A view of the now closed, indoor ice rink on the South Side, located behind UPMC South Side Hospital.

Pittsburgh city hall lacks old hands, has fresh faces

Zoning. As is the case when there are private developers at odds with citizens, the matter generally goes past zoning and wiggles onto the agenda of city council.

Pittsburgh city hall lacks old hands, has fresh faces The lack of tenure has manifested itself in small ways, such as open struggles over zoning issues and bitterness over council machinations. It remains to be seen whether it will affect the city's just-started budget process and how it will play out next year in a potentially wild election season.

Zoning has always been a sore spot in the city with the way it does its business.

There was a big blow up in recent weeks from a situation in Park Place. Park Place is a neighborhood in the city's east side. I stand with the citizens in Park Place. We don't need to tear down homes in the city -- good houses that have residents and still work as designed -- to put up a Walgreens with its highway styled, drive-by formed operation.

Dozens of citizens stormed into city council chambers on a few different instances in the past months. This past week, a two week extension was granted and a deal seems to have been struck. Twanda Carlisle on city council was patting herself on the back for getting a two-week delay. Go figure.

The devil is in the details. We'll wait and see.

But this saga is nothing new. The zoning board is worthless when it comes to hard decisions. Worthless. The fights always spill over to city council's domain anyway.

I think that the zoning board is a waste, a sink, another un-elected group of cronies that often has its logic rooted in nothing but cracks in the pavement. Zoning, its enforcement and most matters of the red tape that it binds is good for corruption and special case treatments.

The overhaul shouldn't stop at the zoning board. The slogan, 'When you fail to plan you plan to fail' fits too. I have no faith in the city's planning department. None.

In the times of Tom Murphy, the planning department was often used as a tool to help advance his agenda. And they didn't even try to give value to citizens and taxpayers.

How else can you explain a city planning department that fires its lone traffic engineer. Planning, zoning and the URA have been tools for re-elections.

part 2 - Dan Deasy's quote and roles

Say what?

Pittsburgh city hall lacks old hands, has fresh faces 'The city of Pittsburgh has changed,' said council Finance Chairman Dan Deasy, who took office in June 2005. 'We haven't been ingrained in the political system for years. We bring new ideas.'

Can anyone tell me one new idea that Dan Deasy has put on the table of City Council?

I like Dan. I think that the rest of the quote is okay. Yes, the city has changed. Yes, the young folks have not been political all that long. Dan isn't a lawyer. Dan is sincere. Dan is a hard worker. Dan is straight. Dan has a family. Dan wants a healthy Pittsburgh.

But tell me, Dan, or anyone else, what Dan has put forward as to new ideas.

Can you read his web site and find out?

Can you read his op-ed in the newspapers?

Can I remember his remarks while he was speaking to a group of concerned citizens?

And, to 'redd up' isn't a 'new idea' for goodness sakes.

Diverse opinions do become personal quickly. And my opinion of Dan isn't 'personal' -- it is factual in one regard -- new ideas.

Furthermore, I'm not even sure there is any saving grace to 'new ideas.' Don't hitch your wagon to that shooting star. If Dan had said we stand for good government, then he'd be hitting a home run. Stand for honesty. Stand for an approach that cares about the people. Stand for and speak about the fact that you have an 'open mind.' Slave upon the duty of being there and doing the necessary research before the votes are set at the table.

Dan is a good supporting role character in a time of crisis when there are others at the helm of the city after we've just changed captains. Dan is the guy who could best advance the redd-up agenda of Bob O'Connor. That is why he won the election, even before O'Connor got that job. Dan was not a 'Tom Murphy' clone nor 'supporter.' Dan was a clean up candidate, and the west end neighborhoods needed that.

part 3 - Jeff Koch's role and excuses

Then there is Jeff.

Pittsburgh city hall lacks old hands, has fresh faces 'It's taken time to get acclimated to how slow the process is,' said Councilman Jeff Koch. He has spent much of his six months in office crafting legislation to give neighborhoods control over bars moving in and pushing the bureaucracy to remove graffiti and to seek an operator for the shuttered Neville Ice Arena.

Jeff is crafting legislation to give neighborhoods control over bars. Right. I'm sure he is. Might as well take a big ice ball and push it to the top of Mt. Washington all summer long.

I've got a lot to say about bars and the neighborhood. But Jeff is going to strike out. The outcomes are never going to materialize. Worthless efforts. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

As to the shuttered Neville Ice Arena -- that is a no brainer. I could have had it opened by now. I could open that in about 2 weeks. I get calls every other month from people from around the county that want to open the Neville Ice Arena. My last call was from an ex-Pittsburgh guy who was with a firm in the state of Washington. Another call was from a local Pittsburgh guy who was very 'secret' (a turn off to me) who was putting together a team of investors. (Doubt he was successful.)

A request for proposals (RFP) for the Neville Ice Rink was promised to me and the community on mulitiple instances. It never came. It must have been done three or four times over. Then the local do-nothing types had a park plan that was not worth the paper it was written on. They wanted to get their hooks into the building and facility. They fumbled too.

The Neville Ice Rink is a 'sports facility.' To move that project you'll need someone who understands 'Recreational Leadership' to get involved. Our Citipaks programs and leaders there have been all about closing fewer facilities. They have been trying to make chicken soup with nothing but chicken shit. For them to shift gears and put any effort into a closed facility, when they have dozens of others that are also closed and are going nowhere, and when another dozen are on the brink of being closed is impossible.

The South Side Market House should have 200 kids playing indoor soccer this fall. That isn't happening. Jeff Koch didn't help. This is the first year that that program has been axed. Fumble.

I've offered to help. No luck.

The Markethouse could be opened and should be opened. Same too with the ice rink. But no. We'll slide backwards some more.

Jeff needs to do some projects that work. Jeff has nothing to point to as a success in the community yet. Jeff is up for re-election in May 2007 in the primary and November 2007 for the general election. His honeymoon is over.

Jeff is going to need to shift into excuse mode soon. He'll have to make excuses as to why he didn't get anything done. I wish that there was more for him to lean upon and point to.

Can't skate in the city -- yet city kids skate. That's B.Mc. on the right from a performance in a suburban rink in 2006.

Market House Soccer -- red team. My son is bottom left. I'm top right.

My son is on bottom right and I'm at top left in this photo of a Market House Soccer team.

Another city pool -- empty. This is a summer-time photo.

Just to be clear about myself: I coached and was on the parent booster group of the South Side Market House Children's Athletic Assn for a number of years. As my kids got older, we went to our sport -- swimming -- we left Market House activities. Now I'm coaching my son's team in swimming, in the burbs, no less. When I left the Market House, things were running smoothly. The activities ran last year, without my involvement. But, that happened without much help from the City. Volunteers ran the program at the Market House and were spent because of it. Day to day programming with volunteers isn't ideal.

We have serious recreational issues and problems in this area.

I'm a swimming coach for five days a week, if not seven days. I've coached this year in Canada (for 2-weeks), with the Carlynton Swim Club (year round), ran a water polo clinic, began a swim team at Phillips Elementary, and coached the summer season with the Crafton Swim Team. I've coached swimming since 1976.

I coached swimming in the city in 1999-2000. That fall the city yanked the pool permit from the team at the Oliver Bath House, sadly. That season I worked with Coach Hosea and we saved TRA (Three Rivers Aquatics). Parent boosters wanted to kill TRA, so I came onto the scene. The old TRA team is now in our winter swim league for 2006-07 season and it operates as the Kingsley Stingrays.

We'll begin our swim practices with the Phillips Elementary Swim Team again shortly. They practice for one swim meet and gather only on Sunday nights.

dave4council.com - Dave Schuilenburg For Pittsburgh City Council District 1

Original post from September 28, 2006: Now with an UPDATE at end.

Tip #1 for a candidate for Pittsburgh City Council, special election, November 7.

Dave, put your home address on the web site. A P.O. Box just doesn't cut it. People want to know where you live. I'm glad you saved the Post Office, but this campaign is quick. Put the address there. You could have an "after the campaign long-term address footnote, if you so desire." But, you purchased a house for goodness sakes. Be proud of that and list it.

dave4council.com - Dave Schuilenburg For Pittsburgh City Council District 1 PO Box#15170

Otherwise, nice site. I love what you are talking about. The overall themes are right on. We do need action. We do need folks to serve without being driven by 'self interest.' We do need reform. We do need families with young children to move into and stay in and thrive within our neighborhoods.

Best of luck to you. Hope to meet you soon.

Dave Schuilenburg, you've got my attention. I'm listening.

---

Dave sent me an email.

Mark;

Thank you for your kind comments & constructive criticism. The reason it was ultimately decided to go with a post office box is 2 fold. First, I have been having mail theft issues as of late, and you can imagine how that could make or break the campaign. Second, with all the community & non-profit work I do, many times, all the mail does not fit in the box.

Again, thanks for the nice comments, and I too look forward to finally meeting you too.

Respects,

Dave

Makes sense to me.

Pa. voters asked to OK borrowing to help Gulf War vets

PennLive.com: NewsFlash - Pa. voters asked to OK borrowing to help Gulf War vets HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Nearly 33,000 Pennsylvania veterans who participated in the Persian Gulf War may qualify for state combat 'bonuses' of as much as $525 each if voters approve a $20 million bond issue that is on the Nov. 7 statewide ballot.

The payments, authorized by a law that lawmakers overwhelmingly approved and Gov. Ed Rendell signed with little fanfare in April, would be similar to previously authorized bonuses for veterans who served in or during wars dating back to the Spanish-American War in the late-1800s.

'Pennsylvania has had a history of providing a war/conflict bonus to resident veterans,' said Rep. Jerry L. Nailor, R-Cumberland, a sponsor of the bill.

Ravenstahl set to meet governor, legislators

Luke is on the road, and that is good news.

At the back of the article comes these insights that need attention.

Ravenstahl set to meet governor, legislators The Legislature approved a tax boost for the city in late 2004, but city leaders have said it isn't enough to cover rising costs expected a few years from now.

The consensus in political circles is that no new help for the city will be coming this year, since most state officials are fighting for re-election.

The Legislature provided a "bail out package" for the city. The bail out was a joke. Everyone in Harrisburg needs to take ownership and blame for the bailout.

Part of the Harrisburg bail out was a mandatory reduction in taxes that the city could charge. The city raised its parking tax to 50%, the highest in the country. The backlash in Harrisburg was such that the parking tax must drop in future years. Those forced cuts mean the city has millions in new holes to its budget.

Suburban legislatures, such as Orie, Turzi, Petrone, and city members of both chambers such as Diven, Frankle, Readshaw and others fumbled in great ways. Most, if not all, need to carry a great deal of blame. They should start all their conversations with a big sorry statement as to what they did and failed to do for the city. They were worthless. And, in the long-term, they were downright harmful.

Bill Peduto recently talked about the five year budget plan and said that the year by year outlook is bad in future years. He used a college word, something like, the budgets in years two, three and four are exponentially more difficult to balance.

The 'exponential' qualification is a over lavish statement and just false. But, it is harder in those out years to balance the city's figures due to what the state legislature did -- with Rendell's okay.

Lynn Swann and all the candidates who are running against sitting candidates should blast them for their hand in giving a hole-filled bailout to the city.

The bailout for the city was a feel good deed on the part of those in Harrisburg, because we had a jackass as a Mayor, Tom Murphy. Meanwhile, the bailout comes on like a kick in the teeth to city residents year after year -- as it keeps on giving, but only worse.

Then the news article from the P-G quotes 'political consensus' without any attribution. Think again Rich Lord. These folks in Harrisburg are not going to do anything for the city at this moment -- so I agree with the consensus part -- but for many other reasons. They are hardly fighting for re-election. That is not reality. Most of the people who work in Harrisburg from the Pittsburgh area have a free ride in their re-election bids. I wish that there was much more fighting for re-elections.

The Harrisburg government officials are not going to do anything for the city because they are ignorant of the facts. They don't know how the parking tax has been a boost to the city's budget. They don't understand how the gambling money has been a false savior and incomes were put into the budget from gambling by Tom Murphy two years ago. Such a joke from Fast Eddie Rendell and the dual overlords. They are clueless because the real facts of the matter are so poorly covered.

Furthermore, the folks who work in Harrisburg in official roles are not going to do anything for the city at this time because the folks who are on city council and who are in the mayor's administration don't have the vision, nor the drive, nor the crafted statements to take to Harrisburg.

The news article says Luke is going to Harrisburg to build bridges. Well, he should have been doing that as soon as he was elected, if not as soon as he began to campaign, if not as soon as he thought of himself as a potential advocate and citizen.

For years, people on city council have been told to 'butt out' with dealings in Harrisburg. They have. So now we have to send our Mayor to Harrisburg to build bridges.

Luke should be going to Harrisburg now to blow up tunnels, if you ask me. I'm speaking about those expensive light-rail tunnels that are going to go to the North Side stadiums -- a PAT project.

Luke, I could give you a long list of ideas to share with those in Harrisburg. They need to be given an education on matters that impact the city in grave ways.

Tell them the re-do of Point State Park is boneheaded and what we really need is a new governmental structure to allow for the creation of a park district so volunteerism soars around this region.

Tell them about the parking tax and how much was projected and delivered to the city's general fund, year in and year out. Then talk about how folks in the suburban reaches of the county can ride the bus to town and avoid traffic, lessen traffic, and skip out on the parking tax. Besides, PAT subsidizes them already while fare in the city, zone 1, are to climb to $2.50.

There has been a tax shift away from the ones who benefit from sprawl and to the ones who reside in the city's core. Mention the county's tax assessment mess.

Tell them about the city's school situation and how our special needs kids get excellent treatment and educations. Therefore the families in suburban neighborhoods with children with challenges often move districts, into the city, to get a better education. And, the state does little to support those educational needs. Futhermore, the formulas and caps have been working against the city school district for more than a decade.

Luke, you can begin to recruit for a new police chief too. Tell people you need top candidates for the new opening. Plus, as the new police officers are headed to the force, as part of a hyped-filled promise by some campaign somewhere, -- you'll be wanting to hire crossing guards for city streets. Crossing guards are effective and affordable. And, you'll empower them like never before and make them new darlings of enformcement and communications -- plus safety.

Finally, Luke, tell the governor and others seeking re-election that you won't film any campaign commercials for candidates while seated behind your desk on Grant Street at Tom Murphy did four years ago. And, if that was to happen again, you'd file charges yourself.

Pa. lawmakers disagree on call for state constitutional convention

To those without an ability to think outside the box -- there is only one pathway. Get creative -- as there are many ways to get meaningful reform.

Pa. lawmakers disagree on call for state constitutional convention That's the only way to achieve meaningful reform, said Mr. Ferlo, D-Highland Park.

Perhaps a constitutional convention is the best way to achieve meaningful reform. However, it isn't the only way.

Mostly, however, I'd want to replace first and then reform. I'm very scared of reform with the same folks that are in there now.

If measure of reform get lost in the shuffle -- then perhaps the shuffle needs a new groove. The beat goes on for some -- while others just can't dance.

Those who are in the way need to be replaced.

Those who are in office now can't and won't want to make fundamental reforms, by and large.

And, my goodness, we don't need "ONE RALLYING CRY." No way.

We need harmony. We need balance. We need many voices. We need many rounds and multiple verses. The one-cry unity bunk is NOT okay for something as grand as a constitutional convention.

The Bill of Rights wasn't put into one declaration nor amendment.

Any construct of a conventional convention in Pennsylvania needs to examine Philly and what it means to be a city of the first class, a city of the second class and all the other cities in the commonwealth.

It might be best to have the greater Philly region remove itself from Pennsylvania. They can form their own, 51st state.

Then if they do a good job in setting up their own constutional convention -- we'll be watching.

A prohibition on lame-duck sessions can be done by house and senate leadership. And, others in the bodies. You don't need a new constituion to handle that.

A prohibition on extra compensation for legislators is already in the constitution. Too bad you, Jim Ferlo, didn't stand up and say a word about this while it was moving into becoming an illegal bill. Senator Ferlo voted "no" -- but didn't make a point of order nor issue a single statement, as person with a voice -- and a vote. Nobody said anything -- not even 'boo.'

The reconsideration of compensation for state judges does NOT require a constituional convention either. And, the talk about judges is more of a moment to moment political issue, not a way to govern ourselves.

Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Websites Show Importance of Internet Campaigning

Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Websites Show Importance of Internet Campaigning Now, no candidate can even think of getting elected without a webpage. The question no longer is who has a website, but whose is the best. This year's Pennsylvania Gubernatorial race between Democratic incumbent Ed Rendell and Republican former Pittsburgh Steeler football player Lynn Swann is a case in point. The better website just might determine who wins the election.

Only a bloke in Illinois would think that the web sites of Swann and Rendell are going to make the difference in the election.

Furthermore, City Councilman, Jeff Koch, D, won an election on March 14, 2006 -- without a web site. He beat a field with eight other candidates.

'Katie's Revenge' tattoo by force

When and how do you make something like this right? Never?

CNN.com - Officials:�Inmate got 'Katie's Revenge' tattoo by force - Sep 29, 2006 Two prison guards suspected of supplying the picture were fired for making unauthorized copies of an evidence photo, said Rich Larsen, a spokesman for the Wabash Valley state prison in Carlisle, about 70 miles north of Evansville.

In my opinion, and it is a humble opinion, as one needs to walk softly through a ton of issues and crap, things get better with light, not darkness. Shine a light on it.

The photo came out into the open, and that is good.

Meanwhile, two prison guards suspected of supplying the picture (photo) were fired. That's bad. Suspend pending an investigation. Transfer to another facility, pending an investigation.

When does evidence become open to review by others -- by orders of law?

I worry and wonder about whistleblowers. I wonder if those who we suspect are worthy of job termination.

Or, there is also a bit of doubt that isn't too far from the realm of being. Are we certain that the brutalized act was only among inmates?

Friday night -- football and that

Book signing by South Side resident, Dane Topich, is slated for 7:30 pm on Oct. 5 at Joseph-Beth Booksellers (2705 E. Carson Street).

Lifelong South Sider and local author Dane Topich will be signing copies of his book - Ultimate Pittsburgh Trivia.

In the spirit of local trivia, what Pittsburgh clock is twice the size of London's Big Ben?

Tonight the bridge was packed with folks watching Brashier and Perry battle at South Stadium.

Country Western fans got to hear a free concert in the massive surface parking lot at South Side Works, behind the REI. We were going to try to go. Oh, well. How did it turn out, if you went.

Carlynton had its homecoming game tonight. Lots of high school football action was everywhere -- and the traffic always comes to a grind on these nights.

South Side Sabers play a homecoming game on Saturday at South Vo Tech's stadium

Sabers gather to listen to coach.

Get into some big time little league football if you don't have a date for the Pitt game against Toledo. Check out the South Side Sabers as their teams play on Saturday, September 30. The games occur throughout the day. Our pal, #49, has a game that start sat at 1:30. The action this week is at South Side's Cupples Stadium, next to South Vo Tech, 9th Street and East Carson.

This is the Sabers homecoming and the only game they play in the stadium. His team is 4-1.

CollegeSwimming.com talks of Annie Nemith

CollegeSwimming.com: Providence College

With no scholarship money and little representation at the Big East championship, Providence swimmers simply compete for the love of the sport. In fact Providence only sent one athlete in Annie Nemeth to the conference championships. The senior to be competed in three events at the meet, including the 200 IM, 100 and 200 breaststroke. Nemeth placed 34th IM with a time of 2:12.07, 33rd in the 100 breast with a time of 1:08.56, and 22nd in the 200 breast with a time of 2:25.42. Not too bad considering she was the lone representative. Nemeth returns this year and looks to be back, but this time to compete for a spot in the finals.

Annie has been a coach and swimmer in our league and team. You go girl! Have a great senior year.

The Pennsylvania Progressive: Ballot Reform

The Pennsylvania Progressive: Ballot Reform Ballot Reform

The Centre Daily Times agrees with us about the undemocratic law barring third party candidates from the ballot. This editorial calls it crazy:

In other words, a third-party candidate who collected more than 58,000 valid signatures still cannot get his name on the ballot to run for statewide office this year in Pennsylvania. That's insane.

While a loyal Democrat I'm also a democrat. I believe in democracy, with all its faults. I believe a candidate who gets 20,000 petition signatures as Russ Diamond did should be on the ballot. A man like Carl Romanelli who has 58,000 valid signatures being thrown off the balot is insane, as the editorial board at the State College paper says.

America: Freedom to Fascism -- and The Guardian

Two new movies are out and are worthy of mentions:

America: Freedom to FascismAMERICA: FREEDOM TO FASCISM ... is the film that F/9-11 aspired to but failed to be.

I never saw the F/9-11 flick. But the Freedom to Fascism one is such a strong Libertarian one that I'll go out of my way to see it -- or even help to insure that it plays somewhere locally. Perhaps we can get that at the South Side Works cinemas.

Another movie just out today is a Coast Guard movie called, The Guardian. The previews of that are very interesting. Given our love of water this is a 'must see' for my sons and I. We are drawn to the macho swimming scenes.

I've read on the net that many of the swimmers used in the movie as extras were recruited from Division I college teams -- Auburn, Alabama, etc.

I don't know if we'll have the time to get to The Guardian this weekend, but I'd love to hear about it from others. My #2 son is only 8 years old and the movie is PG13. Plus, my wife isn't interested in nightmares nor a fear of the water.

Saints and the Superdome - Monday Night Football -- armchair america scores big time on replay

A must read, if you ask me.

Saints and the Superdome Saints and the Superdome

Dave Zirin

ALL CANDIDATES FOR MINNESOTA GOVERNOR AGREE TO NATION'S ONLY STATEWIDE ONLINE DEBATE

MINNESOTA GUBERNATORIAL E-DEBATE TO RUN OCTOBER 9TH - 19TH

GRAND RAPIDS, MN (September 28, 2006) The era of YouTube(TM) and MySpace(TM) meets Minnesota's strong civic tradition of innovation, thanks to a new online debate with the gubernatorial candidates co-sponsored by Blandin Foundation and E-Democracy.Org.

The Minnesota Gubernatorial E-Debate will take place online from Monday, October 9th through Thursday, October 19th. Minnesotans can participate directly in the gubernatorial campaigns by using the Internet - including video, audio, pictures, and plain texts - to submit questions and share their views with candidates and fellow citizens.

The E-Debate is designed to promote and facilitate substantive, interactive, in-depth public discussions of candidate positions and proposals.

All of Minnesota's official gubernatorial candidates appearing on the November ballot formally have confirmed their participation in the debate, including:

* Governor Tim Pawlenty, Republican Party
* Attorney General Mike Hatch, DFL Party
* Peter Hutchinson, Independence Party
* Ken Pentel, Green Party
* Leslie Davis, American Party
* Walt Brown, Quit Raising Taxes Party

The E-Debate, along with E-Democracy's comprehensive non-partisan, comprehensive collection of election links is located online at:

http://www.e-democracy.org/mnelections

Minnesotans are encouraged to email questions to the candidates via e-mail immediately, or by October 10th for the second round of questions, via: e-debates@e-democracy.org.

The candidates have agreed to address four major themes and 10 short answer questions over the two week debate period. Unique to the other debates, a portion of the e-debate will focus on broadband/Internet-related questions.

Along with text responses, candidates have the option to provide their Opening Statement in video via the YouTube.com video sharing service. Candidates also may record their rebuttals into audio podcasts, and also provide links to content related to their answers.

Voters may participate by submitting text questions and by using the new "Voter Voices" section of E-Democracy's web site to share their own video, audio, pictures, blog posts, links, and discussion forum messages across popular online services (for example, Flickr.com for photos, YouTube.com for video, blog posts via the Google blog search, etc. Minnesotans are invited to view an integrated, dynamic presentation of all of this material on a single web page at:

http://www.e-democracy.org/voices

E-Democracy's Board Chair and debate host, Steven Clift, will summarize debate results and responses at a statewide conference, "Next Generation Broadband: Policies, Practices, and People Practices," to be held in Alexandria, Minnesota, October 18-19th. For more information, or to register for the conference, visit http://www.blandinfoundation.org, or contact Denise Pfeifer, Minnesota Rural Partners; at dpfeifer@minnesotaruralpartners.org , 507-828-5559.

The E-Debate is made possible through the generous support of the Blandin Foundation and its Broadband Initiative.

The Blandin Broadband Initiative is designed to raise awareness about the value of broadband, catalyze broadband use and to encourage public and private investment in rural broadband capacity. It is led by an 18-person strategy board representing private and public sector partners and stakeholders.

Blandin Foundation, Minnesota's largest rural-based private foundation is located in Grand Rapids, MN. Its mission is to strengthen rural Minnesota communities, especially the Grand Rapids area, through grants, leadership development programs and public policy initiatives.

E-Democracy.Org is a non-profit, non-partisan, volunteer-based project whose mission is to expand participation and build stronger democracies and communities through the power of information and communication technologies and strategies.


For more information contact:

Steven Clift
E-Debate Host and Board Chair, E-Democracy.Org
clift@publicus.net
612-203-5181

Becky LaPlant
Blandin Foundation
bllaplant@blandinfoundation.org
218-327-8764

*** Democracies Online Newswire - http://DoWire.Org ***

MTV Think News - Contentious Clinton Interview Lights Up Web — But Few Are Talking About Issues

Hide and seek videos at You Tube and with Fox News. Somethings are just too hot for you. Don't touch.

MTV Think News - Contentious Clinton Interview Lights Up Web — But Few Are Talking About Issues The interview was riveting television. But if you were searching YouTube for it after Monday afternoon, good luck. Clips of the contentious back-and-forth were removed from YouTube at Fox News' insistence — and even Fox News' own Web site wasn't providing an unedited version of it online as late as Tuesday morning (September 26), although the full interview was back on the Fox News site by Tuesday afternoon.

So what gives? Why bury an interview that everyone — including nearly every Fox News show that followed — is talking about?

That's what Zach Gates, 21, would like to know. The University of Pittsburgh student and webmaster of the Hanlon's Razor political blog said he got an e-mail on Monday from YouTube informing him that his two-part post of the Clinton/ Wallace interview had been taken down because the site had been informed by Fox News that it was a copyright infringement. Gates, who posted videos from CNN and MSNBC onto YouTube as well as other Fox News shows, speculated that Fox News planned to sell the interview, or buried it because of the 'smackdown' Clinton gave Wallace.

Gates said this is the first time he's seen such a concentrated effort to get a video taken off YouTube. 'If you do a search on YouTube right now you'll find thousands of clips from Fox News that go back months with tens of thousands of views,' he said on Tuesday morning. 'My concern is that by taking down the full interview, you can only see sound bites and talking heads talking about it, without context. So they're deciding without reporting.'

The interview was worthy watching.

Councilman Pushing For More Pittsburgh Recreational Areas

ThePittsburghChannel.com - News - Councilman Pushing For More Pittsburgh Recreational Areas Pittsburgh has 26,000 acres of parks and recreation areas, but city councilman Jim Motznik wants more.

Motznik introduced two resolutions in council to add 500 new acres of greenway space to Frick Park, along with other city parks and public areas.

Among the neighborhoods that would have bigger greenways are Oakland, Southside, Hazelwood and Mount Washington.

Motznik said Pittsburghers need more areas for relaxation and family activities.

Jim, our problems are not space nor hardware problems. Rather, we have software and programming problems. That is where the focus should be put.

But, I expect I'm speaking Greek to Jim.

The Forbes Fund special event for nonprofits

An event is cooking for CMU -- and details are in the comments. Oct. 26 at CMU in the afternoon. A seminar and awards event. They do a nice job.

I won't attend as I'm with the kids and coaching.