Newcomer challenges Onorato for Allegheny County post - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Newcomer challenges Onorato for Allegheny County post - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review And when a friend complained to him that Onorato was getting a free ride because no one -- Republican or Democrat -- wanted to take him on, Swartz, a Democrat, started his first political campaign.

No one. Well, there are some.

It is bad when the MSM (mainstream media) can't do math. And, when the math is only on one hand -- it is even worse.

One is bigger than none. Two is more than one.

Mayor's tax plan leaves out some city locations

The Luke plan is a bad plan. Luke's plan is a plan that plays favorites. Luke's plan is typical Pittsburgh. Luke's plan was hatched because Bill's plan was seeded. Both are bad.

Mayor's tax plan leaves out some city locations At a recent City Council hearing, Brightwood advocate Ed Brandt, fired by frustration, called the applications 'capricious and arbitrary. I have spent 15 years working on the North Side, and nothing tells me the logic of why Spring Garden and not Troy Hill, why Fineview and not Perry Hilltop [Perry South], why Manchester and not Brightwood?'

The way to fix this unfair plan, the Luke lie, is to give everyone a tax break.

A sift back to the land-value tax is a move in the right direction. It is fair. It is universal. It promotes freedom. It respects the marketplace. It works to insure a dense, urban landscape.

Move afoot to return marathon

Move afoot to return marathon In some incarnation, the Pittsburgh Marathon might be coming back next year.

Christchuch has a marathon. It will be held soon.

Where in the world is Grant?

From NZ train-trip

How many kids do you see?

The gang, (Catherine, Erik, Grant, and the two Pitt grad students) took a trip via train into the center of the south island to the Southern Alps. Then they had a four hour tramp. Then took a return train ride back to Christchurch. Some of the photos are now on in a Picasa album.

From NZ train-trip

Ron Paul on the debates

Part of BootCamp Pgh and our media + internet + politics session

Jennifer England from the League of Young Voters and I gave a presentation for an hour at the recent BootCamp.Pgh.org event about politics, media and internet. Here is a bit of that talk.

Pittsburgh - Swartz And All - Just don't say you didn't have a choice this May 15 - Views - Potter's Field - Pittsburgh City Paper

Pittsburgh - Swartz And All - Just don't say you didn't have a choice this May 15 - Views - Potter's Field - Pittsburgh City Paper

New Zealand has a certification level for assistant coaches

Not your typical rugby play. From last night's game

Enjoy some football!

Tickets for next week's game go on sale at 9 am on Tuesday. Let me know if you'd like to come and tailgate for the playoffs.

All aboard

From New Zealand

Saw a kiwi today

On the way to QEII swim pool today, on my bike, and passed a wetland area next to a park. There on the edge of the bike path -- none other than a small flock of kiwis. Kiwi's are birds. They are sorta rare. Nice treat.

Today I took in an aquatic class. More tomorrow.

On the way home -- I got our second flat tire on the bike. Called home and got a lift as we had some guests over for a family party. Now to fix the flats.

At the pool we got to see some canoe water polo too.

Libertarian in limelight in MSNBC poll -- by 5 %

Ron Paul steps into national spotlight

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2007

ARLINGTON, VA – Congressman Ron Paul finished first in the MSNBC poll following the GOP primary debate last night held at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California. Dr. Paul received 43 percent, beating the second-place finisher by five points, and crushing the rest of the field.

"Last night, Americans met Ron Paul and loved what they heard," said Ron Paul 2008 campaign chairman Kent Snyder. "Dr. Paul's message of freedom and limited government resonates with Republicans hungry for a return to their party’s core values."

"Ron Paul is the only true conservative in the GOP race. Americans saw that last night," continued Snyder. "The campaign looks forward to further debates and opportunities so even more Americans will discover Dr. Paul's message of freedom, peace and prosperity."

My tunes are already picked and on the CDs

Allegheny County officeholders invest in future political roles - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The continued fundraising could show how special interests are trying to peddle influence with regional leaders, say watchdog groups.

'He who pays the piper picks the tune,' said Meredith McGehee, policy director with the Washington, D.C.-based Campaign Legal Center. 'Those who can afford to play ... buy one thing for sure, and that's access.'

I love the musical element found within the quote.

Playground for hearing-impaired opens

Playground for hearing-impaired opens 'In a city that can't afford to maintain playgrounds, let alone build them, this is a great win for Shadyside,' said city Councilman William Peduto.

Got a point. Lost the game. Saw the horses. To host a semi finals next week.

Rugby!

We saw the Christchurch franchise in action tonight. Our team lost, but, they scored a touchdown at the very end of the game. Those points were needed to secure a point in the match. That point insures that the home team will play a home match next weekend -- the first round of the playoffs.

This is a league of 12 teams -- some from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

We were told that the Crusaders squad tonight has have or had 10 players who were also on the All Blacks.

At the start of the game, a lone horseman rides around the field, banishing a sword. He's a Crusader, of course. Then after one lap, he goes to the castle and calls out nine others to join him. They gallop around the field, like the USC Trojan, sorta. But, ten times better as there are ten of them. And, they exit a castle with gas fired lanterns at the draw-bridge / gate.

We took a cab to the event. Came home via bus.

Still got in our swim practices too. That ended at 6:30 pm. Home by 7, on our bikes. into a quick jacket change. Good luck with the taxi. And we, all 6 of us, got to the stadium by pre-game to see the horses. Game began at 7:30.

Tickets for next week's game go on sale at 9 am on Tuesday. Tonight's game was NOT a sell out. The stadium holds 30,000 or so. Had about 22,000 in the place.

My take on the game -- being I hardly know the rules -- ball handling. The Crusaders just didn't make great passes nor handle the ball well. Too many fumbles and turnovers.

There were some big-time hits. One was right at our corner of the field. Ouch.

Next up, playoffs. The squad better do better talking care of the ball, if you ask me.

We'll cheer against the Chiefs tonight

Our squad is the Cruisaders -- black and red. They play against the Chiefs. Tonight's game is in Christchurch. We hope to attend.

Crusaders Home - Canterbury Rugby Football Union The Chiefs pose a real threat on Friday night as Jade Stadium hosts the final round of the Rebel Sport Super 14, with semi-final positions and home seedings on the line.

Viewing our clan before we dunk ourselves in the Pacific to swim with wild dolphins at Akaroa, New Zealand

Viewing BCAK705038294543 Daily Photos

Family photo is BCAK705038294543

Or, here it is at my Picasa site.

From NZ - dolphins

The Finance Coach, LLC

Travis has opened his new web site.

The Finance Coach, LLC: "The Finance Coach LLC"

NPR : Rethinking How Title IX Is Applied

NPR : Rethinking How Title IX Is Applied Column by Frank Deford: Sweetness and Light

Rethinking How Title IX Is Applied

Listen to this story...

Morning Edition, May 2, 2007 -- As more young women go to college, funding for some men's sports will be reduced to comply with Title IX. That's the federal law requiring schools to offer athletic programs in proportion to gender population. Should the law be tweaked to address inconsistencies?

My heart has been broken by the cutting of swim programs -- and of other teams -- at my ex-univeristy, Ohio U, -- and elsewhere. This is bad news for all of America.

Pittsburgh - City Council District 1 - Two challengers take on a controversial incumbent - Main Feature - Main Feature Extra - Pittsburgh City Paper

Pittsburgh - City Council District 1 - Two challengers take on a controversial incumbent - Main Feature - Main Feature Extra - Pittsburgh City Paper Another way to invest, she says, is to reach out to the 'braintrust' of university students who often leave the city after earning their degrees. 'We should be marketing our neighborhoods to the students,' she says, many of whom never leave campus or the immediate neighborhoods. 'If anyone had not been to the North Side, they'd never know about our parks -- you can buy a house on the North Side and live next to a mini version of Central Park.'

Hummm....

The Pittsburgh mini version of central park is but a nice place for you and your dog to walk while on a leash. What we've got isn't going to please those with brains. If you want to get to the 'braintrust' folks, you need to have something more than a green space for you and your dog.

You want to talk about city parks -- let's visit Christchurch. Oh my gosh.

Once again, Pittsburgh's problem isn't a hardware thing -- it is about the 'software.'

I'd like to see a robust race in November between the winner of the D primary (and I hope that isn't D. Harris) and David S.

A 'female Bob O'Connor' -- oh the things that get reported by the MSM.