Egypt cracks down on political bloggers

This is why I get just yawn at the Pittsburgh Blog Fests. I think we need to be agitators and instigators in terms of freedoms, not social beer swilling do littles.

Egypt cracks down on political bloggers At least six bloggers are among about 300 protesters jailed during the past month's suppression of demonstrations. The bloggers, supporters say, were singled out by police, who pointed them out before agents rushed in to hustle them away. In the view of some human rights observers, the Egyptian government has begun to note political activity online and is taking steps to rein it in.

City may lose money in selling Downtown buildings

Told you so.

City may lose money in selling Downtown buildings Since 1999, the city's Urban Redevelopment Authority has spent nearly $14 million buying properties Downtown in hopes of enticing a developer to remake the Fifth and Forbes corridor.

All the while, critics said the city was paying too much.

Now that the URA is working to finalize an agreement with Washington County developer Millcraft Industries and partner Ira Morgan to redevelop the 19 city-owned buildings, it appears the critics may have been right.

"May have been right" is the understatement of the decade.

Back in 2000 we KNEW the city was going to loose it financially. Then came the overlords.

In 2002 we KNEW the city was going to fumble the ball on its REC Centers and Swim Pools -- and put them to the test for the installing free mini-computer labs in eight sites -- and the city proved us right again.

We knew we were right on city wide wi-fi -- which won't come nor happen by the All-Star Game.

We knew we were right with Lazarus dealings.

We knew we were right about the continual population loss. People are still voting with their feet.

We knew we were right about the Pay Raise.

We nay-sayers are able to think again.

The deal that is most advantageous to the city is to REPLACE -- then REFORM. We're not getting anything that is splendid from the big-picture when looking at what's still in the pipeline from these folks.

House Concert -- success and follow-ups later

We had nearly 50 people at tonight's house concert that featured the fantastic music of Joe Jencks ... and a guest performer or two. Photos and details later....

Next, we've got a weekend swim meet in Hampton. AM with Grant. PM with Erik. And, other club swimmers too, of course.

Thanks for the interest and attending. We had a great event and energy.

Joe Jencks at our house concert

Joe Jencks and some Pittsburgh friends at our recent House Concert.

From Joe Jencks ho...

From Joe Jencks ho...

Welcome young Rain, son of an artist

Marc D, a young man who worked for me when in high school, years ago, doing some illustrations for some books, then went to S.U., moved to LA to work in the entertainment biz, got married, and now has a son, "Rain." Welcome to the world!

I guess that makes sense -- Art Festival, Rain. Artist kid's name, Rain.

His dad always wanted me to name one of my sons, "Rowdy Rauterkus." Rowdy is a great name, as in Rowdy Gains, a world class swimmer. There is a good prayer in there somewhere.

In other art news, hat tip to the Art-School Bound A.J., who got an award as the best artists in his high school. A.J. went with us to Hong Kong in the fall. He is headed to the art school in Savanah, Georgia.

Steelers field trip to White House -- and School kids could be indoors -- without a rain out 'field day'

Let's think again.

The Steelers are going on a 'field trip' to the 'White House' -- and are pumped by the 'educational value.' They want to explore some unseen rooms, as I heard in one interview. How cool -- learning about our nation's seat of power.

Meanwhile, today, the kids at our local public school, Phillips Elementary, had a 'field day' scheduled for Cupples Stadium on the South Side. We had dozens of parent volunteers in yellow shirts -- all with state police clearances on file in the school office. We had seven stations for the older kids (grades 3, 4 and 5) and another seven stations for the younger ones (K, 1 and 2).

My wife and I were set to manage the Javelin and Jump Rope station. The javelin is really just one of those foam noodles that are swim pool toys. They'll get a five yard run up and toss -- but it is more like a paper airplane flight and not brute strength. Jump rope -- also another skill spot counting max number of jumps in 30-seconds.

But all is down the drain today for the kids. The rain means we can't go.

This school field day is the third MAJOR rain out this year as the girls elementary school track meet and the back-up rain date were BOTH wash outs.

Wouldn't it be nice if the indoor UPMC Sports Medicine Facility where the Steelers practice could have been made available to the school -- just in case of rain as we've got today?

I'm not an angry one who holds a chip on my shoulder.... but .... I'm not the one to make that call to the facility managers.

For the sake of the new school administrators who have just moved to town -- understand that the facility should never have been built where it is located. That development was for an extension of the South Side, such as housing, flex office space, retail -- and new jobs. It wasn't geared to be an island of hanger sized buildings that have no community access.

UPMC has a hospital on the South Side, and has had it for years. To build onto the hospital would have been a wise move as doctors, like Dr. Fu, do surgery there at the hospital -- but not at the football training facility. And, behind the UPMC South Side Hospital is a closed indoor ice rink, a football field, an upper field, parking lots, and quite a bit of space that could have been devoted to sports.

I wanted the Steelers to move into an expanded UPMC Hospital -- not help to create a private drive on the edge of the riverfront with dwarf (non-regulation sized) fields.

Or, I wanted the Steelers to share a facility with So Vo Tech and Pgh Public Schools at South Side Stadium -- also known as Cupples Stadium. They could have built up that facility, put a roof over it, put in a parking garage and offices there -- with a nice view of the city right off of the Liberty Bridge / McArtle Road.

Then we'd be able to hold the events of the season indoors. And, the Steelers could have build a grass field on the top of the parking garage in the area too -- where we really need parking.

Meanwhile the Panthers could have held onto Pitt Stadium -- using it for practices. And the new basketball arena, The Pete, could and should have been built down Panther Hollow near the Parkway East and Hazelwood -- where the development is really needed. That would have been a cornerstone for Pitt's Riverside Campus.

Told ya so.

And today, as I chat with fellow parents of public school kids I say -- too bad the kids have a rain out when we should be in the UPMC / Steeler facility. None of them know what it is like in that indoor facility, with a small track. They've never seen it nor set foot inside. I have - for an opening day reception and a couple high-end seminars with the sports researchers / doctors.

The community leaders of today are clueless as to what was promised to the community a few years ago. We were told that we'd have access to that facility at least twice a month -- for 24 major events a year.

Lies.

I know of a few instances when we could have had our dance card punched -- and ducked a rain out for the kids' sake. Today is one such day. Two weeks ago presented another couple instances.

If anyone wants the details -- call me. I'll explain and fill in the blanks. Or, email at the bottom of this blog entry.

I hope the Steelers learn all about Jefferson, Lincoln, FDR, and others today. I hope they get a feel for the sense of space that has been protected and functional for a long time -- and isn't going out of style anytime soon, thank goodness. I hope they get motivated to learn more about history and politics because of their visit to 1600 Pennsylvania avenue. Perhaps in the future, another one of them will try to run for public office -- like old #88 is doing now in a quest for PA Governor.

Getting the Steelers into the realm of the real world political scene would be good for a lot of reasons. Perhaps some will make TV spots of endorsements and others will find it wise to drop a $1,000 donations -- or $10,000 ones -- to a few candidates for public office -- even a gym owner trying to unseat a long-standing state rep from the one-party ruling class.

Field trips -- isn't life funny at times.

Russ Diamond, Indie for PA Governor: Supports the REPEAL of Act 71 -- the slots bill.

web repost

I'd like to talk a little bit about why I support repealing Act 71 - the slots bill.

First off, let me state that I'm pretty neutral on gambling itself. I've never had much of a penchant for gambling, although I will spend a couple dollars on a lottery ticket once in a while, if the jackpot gets really big.

Other than that, I don't play cards, I don't go to the racetrack, and I don't make trips to Atlantic City or Las Vegas to gamble. The fact is, the odds are always stacked against you, and I'm pretty tight with my earnings.

But if someone else chooses to take that risk, it doesn't much bother me, as long as they're not wasting their child's college fund or otherwise overdoing it and adversely effecting others.

So why do I care about repealing Act 71? It's pretty simple - Act 71 was passed by the legislature in the very same unconstitutional manner as last year's pay raise.

The slots bill spent months in the House and Senate and then - at the last moment - it was shoved off to committee where ALL the original text was stripped out the one-page bill and completely replaced with an 140+ page "amendment" that completely changed the bill's meaning.

Its passage violated the original purpose rule, the single subject rule, and the three-day rule - all of which are clearly outlined in the Constitution. It was challenged in the PA Supreme Court, but Ralph Cappy's crew said it was OK by them.

And that's the crux of our problem in Pennsylvania - the three branches of government are all too willing to trample the Constitution - and collude with each other to do so. They do it for various reasons - to trade favors with other lawmakers, to get a bit more money for themselves, to enact programs "for the children," or - as Ed Rendell put it - to "kiss a little butt."

But I think the people of this Commonwealth are fed up with this brand of behavior from elected officials and are willing to stand up and insist that the Constitution be followed - and that's what I intend to do as Governor.

But even putting its blatant unconstitutionality aside, there are plenty of other reasons to "back up the truck" on the slots issue - because every step of the way, they've done it all wrong.

First, I would have liked to have been asked if we wanted slots in Pennsylvania. Put it on a referendum: Should we make slot machines legal in Pennsylvania? It's a simple question. And don't give us any carrot on a stick like property tax relief to try to entice us. We all know that carrot's gone now - and all we have left is the stick. Just ask the question - do we want slots or not?

And while we're at it, let's ask if Pennsylvanians want to pay for public education with gambling money. As I've talked with citizens across the Commonwealth during the last year or so, I've gotten the distinct impression that Pennsylvanians are a little queasy about this.

But let's assume the people voted to open the door for slots and use the proceeds to educate our children. How would you implement slots parlors in Pennsylvania?

If you're trying to raise money for education, would you come up with a system where the state retains most of the earnings, much like the lottery system? Or would you let the lion's share of proceeds go to others, like the way they're doing it now?

And if you're really trying to raise revenue, wouldn't you auction off the licenses to the highest bidder - instead of fixing a set price for all of them? Imagine what kind of educational endowment fund we might have had if each of these 14 licenses were sold at their market price, which some experts have said could be as high as $500-600 million! But no, Pennsylvania is letting them go at the bargain basement rate of $50 million each.

And being aware of the negative social side effects that expanded gambling will certainly bring, wouldn't you try to at least concentrate those problems in the smallest possible geographic area? Or would you plant those problems squarely in 14 different communities across Pennsylvania, placing a significant future burden
on each?

Finally, how would you go about hiring the people to work on implementing slots? Would you allow cronyism? Would you perform rigid background checks? Would you check all their credentials? I think you'd do all these things with the greatest of care.

But not Pennsylvania. We've already seen five Gaming Board employees who've had run-ins with the law, with one incident involving the tragic death of a young woman who somehow fell from a high rise building in Harrisburg. And have you heard about the backgrounds of some of the people who've applied for slots licenses?

This whole business is pretty ugly already - and not one slots license has been issued and not one slot machine is even on line yet. Is this what we want for Pennsylvania's future?

These are the reasons I support a full repeal of Act 71. Let's stop right here and go back to the beginning, before things get worse.

Ed won't do it, because expanded gaming is his 'magic bullet' for property tax relief. But I've got some news for Ed - the property taxes of Pennsylvanians have already increased by more than he ever hoped slots money would bring us.

Lynn won't do it either, although he claims to be opposed to gambling. He's content with "inheriting" slots. I suppose that's understandable from him, considering that he accepted a $100,000 campaign contribution from someone whose family is applying for a slots license. It's kind of like the pay raise issue - he's trying to be on both sides of the fence.

On July 4, 2004, the slots bill got off to an unconstitutional start. It's been all downhill from there. But we can fix this. We can repeal Act 71. All it takes is a little effort.

We did it with the pay raise. In fact, Pennsylvanians have accomplished a lot of things in the last year that no one dreamed were possible.

As Governor, I will fight to stop slots and repeal Act 71. No other candidate is even willing to consider it.

The choice is clear.

House Concert -- Friday -- Sold OUT at 7 pm

Well, there is good news and bad news. Good news -- our out-of-town singer/songwritter friend, Joe Jencks is going to be playing a gig on the South Side in our new venue in the home/office to a nice sized audience.

We're full for the 7 pm set.

Our venue. One of our friends is in town from Florida. Two are from the media (one radio and one print). Another is running for state rep (and that's not me). We'll gather our ply-wood floor with air-conditioning, lemonaid, cookies and some serious singing, with words like, "Rise As One" and "protest."

If you were on the 'wait and see' list, bad news... You'll need to show up between 8 and 8:15. I expect we'll have a bit of room for you for the 8:30 set. Otherwise, take off for Point State Park and that show.

Snips from Chris Chandler: The Muse and Whirled Retort

T.H.E. .M.U.S.E. .A.N.D. .W.H.I.R.L.E.D. .R.E.T.O.R.T.
June 1, 2006

Woodstock, NY -- By the time we got to Woodstock we were…. Hey, there is only 2 of us in this car – but who's counting. Clearly not the main stream media. Clearly not Neil Young. Ya know, Neil – it is not that there are no protest singers – it is there are no outlets for us to be heard. Not a minor point here. But, you know, I have been on about that for a long time. I am just glad that Bush’s numbers are now so low – even the country music fans are turning against him – Congratulations Dixie Chicks! What’s next? I am waiting to see one of those NASCAR drivers with a big peace sign on the hood of his car. It would really be cool if the car ran on Bio-Diesel. Willie Nelson’s Race Car.

Magellan proved Copernicus right by circumnavigating the globe.

Someday someone is going to prove Einstein was right. But to do it we’ll have to learn a lot about ….infinity.

Ya see, Einstein maintained that the universe is round. He said every straight line in the universe eventually intersects itself. Think about that! The implications are staggering… It would logically follow that Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell will eventually admit that they have always been secretly attracted to each other. Perhaps move to Canada… admit that they’ve always been… Episcopalians.

Perhaps this is a good place in the news letter to mention that next Tuesday will be 6-6-6. (Really) perhaps this is why our president – who seems to be convinced the rapture will be any day now so it really doesn’t matter how badly he screws things up - does not seem concerned that our brave fighting men have become vigilante serial killers in Khaki. It is because they are not.

In Haditha he says, “Oh just a few bad apples.” OK I would like to believe that. Ya see your buddy get killed and ya wanna go kick some ass. Hell, I am a pacifist and I can feel that pain. They should still be prosecuted. However, I don’t believe those soldiers are the problem. It is not a few bad apples. Ya see, 8 MONTHS AGO! That means there WAS a cover up. Was it a few bad apples that covered it up?

Was it a few bad apples that paid the victims families off? (FACT) was it a few bad apples that approved the funding of the pay off? Was it a few more bad apples that ignored the pay off when balancing the books? Was it a few more bad apples that ignored the books when they came into your office? That’s a whole lotta apples. Remember Apple Pie is one of our National Symbols.

Or, George, could it be the other way around – that, in fact there are only a few bad apples. They are you and your cabinet. When the rapture comes (perhaps on 06-06-06) I hope it is you and your cabinet filled with bad apples that go. So we can have our Apple Pie back.

You too, "Heard the rooster crow, at the brink of kingdom come. But you rolled over and mashed the snooze button, and we slept through Armageddon. ...

Chris' rant goes on and on.

If he starts to put a smile on your face, subscribe to his monthly newsletter. And watch for him in a town near you, soon.

Slots task force won't endorse

Slots task force won't endorse - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The Pittsburgh Gaming Task Force is expected to release its recommendations for a casino in the city without endorsing any of the three applicants, but pointing out pros and cons of each proposal.

Weenie's hardly ever endorse or take a stand. Non-democratic people can't vote either. It takes a backbone to vote and hold elections. Then things get "harry" -- as life should be. You can't control once you have real democratic discussions and freedoms to call for votes. So, you take the easy way and don't vote.

Furthermore, this group is "self appointed" by the old guard -- and they are marginal at best. They have no charter. They have no open meetings, minutes, published agendas, and formality that would hold up should there be a vote. The spit they swap as weenies is the only thing that binds them.

If everyone has an opinion -- then this body is nothing.

When you vote -- you don't need to 'agree.' I agree that Bob O'Connor is my mayor. But, I didn't vote for him. I accept the facts -- I move on. Life goes on.

The slots discussion has become 'politicized' -- duhh. Politics is a part of life. Get over it. Or, put your weenie buns in some other neighborhood.

Then you want to call a press event and still not have the final report. Talking out of both sides of your mouth can then happen easier. Another classic weenie move.

For help with its analysis, the task force turned to former U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul H. O'Neill, who lives in Pittsburgh. He attended the group's closed-door meeting last week with the backers of the Harrah's casino.

My quote: "Paul O'Neill is an extremely good thinker in the weenie world."

I would NEVER go into a closed door session with those weenies. I'd be glad to help them with their public problem -- in public -- in the open.

Courage crumbles, again. Weenies wiggle, as expected.

Vision of Youth Technology Summit would include activities such as this

Once I'm elected to the PA Senate, we'll be holding a YOUTH Tech Summit at the Convention Center, every year. Activities such as this will be part of the line-up.

The OpenOffice.org Newsletter: Germanophone project launches CampOpenOffice.org The Germanophone project announced its CampOpenOffice.org launch. CampOpenOffice.org is a weekend taking place from Saturday, August 12th, to Sunday, August 13th, in Diez in Germany, especially dedicated to youths and students from 16 to 27 years.

PIAA baseball playoffs -- next week -- after concerts

Are you ready for some baseball -- to states? If these kids go deep into the tournament, they knock up against graduation.

PG West: Langley focuses on state baseball tournament: "Elliott, a combination of Langley and Bishop Canevin players, finished in first place in league play last summer ahead of notable suburban programs North Allegheny, Robinson and Moon.

'The times we've lost in the state playoffs, it just seems like our kids weren't hitting that day,' Langley coach Leo Rauterkus said. 'We'd pitch and field the ball pretty well, but we'd fall behind by four or five runs and that just seemed to be the game.'"

But first, we've got concerts today and tomorrow. Today is the instrumental concert at the Elem School (Phillips). Friday is the HOUSE CONCERT, here, with Joe Jencks. And, on Saturday, I think it is a radio date with Larry Berger and Saturday Light Brigade.

Then, next week, more baseball.

Developer expects state to offer help with Fifth-Forbes

NO SUBSIDIZED housing downtown for rich folks. None.

Developer expects state to offer help with Fifth-Forbes: "Developer expects state to offer help with Fifth-Forbes
The View from Vegas

Wednesday, May 24, 2006
By Teresa F. Lindeman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

LAS VEGAS -- The Millcraft Industries team plans to meet with Gov. Ed Rendell in a few weeks to seek state aid to help in the redevelopment of Downtown's Fifth and Forbes avenues area. And they are expecting a warm welcome."

Keep your head above or at the surface of the water

Guards needed Lifeguards needed for county parks

The Allegheny County Parks Department needs lifeguards for the swimming season.

Lifeguards must be at least 16 and must have completed the necessary classes -- including first aid and adult, infant and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation -- prior to employment. Lifeguards are especially needed at Settler's Cabin Park, but will be hired to work at Boyce, North and South parks as well. Junior, first-year and senior lifeguards will be hired at $6.25 per hour, $7.25 per hour and $7.50 per hour, respectively.

For more information or to obtain lifeguard application packets, call the Central Park Office at 412-350-2478. Forms also may be obtained online at www.county.allegheny.pa.us/parks.

Opening day for the 2006 swimming season is Saturday, weather and conditions permitting."

Councilmen propose more reform efforts - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Councilmen propose more reform efforts - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Peduto wants to ban council members from giving some of their annual $85,000 in discretionary spending to neighborhood groups. A second amendment would require all elected city officials to produce office expense reports every Dec. 31, which would become public within a month.

Why not do TRANSPARENT Accounts -- like the banks do TRUSTS now. Then everyone at any time could see into the accounts.

Next, why not worry more about the PAC and Campaign Finance Reform. That is a big worry too and Peduto has fumbled the ball on that for nearly 2 years now. Let's get serious Bill.

Next why only one report a year? Then it is public record in 30 days. Close the account 30-days before the year ends. You should not be spending money in December.

ThePittsburghChannel.com - News - Councilman Introduces Ethics Board Resolution

ThePittsburghChannel.com - News - Councilman Introduces Ethics Board Resolution Councilman Bill Peduto introduced a resolution, setting out how the city Ethics Hearing Board will be set up.

What the heck. I was one who asked for this to come about -- as did the city's republicans. However, there is no need for a new resolution. The Ethics Board is part of the city's charter. Just appoint the people to the board and insist that the others follow the city's charter -- the city's constitution.

What's up with that???

Who said that they can't be part of a board nor part of a political organization? Is that a reading from the bathroom walls?

I think you should tap into a member of the Green Party, the Libertarian Party and the Republican Party. There are three seats. Then you might as well put on a School Crossing Guard and a School Teacher for slots four and five. Get a teacher that has a class in grade K -- as that poem, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know Came from When You Were in Kindergarten is prime for this body.

If you break it -- fix it. Put things away after you use them. Global stuff.

Philly to hold rally against casino

For Immediate Release: May 30, 2006

Who: Russ Diamond, Independent Candidate for Governor

Event: Anti-Casino Rally

Location: State Building, 1400 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19130

Date/Time: June 1, 2006, 11:00 AM

Description: Russ Diamond will be in Philadelphia to gather signatures for ballot access and attend the CasiNO! rally sponsored by Neighbors Allied for the Best Riverfront, the Multi-Community Alliance and other anti-slots groups at noon. Russ will also be meeting with the editorial board of the Philadelphia Tribune in the afternoon and may make a stop at Independence Hall, if time permits.

Should there be a rally to block the casinos in Pittsburgh? Would anyone come? Perhaps Rev Simms has set the bar much higher with rally event organization -- needing street money for each to attend, transportation, t-shirts, and food.

[412] House Concert on JUNE 2nd at South Side hosted by Mark Rauterkus with Joe Jencks

[412] House Concert on JUNE 2nd at South Side hosted by Mark Rauterkus with Joe Jencks

More details on this page, blast email archive.

Ballot Access Fundraiser with Russ Diamond, June 16

The Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition will be holding a fundraising
buffet dinner on Friday, June 16th, at the Shady Maple Farm Market and Smorgasbord (www.shady-maple.com), on PA 23 eight miles south of the Morgantown exit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Chester County. The guest speaker will be PA CleanSweep founder Russ Diamond.

Doors open at 7 PM, and dinner will be served at 7:30. Admission is $25 per person at the door. All proceeds will be used to help reform Pennsylvania's onerous ballot access laws for independents and third party candidates.

RSVP's are requested so that a large enough room can be reserved. Questions and RSVP's can be directed to Ken Krawchuk via Ken@KenK.org or 215-881-9696. For more information about the Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition, visit www.PaBallotAccess.org.

Father drowns trying to save son

Father drowns trying to save son A man drowned and a woman was in critical condition at Allegheny General Hospital after they plunged into the Allegheny River to rescue a boy who slipped into the water while wading at the edge.