posts like yours) screwed up and lost valued time and relationships. They over-reacted and injected more poison into the landscape than we'll ever be able to measure, today and for years to come.

Our opponents can now make the case that Diamond used PACleanSweep to promote himself have a valid point. Handling the matter DELICATELY was the RESPONSIBILITY of the Board of Directors.

Opponents always can make some valid points. You can't play only defense and win. You get points, they get points -- the winner is the one with the most points. The goal isn't to NEVER give the opponent a valid point. In football, you don't PUNT on first down. In hockey, you don't put all your players out there in the crease as GOALKEEPERS.

So, if Diamond did this Clean Sweep efforts to promote himself -- is that like the Governor going around the state to promote himself by giving away money (WAMS) on 4-foot cardboard checks? Of course there are valid points to be made on all sides. I'd say Diamond's self promotion is about 1,000 less than the acts of Rendell who spends money from the Commonwealth's taxpayers.

Likewise, if the Bishop runs for Governor, are people going to say he served the church as a way to promote himself too? Ask what's the real score?

The counter to my claim of "do-little board" being "I don't know cause I wasn't there" -- so I'm ignorant just proves me right again. Committed activists are not invisible. And, even if I have a blind spot, your counter should be more than a time card with 1,000 hours logged. And, you go back to the outset in that you want a free pass for past efforts for putting a turd into the well just now. This is today.

The next chapter isn't about a re-hash of the past chapter. You worked, fine. That's water over the dam. That's gone now. What is "fresh" is your repeat of a "crook" sling.

The student in class who got an "F" today can't go to the teacher and say, "I want an A on this paper because I got an A last month." Today's trash talk (without clear reasoning, IMHO) should NOT be ignored because of last month's good deeds. Deal with the time line of past, present and future. Otherwise, you're fooling yourself and your experiences and expectations are going to be at odds with many various forces.

This is a big state. You don't need to get along with everyone. There are saints and sinners -- and plenty of folks in the middle. Life is short. You can't please everyone. Fine....

Here is my take home advice: Live in the present. If we all lived in the present, we'd all be better off.

I hope you had a good day stuffing envelopes and picking up trash being that it is Earth Day and lots of folks were doing lots of things out and about today.

Freedom of Information Act = FOIA

'File Your Own FOIA' Party! Sponsored by the ACLU of PA, the Pittsburgh Bill of Rights Defense Campaign, and the American Friends Service Committee

From 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at Friends Meeting House (4836 Ellsworth Avenue).

The last FOIA event was so successful that it is going to happen again. Join us for our next workshop that will walk you through filing your own 'Freedom of Information Act' request. Materials (except stamps) will be provided. Light refreshments will be served - pot luck contributions gratefully accepted but not required.

Upcoming Immigrants' Rights Events

Monday, April 24th, 7pm - 8:30pm, Town Hall Meeting on Immigrants' Rights with local immigration lawyer Adrian Roe and Reverend Linda Theophilus at Pitt's William Pitt Union - Ballroom.

At 10 am on Tuesday, April 25, support the Immigrants' Rights Resolution at Pittsburgh City Council, Council chambers, City County Building, Grant Street, Downtown.

At 3 pm on Monday, May 1, Immigrants' Rights Vigil, Allegheny Courthouse and Jail
2nd Avenue, Downtown. At 5 pm, Immigrants' Rights March, a permitted march from the Allegheny Courthouse and Jail to Mellon Square Park at 6th Ave. and William Penn Place.

All events are free and open to the public.

Green pond scum.... Well, green is happy if you have a mood ring, like Judy Moody. And, green is good to say, "Earth Day!"

Crap trap Q & A about Diamond

I should not step here, as a crap-trap has been set. Nonetheless, I will dance around it, as it needs to be knocked down. However the best way to be is positive and direct. So, if you really want to get to the heart of the matter, listen to this podcast.

One-Man Think Tank: Russ Diamond weighs in on Swann endorsing Jubelirer Click on the link below to hear independent for governor Russ Diamond weigh in on Swann's endorsement of Jubelirer ...

Now back to the thread. ITALIC words are from a public email on another list. My reply is plain text.

---

Here's five reasons, not counting the allegations against him in the court papers, because they're merely allegations at this point, why I won't support the guy and why I think everyone here should be loyal to this cause and not the man behind the curtain.

For starters, learn to count. Any way you add, the number does not include five. The court papers have not materialized, so they are only allegations. When you serve papers to the court, you need to also serve the opposition. That has not happened.

To be a man behind the curtain, one would need to be behind a curtain. If one is visible, in plain view, with a spotlight to shine and be shined upon -- there is not man behind the curtain. The one's who are behind the curtain might be ones who run a blog at blogspot and don't put up personal identification. That has unfolded on a number of instances so far.

He (Russ Diamond) makes a controversial decision to run for office and it causes operation clean sweep to fall into chaos.

NO. The decision to run for office is only "controversial" to those who want to sustain the status quo.

A party loyalist would NOT want to see an Independent in the race. There is no controversy in the decision. The decision is a personal decision that Russ Diamond gets to make. If anyone finds controversy in the decision of another -- then that shows a lack of respect for freedom of the individual.

He is unable to heal the break in the group.

When you have a cancer, a doctor may be unable to heal the body. At times -- you just whack it off. If your legs were lazy -- or worse, filled with disease, I'd want to cut them off and live, rather than die.

The group was not a group as the others beyond Russ Diamond did nothing. They were instructed to help and they failed to act, repeatedly, for months. So, the rehab failed. The surgical strike makes good sense in my view.

The activists he punished made offers and even made them publicly.

The activists were not active, hence they were not activist. And, if they were, they would have been known. And, there was no punishment. They were not entitled to anything as they didn't create a darn thing. They were takers.

The public noise was made, and it has little impact except to undermine and prove points of true loyalty (to the status quo).

If he didn't put his candidacy before operation clean sweep my instinct tells me we would not be in this brouhaha.

If he didn't start PA Clean Sweep, he would not have made a brouhaha at the outset. Perhaps you feel that more than 100 candidates throughout the state are not a brouhaha. I feel that Russ was out to rattle some cages. He rattled too many when he got drafted for a race for the Gov's mansion. Those that wanted to suppress the movement, from inside, had to act in negative ways then.

But, to go to your lack of logic, the brouhaha had begun in earnest long ago for Russ Diamond. It didn't start yet for the inactive board members -- because they were waste-cases. Your instincts are wrong.

He claims that his campaign has nothing to do with Clean Sweep but he sends me a request for money.

He sends requests to money to everyone in PA, I hope. Same too with other campaigns.

I've never signed up with his campaign and now that I see what he's about I won't.

Lots of people won't sign up for his campaign. Go to the sidelines, again. Don't do anything here. Lack of action is the point of your being. Go for it.

The only place he could have gotten my email was from this group.

I have your email too. So what.

So, he sends out requests for money for his campaign to Clean Sweep people while he says he's the chairman of Clean Sweep and while he should be raising money for Clean Sweep and Clean Sweep candidates.

So you want to be in politics yet you are offended by a request for money. Get a life.

On a discussion board for Clean Sweep he again asks for help getting him on the ballot even though he says he's not a Clean Sweep candidate.

Getting on the ballot should happen before being a clean sweep candidate, if you ask me. Case in point: I am not on the ballot. I am not a clean sweep candidate. However, I am running for PA Senate (42nd). If anyone wants to help me get on the ballot, I would like to get your help. As I get on the ballot, I may then ask for a clean sweep nod, but frankly, I don't think it brings me much. First things first.

It is prudent for Diamond to know if he is on the ballot before he even considers getting a clean sweep approval (how ironic is that anyway).

He says he is resigning from Clean Sweep to make a clean break of it, but he does this a week after he jumps into the race, and uses a televised publicity stunt to do it.

Right. That's good. Effective. Prudent.

Smear without anything...

To say 'he might be a crook' can have a reply, 'you might be a rapist.' Proof, evidence, justifications are needed and you've got NONE. That's a smear that shows stupidity. Your insults are a reflection on you.

Yeah this bickering should stop and it goes both ways.

It goes against logic most of all. It goes against facts most of all. It goes against history most of all. Sure, it goes both ways. But really, it is time to think again because the insults are not spilled in a vacuum. We have seen what's what for many months.

I've said my peace about it and now I'll get back to stuffing envelopes for my local candidate.

You can't show up to a commons, drop a turd into the well of democracy, and call it a freshener -- and get away with saying you've done a peace enhancement.

Go back to stuffing envelopes for the local candidate -- and it might just be Ed Rendell, your local candidate. Working for a local candidate is nice, but it might not really be a help in my opinion.

To be loyal to a cause, without a person, is the essence of living in an ivory tower. To be a real patriot is to be loyal to both real people and a real causes. In an effective world, the person and ideas go hand in hand.

Health Care Event, Sunday, May 21 at 1:30 pm

Please help swell the crowd at Temple Sinai (5505 Forbes Avenue, Squirrel Hill) Sunday, May 21, 2006 1:30-5:00 PM by attending a Citizens Hearing on Health Care Reform chaired by Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) who is the Prime Sponsor-HR 676 "United States National Health Insurance Act: Also known as the "Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act" Let our public official know we want single-payer health care.

-- Nearly 46 million Americans and 1.5 million Pennsylvanians are uninsured.
-- 50 million have inadequate health insurance in the USA.
-- 18,000 Americans die each year because of no Health Care Coverage.
-- Half of all personal bankruptcies in the U.S. are related to debt from medical expenses.

A SINGLE PAYER HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS THE SOLUTION TO THE HEALTH CARE CRISIS IN THE USA.

Profits and administrative overhead currently take 25-30% of health care premium dollars. Medicare programs have only a 3% overhead. These savings and negotiated drug prices can help provide the necessary money to provide comprehensive high quality health care to all U.S. citizens.

-- Hear the testimony of local citizens concerning the health care crisis in our region.
-- Learn about single-payer solutions, also known as Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act, specifically HR 676, introduced by US Rep. John Conyers with 68 co-sponsors, and PA SB 1085, introduced by State Senator Jim Ferlo.

-- Listen to the responses of our state and national elected officials to single-payer options.

Participate in building an action plan to advocate for single-payer health care.

List of Hearing Co-Sponsors in comments.

For more information, please contact Sandy Fox, Hearing Coordinator, at sm2fox@yahoo.com or write to the Western PA Coalition for Single-Payer Health Care, P.O. Box 81915, Pittsburgh, PA 15217.

Two concerts tonight at two venues (North Side and Oakland)

DownUnder Coffeehouse on Saturday, Apr 22 from 7:30-9:30 to hear Eve Goodman and Jack. Eve is a wonderful singer-songwriter, whose intricate guitar-playing and insightful lyrics will leave you captivated. The band Jack features three of the most loved songwriters from the Calliope Songwriters Circle: Stacy Mates, Dave LaRose and George Kantor. Come hear some of Pittsburgh's most exciting singer-songwriters in a relaxed coffeehouse atmosphere.

The DownUnder Coffeehouse is open one Saturday each month in Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church, 416 West North Ave, North Side. Suggested donation is $5.00. Desserts and coffee will be available. Call 412-322-4261 or see www.alleghenyuu.org for more details.

And in Oakland, Caliope hosts a big folk concert too. I'm not sure if tickets are still available for the gig in Oakland.

Swann backs Jubelirer

This is being called a bomb, as in Swann dropped a bomb -- on himself. The statements came at at PIIN hosted event. PIIN = Pgh Interfaith Impact Network. I wanted to attend this event, but it didn't work out for me. I'm not too sure they would have wanted to see my "Jeff Diamond" for Governor petitions on the sidewalk. Perhaps they will now embrace them after Swann's showing.

Furthermore, Swann does not need to worry about lifting the ire of only the conservatives. Rather that is going to play poorly to all reformers as well.

Capitolwire: Swann endorses Sen. Jubelirer, risking conservative GOP
ire.

By Peter L. DeCoursey, Bureau Chief, Capitolwire

PITTSBURGH (April 22) – Weeks after a group of statewide conservatives buttonholed Lynn Swann to tell him to back away from public support of Senate President Pro Tem Robert Jubelirer, R-Blair, Swann endorsed Jubelirer while responding to a reporter's question here.

First, asked if he would endorse Jubelirer, Swann said, " … I certainly hope that, you know, whether it's a Sen. Jubelirer, or anybody else, that we have that kind of expertise there, that will help in the process of reforming government."

Asked again if he believed 30th Senate district voters should re-elect Jubelirer, Swann said, "Yeah, I think he would be a valuable ally in the Legislature."

Next, would someone ask Swann if he thinks Tom Murphy, old Pgh Mayor, should come out of retirement and seek another term in high elected office. He has experience too.

P-G article.

Olympic Song and Steven Spielberg at Opening & Closing Ceremonies

Let the games begin...

Jazz scholarship applicants sought - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Jackie Chan to record song for Beijing Olympics

Jackie Chan, Andy Lau, Alan Tam and other Hong Kong entertainers will record a pop song to promote the 2008 Beijing Olympics, an assistant to Tam said.

The song, titled 'Olympics Beijing,' is separate from the official theme song for the 2008 Games, the assistant, who only gave her surname, Lam, told The Associated Press on Thursday.

She said the Mandarin-language song, written by Eddie Ng, will be aired in China. It was unclear if the song would be released on CD.

Lam said Chan has signed on for the project but hasn't recorded his part yet. Others who have already completed their portions are Lau, Tam, Hacken Lee, Shirley Kwan, Andy Hui, William So and Jordan Chan, she said.

Other big names in the entertainment industry are involved with the Beijing Olympics, a major source of pride for the Chinese.

Famed Chinese director Zhang Yimou will oversee the design of the opening and closing ceremonies. American director Steven Spielberg has also signed on as a consultant for the two ceremonies."

See the Olympic Rings on the top of this gate. The figures on the top edges are volleyball players. The photo was take in Chengdu in the area of the provincial volleyball team's gym and residental spaces.

A Blogfest Over a Project in Brooklyn - New York Times

Station Square is FOREST CITY, fix-is-in Forest City, the Cleveland Firm, the Harrah's partner. Seems like they ran into a buzz saw from online advocates in New York.

A Blogfest Over a Project in Brooklyn - New York Times Like any developer, Forest City Ratner has had to contend with suspicious community groups, concerned politicians and skeptical editorial boards while seeking approval for the 8.7-million-square-foot venture.

But Atlantic Yards may well be the first large-scale urban real estate venture in New York City where opposition has coalesced most visibly in the blogosphere.

I've ranted a bit about how we do "blogfests" in our city -- as a social thing and nothing more. In New York, they have a "blogfest" with purpose and social implications.

Office 2004 Benchmarks on Intel-based Macs

Office 2004 Benchmarks on Intel-based Macs The big question is this: Does Microsoft Office 2004 run well enough on the new Intel-based Macs? Or should you delay your purchase of these machines?

The real question for me -- has been for years -- is all about OpenOffice.org. I don't want to run Microsoft Office because I've been using OpenOffice.org on a PC.

Blogger gets sacked for talk back posts to self as another. No Pseudonyms!

Faces. Masks from the Opera in SW China.

The Times suspended Michael Hiltzik's Golden State blog http://goldenstateblog.latimes.com/ on Thursday after the columnist admitted he's posted comments using pseudonyms.

"That is a violation of The Times ethics guidelines, which requires editors and reporters to identify themselves when dealing with the public," says the paper. "The policy applies to both the print and online editions of the newspaper. The Times is investigating the postings.

These faces can put drama into your site's comments as visiting bloggers, if you only invite them -- and make up the identities. But that would never happen HERE!

Rants from Russ and others

Clean sweep, walking along.

See the comments....

Meet the Steel City Derby Demons! -- PLUS -- Steelers to hardwood

After-Practice Party with the Demons! Starts at 10:30 pm on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at The Smiling Moose in South Side - Upstairs. Gotta be 21 or older.

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Steelers vs. Court Time All-Stars (featuring current professional and former collegiate players.) Slated for 8 pm on Friday, May 19, 2006 at Court Time. Tickets are selling fast (limited # available), call 412.754.2005 for tickets $5.

Scott Butler is Court Time Sports Center's Executive Director, 95 Enterprise Drive, Elizabeth, PA 15037.

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Blog Fest is slated for 6:30 for a Friday in May. I don't see any mention of black tie nor prom.

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Buggy Goes Live! Spring Carnival Celebration at CMU rolls around for April 20-22.

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Saturday, April 22: Earth Day Festival and Rally in Highland Park with the Sierra Club. Festival and Rally: 11:00-12:30 and Educational Neighborhood Walk: 12:30-3:00. This all takes place at the Rhododendron Shelter, Highland Park (on Lake Drive).

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The second Annual "Trash Bash" meets @ 18th and Carson @ 9 AM with coffee and donuts. They are supplying safety vests, brooms, gloves, bags and "graffiti whipes." They will have bottles of water and provide pizza and soda for lunch afterwards.

A river sweep is also slated for Saturday. Heard of this from some Mt. Washington folks. It starts around Station Square and moves up the South "shore" of the Mon to the boat launch in the park.

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Rob Owens, of the P-G reported on Thursday, CASTING THIRD 'GEEK'. The third edition of The WB reality show "Beauty and the Geek," which will air in the future on the new CW network, will be in Pittsburgh casting brainless beauties and brainy guys with zero social skills.

If you qualify and want to be on TV, casting will be held Saturday at Boomerang's Bar & Grille in Oakland, 3901 Forbes Ave., from noon to 5 p.m. Applications are available online at thewb.warnerbros.com/web/o_generic_format.jsp?id=BG-Season-three-Casting-Call.

Blogs offer new avenue for businesses - PittsburghLIVE.com

Wanted: More bloggers to join this venture and be a Running Mate. If you'd like to be on a blog that gets lots of readers -- I'd love to have the helpers.

Blogs offer new avenue for businesses - PittsburghLIVE.com 'It is of growing importance for businesses to read blogs, and consider writing their own blogs,' said Mike Woycheck, information systems technologist for the Pittsburgh Technology Council. 'It's something businesses have to pay attention to, because it's not going to go away.'

Woycheck is a founder of Pittsburgh Bloggers, which began in late 2004 and now lists more than 400 local Web logs. Most are personal, but some, including The Bloomery and Mt. Lebanon's Aldo Coffee Co. blogs, are business-based.

Keep your own blog too -- but on matters of civic concern, local issues, trends and news reactions, pipe them over here.

All aboard.... our photo in a reflection before we board the Maglev in Shanghi.

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In other local blogging news,
Local TV: Sheila Hyland to fill in on KDKA morning news WTAE is getting a WEB REPORTER. Channel 4 has hired a reporter who will file TV-style reports primarily for WTAE's Web site, www.thepittsburghchannel.com.

I still have a burning question about this page, a blast from the past, from the site in question.

Sifry's Alerts The blogosphere is over 60 times bigger than it was only 3 years ago.

No fans to light the Pirates' flame

There will be an All-Star boycott -- No Sweatshops, Bucco!

Why live in misery when the day was great -- and baseball was being played at dozens of high school sandlots all around western PA? Makes no sense when we have great baseball at the best price around -- at a high school game. We went today and on Wednesday. Great time. Dropped in for a few innings. Spent an hour or so. Wonderful.

No fans to light the Pirates' flame 'I think fans have been gracious,' he said. 'And maybe not vocal enough, maybe not vociferous enough with their displeasure. That's my opinion.'

It is a difficult viewpoint to refute, one that requires no more than a casual glance around PNC Park to reinforce.

There are no brown bags over anyone's heads, no banners advocating change, no boycotts being staged. Rarely are there boos when the home side fares poorly.

Langley baseball smashes The Dice -- and earlier in week on Brashier -- with 10-run rule mercy

Mustangs were not doing much horse play on the diamond this week. They are for real and kicking butt!

The team can hit, field and pitch. Way to go.

Drive Cleaner, Drive Greener 2006

News from the GASP event committee:

GASP's 3rd annual hybrid car display and test-drive event is set from 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday, May 20, 2006, at the Venture Outdoors Festival on Pittsburgh's North Shore, near Heinz Field.

FREE! Rain or shine. Parking will be available for $5. Parking is free for hybrid owners who display their cars!

* Test drive some of the latest hybrid electric cars to be introduced to the market.

* Talk to hybrid car owners about their experiences owning and driving vehicles using this new technology.

* Dealers will be on hand if you have questions about purchasing a new hybrid.

* Find out what financial incentives you can get when buying a hybrid vehicle.

* Information about upcoming hybrid vehicles will be available.

If you already own a hybrid car, we'd love to display it on Saturday, May 20. You can provide a valuable service by being available to answer questions about your experiences owning a hybrid and showing off your car's unique features! (Your car will only be on display and not used for test drives.)

WE ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS:

* to help publicize the event by posting flyers and forwarding this e-mail message to friends

* to display their hybrid cars (see description above)

* to find hybrid car owners who will display their cars
* to put GASP in touch with dealerships who may be interested in participating in the event

* to make wooden free-standing sign frames

* to help at the event: setting up, handing out information, signing up test drivers, taking pictures, cleaning up.

If you can help with any of these, please contact GASP at 412-325-7382 or bridget@gasp-pgh.org.

Don't miss the free Venture Outdoors Festival with hands-on outdoor activities. It will be fun for the whole family! http://www.ventureoutdoors.org/VOFest.asp

Tony Phyrillas: Three men walk into a bar …

Tony Phyrillas: Three men walk into a bar …: "Three men walk into a bar …
A Democrat, a Republican and a Libertarian walk into a bar. No, this isn't a joke. It happened. The three men spent hours discussing ways to fix Pennsylvania's broken government and by the end of the night, all three agreed on almost all of the issues. Imagine that.

The Democrat is Irv Livingood, who is challenging 14-year incumbent Rep. Dante Santoni Jr. in the 126th District. The Republican is Bill Reed, who is taking on 20-year incumbent Rep. Dennis Leh in the 130th District. The former Libertarian is Russ Diamond, founder of PaCleanSweep and independent candidate for governor of Pennsylvania.
"

Full of hot air

Article: "“Reaching out to help a neighbor, I think, is exactly what Jesus would've wanted us to do,” Frank said. “From my perspective, politicians should have a sacred trust with the people.”

April 21 means....

Family tradition --- today.... Take a guess.

Tennis anyone -- or, is it only boys now and girls then?

Girls and Guys in the same racket sport.... That's my choice.


Girls and guys have a rich history of swimming together. I've seen a girl swim an 800 free in an individual even and score a time that would have beaten all the boys times in the 800 free RELAY in that meet. Bridget Bowman did it in a meet in Joliet, IL.

Ouch!

Police are looking for an escaped prisoner who managed to evade a deputy. Carlos Harris, 34, was last seen running through Oakland naked after he was taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital with an eye injury. He reportedly jumped a sheriff's deputy and fled.

Police are investigating two attacks by teenagers near Carrick High School. One victim told KDKA-TV that he was beaten near the Rec Center, and another group of teens beat another victim nearer to the school. Police have made one arrest, but believe that numerous teens were involved.

VISTA is looking for both organizational sites and people to volunteer.

CTC VISTA Project now accepting applications

The CTC VISTA Project is accepting applications from community technology centers and other non-profits that are using information and communications technologies to address the needs of low-income and at-risk communities.

In the coming months we will be placing OVER 50 Americorps*VISTAs with organizations across the country. While the majority of these placements will take place at the end of AUGUST, a small group will be starting mid-JUNE.

Applications for JUNE placements are due in late-APRIL. Applications for AUGUSTS are due mid-JULY.

Organizations interested in participating are encouraged to review the updated guidelines and submit an 'intent to apply' as soon as possible (because recruiting a qualified VISTA does take some time).

Paul Hansen, paul.hansen -at- umb.edu, Director, CTC VISTA Project, College of Public and Community Service, University of Massachusetts/Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125-3393, 617.287.7122 (v); 617.287.7274 (fax).

Mr. Patrick skates on out of here

Blast from the past:

http://rauterkus.blogspot.com/2006/01/mark-rauterkus-left-and-craig-patrick.html

A blogger, and perhaps a 'running mate' ??? wrote that Patrick should be fired. That was in mid-January.

USA, USA, USA --- and Hockey fame! This is a photo of the recent movie, Miracle on Ice, taken in China outside a cinema there.

Wikitravel merges with World66

No sense in spinning one's wheels.

Merger of idea depots makes sense.

Wikitravel:20 April 2006 - Wikitravel We're pretty excited to share some big news with the Wikitravel community.

Wikitravel has had immense growth in the last 12 months – both in its size and in the maturity of our guides and our community. Wiki is so strange that way: the more contributors, the better the content we make; and the better the content, the more contributors we attract. But there's still so much left to do to reach our goal: to make a free, complete, up-to-date and reliable world-wide travel guide. We're taking big steps today to get closer to that goal.

As many of you know, a similar project to Wikitravel exists on the Web: World66. Like us, they've been working hard to create a travel guide of global scope. Like us, they use wiki to make the guides reliable and up-to-date. And like us, they use a Creative Commons license to keep their content Free.

Starting today, our two projects will be working together to achieve our common goal. We think the melding of these two sites is going to make a project that's greater that the sum of its parts. It's not going to be easy: we have technical hurdles and potential culture clashes to deal with. But this is the Next Big Step for Wikitravel and World66.

Next I've got to find a place for our travel stories and photos.
Different strokes for different folks -- but all in the land of the free. Take a guess where this photo was taken. Put your answer in the comments.

Editorial: Reform in the 21st / For a change, Democrats should pick Bennington

Editorial: Reform in the 21st / For a change, Democrats should pick Bennington Editorial: Reform in the 21st / For a change, Democrats should pick Bennington

LOIS MURPHY GUILTY OF PLAGIARISM AGAIN - THIS TIME STEALING FROM SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON - 4/20/2006

The document -- goes from here to there. This "poster" is from one of my travel photos and it looks a bit like "the document company" (Xerox) art. But it also comes to stand for how China and the US knock laws on copyright.

Meanwhile, back on the ranch, locally, we have a candidate for public office that is putting out good ideas that may be very similar statements from others in different times and places.

LOIS MURPHY GUILTY OF PLAGIARISM AGAIN - THIS TIME STEALING FROM SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON - 4/20/2006 ... "various college professors and a campaign ethics expert verified Murphy's ethics plan was 'sloppy,' would receive an 'F for originality,' and would find herself in 'hot water on a college campus.'

Wow, these claims, charges and foundation to the thinking is interesting.

The Platform.For-Pgh.org is a wiki that is geared to these types of postings and issues. Attribution is often given, but it is not an 'academic' mission. Rather, ours is a struggle of idea crafting and talk of solutions and problems.

Most voters are not looking for candidates who get "As" in originality.

In the last special election I was involved -- March 14, 2006 -- it was said to me from another participant, "The two candidates who had the least to say got the most votes."

If a candidate is real original -- like Bill Peduto is -- then we get laws such as the "bubble bill" that protects people going into and out of health clinics. But, the law also gets taken to court and, IMHO, will be found illegal.

Mayor Tom Murphy was a champion of being creative. Corporate welfare flew from the poor to the rich like never before with his thinking and skills of changing everyone's (almost everyone's) understanding. TIFs (tax breaks to the super rich) are something Pittsburgh developed and they are being copied in other parts of the county and country. But, that original style does not work in the long-run. It costs money from the public treasury. It gets a handful of cronies rich.

So, the blade cuts both ways as to being 'creative.' And, I'd say there is a lot of value to being only as good as Jefferson and Franklin when it comes to one's thinking in modern econmic and liberty discussions.

And, I have no problem with other candidates for public office taking other comments from others and re-using them in their talks, press releases, web sites and beyond.

Have you heard of the Creative Commons? Those levels of 'protection' are nice. But, are we going to see a license that says others can use these words only if they are running a race for a certain brand?

You can't copyright ideas! You can't slap a trademark on things that are in the public domain.

Well, you can. But, this shouldn't be the way things work.

I'm all in favor of more open-source approaches.

The messenger is less important than the message.

And finally, screw the academics and the ivory tower they rode in on. Who are they to say this or that won't work on a college campus? You know, there was a debate on a college campus and the college prof was so weak and ignorant -- and he's an expert -- that the people in the audience could not run a video camera of the discussions. Screw that.

You know what wouldn't work on a college campus -- a professor saying we're going to have some outside guests and we're not going to allow it to be put on tape.

If the plans from the candidate make sense -- talk sense. If the plans are full of holes -- point them out. If you don't have anything better to suggest -- the one who needs to return to college seems evident to me.

One final story. On the campaign trails we went to one event and were hit with a one page quiz from one well meaning community group. The questions were short -- but there were more than five. But the right answer wasn't true-nor-false. I didn't fill out the form there, as asked. I said I'd take it home. They wanted them there and then. I told the others, I'm not doing their test. It didn't get done.

Most of life, including politics and government, is an OPEN BOOK TEST.

Louis Murphy -- public plagiarism could be something to be proud of. Sadly, there seems to be lies and distances made to the claim of plagiarism at the outset -- rather than an embrace of what it means to be a well researched student of public discourse and open source ways.

Peduto proposes aid, as in 'Rich Get Richer and Poor Get Poorer'

Toss in a red carpet for good an added touch, like a cherry on top.

Peduto proposes aid Pittsburgh Councilman William Peduto has proposed an alternative approach to aiding Downtown development.

Mr. Peduto wants the city to waive property taxes on new Downtown housing for 10 years, and on new Downtown offices and hotels for five years.

His nonbinding resolution submitted to council calls on Mayor Bob O'Connor and the city's Urban Redevelopment Authority to create a group to study the idea, which he dubbed the Shared Tax Abatement for Neighborhood Development.

It also calls for tax credits for redevelopment of historic property, for construction of environmentally friendly buildings and for funding public art.

It could come up for an initial council vote April 26. Council is considering city participation in an $18 million tax subsidy for PNC Financial Services Group's proposed new Downtown office tower.

Look at all the people, living tax free for the next decade.

Click the image to see a larger version of the photo so details become clear.

Here is where you might go to get a no-bid deal. This is NOT Pittsburgh.

My notion of too many cooks is more as to getting our goose cooked too much.

Too many cooks?

Mike M at Pittsblog is on a kick about too many cooks messing up our economic development efforts in Pittsburgh. I've got a different take on that issue. See the comments over there for my one RMB (i.e., slang for two-cents).

Pittsblog: Too Many Chefs? Too Many Chefs?

And there is another blog mention about two or three below that one.

Downtown -- as in the rich getting richer -- in an exclusive kinda way.

Downtown living?

Piatt grows vision for Downtown - PittsburghLIVE.com Millcraft wants exclusive rights to develop each of the 19 Downtown properties owned by the city's Urban Redevelopment Authority.

What about a bid process. Is O'Connor just going to give away these exclusive rights?

Some payoff if that is true.

Where is the RFP (request for proposals)????

I do like the plan, as a concept. I like that thought has gone into it. I like that there are affordable units. I like that there is student housing in the mix too. But, I can't stand it that this is an exclusive deal at the request of the mayor for his cronies. No-bid contracts should be in the domain of the church, the bishop, and perhaps a temple with the monks. But for a commercial space in an urban center with government owned land -- give us a competitive bid process.

$269 million Downtown redevelopment plan unveiled Given the city's OK, Millcraft could start building apartments 'right away,' he said.

Millcraft isn't asking the city for a subsidy, nor for free property, but it does want exclusive options on 19 properties owned by the city's Urban Redevelopment Authority, he said. Given that, its marketers would take their plan to the International Council of Shopping Centers convention, which starts May 21 in Las Vegas.

Millcraft isn't asking for a subsidy -- but the assumption is that this is an exclusive. This is a hand-picked contract. This is a favorite friend deal. This is a cronie thing. This is a "screw the rest of the world deal where they say 'hell to the marketplace' and 'hell to those who are not buddies.'

I say that this deal, as a process question, needs to review and evaluation.

I say that Bob O'Connor was NOT elected CZAR of the city.

I say that there should be some 'stewardship' in terms of hard questions asked from the public officials for the benefit of the public interest.

I say that a deal like this could land Bob O'Connor in jail. The Feds will be on this in a New York minute.

This might be a splendid plan. It now needs to be put out to bid. You don't want to build the apartments right away.

Is it taps for Point State Park's Music Bastion?

A park with purpose is needed.

Is it taps for Point State Park's Music Bastion? Reconfiguring the park for more active use could bury its historical significance

This park story is another that screams of the need for a real park district for the greater pittsburgh area. This plan sucks. Sucks bad.
Point Park could have a ferris wheel and fine gardens.... or not.

More ideas on Point Park later.

Row your boat gently down the stream.

Bloggers on PCN

I'll be holding my breath.

Dear Bloggers,

We are planning an upcoming Call-in program featuring political bloggers and will let you know when it happens.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Brian Lockman
President and CEO

Pennsylvania Cable Network
401 Fallowfield Road
Camp Hill, PA 17011

phone: (717) 730-6000
fax: (717) 730-6009
e-mail: brianlockman - at - pcntv.com

Not your typical slow-poke turtle. Click to view larger image.

Casey, opponents will debate tonight

Good news: The debates is being hosted by an educational institution. Bad news: The debate host seems to have an ego that is going to block the public event from being taped. What's next, pay-per-view books in the library?

Philadelphia Inquirer | 04/19/2006 | Casey, opponents will debate tonight Debate coordinator G. Terry Madonna of Franklin & Marshall College, which is hosting the debate, said he supported the rule restricting the use of debate footage. Madonna said the college proposed a list of rules for the debate and agreed to the Casey campaign's suggestion to restrict use of debate footage.

'We didn't want this forum in an academic environment to be used by the campaigns,' Madonna said. 'We are not in the business of helping people win or lose elections.'

The 90-minute debate at Franklin & Marshall College will be shown live on PCN at 7 p.m. Madonna said C-Span might run it tomorrow.

Pens closer to new arena - PittsburghLIVE.com

Victory. Then one paragraph later -- uncertainty.

Pens closer to new arena - PittsburghLIVE.com That was good enough for Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato to “declare victory” on the arena issue, which he said is now “off the table.”

“I think it’s a done deal,” Onorato said. “No matter who wins this you have the arrangement now to build an arena with gaming money. And that’s where you want to be.”

Mayor Bob O’Connor said, “We have solved the Penguins issue.”

Still, the team has not committed to staying in Pittsburgh under the backup plan. It does not know enough about the proposal, said President Ken Sawyer.

Let it be known, we have a done deal. We have a new arena. Dan Onorato said so. Bob O'Connor said so. And, this confidence comes from the clear words of Ed Rendell.

I was there too, to listen. A mini-press event was there at the Wm. Penn by the elevators. A half-dozen or more reporters recorded the promise.

Seat licenses should start to go on sale next month.

AP Wire | 04/18/2006 | Casino groups pitch plans for Pittsburgh

Here is a mixed message:

AP Wire | 04/18/2006 | Casino groups pitch plans for Pittsburgh 'We now have the opportunity to demolish an arena and rebuild a community,' said The Rev. James Simms, chairman of the board of advisers for Pittsburgh First, a coalition formed in large part by the Penguins, Isle of Capri and Hill District community groups.

If you want to build, you build. If you want to tear down, you tear down.

To rebuild community -- with gambling -- is a joke.

The community building within the Isle of Capri plans are "if marketplace conditions prevail." The community is a wish -- a hope -- a promise -- and the groundwork for a l-i-e. If the community was real, then we'd have another story. But, the community plans with the Simms associated plan is but a pipe dream.

Likewise, the community with the Station Square plan is not a sure thing either.

Both of these plans are built on, in part, false hope.

This quote by Ken Sawyer of the Penguins, was a whopper. "I guess unfortunately for you people, you may be deciding the fate of the Penguins," Sawyer told the board. The fate of the Penguins is put on the backs of the gambling board -- by the owners of the Penguins.

The Penguins owners can't even pull their own weight nor make their own decision. They willingly want to pass the buck. No wonder they are in last place.

Leadership that is with such a defeated attitude is sure to guide the competitive team right into last place.

A man, a plan, the Web: Bartering for a house

Good advice and words to live by.

A man, a plan, the Web: Bartering for a house 'If you say you're going to do something and you start to do it, and people enjoy it or respect it or are entertained by it, people will step up and help you.'

Okay Froth Slosh... Back at ya...

How much would you pay for this cup?

Froth Slosh B'Gosh Now how much will you pay?

My cup has .... care to guess?

War: Joe Sobran, the Reactionary Utopian

Source, with hat tip to H.H.

Joe Sobran, the Reactionary Utopian

Bush's Latest Idea

In the 1979 movie 'The In-Laws', Peter Falk plays a dotty former CIA man who awes his sidekick, Alan Arkin, a timid dentist whose daughter is married to Falk's son. "Were you involved in the Bay of Pigs operation?"? asks the fascinated Arkin. Falk replies
proudly, "Involved in it? It was my idea."?

"Success has a hundred fathers,"? John Kennedy quipped; "failure is an orphan."? True, as a rule; but the Iraq war has a hundred fathers who still think
it's a success, President Bush chief among them. It was his idea!

Now, heaven help us, he has another idea: Let's extend the war to Iran. No, he doesn't want to send U.S. troops into Iran; even he isn't quite that goofy.

But Bush and his sidekicks keep talking about the threat from Iran the way they used to talk about the threat from Iraq. Something's up. I look for air strikes on Iran soon, maybe just a good night's bombing, as proposed by Edward G. Luttwak in the Wall
Street Journal recently. You know, another preemptive strike. Unannounced, but not unexpected. A predictable sneak attack.

History repeats itself as farce, Karl Marx observed. That would be a good epitaph for this administration. As a connoisseur of political farce, I'm anticipating an inept sneak attack, a combination of Pearl Harbor and the Bay of Pigs.

Then what? As the Iranian people rally behind their government, the whole Muslim world and everyone else rally against the United States, the world oil market goes berserk, and Americans start riding horses to work, Bush, Dick Cheney, and Donald Rumsfeld will claim another success, complaining that the media are showing only the downside of the operation.

According to Bush's interpretation of the Constitution, the president, in time of war, is empowered to do whatever he's in the mood to do. And Bush is now in the mood to teach the Iranians a lesson they won't forget, no matter what the cost.

A quick air strike wouldn't require a congressional resolution and wouldn't give the opposition time to organize. At this point, Bush must turn every faux pas into a fait accompli, as our French friends --? well, former friends --? might say.

Meanwhile, Bush's hairy-chested neocon friends are coping with cowardice on the home front. They question the manliness of liberals and Democrats, except for Hillary Clinton, and I myself have felt the sting of their lash.

Here I must mention the most familiar, yet most baffling, argument for war. It runs roughly like this: "Our brave men and women are dying in [fill in name of relevant country] to protect the very freedoms you yellow-bellied peaceniks abuse."

On this view, we owe all our freedoms to wars, and all our wars are wars for freedom. Is that so? Well, which wars gave us freedom of speech, trial by jury, property rights, the right to remain silent, and the right to abortion? Are these the rights our enemies were trying to take away? And just how did, say, Kaiser Wilhelm II or Manuel Noriega plan to achieve that?

Obviously, as many libertarians have pointed out, it's precisely during wartime that government grows and our rights shrink. Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and George W. Bush should have taught us this by now.

This isn't the only country that believes freedom depends on war. Unless Brittania rules the waves, says the old anthem, Britons may all wind up as slaves. Well, Brittania no longer rules the waves, and Britons, happily, aren't slaves, but they're still singing that anthem.

Faith in war is the closest thing America has to a national religion. It is closely allied to our faith in Great Presidents. As for those who didn't trust our Great Presidents, such as copperheads and isolationists, their name is mud.

So trying to talk Americans out of going to war is a fool's errand, like trying to persuade Yosemite Sam to hold his fire for just a minute. If you get any reply at all, it will be a truism: "The only thing these varmints understand is hot lead."?

As the old rabbis used to ask, "Have your ears heard what your lips have just uttered?"? It's no use trying to make people listen to you when they won't even listen to themselves.

Joe Sobran

Mike Ference, a.k.a. The Mon Dawn gives golden insights on gambling windfall hyper-drive

It may be a while before Pennsylvania residents see any of the alleged tax savings that will come, theoretically, from the revenue generated by slot machines. During the interim (which may last a few decades) I have an idea that our government leaders should consider.

It seems like one obstacle to the more-gambling-less-taxes payoff is that we can’t fill all the openings on the PA Gaming Commission and Gaming Control Board because it’s virtually impossible to find anyone in the state who favors gaming but isn’t somehow connected to the mob. And even after someone is appointed it seems that they either decide to retire after a month or two or they have to go to court for a murder rap.

I suggest we sidestep this obstacle by threatening to offer PA Gaming positions to legitimate business people who would probably pay good money not to be considered. For example, suppose it was leaked to the media that Microsoft CEO Bill Gates was being considered for a position on the PA Gaming Control Board. I’d bet good money that Mr. Gates would pay good money just to have his name taken off the list. Maybe he’d even pay a little extra to have the board send out a press release stating that Gates had never been a contender, that the media was simply wrong. That might be good for a couple million bucks — and it’d probably arrive a lot faster than the jackpot the pro-gaming utopians keep telling us about.

Using the same ruse, we could probably get big money from the Vatican by offering gaming positions to high-profile church leaders. What the heck, maybe we even float the possibility of a powerful role in PA Gaming for the Pope — that should pull in some wealth for the Commonwealth, and perhaps even some nice artwork, which can be hung in our casinos. If they ever get built.

Then we can move on to international leaders. I’m sure Saddam Hussein wouldn’t want his name tarnished any further by being appointed to the PA Gaming Control Board — he’s probably got some cash hidden somewhere that he’d send to Pennsylvania to prevent us sullying his reputation.

I believe there’s an almost endless list of folks who would pay big bucks to avoid being associated with PA Gaming. I feel this has at least as good a chance to lead to lower taxes as legalized gambling. I hope our leaders give it a try.

Click the comments to get contact info.

PCN - coverage of meetings slated for Wed night

PCN - Pennsylvania Cable Network Wed, 4-19, 8:00 PM Slots Community Impact - Pittsburgh, PA Gaming Control Board

I can't tell how late this TV coverage will run? Day one of a parade of people to speak unfolded today.

I got to shake Franco's hand. I got to tell Ken Sawyer to own the building and not give it to the public. And I mingled with union workers, Unite Here, to say that we should go straight to table games and bypass the slots. And, with Dan Onorato, I got to say the best way to keep the Pens here is to have Pens own the new arena. And for Jon Delano -- I mentioned that the $290 or $300 million would equal to 100 new Dormont Pools around Allegheny County.

The designer of the site didn't know where Duquesne Univ plays its basketball games. I sorta see why the DU President has second thoughts about the casino's location. The people who went to DU games this year may not be similar to the crowds they get in future years. I'm not sure there can be a DU men's hoops game (or WPIAL PLAYOFF GAME) and Pens game on the same date? The facilities are quite close. I hope so.

There is a new park (in the Isle of Capri plans) over the highway! Another park for LEED stuff on the roof of the casino. And, a third park behind the casino between it and the neighborhood. I want COACHES at those parks.

One gal (from Bethel Park and works in a downtown bank) had a free t-shirt that had been edited with a black marker. It was funny. The t-shirts were handed out by the truck loads and say, "I support Pittsburgh First." She inserted a word, to make it read, "I DON'T support Pittsburgh First."

The protesters were few and far between.

But,

AN INVITATION that arrived via email from the Independent for PA Gov candidate

Here is the email that I'm posting on this blog:

I am pleased to invite you to become part of my independent campaign for Governor of Pennsylvania.

MY RECORD
As you may be aware, the state legislature voted itself an unannounced pay raise on July 7, 2005 - ranging from 16 percent to a whopping 54 percent - violating our state Constitution. This increase was quickly signed into law by our current Governor.

I don't know anyone who deserves a raise that large - especially this state legislature - and I certainly can’t recall any working Pennsylvanian who’s received an increase of that proportion. Pennsylvania suffers from too many problems - heavy tax burdens, lack of economic opportunity and unresponsive government at all levels. These things must change - Pennsylvania deserves better.

In response to the pay grab, I founded an organization named PACleanSweep. We were instrumental in defeating Supreme Court Justice Russell Nigro in November, 2005, pressuring the legislature to repeal the pay raise, and we have recruited more than 100 candidates for state legislature. PACleanSweep candidates pledge integrity, honesty and adherence to the Constitution of Pennsylvania, so our citizens will be protected from further legislative shenanigans.

MY REASONS FOR RUNNING
PACleanSweep has accomplished much in its short existence. However, there is so much more work to do. Along with a new legislature, we need a new, independent governor - one who will not be swayed by the establishment which has led our Commonwealth down the wrong path.

We need someone who will say "NO!" to backroom-brokered pay raises and other quickie legislation. Someone whose first priority as governor will be the problems of Pennsylvanians like you. And finally, someone who gives the taxpayers and voters of Pennsylvania a voice in their government - both in its day-to-day affairs and its long term planning.

MY PLEDGE TO YOU
The political system in Pennsylvania is broken. In order to meet the needs of ordinary voters and working taxpayers, I pledge to do the following:

• veto any proposed legislation which has only been seen by back room dealmakers and not subjected to public scrutiny;

• veto all unconstitutional legislation, including middle-of-the-night pay raises, legislative perks and entitlements;

• reduce the size and cost of state government by exposing wasteful spending on items such as expensive meals, golden junkets and other expenditures which add little value to the legitimate functions of government;

• direct the Attorney General to investigate any and all abuses of taxpayer-funded resources and abuse of authority, even if it means investigating the actions of other elected officials;

• use the Governor's office as a bully pulpit to create a level playing field for all voters, creating a fair system for hearing and considering methods of reforming and operating state government.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
I will be running without the support of an established party apparatus. Because of this, I will need the assistance of independent Pennsylvania Patriots like you. I am required to obtain 67,070 signatures in order to get my name on the ballot in November. My committee and I have determined that we will need at least 100,000 signatures in order to adequately resist a court challenge.

We estimate this effort will cost at least $200,000. This means that every $500.00 you contribute to my campaign will result in 250 petition signatures to get me on the ballot and get your government back.

• Please give what you can - and of course, please feel free to give more than once. To give online, visit http://russdiamond.org/contribute.html.

• If you would like to sign my petition - or better yet, help us gather signatures - please visit http://russdiamond.org/petition.html. There, you will find all the information you need to help me get on the ballot.

• Please spread the word about my candidacy, and wherever possible, support PACleanSweep candidates.

This is an exciting and historic time for Pennsylvania - the eyes of the nation are upon us. I hope you will join me on this mission to restore honor, dignity and integrity to Harrisburg.

Sincerely,

Russ Diamond
Independent Candidate for Governor

Paid for by RUSSDIAMOND.ORG
Barbara J. Baur, Treasurer

City considers local race - Pittsburgh - MSNBC.com

Earth to Bob.... I'm not interested. Take the auto race and move it to Daytona or Indie or The Poconos.

I didn't shed a tear with the lost of the 84 Lumber golf event either.

Focus on government. Get us good government.

City considers local race - Pittsburgh - MSNBC.com O'Connor said this week he wants to bring a big-league racing event to Pittsburgh, such as an open-wheel grand prix race.

If you want to dream that vision things -- then talk about 5 year olds, talk about 10 year olds, talk about 15 year olds and if you must, talk about 20 year olds.

Then to really get serious talk about the five year olds who are being parented by the 20 year olds -- or the 50 year olds.

Then if you really want to get serious about a 'race' -- talk about the 10 year olds who don't have a swim team because the local swim pool is closed. Talk about the race to use wi-fi for 15 year olds doing homework, who live all around the city, not downtown.

The stunning downtown skyline is NOTHING when contrasted to our children. I don't want to watch cars. I want to watch our kids grow up in a city that is just and full of opportunity for developing skills and solid friendships.

Pittsburgh does not have a chance to turn itself into a place for big-league racing. But, we can be the best place in the world to parent, to grow, to nurture, to heal, to live in community.

I'd rather have a good Dragon Boat Race -- or Anything-that-floats Race.

Impact Lab - Amazing 3D Sidewalk Art Photos

A friend of mine wanted me to do something like this -- but a bit different -- for the election. The South Side is such a friendly place for walking and sidewalks. We pondered the notions -- but didn't.

In the future, there will be more and more political art on sidewalks -- and less and less on lawn signs.

Impact Lab - Amazing 3D Sidewalk Art Photos These unbelievable photos are chalk drawings done by Julian Beever. Beever uses his drawings to create an amazing 3D illusion.

Click the link about to check out these images -- for fun. They are 3D.

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Our 2-D story of sidewalk art follows. (Click image for larger view.)
Artists at work on a sidewalk in front of a Lotus garden.


Little nudity -- we call these "split pants." When you see a puddle -- you don't generally want to walk in it.


Artists notes...


From the back with Lotus in the foreground, artist in middle and the tea house, found in People's Park, in the background.

Upclose... Mom, we're headed home.

Really, it was a call to the artists daughter for help in translating what was to come next.

Editorial: Altmire in the 4th / This Democrat would give Hart a real fight

I'd love to get the details (and all of them) of what Altmire has to say about healthcare. He used to work at UPMC.

Editorial: Altmire in the 4th / This Democrat would give Hart a real fight Mr. Altmire has a different view and would expand health coverage with a more incremental approach. He'd push for legislation to allow all Americans to buy insurance through Medicare, which has low administrative costs. He'd seek to cut medical costs by reimbursing doctors and hospitals based on quality, not quantity, of care. And he'd place all privately insured people in the same community-rated pool and make it difficult for insurance companies to raise their premiums.

Bon Jovi to headline concert at Heinz Field

Bon Jovi to headline concert at Heinz Field Steelers World Championship Celebration Concert.

Perhaps we'll not need to be in such a rush to get all the redding up done by this summer's All Star Game -- as we'll have a fall-back -- the Steelers concert with Mon Jedi. :)

2nd casino bidder pledges arena, Hill District funds

On one hand we have Franco, another Mario and now The Bus. Plus, we've got #88 in a run for PA Governor.

2nd casino bidder pledges arena, Hill District funds

2nd casino bidder pledges arena, Hill District funds
Taps Bettis to head consortium of business, civic leaders

Monday, April 17, 2006
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A Detroit businessman competing for the Pittsburgh slot machine license is expected to unveil plans for a $350 million redevelopment of the Hill District as part of his bid at a press conference this afternoon.

Don Barden, who heads up PITG Gaming LLC, also is expected to pledge $7.5 million a year toward a new arena. The amount is what Gov. Ed Rendell had requested of slots applicants in his Plan B funding package for an arena.

He has picked another person who hails from Detroit, Steelers star Jerome Bettis, to lead a consortium of business and civic leaders that would oversee the Hill development.

Bunny for sale.

Lawmaker: Let $13,000 surcharge on new homes pay for schools

Here is a new idea. New ideas are worth talking about.

PennLive.com: NewsFlash - Lawmaker: Let $13,000 surcharge on new homes pay for schools Lawmaker: Let $13,000 surcharge on new homes pay for schools

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A state lawmaker wants to tack a $13,000 fee onto new homes in some high-growth areas to help fund public schools.

The goal is to spread growth more evenly across the state and encourage the renewal of homes in older town centers, said Rep. Stephen Maitland, who introduced a bill proposing the surcharge this month.

The bill would let municipalities in six midstate counties impose the fee.

'Somebody builds 100 houses down the road, and my grandmother's taxes go up. It's not fair,' said Maitland, R-Adams. 'Here's a way to get cash in hand so if you have to build a new school, you're not automatically raising taxes on current residents.'

But real estate agents and builders say the fee would stifle growth in the state's relatively few boom areas.

Residents 'should be happy that they have something happening in their economy,' said Brad Elliott, president of the Pennsylvania Builders Association.

The average cost of a new home in the midstate area is about $276,000, according to Coldwell Banker.

The bill would apply to Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties but not to slower-growing Dauphin and Perry counties. The fee for a multifamily unit would be $15,500 or higher.

The bill would exempt farm and government construction and let officials waive fees for low-income housing and other projects deemed in the public interest.

Hearings could be held this summer.

I don't endorse the idea, but I'd love to speak at the hearing and get to know more of the details and reactions from others.

Johnsmith sings, "Don't Put Me in a Box" at an event hosted in Pittsburgh for a past Rauterkus campaign.

Swann's hour of crisis - PittsburghLIVE.com

Swann's hour of crisis - PittsburghLIVE.com Yet it appears no one around him is thinking inside or outside the box.

Harsh. Not thinking inside or outside the box. Wow.

They need a song, "Think again." And, they need another song, "Don't Put Me in a Box."

Great news: A Lt. Gov debate at CMU

The Heinz School at Carnegie Mellon, is pleased to announce the Democratic Lt. Governor Primary debate, Wednesday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m., co-sponsored by the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh, the Heinz School, and the local League of Women Voters chapter. Candidates who agreed to participate: Valerie McDonald Roberts, Gene Stilp, and Bill Hall.

The debate will be held in the Hamburg Hall Auditorium, Room 1000, at 4800 Forbes Avenue, between Craig Street and Morewood Avenue, directly across the street from the large Morewood Parking Lot.

The great news of this event is the fact that the local institutions, educational institutions, are going to engage. We need that engagement in Pittsburgh and for the sake of our state.

CMU, Pitt, RMU, PPU, CCAC, DU and the Cs (Carlow and Chattam) -- you gotta engage.

Every department. Every academic organization. Every faculty senate, student government organization.

And let's not stop with these core to Pittsburgh institutions. Grove City, Slippery Rock, California, Gannon, -- you name em. We need em. We need faculty, staffers, students and parents of students to give a darn by hosting part of these discussions.

Even nonprofits -- don't be shy. If a nonprofit gets PAN-POLITICAL, by putting a seat at the table for ALL contestants -- then its okay. We can't have nonprofits give favorite treatment to some and unfavorite treatment to others. But, show respect to all, show inclusion, show it all -- under bright lights.

Benchwarmer -- Call to Action -- Voter Registration Technical Insights

Anyone (who is alive and a registered voter in the Commonwealth) can help an Independent candidate for PA Governor by signing that candidate's petition. And, anyone (it still helps to have a pulse) can circualte a petition for an independent candidate as well.

Signing is okay. Being a curculator for nomination papers is okay too.

Likewise, the same applies to a candidate who is an Independent for PA Senate. But, the only extra restriction is the border for the PA Senate district. If the person is a registered voter, lives in the district, all is fine for your help.

However, there is another level, beyond getting a signature for nomination papers from now until the end of July, and beyond getting help from fellow citizens in efforts to get those signatures. The next level is being a candidate.

Those that are now registered voters in the D and R parties MUST OPT OUT of his or her party NOW if he or she wants to get onto the ballot and BECOME A CANDIDATE for the general election in November. It isn't too late to run -- yourself -- for office in November's General Election, as an canddate (under the heading of Independent, Libertarian, Green, or even Disclosure Party) if you are registered those ways now. But, soon, that deadline passes.

For example, perhaps your state rep is a Dem, like Harry Readshaw. Harry does NOT have any D nor R opponent. So, he'll be getting onto the General Election Ballot -- without any opponent, unless someone steps up to run against him. And, that someone would need to NOT be a D or R as this deadline comes.

Well, this call for action is well put.

Attention all benchwarmers -- 04/14/2006

Tony Phyrillas , Pottstown Mercury

There's a new movie out called "The Benchwarmers." It did pretty good at the box office last week. The movie will be a distant memory a month from now when Pennsylvania voters go to the polls in the May 16 primary.

Unfortunately, many Pennsylvanian voters have chosen to be benchwarmers instead of getting into the game. Thousands of Pennsylvanians who belong to minor parties (Libertarian, Green, Constitution, Socialist) and others who have registered as independents will sit out the May 16 primary, arguably themost important election in the state's history.

All the talk we've heard since last July's outrageous pay raise about voting out the bums won't matter if voters don't follow through with threats to oust incumbents.

The best way to toss out incumbent legislators -- in many cases, the only way -- is to vote for challengers in the primary election. Incumbents have spent decades gerrymandering districts to the point where both major parties have "safe" districts, where Democrats may outnumber Republicans 2-1 or vice-versa. It's nearly impossible to vote out the incumbent unless somebody from his or her own party challenges them in the primary.

More than 60 primary challengers gunning for incumbents have survived the petition-gathering and court-challenge phase of the process. Now they need your vote to get rid of the career politicians in Harrisburg.

But third-party voters (the ones who claim they are pushing for reform) stubbornly refuse to change their voter registration to one of the two major parties, which is the only way to vote in a primary. You may be disgusted by what the Republicans and Democrats have done to this state. But until you join reform-minded Republicans and Democrats to remove the career politicians, your voice will never be heard.

March down to your county courthouse Monday and change your party affiliation for one day -- May 16 -- so you can join the people's revolution to take back Pennsylvania from the 254 self-serving career politicians (Ed Rendell and the 253 legislators).

While "benchwarmers" is a nice term I use for third-party candidates who will bury their heads in the sand on May 16, Russ Diamond is a little more blunt.

Diamond, the founder of PaCleanSweep and newly announced independent candidate for governor, issued a statement this week to Pennsylvania's "sore losers."

Pennsylvania's "sore loser" law mandates that any individual who runs as an independent or minor party candidate may not participate in the primary election as a voter or a candidate, according to Diamond.

"This is the last chance for those who are truly dedicated to changing government in Pennsylvania," Diamond said. "Once the deadline passes, registered Republicans and Democrats can't run as an independent or with a minor party affiliation. There are a lot of races across the Commonwealth where the incumbent currently has no challenger whatsoever. No one should breeze through an election cycle without a challenge. That's why we have the sorry state of affairs that brought us the pay raise and other horrible legislation."

An ongoing informal poll on the PACleanSweep Web site reveals that more than 95 percent of respondents indicate they would be willing to vote for a credible independent or minor party candidate if there is no other competition for their incumbent in November, Diamond said.

Independent and minor party candidates have until Aug. 1 to file petitions in order to get their names on November's general election ballot. Unlike the requirements for major party candidates, any registered voter may sign a petition for an independent or minor party bid.

Diamond urges those interested in changing their registration to do so by visiting their local Board of Elections by April 17.

"While we have great expectations for our Republican and Democratic candidates and we're confident they'll fair well in the primary, credible independent and minor party candidates present an opportunity for a second wave of electoral pressure on a legislature which is overdue for massive institutional change," Diamond said.

So let's review. If you live in a legislative district where the incumbent is a Democrat, you must be a registered Democrat to vote for a challenger. Otherwise, the incumbent gets a free pass to the Nov. 7 general election.

If you're not planning to run as a third-party candidate, then your best recourse is to change your voter registration for one day so you can have a say in who governs Pennsylvania. You can change your registration back the next day.

E-mail Tony Phyrillas at tphyrillas -at- pottsmerc.com