Fineman: The Politics of Pittsburgh - Newsweek Howard Fineman - MSNBC.com

Fineman: The Politics of Pittsburgh - Newsweek Howard Fineman - MSNBC.com What Pittsburgh Can Teach the Country
A city down on its luck has an optimistic young leader. The scene there mirrors our national situation. Maybe we can all learn something from Luke Ravenstahl.

What Pittsburgh and America need, above all, is vigorous, shrewd, knowledgeable and optimistic leadership. We need to unite community and country in common effort. And—just a thought—perhaps we need to turn to the generation coming up after the baby boom.

Maybe I’m just a homer — isn’t everybody, in one way or another? But if Pittsburgh can take the next step, so can the country; conversely, if this city fails, so does the country, at least in my mind.

Homer fits him well. At least he told the world that he's a homer himself.

I'm from Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is my home. But, I'm not a homer.

The saga of Pittsburgh and the saga of the nation are NOT linked as this homer states in his article. Sure, there is overlap. But, wondering if Pittsburgh can take the next step and that being a sign for the rest of the country is silly. That's something only an ugly 'homer' would write and try to 'sell.'

Pittsburgh can stand and fall on its own merits. Pittsburgh is a bit of an island even when it comes to political thought.

Perhaps the old benchmark, "Will it play in Peoria?" is being conjured with his thoughts. If Pittsburgh can get vigorous, shrewd, knowledgeable and optimistic leadership, then the White House can be filled with leaders of the same moxie.

Who is going to burst this homer's bubble by explaining that Pittsburgh is still without vigorous, shrewd, knowledgeable and optimistic leadership, even from its 27 year old mayor? A unicorn is cute, rare and mythical but not a vigorous, shrewd, knowledgeable and optimistic leader.

There are hopeful signs.

Did he see the billboards with the hands on hips?

The 88 neighborhoods are remarkably intact — a rarity.

Our city's neighborhood nightlife is such a draw that parents go "out on the town" at wee hours of the night. Intact? Rarity?

... The real problem of this region is political. I’ve been around, and I’ve never seen a place more desperately in need of unified, inspirational, smart political leadership. The government structure is, to put it mildly, a mess: too many bureaucrats and elected officials doing not much.

Hold the phone. He talks of four problems, not one real problem. One is government structure. Two is the abundance of bureaucrats. Three is too many elected officials. Four is not much action from the many elected officials.

Pittsburgh needs to understand its situation before Pittsburgh can begin to grapple with the possibilities of building its solutions. Talk on one front, say elected officials who do squat, can influence what to do in other matters. This is a quagmire. But, first things first.

I agree we have too many elected officials who do nothing. Furthermore, the do nothing elected officials don't have the mental capacity to see the real problems and offer creative solutions to those problems. They can't attack the roots as they are not smart enough to know about them or they are not creative enough to address them.

Pittsburgh of 2007 has plenty of elected officials with do-nothing attitudes except to fill their power-hungry ways of self-preservation. So, we've got to throw the bums out. We need to clean house. But, we might not want to toss out the baby with the bathwater. Our governmental house might be in fine order, except for the slobs who have been squatting there in recent times.

It is important to replace, re-direct, then reform. We can't put the reform of government into the hands of those who should be replaced. We can't allow the lazy politicians of today's Pittsburgh be the ones to build themselves new structures.

We need to be certain that the efforts of replacement are geared to bone-headed politicians and not directly linked to the structure of our government.

Democracy is messy. Community interactions are scary. Getting along is hard work and not always about being neat and tidy. Problems with process and the problems with people in leadership roles (and would be leadership roles) are two distinct elements. Multiple conversations are needed. Otherwise, its all just wasted gibberish.

The writer mentions the 129 other independent municipalities in surrounding Allegheny County. Well, they are throughout the county, not around it. And, the other municipalities might go a long way to making for one of the best features of the region -- mentioned above -- the intact neighborhoods. Edgewood is not the same as Wilkinsburg. Verona and Oakmont and Plum are not the same. West Mifflin and Duquesne are different. I tend to feel that the 129 different municipalities is a strength. Otherwise, we all might be in the same boat, without diversity with bigger headaches.

The writer also gets it all wrong by saying "The mayor is in a constant tussle with the county, run by County Executive Dan Onorato." There is no tussle. Even Tom Murphy and Jim Roddey were on the same page and talked constantly as late as 2002.

Saying that the county has bigger access to state funds is weird reporting too. The big projects are in the city -- stadiums, convention center, tunnels under river to North Side, slots parlor, new arena. Some go elsewhere, like the Mon Valley Toll Road or a warehouse around the green fields of the airport -- creating sprawl.

The county's income stream is limited in more ways than that of the city. The county's 'bread and butter' is the property taxes -- and Dan Onorato has been as was written -- a do-nothing elected leader.

Access to state funds has gone to the city for its bailouts. Act 47, I.C.A., and other state spending stop-gap goodies have come to the city, not the county. PAT's meltdown isn't getting state aid. Dan Onorato's knees are worn with all the begging he has done to the state's do nothing elected leaders.

Ravenstahl was reported to have said, "No one would pay attention to urban issues." Does he do that himself? What urban issues does he care to address? Cats running at large? Transportation?

The state's budget-control office that shares space with the mayor is not just symbolism. Self-determination has gone down the drain and it isn't being sucked back by Luke nor any of the do-nothing leaders.

I agree that "the notion of going hat in hand to a Philly guy is galling beyond words." But, sadly, Onorato and the others do not share that view. Pittsburgh needs to have a new attitude. We need to get the city to pull its own weight.

Ravenstahl is pushing biotech, proudly noting that more than a million square feet of “wet lab” space is on the drawing board.

Ravenstahl might as well be pushing a rope up the river if he is pushing biotech. Ravenstahl needs to let the market place and the science take care of itself. Ravenstahl should be worried about good government. Ravenstahl should be worried about city-wide wellness. Ravenstahl should worry about ways to prevent the next deaths from the next fire from the next poor family that resides in our neighborhoods.

But what the city and region need most is unity and optimism.

The city needs unity like a hole in the head. We need freedom. We need a rule of law, not a rule of a few men (or boys). We need government officials to focus on governmental concerns, not biotech plans.

Ravenstahl can’t be a new Lawrence because he can't thing and do the things that should be done. Ravenstahl is in a tough spot because his principles are soft. One aim of Lawrence was to clean the air. That's something we all share. Biotech is not everyone's domain.

Ravenstahl wants to convene the corporate chieftains who belong to something called the Allegheny Conference, but he would go to them to beseech rather than command. He has little bargaining power.

Telling statement. Ravenstahl wants to kiss butt to the Allegheny Conference. I say screw them. The Allegheny Conference is often what is wrong about this region.

I don't agree that the city needs to attract those in their 20s. If they come when they are 20 but leave with they hit 30, it is all a waste. The city can't even keep what it has. The city needs to be square with the residents of Pittsburgh. First things first.

Polar Bears swim in an Endless Pool-simulates arctic stream

Swim Pools are OPEN!

Polar Bears swim in an Endless Pool-simulates arctic stream The polar bears at the Central Park Zoo have been going with the flow - and going against it as well. An 'Endless Pool' has been installed into their exhibit that has, literally, been making waves!

Meanwhile, Dr. Fu operates on a monkey. Polar Bears in Pgh Zoo demand a flume too.

We'll be at the zoo on Father's Day. I'm going to coach the bears in an butterfly workout. Be there at 2 pm to witness the coaching session.

New bike lane is more like a logo -- where is the lane?

It was great to hear about the new bike lane that is starting to show up on city streets. Then I saw one last night. That is not a lane. It is only a logo.

There are real bike lanes throughout Christchurch, NZ. We rode on those lanes throughout the month of May. They are in the same general area as our lanes -- but -- our lanes are without lines. Our lanes are but hints of a bike lane.

Do all the bike lines in Pittsburgh NOT have a line? I'm looking for a painted line that goes along the side of the street for the length of the street. Generally there are two -- one for each side of the road. Pittsburgh has none.

Sure, it is more paint. Sure, it is more time. Sure, the Pittsburgh roads generally are not with the freshest coat of paint, even for yellow lines and cross-walks. But I'm wanting real lines for the bike lanes.

Furthermore, the bike lanes in New Zealand have a background color at major intersections. They are not put through the intersections, but rather only at the end of the road at the edge of the intersection -- for about 10-15 meters (yards).

That extra paint is very nice -- but that might be too much for our broke city to cover.

The bike lanes in Christchurch were with red paint. The ones in Auckland had green paint. Pittsburgh has a little logo with some arrows. That's not enough.

In other cities in other nations they often have the bike lane next to the sidewalk, then the parked car, then the traffic in the street. That would be interesting to try on a city street or two.

The bike lanes in China often have a physical fence to keep the cars and bikes with a divide. That is great. It would be nice to set up a road or two in Pittsburgh with those added guard rails -- as a test.

Luke is going to do a bike ride on Monday at 11 am. Big deal. Ask for lines on the road for the duration of the bike lane. Autos won't follow them all the time, but they will provide extra reminders to both bikers and drivers.

Finally -- I want to see those share the road signs with additional statements -- no bikes on the sidewalks. I saw a guy in Oakland zipping along last night. He was way, way, way too fast to be on the sidewalk. If I had seen him sooner, I would have done more than beep my horn.

Bikes on the sidewalk need to be with those under the age of 7 or at slower than walking speed. Walk the bikes on side WALKS.

Bikers who are on the sidewalks with speed should have be fined $50 or more -- and have their bike taken away for a week. We're talking bike jail, bike court, bike ER and bike row office next. (That's a joke.) And, citizens should be able to file the complaint against bikers who are on the sidewalks. (That's not a joke.)

What do you suggest with iPod listens?

I've been doing a lot of listening to my iPod. I'm open to a few suggestions. What do you like? I'll post some of my better audio subscriptions later.

Republican Candidate For Mayor Not Backing Down - News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh

Republican Candidate For Mayor Not Backing Down - News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh DeSantis said he wants debates in the race for mayor, and he wants to debate not only Ravenstahl, but also any other candidates that get into the race.

Libertarian candidate for mayor, Mark Rauterkus, will also be on the ballot this fall.

The wind up, the pitch.... either a strike or a home run

This from Tom Gillooly on a local email discussion group about Dr. Ron Paul and his bid for US President.

Last year, I saw Jon Stewart interview another libertarian, John Stossel (MSM investigative reporter). It began well, but as soon as Stossel said something to the effect that he trusts business and the market more than government, Stewart cut him off with an anti-corporation rant, and ended the interview. He started something like that in his interview with Ron Paul, asking if reducing government wouldn't give more power to corporations.

Paul handled it perfectly, first distinguishing between businesses like Halliburton that make money by using government, from those that make money by selling a product or service that people want; then putting entertainers like Stewart himself in the latter category.

The same pitch that Stossel had swung at and missed, Ron Paul knocked out of the park.

I call myself a "free market" candidate. I hate the corporate welfare efforts and folly. We've got a lot of corporate welfare Republicans -- like Tom Ridge, former PA Governor. These are interesting times and big distinctions.

Pittsblog backs into a liberty discussion

See: http://pittsblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/up-up-and-away.html

Pittsblog But the regulatory gauntlet is daunting, and there aren't enough people in town who are trained to manage it.

This is not the way I'd want to skin the cat. If the regulatory gauntlet is daunting, and it is even more than daunting, then I'd want to streamline that process. We need to extend freedom and liberty to eliminate and rid the process of daunting regulations. We need to get more into a buyer beware mode. We need to get off the backs of those who want to sell supplements. We need to open up a few tax-free-zones but switch the free pass to whole segments of marketplace advancements. Cut red tape. Get government out of the position of playing boss of a nanny state. Put more responsibility upon the consumers, the drug makers, the doctors, the health-care advocates, the pharmacy experts.

Don't have the D.A. and the State-Commerce-Auditors do 'crack-downs' on gyms for selling "Gator-Aid" and other supplements.

I hate steriods. Here I'm talking about the 'roids' that are famous for short-cuts to building bulk, HGH and such. I won't use them. I'll teach others about their troubles. But I'd like to sidestep the need for Pittsburgh to recuit a bunch of human capital so we have people who are trained to manage the hurdles of a bloated, over-taxed, public sector process of agencies, permissions and plain-old red tape.

If we had 10 people take that on as a mission, getting to the roots of the problems, from positions of power in certain offices -- the thaw of our economy would begin.

This is why Libertarian thinkers, such as Ron Paul, would be a boom to America at this time.

Today's blog is brought to you by the Trudeau/Hayden Moving Sale

Trudeau/Hayden Moving Sale

Chez nous 91 S 24th Street in South Side on Saturday, June 16, 2007 from 9 to noon (no earlybirds please).

Books, Action Figures, Hats Galore, Costumes, Games, Videos, Ceramics. Stuff you would never find at a regular Sidewalk Sale.

Please don't phone...just come

Wilburn is moving to Canada. After the house sale comes the sale of the house as well. It is a wonderful find. Hardwood floors, plenty of space. The house is going to go onto the market in a week or two. The family is headed to their camp in Canada shortly, then they'll be into their new home in Toronto by mid-August geared up for the new school year.

Mayor Ravenstahl asks 10 to resign - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Mayor Ravenstahl asks 10 to resign - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Insane. This is goofy.

Doing a national search for ten directors at one time is going to absorb the time and energy of many people.

I agree that I'd not want to keep all ten directors should I become mayor. But, I'd not fire them all in the summer of a re-election year.

Rather, evolve.

Furthermore, the Parking Authority boss heard about the request to resign from a reporter it seems. He said "no comment." He was off the job yesterday. So, what's that about? Was he at the US Open too?

Time to open the Pgh Cereal Bar

After a year and a half of negotiations, CSPI has come to an agreement with Kellogg Company to adopt nutrition standards for the foods it advertises to young children. This is an historic commitment, and thus the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), the Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC), and two Massachusetts parents will not proceed with a lawsuit against the company.

According to the agreement with Kellogg, foods advertised on media—including TV, radio, print, and third-party Web sites—that have an audience of 50 percent or more children under age 12 will have to meet new nutrition standards. In addition, Kellogg will not:

• Advertise to children any foods in schools and preschools that include kids under age 12;
• Sponsor product placements for any products in any medium primarily directed at kids under 12;
• Use licensed characters (Shrek, SpongeBob, etc.) in mass-media advertising directed primarily to kids under 12 (for example, on the labels of food packages unless those foods meet the nutrition standards);
• Use branded toys in connection with foods that do not meet the nutrition standards.

Video: CSPI Executive Director discusses the settlement.

More information: Press release and related documents

Police: Community input casts doubt on baby sitter in fatal fire

We talked about this with our family and my wife's first reaction was -- where were the dads? A focus is upon the babysitter, the moms -- and not the dads?

One of the dads was on a TV interview talking about defense of his wife. Time will tell.

Police: Community input casts doubt on baby sitter in fatal fire Investigators have doubts whether a teenage baby sitter who was supposed to be watching five children killed in a row house fire really exists.

Witnesses and neighbors are providing information that 'has a tendency to cast doubt' on the baby sitter's existence, Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Diane Richard said.

'Legally, and in all fairness, we will continue the investigation so we can completely rule that out,' she said.

The blaze, reported at about 1:20 a.m. Tuesday, ...

Coach Tomlin brings fathers, sons together

Coach Tomlin brings fathers, sons together “As much as I love what I do, and you guys know I love what I do, it’s a clear second to what I do with those guys over there,” said Tomlin, motioning toward his family. “Coaching is what I do, just like whatever job you guys do is what you do. Dad is who I am.”

Tomlin addressed nearly 1,000 fathers and their children during the Steelers All-Pro Dad Father and Kids Experience at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex June 9. The event provided fathers the opportunity to spend quality time at the Steelers practice facility with their children and to gain insight on parenting.

Great messages. Continue to read the story on the site of the New Pgh Courier.

Last Chance to sign up for the Crafton Crocodiles is tomorrow -- Friday -- 9:30 am at Crafton Park's Pool

Our swim team has been making good progress so far this summer. Practices started on Tuesday. I know of a number of kids who have been taking naps -- and sleeping by 8 pm.

Yesterday, my son, Grant, went to sleep at 5:30 pm and didn't get up until 6 am. He was back in the pool at 7 am. But, Grant has had a touch of jet lag. Some of the other kids don't have that excuse -- but -- they've been swimming practices for 2 hours. That has a way of getting the kids to sleep in the evenings.

We're working a lot on the breastroke -- as that can be the hardest to master.

Practices are every week day except July 4 from 7 to 9 am at Carlynton High School and from 9:30 to 11:30 am at the outdoor Crafton Swim Pool, 112 West Steuben Street, Crafton, PA 15205.

The cost is $30 per kid. Plus, $25 for raffle tickets. Plus, you need to have a Crafton Pool tag -- or else pay an extra $35. That gets you a t-shirt, swim cap, banquet.

Dates:

June 16, Car Wash, Busy Beaver from 9 am to 1 pm.

June 22, Team Photos

June 28, Flick n Float (movie at the swim pool) from 8 to 10 pm. Open to public. Pay at the gate.

June 30, Relay Carnival at Scott Pool. Arrive at 8 am.

June 30, July 1, July 2, July 3 = Water Polo clinic and shoot out with Crafton Celebrates

July 4, (1K swim + 5K fun run) ** details later. Open to public.

July 5, Crafton at Green Tree, arrive at 5:45 pm

July 10, Scott visits Crafton, arrive at 4:45 pm.

July 14, Crafton at Mt. Lebanon outdoor pool. Arrive at 7:15 am.

July 18, South Fayette at Crafton, arrive at 4:45 pm.

July 24, Championship Meet at Crafton, arrive at 4:45.

July 25, Private Swim Team Party fro swimmers and families at 8 pm to 10 pm.

July 26, All Star Meet at South Fayette, arrive at 5:15 pm

July 27, last swim practice

July 29, Crafton Team Banquet and slide show at 6 pm.

Water polo Clinic in August. Details in another posting. Open to public too.

JS Online: City camera funding rejected

JS Online: City camera funding rejected A Milwaukee Common Council committee on Wednesday voted against spending money for 15 pole-mounted video surveillance cameras, throwing the cameras' future into doubt.

But Mayor Tom Barrett said he would push to fund the cameras, which he has touted as part of his crime-fighting plans. And the funding dispute could be a political minefield for both the mayor and aldermen when residents expect them to follow through on the promised cameras.

Pittsburgh - Going Through the Motions - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper

Tonya says hire them all.

Pittsburgh - Going Through the Motions - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper 'If a young person put in an application, then hire them,' Payne said at city council's June 5 meeting. 'Hire them all. We need to make it a priority to find work for every one of those kids.'

The program's cost is $125,000. The ballpark figure to hire 726 young people? About $1.2 million for eight weeks of work.

That solution, give them all a job pulling weeds, is not ideal, to say the least.

Google Gadgets: AnswerBall

First came the computer on the mayor's desk in the mayor's office. Soon, Dick S would be fired from the inner circle of Grant Street's fifth floor to call numbers at the weekly bingos in senior centers. Since Google released this new gadget, there is no need for a chief of staff.

Google Gadgets:� AnswerBall Ask a question to AnswerBall and it will give you the response! Got a question? Just concentrate, hold the mouse button down to shake AnswerBall and release it to get the answer!

Na na na naa. So long. Good Bye.

On the last day of school, the 6th and 7th graders at Frick ISA (Middle School) left the building and headed to the buses past rows of teachers and staff who stood at the doorway and down the steps raising their voices, waving their hands. "Na-na-na naaa, Na-na-naa Naaaa, Soo long -- Good Bye. (repeat at will)

Interesting site. Sweet wishes.

Now -- if only the Pgh Public School Administration would get in gear an hire the necessary teachers for that school. This is the time to send out those job offers. This is the time to snag the Spanish Teachers and others who are with special teaching skills in foreign languages.

Two full time Spanish teachers are needed at Frick. Meanwhile, the two that start the year never finish it. I think there were five or so that were used. Double classrooms was the norm for too long. Hiring teachers in September sucks. That isn't the way to run specialized educational classes and schools.

German teachers and others with language class responsibilities are NOT easy to hire AFTER the school year begins, for a middle school, for Pgh Public Schools.

Hire!

Meanwhile, retain, retain, retain. The great teachers and staff that are at the buildings now who are slated to retire should be given contracts NOW for positions they'd like to retain in the year to come. Sign em up for another year NOW, not later.

Remember how there was a great boys basketball coach at Perry Traditional H.S. He was able to retire from his teaching position only to be told that he'd NOT be allowed to continue to coach boys basketball. Everyone wanted him to come back. He wanted to come back. But no. The school board policy was such that it couldn't be done. So, the great coach had to go to a suburban school and continue to coach.

As a family highlight, our son got the leadership award at Frick. And, his classmate from Phillips, T.S., got the student award. Well done guys. And well done Phillips Elem. School (graduates). FWIW, it is lame to say one graduated from Elem. School.

Both of our boys gave school presentations on our trip to New Zealand. The slide show will be posted here soon, I expect.

A new storm is brewing -- and we've got another big hole in our roof

Wouldn't you know -- today the roofers returned and put a big hole in our roof to extend the height of the chimney. What ever happened to the luck of a sweep that will shake off on you? Perhaps the sweeps are really lucky and the roofers sing another tune. (Understanding Hint to hidden blog meanings: Mary Poppins movie and Dick Van Dyke. -- Chim chimmeny, chim, chim cha roo, ...)

Ugh.

The worst is when the rain comes into the second floor via the ceiling light fixtures and drags all this crud -- like our house had been smoking for 125 years with tar and soot baked the bones. But hey, this is the South Side. I doubt that there smokers lived in the house, but the mills blanketed every thing.

Quiz: What's this?

In honor of West Virginia getting table games, here is a quiz question. What's the 'table game' shown in the photo above?

Friendly Father's Day Reminder

This weekend is Father's Day. Not many shopping days remain.

I'll be working as a volunteer at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium with a Dad's group on Father's Day. We'll be rewarding dad's with golden dad goodie bags.