Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac get bailout - as did others like Bear Stearns

I am sure you must be as angered as I am by the government take over of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This taxpayer rip-off is guaranteed to cost you and me billions. . . and who is to benefit?

First and foremost, THE BANK OF CHINA. That's right, the government bank in the People's Republic of China. Among others, numerous countries in the middle east and institutions around the world are also benefiting. Billions and billions are being sent overseas at our expense.

What do Senators McCain and Obama say about this government nationalization of our home lending system? They are both reported to be supportive.

I can tell you unequivocally, that Presidential candidate Bob Barr opposes this bail out!

Why? Because our tax dollars are being used (once again - remember Bear Stearns?) to fatten the bank accounts of speculators who bought bad loans. This is a case of the government rewarding those who took high-risk investment positions and were about to lose. . .

And where is Congress through all of this? Today they are back from a six week vacation and after just three more weeks, they quit work for the rest of the year! Between lengthy paid vacations, you can be sure they will be privately encouraging federal regulators and bureaucrats to bail out their friends. You see, Congress is paid handsomely - in the form of campaign contributions and other gifts - to make sure that the wealthy are protected from their own mistakes.

Do you need still more evidence that the only ones to benefit from this bail-out are foreign investors and Wall Street, check out all the major stock exchanges TODAY and you'll see massive gains that you are paying for.

John McCain and Barack Obama support this. No surprise there. Bob Barr is alone in blowing the whistle on this multi-billion bail out.

Scolding: I sliing this in the wake of a bone-headed comment

A most silly posted in another blog, Burghreport.blogspot.com, reads:

The last thing this country needs is another oil state governor with boob connotations (he is one, she has them.)
Anonymous | 09.08.08 - 9:53 am | #

My reply:

So, it is okay to judge people on where they live? (oil state)

Isn't PA an "oil state?" It used to be, i.e., Oil City, PA.

The sexist part is ignored.

I'd say the "last thing this country needs" is someone (racist/place-ist and sexist) to de-rail the conversations with silly comments.

Behaviors matter. Voting is a behavior too. Words and deeds in the weeks to come are sure to be measured at great length. Anonymous can help -- or hinder. To hinder by design brings a scolding.

From Passion to Action” Parent Leadership Training

Pittsburgh: September 19 & 20, 2008

Harrisburg: October 17 & 18, 2008

Pennsylvania Parent Information and Resource Center (PA PIRC) is sponsoring two regionally based workshops for parent leaders from local, regional and statewide parent leadership and parent advocacy groups, including parent members of family-school-community partnership teams.

PA PIRC supports strong connections between families and schools and advocates the
development of family-school-community partnerships focused on student success. PA PIRC
recognizes that to contribute effectively to these partnerships each member benefits from solid information to support him or her in this work.

“From Passion to Action” Parent Leadership Training

The two-day workshops, scheduled on Friday, September 19, 2008 and Saturday,
September 20, 2008 in western Pennsylvania and Friday, October 17, 2008 and Saturday,
October 18, 2008 in eastern Pennsylvania, are designed for parent leaders who want to
have an integral role in achieving student success through effective parent involvement and leadership in family-school-community partnerships.

Presenters will facilitate workshop sessions that will include:
Discussing personal leadership experiences

Understanding parent roles as leaders in the family-school-community context
Learning about the National PTA Standards of Parent Involvement

Reviewing the Federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) regulations governing parent
involvement with schools

Utilizing Pennsylvania’s “From Compliance to Effective Practice”, a standards-based
rubric aligned with the regulations

Parent leaders will have opportunities to learn and enhance involvement and leadership skills through networking with one another. Each participant will leave with a plan for transferring what they have learned to other parents.

Sign up: via PA PIRC at http://www.center-school.org/pa-pirc/workshops08.php

Action Alert: Verify Our Voting Software!

At 5 pm on Tuesday Sept. 9, 2008 we get to tell Allegheny County Council and Our Board of Election to "Audit Our Voting Software."

If we can't have a paper ballot, at least verify that our voting software is authentic!

County Council Meeting - Tuesday at 5pm, Sept. 9th
4th Floor, County Courthouse - Gold Room

Sign up to speak to council before Monday at 5pm with this link here:

http://www.county.allegheny.pa.us/council/meetings/recomm.asp

When you sign up, put "Verify Voting Software" in Agenda Item.

In the two years since our voting machines have arrived from a factory in the Philippines, the voting software has never been audited for authenticity. We are asking for public software audits that compare our voting software with the software certified by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. "Unauthorized Patches" have been used illegally in other states by the voting machine vendors. Allegheny County promised to verify our voting software. Now, we are calling for the Board of Election to hold a special meeting to make software verification happen.

Our goal is to have 30 voters show up this Tuesday at county council and call for software verification. All folks have to do is walk up to the podium and say "Please, Verify Our Voting Software!" If we show up with 30 voters, we will make news.

See you there!

David Brown, VoteAllegheny.org

Missing blacks at GOP Party and in line-up for US Congress

My instant message to KDKA Radio's Marty Griffin who is race baiting:

Smart black candidates run as for office as an Independent, not Republican. That's why there are only 7 blacks running for US Congress. Marty's concepts and benchmark is more mole-hill than mountain.

FixPA.wikia.com is a wiki that you can influence

See, read, link from, edit, contribute, fix: http://FixPA.wikia.com

URA ignored its own rules in parking lot contracts

Get out!

URA ignored its own rules in parking lot contracts: "Mr. Ravenstahl has said there was no connection between the award and a $10,000 campaign contribution from Matthew McTish, the firm's president.

No fooling.

Ugh. There is so much to say. But the first thing that needs to be said is, "Good job Rich Lord." Thanks for being a watchdog. Thanks for the research. Thanks for telling the story. We need -- Pittsburgh needs -- articles like this to come into the light of day. Pittsburgh needs the 4th estate to rise up and help to correct its ills. Splendid job here.

Restaurant owners face ban on food sales -- city councilor trying to enforce it

Part 1 about Kraus and his relationship with local investors / business people was in the Pgh City Paper, still out for 2 more days.

Food Fight - South Side restaurant owners say a ban on outside food sales -- and the city councilor trying to enforce it -- are bad for business - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh: "'Why enforce it now?' Obaid asks.

Some say the answer is easy: Councilor Bruce Kraus.

'He's making life miserable for us,' says Mary Tolomeo, a bartender at City Grill, located next door to Obaid's market.

Tolomeo says that in recent weeks, Kraus has warned her that City Grill will be cited if she doesn't move her pizza stand off the sidewalk and inside the restaurant. She says he's even taken pictures of her and other vendors selling on the street.

'It's harassment,' Tolomeo says."

Notice the trend: Bigger government, over-reaching, anti-marketplace, enemy creation, fear establishment, sustained uncertainty, doubtful laws.

Other elements might be part of the trend too.

What do you think?

South Siders urge review panel to reject cafe owner's plan for patio

Part 2:

South Siders urge review panel to reject cafe owner's plan for patio: "City Councilman Bruce Kraus, who represents District 3 and spoke at the meeting, said he did not advocate a position but asked for a resolution that didn't involve the courts.

'I feel a judiciary responsibility to the city to not let it come to litigation,' he said.

Neighborhood residents who serve as the city's historic review monitors spoke against the patio last week. They had opposed the demolition two years ago.

Architect Bob Russ, who serves on the local committee, had defended the neo-Dutch colonial facade of the demolished building as unique and worthy amid an architectural collection that is largely Victorian."

Bruce Kraus won't take a stand other than to wish upon a star and hope that the decision does not come from a person wearing a robe.

Again, what do you think?

Both articles are worthy of a full read. Follow the links.

Come back to "your vote doesn't mean shit anyway."

A comment at another blog went:

I will not be voting this election. I have talked to many folks about this and they all say the same thing. Why vote? Your vote doesn't mean shit anyway. The past few months have proved this. They make it to where everyone is confused and they get who they want in there anyway..

My reply, re-posted here:

Your vote is welcomed with the Libertarians. If you feel your vote doesn't mean shit -- make it so -- walk the talk -- deliver a good deed to turn the tide -- and cast your vote for President of the USA for Bob Barr, Libertarian.

You'll feel better for that day at least. And, it insures you'll have bragging rights for the next four years -- or longer -- if we ever turn our nation to a pathway of lawful peace and justice for all.

Inequity found in city staff's pay - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Inequity found in city staff's pay - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: 'But (Pittsburgh) is a city that still runs on patronage and who knows whom,' Hansen said.

But, it is worse than this. You gotta know the person and you gotta not care that the work gets done in a quality way. If everyone knew one another and the city was a model of productivity and efficiency, we'd be able to say we are just friendly, easy to know, and outgoing. But, we've got the best buddy thing down pat so it is often 'cover one's ass' while naps get taken on the job and not much gets done.

So, bad patronage is about who knows whom and all in that network care to do as little as possible. Understood? Rocking the boat is not tolerated. And, the gate-keepers know those people as well.

My comment at BurghReport

So, it is a "Bush economy" now that it is bleeding jobs and unemployment goes sky high to 6%. (See Burghreport.blogspot.com)

It isn't the "American economy?"

My point: I get very worried when any of those over-reaching fix it all politicians take credit for macro things with micro tinkerings.

Empowering them to, for example, fix the energy mess by building power plants (etc.) and in the next breath hearing them saying that they'll deliver 'smaller government" plus have 100-year occupations of foreign lands - golly -- those conflicts do not sit well with me.

Bush's economy is BS.
Bush's war is right on.

The US president can run an invasion just fine on his own. But it is a different matter for this -- or other D & R Presidents - to run an economy.

College Football in a nutshell

We've been neck deep in international athletics and the Olympics. American college gridiron -- err -- football has been only a fleeting memory. But now it is time to get up to speed on the new season.

If you like underdogs, this might be a "glory year." Pitt lost to B-G-S-U-cks on opening day with few in the stands and lots of booing.

Great article for all to read:

Yolk’s on egg-laying Big East, ACC, Big Ten: The Register-Guard, Eugene, Ore.: "the Big East, where Louisville was trounced by Kentucky, Pittsburgh was shocked by Bowling Green and Rutgers was run over by Fresno State. Oh, and Syracuse looked as bad as ever in a loss to Northwestern.

,,, snips about Pitt ...

But how’s this for desperate: the Big East is pulling for Cincinnati to raise the league’s stature. The Bearcats are at Oklahoma.

“If Cincinnati went out there and got a win, that would do a lot for Cincinnati and a lot for our conference,” UConn coach Randy Edsall said.

Indeed, it would. But beat the Sooners in Norman?

“This is a huge measuring stick for our program and our football team,” Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly said. “Certainly we cannot go to Norman and lay an egg.”

Why not? Half of the league already did.

It’s truly the Pitts

Is there any team that needs a win more than Pittsburgh? The Panthers play host to Buffalo but might rather be on the road after that 27-17 loss to Bowling Green led their own fans to boo Pittsburgh off Heinz Field.

“It was probably justified,” Pittsburgh coach Dave Wannstedt said. “I mean, let’s be real ... when people are disappointed, they are going to express it.”

They’re also going to be questioning the coach. Wannstedt replaced Walt Harris, who was eased out despite a 32-18 record in his final four years, including 2-2 in bowl games.

What’s Wannstedt done? He’s 16-20 (three of the wins over lower-division foes) with no bowls, and there seems to be a notable pratfall every season. He did receive an extension last December that takes him through the 2012 season, but the best advice right now would be better beat Buffalo.

... another giggle ...

Even the ACC winners didn’t look very impressive in what should have been one-sided openers as North Carolina struggled past McNeese State and Maryland held on to beat Delaware.

How bad was it in the ACC? North Carolina hired a pair of skydivers to land at its Kenan Stadium with the game ball, but the two parachutists instead arrived at midfield of Wallace Wade Stadium, where Duke was warming up to play James Madison. That means they missed their mark by only about eight miles.

“In about five years, this will be funny,” said Rick Steinbacher, an associate director of athletics at UNC. “Right now, I’m just glad no one was hurt.”

I think it might be more rewarding to devote my limited attention to spectator sports in the direction of the Paralympics now ramping up in Beijing.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7599318.stm

China Journal : After the Games, China looks High-Tech

China Journal : After the Games, China looks High-Tech: "While debate continues over how much the Olympics changed China, a recent survey indicates that hosting the Beijing Games changed some views of China among the 4.7 billion people who watched the event on TV.

PS in email from Iceland says "You suck."

A webmaster in Iceland thinks I suck.

Well, he might be right. But, I hate this crap.



Earlier today I send a nicer, yet still scolding email, to Rev. Ricky Burgess of Pgh City Council. He was able to lead a prayer at the start of today's city council meeting and prayed for "both candidates" for US President. Shame, shame, shame.

See reply in thread comments.

Hiring: Pgh part time job

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (PART-TIME), THREE RIVERS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION – PITTSBURGH

POSTED: 8/28/08

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

In 1989, a small group of community activists joined together to create a new kind of philanthropy in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Recognizing that grassroots community organizations are often too small to gain the attention of larger foundations, the Three Rivers Community Foundation focused its efforts on funding groups that were too small, too new, or too controversial to get traditional streams of funding.

Three Rivers Community Foundation embraces the philosophy that the best way to bring about social justice is to support community-based organizations working “on the ground floor” of change. This idea has been exemplified in our grantees. The Foundation’s grants are designed to help people work to change their own lives and communities for the better, resulting in sometimes small but critical changes. Our grantmaking committee is dedicated to an open, honest, compassionate, and accountable decision making process. It is made up of activists, community representatives, past grantees, donors, and Board members, all of whom have an equal voice.

Since our humble beginnings in 1989, the Three Rivers Community Foundation has been at the forefront of recognizing critical social justice movements in the region. We have awarded nearly $837,000 in grants to 257 different organizations.

While we are proud of all our grantees, and what they’ve accomplished, there are some standouts:

Before it was legal to have a needle-exchange program in Allegheny County, Prevention Point Pittsburgh (PPP) was on the ground, passing out clean needles to drug users to prevent the spread of blood-borne diseases. The Three Rivers Community Foundation funded the organization many times during this, and watched with pride when, in 2002, PPP became a legal, officially-sanctioned syringe exchange program.

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students, along with their straight allies, decided to help others struggling through high school by forming Dreams of Hope (DOH), a performing arts troupe. DOH members perform their own pieces, telling their own, personal stories, and encouraging honesty and openness. Each performance is followed by a talk-back session with the audience, where all questions are answered.

Not being content to just provide food to the hungry, Just Harvest Education Fund consistently works on educating the community about the links between hunger and public policy, giving people the tools needed to take action against hunger.

Formed after police brutality killed Jonny Gammage, the Black and White Reunion works to build bridges between black and white communities, and hosts the annual Summit Against Racism in January.

Chain of Hope, a recreational and vocational center in Wilkinsburg, was established by and run by mental health consumers. With a grant from the Three Rivers Community Foundation’s, they created a 25-minute video addressing mental illness and self-help, and a manual to establish similar centers around the country.

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Revenue generation

1. Increase funding through the organizations annual campaign and endowment giving programs.

2. Oversee all grant writing efforts

3. Develop collaborative projects/partnerships with other community providers

4. Manage fundraising efforts including direct mail, special events, sponsorship proposals, United Way, corporate solicitations and in-kind donations

5. Develop a donor stewardship plan to keep donors engaged.

Personnel and human resources

1. Manage the organization’s part time office manager

2. Evaluate and update the employee handbook as needed

Financial management

1. Monitor and report to the board and key stakeholders on financial activities

2. Develop, obtain approval from the Board and manage annual budget

3. Manage outsourced accountant to ensure proper record keeping and tracking

4. Monitor grant spending and reporting to funders, oversee all compliance issues

Organizational management

1. Ensure that systems, policies and procedures exist and are being followed at all times

2. Manage risk, due diligence, insurance and other operational best practices

3. Ensure that the organization is in compliance with all laws and guidelines governing nonprofit organizations

4. Manage vision and purpose, work within goals identified by Board of Directors, report out on how the organization is performing to the board and appropriate committees

Communications

1. Redesign the Three Rivers Community Foundation newsletter and issue to donors bi-annually

2. Give a written Executive Director’s report on a monthly basis to the Executive Committee. This report will be shared with the Board at each Board meeting and should highlight monthly accomplishments.

3. Expand the profile of the Three Rivers Community Foundation in the community.

External and board relations

1. Board of Directors

   1. Support and prepare for board and committee meetings

   2. Work collegially and collaboratively to accomplish organizational goals and support board governance and oversight

2. Volunteers

   1. Recruit, manage and support volunteers in the office, on committees and at events

The Three Rivers Community Foundation has an expectation that the part-time Executive Director will work 20 hours per week out of our Point Breeze office with oversight of our part-time office manager.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

In addition to the requirements stated above, the ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Outstanding communication skills, including written, verbal and presentation skills

• Experience in raising funds

• Interpersonal skills required to relate well to, and work well with, all people, including volunteers, sponsors, donors, and board members

• A high degree of integrity that garners the trust and respect of others

• A track record of successful growth and the demonstrated business acumen to continue the growth trajectory of the Three Rivers Community Foundation

• A pragmatic and professional nature exhibited by, among other things, an ability to establish and meet deadlines and to establish clear priorities quickly

• A high degree of organization and a work ethic that promotes thoroughness, timeliness, attention to detail and an ability to work effectively under pressure

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

• Prior experience working with or reporting to a Board of Directors preferred

• A Bachelor’s degree, although a Master’s degree would be preferred.

TO APPLY:

Please send cover letter and resume by September 30 to:

Marcie Eberhart, Board Vice President, at eberhartm@ae.com

Secret Service confiscates books & buttons at event

The worst that happened to me while in China was that my mini-tripod for my camera was held at the gate of the flat-water canoe venue.

We need to worry more about the authorities in the USA than in China, it seems.

Secret Service confiscates books & button from Ron Paul delegates | Daily Newscaster: "Today at the Republican National Convention, as the Ron Paul Delegates were taking a picture in front of the model White House inside the Convention Center, they were surrounded by Secret Service which proceeded to search the bags of all the delegates. They took any and everything related to Ron Paul including signs, buttons, videos, slim jims, cards, even books.

Alternate Delegate Dennis Rothacker from Florida said “We were done taking the picture when Secret Service started walking into the room and surrounded us. There were about 30 of them. When they searched my bags they took my Ron Paul sign and turned a deaf ear to my complains, they just walked away.

The Busman's Holiday: The Curious Case of the Solicitor's Phone Calls

The Busman's Holiday: The Curious Case of the Solicitor's Phone Calls Many months ago, I questioned the mayor's office about a different unsubstantiated rumor concerning Ravenstahl. At that time, Acting Press Secretary Joanna Doven told me that City Solicitor Specter believed the previous rumor amounted to slander. I was puzzled at the time by the solicitor being invoked in that case in a role beyond his usual city governmental duties.

What is going on here? Is the city solictor's office getting ready for a 'slander suit?'

These folks (Pgh Administration / Grant Street Workers) are goofy.

Dear Jon Stewart: I am your newest fan | Politics in Minnesota

First hand account:

Dear Jon Stewart: I am your newest fan | Politics in Minnesota: "'The Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, brought to you by Mace!' he intoned. 'Mace! When someone's standing in front of you and you want them to move! Mace! When 'Get the f*** out of here' just won't do!'

Obama McCain Convention Speech Comparison

I care. I listen. I think.

Obama McCain Convention Speech Comparison Obama McCain Convention Speech Comparison By: Jeff Clark Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2008

I have built some graphics comparing the speech delivered by McCain at the RNC last night with the speech from last week by Obama. To start with, here are the StreamGraph diagrams for both speeches. Click on either one to see more detail.

Wonder what would happen if the Libertarian's nomination speech of Bob Barr was constrasted with the other two?

Allegheny Places - The Allegheny County Comprehensive Plan Website

Looking for feedback and discussion.

Allegheny Places - The Allegheny County Comprehensive Plan Website: "This section contains the Allegheny Places Draft Document. You may view each chapter and map below. Once you have viewed the draft, please provide us your comments.

Ad firm tries anew to light up billboard - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Ad firm tries anew to light up billboard - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review City Councilmen Doug Shields and Bruce Kraus protested the zoning variances, as did Claire Meehan, a resident of The Pennsylvanian, a nearby apartment building. Meehan gave the board a petition with 80 signatures from neighbors who she said oppose the billboard.

'It's a landmark building, and this is the antithesis of what landmark preservation is all about,' Meehan said.

The Grant Street Transportation Center will serve as a parking garage and transit hub with access to a Greyhound bus station and attached Amtrak train station. A dedication for the building is set for Sept. 29, said David Onorato, executive director of the Parking Authority.

A zoning board decision on Lamar's application likely will take at least 12 weeks.

If the variances are denied, Lamar will lose its $1.3 million investment in building the curved board, said Stan Geier, vice president and general manager of Lamar Advertising in Pittsburgh.

Lamar took a gamble of $1.3. That loss is due to Lamar's poor behaviors.

I would love to have the text of the 'objections.'

As Pittsburgh becomes more of a high-risk place for investment, Less and no investment will arrive. Red tape and corruption kill other places.

Stay to the end of this video: Highlight of day in MN

Barr Is Still Going Strong

Solid article. Seems Bob Barr was in the belly of the beast in MN as the President did a big screen talk.

National Journal Online - Barr Is Still Going Strong Scoffers scoff and mockers mock, but former Rep. Bob Barr of Georgia continues to campaign as the duly nominated presidential candidate of the Libertarian Party.

He was in Minneapolis-St. Paul on Tuesday and Wednesday to meet with supporters, many of whom attended the Campaign for Liberty rally organized by Barr's fellow Libertarian and former GOP presidential candidate, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas. On Tuesday evening, as President Bush made his televised address to the convention, Barr was greeting Republican-affiliated supporters in the walkway behind the delegates' seats.

Many of my friends are arriving home from the Ron Paul event.

This is where I'm at with my vote and support: Bob Barr, L.

PodCamp version 3 is in 45 days

Cafe Witness: Your Free 10-Step Social Media Diploma

Clever, quality posting.

Cafe Witness: Your Free 10-Step Social Media Diploma: "Your Free 10-Step Social Media Diploma"

Al Gore's name is on the diploma.

Phelps to start swimming foundation -- baltimoresun.com

Phelps to start swimming foundation -- baltimoresun.com: "Phelps to start swimming foundation"

Reports on IB 6-12 and School Site-Based Budgeting Meetings Released

Additional reports from the Spring Forum Series, “Excel.9.12: Community Input into the Continuing Plans for High School Excellence”, are now available on the A+ Schools website at http://www.aplusschools.org/discussion.html. These reports include presentation summaries and community feedback for each meeting. The reports cover the follow-up meeting for the International Baccalaureate program as well as the meeting entitled: “Schools & Money: A Community Discussion about School Budgets”.

Lack of Logic:

Report says: One location for an IB school presents a chance to increase the number of distinct choices that families can choose for their students.

Logic says that moving to one location limits choices. More locations offer more choices. More flexibility offers more choices and more options too.

It is a blasted shame when the school district officials, such as Kate and Mark Roosevelt, get confused between addition and subtraction. As subtraction occurs, less options are available.

Report says: Ms. Reed also pointed out that one of the administration’s initial Excel.9-12 goals, presented in the Spring 2007, was to increase participation in the IB classes.

Golly. If the aim is to increase participation, then increase offerings, increase choices, widen flexibility. Duhh.

I've said from day one that the I.B. program is a successful one within the overall district. I.B. offers students and families a choice -- and that is a good thing for a large, urban school district. I'm fully in favor of I.B. education as an option. I'm also keen on the idea of expanding I.B. within Pittsburgh. Too many people leave the district, drop out of school, and get poor results. We've got to do better and I.B. is one tool in that process to both grow kids and grow the city.

However, the double talk from the district stinks. They can't be trusted to really want to expand I.B. Often it is the case where they can divide and then conquor. Or, in this case, dismiss. The PPS administration could put I.B. into its own school this year only to close that school in the future. It does not help to put I.B. into a school that is a 'temporary location.'

The long-term future of I.B. education is on thin ice, thanks to the administration.

Rather, I would like to see a second I.B. program established. Keeping Schenley High School with an I.B. option would be possible along with a specialized regional magnet on the eastern border of the city. That is called "addition." That is growth.

Frankly, I don't care if it is 'hard' on the 'administration' to have programs span different buildings and located in different parts of the city. They get paid. They have jobs. If it is too hard for them -- others can be hired. However, the place where we need to have easy access is for the students and the families that live here. I want it to be easier for students and their families to go to school here, stay in school here, and even move to the city to go to a school here.

Report says: She explained the coordination of an MYP across two buildings is challenging for staff and students alike.

Nope. There is no challenge for students when more choices are made available. The staff challenges and the student challenges are different and need to be understood.

However, the school district did exactly what it wished against. The 9th grade students who are in the I.B. program are now in a different school and NOT a part of the regular I.B. High School. They made life a huge blasted challenge for more than 25% of the students -- by design. School populations are divided because of the PPS solution.

If the district was really worried about two buildings as a challenge then the 9th graders who are now in the basement of Frick Middle School would be in with their school mates in Reizenstein. Now they are on activity buses and living in a dual world that is a big burden for families. Hence, people have left the district and left the school.

Report says: The focus of the IB Programme is very intense, and the administration believes that it is best achieved with continuity.

Wrong. Continuity might lead to complacency, not intensity. One of the best ways to foster a culture of intensity is with changes of locations. Going to middle school should not feel like it does when going to high school.

Life is intense enough for middle school aged kids without the need to deal with high school kids in the same building. If you want intensity, specialize. The demands, requirements, management and intensity of a 6th grader are not like that of a senior.

Report says: Ms. Reed then reviewed the feeder patterns into the IB programme. Currently, there are a total of 1,538 students feeding into the program from other schools in the district. This number represents the following grade levels:
180 Kindergarten (Class of 2020), ... etc.

There is no such thing as a 'feeder pattern' from grade K to a high school I.B. program. Feeder patterns, by their nature of slots in schools because of a factor of where one's house is located is not about choice. Feeder patterns are mandated choices that eliminate choice.

I.B. is a high school program with a specialized high school diploma. Meanwhile, students in grade K are in a feeder pattern for that flavor of a high school diploma? Makes little sense.

If the I.B. program is a success, people will want to opt into it. If it is flounders, people will opt out. They will go elsewhere. Feeder programs from grade K will not be a way to insure that a high school program is a success.

Natural transitions are necessary for the overall system to be productive for its citizens. Kids that are motivated and want to opt into an intense educational system with languages and I.B. concentrations need to be able to do that -- without needing to have their parents sell their house and move from one feeder pattern to another.

The I.B. program should be constructed as a city-wide magnet that has little to nothing to do with 'feeder patterns.'

The PPS Administration is trying to put a round peg into a square hole. They are not constructing a customer-centric system that educates kids and provides real choices based upon the diversity of the student and our city's population.

Report says: ... the district was very pleased with the current makeup of next year’s ninth grade class at Pittsburgh Frick, which represents almost the exact make up of the district as a whole. The class will consist of 46% males and 54% females. Sixtyseven percent (67%) of the class will be African American with 33% representing other races.

This is funny. The current makeup of next year's class was a forecast. What happened in real numbers. And, percentages are not telling as the real numbers. How many did they expect in May and how many showed in in September? What are the real numbers? How many didn't make the transition to 9th grade into Frick from last year's 8th grade? And, how many affluent kids left.

They never deliver honest numbers. Even attendance figures at ALAs that started in mid-August have never been reported. Shameful FUD.

The entire training and certification of the staff is a joke. Those problems are solved in hiring. Offer contracts in April, not August, or September. Those are human resource matters and the district has been a failure in these matters.

Report says: Ms. Reed reminded the audience that sports are typically not played or
practiced on site at a school, so the logistics regarding sports are no different than in the past.

The swim team practices in the rivers, according to PPS Administrators, not at their schools. Right.

That's one of the many problems. Sports should be practiced within the school sites. Things are different than in the past -- they are worse. And, what was happening in the past stunk.

Report says: personalization is critical for every student and the central focus of
Excel.9-12.

I have no problem with "personalization" as a valued program attribute for our kids and their educational choices. But, the administration's approach to personalization is specialized schools which means that the students who shift gears need to drop-out of their school and re-enroll in another school. Personalization means flexibility.

Schenley was good at this because it was not a botique high school. At I.B. World, if you want to get out of I.B, you hit the road. There is no personalization until you uproot.

Likewise, if you are a student at CAPA and are creative enough to want to study two musical insturments, or change from trumpet to piano, or take creative writing and an instrument -- then you have to drop out of CAPA and enrol in a more comprehensive school, like North Hills. Students can't dual major at CAPA. Students can't change their instrument at CAPA. Personalization works in PPS as long as you get into your shell in 5th grade and don't want to go anywhere else until after your 12th grade year.

They call that rigor. I call it a sure pathway to a declining district enrollment. It is really just a lack of flexibility.

Relearning how to hear - PG article covers UPMC program

My wife, Catherine Palmer, Ph.D., is director of audiology at UPMC's Eye and Ear (no secret). Today's PG has an article that features a program there and she is quoted.

The slogan, "Think again" fits as people often need to think anew -- or re-think, even for matters as basic as hearing.

Relearning how to hear: "Relearning how to hear
UPMC offers adaptation classes for new hearing aid wearers and their significant others

Catherine's quotes, reposted here:

"Although you do much better with an aid, it's still not as well as when you had hearing," said Catherine Palmer, Ph.D., director of the Center for Audiology and Hearing Aids at the UPMC Eye and Ear Institute.

"The family still must make accommodations. You can't talk to them from another room, for example. It's hard for people to make these changes. In clinic we don't have time to go over those kinds of things. This class gives them time."

And at first, for perhaps two weeks, the wearer might feel as if his or her hearing has worsened, because the aid picks up background noise and other sounds the wearer hasn't heard for a long time. The brain must relearn how to ignore unnecessary noise and home in on what it wants to hear.
...
The more the patient wears the aids, the faster and better the adjustment. "Part-time users never do well," Dr. Palmer said.

Kim is a great teacher with plenty of splendid information and insight. The class is worth the time, for sure.

Mcall.com: Capitol Ideas with John L. Micek Blog

Mcall.com: Capitol Ideas with John L. Micek Blog: "Stabile's lawyer, Ronald L. Hicks of Pittsburgh, rejected Stretton's charges, arguing that the lawsuit could equally apply to a Democratic or Republican candidate who took the same action."

When did any person in PA sign any nomination petition for V-P candidates of the D or R party?

It didn't happen. It doesn't need to happen.

But, we, Libertarians, need to switch candidates after getting nomination papers signed.

Cumberland County GOP activist Victor Stabile and his lawyer, Ronald L. Hicks of Pittsburgh are two people that make the world a much more depressing place.

Capital Hijinks: A Personal View: Ophra on Chicago schools

School contrasts detailed.

Capital Hijinks: A Personal View: Ophra on Chicago schools: "Today's Oprah Show featured a ballyhooed interview with Bill and Melinda Gates and a segment which focused on the education gap here in Illinois. Oprah organized a student exchange which allowed kids from Chicago's Harper High to spend the day at a high school in Naperville and brought the Naperville kids to Chicago for a day. Here's what they learned:

When the Harper students arrived at Neuqua Valley, they were stunned to see what the suburban school offered—an Olympic-size swimming pool, a gym and fitness center, an award-winning music department, a huge computer lab, and a rigorous course curriculum. When they arrived at Harper, the students from Neuqua Valley were shocked immediately by the difference between Harper and their own school. For starters, students have to enter Harper through a metal detector. They have a pool at Neuqua Valley, but the Harper pool hasn't been filled with water in a decade.

In Pittsburgh, we need city and suburban kids to visit and compete with each other, day in and day out. This can occur after the city league is split apart so that the city schools join the WPIAL.

Folks gather for Ron Paul rally in Minneapolis

Thousands gather. Not hundreds.

The Associated Press: Hundreds gather for Ron Paul rally in Minneapolis: "The two major political parties are destroying the country, former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura told Ron Paul loyalists at a protest convention Tuesday, and he offered himself as a possible presidential candidate in 2012.

'With people like Dr. Paul, myself and all the rest of us, let's get the revolution going,' Ventura said.

Paul Plays Up Role as Party Outcast, With GOP Counter-Convention - America’s Election HQ

Here comes that "A" word again, "Alaska."

Paul Plays Up Role as Party Outcast, With GOP Counter-Convention - America’s Election HQ: "The motion to get a speaking role would be based on a resolution passed unanimously by the Alaska delegation calling for Paul to be allowed to address the convention. As of Tuesday afternoon, Greene was unclear what kind of parliamentary rules his group would have to engage to get the motion advanced, or whether they would even be recognized on the floor.

Cutting Corners

414 Grant Street A little birdie tells 414 Grant Street that the Penguins are busy cutting corners and amenities from the design of their new Arena. The Penguins leadership is apparently 'value engineering' the building to cut corners and cut costs....so instead of a grand new addition to PGH's skyline and a building that improves the surrounding area, we'll be stuck with a bland arena with no character. Great job Pens, good choices....way to take advantage of the historic opportunity given to you. Why isn't the Mayor, the County Exec or the SEA paying attention to this issue?

How about if we tell the Pens that we are going to keep the Civic Arena after the Pens move out of our building.

414 Grant Street: Drink Tax Foes Turned Back!

414 Grant Street: Drink Tax Foes Turned Back!: "Drink Tax Foes Turned Back!"

What was turned away: peace.

My statement at another blog:

It is seldom a good idea to silence the voice of the people.

When people can't vote -- they have a way of making their opinions known in other forms and avenues -- often less peaceful.

As trust in government declines, fewer vote. Votes matter less as well. The opportunity for a peaceful revolution gets set aside and bricks look more righteous.

That's no victory to me.

Even after Bonus-Gate, these PA jerks still do NOT understand how democracy is to work

Libertarian Presidential Candidate Bob Barr Latest Target of Ballot Access Denial Efforts in Pennsylvania

Harrisburg Event Scheduled to Spotlight Republican Hypocrisy

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
3915 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
www.lppa.org
For Immediate Release: September 2, 2008
Contact: Jim Gordon (Event Organizer) at 717-652-2643 / 717-608-7366 (cell) or
Doug Leard (Media Relations) at Media-Relations@lppa.org or
Michael Robertson (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS / chair@lppa.org

Harrisburg, PA – The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania learned recently of an event planned by independent and third party activists for Friday, September 4th. It's a “Thank You” event at the Harrisburg law office of Cumberland County Republican Chairman Victor Stabile for his lawsuit contending that presidential candidate Bob Barr should be disqualified from the November ballot. This, on the heels of the Bonusgate revelations, is seen by many as the Republican Party attempting to rival the Democratic Party at limiting political choice in Pennsylvania.

Event organizer Jim Gordon offered, “We invite independent and third-party voters, candidates and supporters to demonstrate how ‘thankful’ we are that Mr. Stabile spotlighted the unconstitutional, undemocratic and unfair ballot access laws imposed on anyone not a Republican or Democrat in Pennsylvania.”

The event will happen Friday, September 5th (the same date as the Stabile vs. Barr hearing) from 7:00 to 8:00 AM at the Law Office of Dilworth Paxson LLP, 112 Market Street, Harrisburg (Graystone Bank Building). At 8:00 AM, the group will march to the state capitol. (For more information contact organizers at 717-652-2643 or 717-608-7366/cell.)

Victor Stabile of the Pennsylvania Republican Party filed the suit to have Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr removed from the Pennsylvania’s ballot. This year, LP candidates for statewide office collected 51,345 ballot access signatures. Instead of challenging those signatures, the Republican suit probes a technicality to deny Barr ballot access in Pennsylvania.

Their objection relates to the substitution of Barr as the LP Presidential nominee and it highlights the inequality of Pennsylvania's election laws. Under the Pennsylvania Election Code, the Libertarian Party is not a recognized political party, but it appears that the objector wants the Libertarian Party to be further penalized for not being a recognized political party. If so, this objection could be a thinly veiled attempt to remove a political rival from the ballot, thus subverting the electoral process.

Media Relations Chair, Doug Leard, indicated that “in addition to highlighting Pennsylvania’s draconian ballot access laws, this lawsuit demonstrates the hypocrisy at the top of the Republican ticket.” In the 2000 election, John McCain promised that he would “never consider, ever consider, allowing a supporter of [his] to challenge [his opponent’s] right to be on the ballot in all 50 states.”

LP Presidential candidate, Bob Barr, represented the 7th District of Georgia in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003, serving as a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, as Vice-Chairman of the Government Reform Committee, and as a member of the Committee on Financial Services. He now practices law with the Law Offices of Edwin Marger and runs a consulting firm, Liberty Strategies LLC, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with offices in the Washington, D.C. area. Barr works tirelessly to help preserve our fundamental right to privacy and our other civil liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.

The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in Pennsylvania and the United States. More than 200,000 people across the country are registered Libertarians, and Libertarians serve in hundreds of elected offices. Please visit www.LP.org or www.LPPA.org for more information.

House Concert slated for WED, Sept 17. You're invited. RSVPs now open

We've hosted a few different house concerts in the past few years. All have been a success, but this next one is going to be slightly different. It will be held in our third floor space, newly refurbished in our historic South Side home. a

We love to support the arts and make great music. The house concert is a particular form of musical experience.

Few in Pittsburgh are familiar with the concept of hosting or attending "house concerts." They are being done in some locations (Point Breeze included) locally and in different parts of the US (Florida, Wisconsin).

Some concert performers make a living doing these types of shows and even prefer these gigs in homes as they are more intimate than club settings where the music is often less important than the drinking.

The great advantage of the house concert from the performer's standpoint is that it cuts out the venue as middle man, with its associated overhead costs. House concert proceeds go straight to the performer. The "suggested artist donation" for the Joe Jencks concert on the 17th is $10.

Fewer people are needed for a draw for a performer to a particular location because the singer earns more per audience member. Sound guys, door men, bartenders and club expenses are bypassed.

These concerts are intimate in a way that venue concerts rarely are. Performers get a chance to socialize with audiences and vice-versa. There's something very old-fashioned and respectful about sharing music, original music, here. It's a modern version of nineteenth-century parlor concerts.

Phelps donates $1 million bonus - TODAY: People - MSNBC.com

Phelps donates $1 million bonus - TODAY: People - MSNBC.com Appearing on TODAY, Phelps announced that the Michael Phelps Foundation will distribute his prize money to various charitable programs to promote water safety and encourage youth swimming.

Thank you, Michael.

Start Of Class For Shaler High School Delayed - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

Start Of Class For Shaler High School Delayed - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh Students in grades 11-12 will report on Wednesday, September 10 and not on Friday, September 5 for orientation.

Students in grades 9-10 will report on Thursday, September 11 and not on Monday, September 8 for their orientation.

The first full day for everyone at the high school is Friday, September 12.

In a letter sent home to parent Superintendent Donald Lee wrote, 'the main reason for this change isn't construction as much it is giving our custodial staff extra time to clean and our teachers extra time to unpack their stored supplies.'

Shaler's new football coach, Coach Gordon, formerly of Penn Hills, has called for an extended pre-season football camp. So, the school district has delayed the start of school to give its football team a leg up.

Shaler won its first game. Meanwhile, Penn Hills lost its first game.

Way to go Coach Gordon. The school board in Penn Hills made a huge blunder.

Give me a "U" -- You are ...

Councilman collecting letters to save UPMC South Side

District 3 Councilman Bruce A. Kraus is continuing to collect letters of support to keep UPMC South Side from closing and being merged into the Uptown campus of UPMC Mercy.
The councilman is collecting the letters which he intends to deliver to UPMC officials at a meeting in the coming weeks. Mr. Kraus said he was pleased with the support and the number of letters he has already received from residents and businesses in the UPMC South Side service area.
Letters of support for having the hospital remain in South Side should be mailed to: Councilman Bruce A. Kraus, 414 Grant St., Room 510, Pittsburgh, Pa 15219, as soon as possible.
UPMC announced plans to close UPMC South Side and transfer in-patient and out-patient services it provides over a period of three to five years. In addition, the Emergency Room will be converted to an urgent care center operating on a reduced schedule
For more information, contact Councilman Kraus office at 412-255-2130.

You are "sick" might be a pun that other bloggers might stoop to deliver to sum up a campaign to save a local hospital. "Heartbroken" might be another.

I'll stick to a classic -- "full of folly."

To tell UPMC that it can't close its South Side Hospital, and put it in a letter, is but a waste of ink and a way to waste valued time.

The real question is what will become of UPMC's facility.

The next real question is what should become of that facility. Can vision be injected into the discussion so that the future can more easily be crafted to make better opportunities?

It is time to think again and not be so full of folly.

Furthermore, this news is bitter. I want to see the hospital stay on the South Side. However, I saw the arrival of the closing.

UPMC made a big play to get and keep alive Mercy Hospital on the bluff. So, we've got hospitals in Oakland and on The Bluff. We've got close access to hospitals -- more so than McDonalds and Eat'n Park. Go figure.

The time to work hard to save and fortify UPMC South Side was in 1999 when I was raising concerns in political circles. That was when the plans of UPMC's South Side football practice facility were put upon the local landscape. That medical / sporting facility was built on valuable river-front land sold to the nonprofit at greatly reduced costs by the public authority, the URA.

The Steelers needed a practice facility and UPMC played the game to get them one, pulling the wool over the eyes of local politicians without the vision to make better suggestions. The land deal was facilitated by a public agency.

The better solution, back then, one that I advoctated for, was to put the football practice and sports medicine facility directly next to the UPMC South Side Hospital. Dr. Freddie Fu does surgery. That is his area of specilization. A close hospital association would have many benefits -- including the long-term sustainability of the hospital complex within the neighborhood.

Furthermore, the public land right behind and next to the UPMC Hospital is closed. They have had a pad-lock on the parking lot and closed indoor ice rink for years.

A dark hole is right in the middle of the South Side. And, next, the hole is going to spread to the UPMC Hospital facility. Whereas this should be a thriving sports medicine complex with recreational and local hospital services.

Ex-Schenley students try Reizenstein on for size

Ex-Schenley students try Reizenstein on for size: "The squat, 33-year-old Reizenstein building in Shadyside may lack the architectural majesty of the historic, triangular Schenley building in Oakland.
But Reizenstein has new furniture, two student lounges and ample space for playing sports outside.

The district just planted trees in the big field to the east side of the building -- knocking out a band practice field, if not more.

United Airlines/News - FlyerWiki

United Airlines/News - FlyerWiki: "United Airlines Teams Up with Apple
As part of United's plans to upgrade its international first and business class travel experience for customers, United and Apple have teamed up to add iPod connectivity to United's inflight entertainment service. This connectivity will enable customers to plug-in and charge their iPod, watch movies and TV shows on their iPod using United’s big-screen monitors, as well as listen to their entire music library on United’s noise-cancellation headsets.
“There is significant value in offering a superior inflight entertainment experience to our first and business class customers during their international flights,” said Graham Atkinson, executive vice president and chief customer officer. “We are identifying what matters most to our premium customers and then delivering the right products and services – like the iPod connectivity – to meet those needs.”
United announced earlier this year that it will upgrade its first and business class products and services beginning next year and reconfigure the entire international wide-body fleet throughout the next two to three years. Current plans include overhauling ground and onboard products and services to enhance the entire premium travel experience – from when customers check-in to when they arrive at their destination.

The Pitt News - Ron Paul loves you, Pittsburgh

The Pitt News - Ron Paul loves you, Pittsburgh From the polls, it looks like many people aren’t going to vote me president of these United States of America. I guess many people don’t support freedom, and they’re free to believe what they want. I’ve got one more trick up my sleeve, though, fellows.

BTW, the Pitt Libertarians are starting up the new year too.

County solicitor rules against drink tax opponents

County solicitor rules against drink tax opponents: "Allegheny County Solicitor Mike Wojcik has determined that the petition by the group Friends Against Counterproductive Taxation, which seeks to cut the county's controversial drink tax from 10 percent to 0.5 percent by referendum, is legally insufficient.

Jackass.
We do NOT need anyone to protect us from our own democracy.

Ballot access is important.

Democracy is simple. Politics is messy. From time time the process gets messy and simple.

2008 November General Election Candidates

The election in Texas, for President of the United States, has been determined. The Libertarian is the only one who filed in time. No D and no R, so says the Texas Secretary of State on this web page.

2008 November General Election Candidates 2008 November General Election Candidates

Copyright and China

CCTV International China to host 2008 international copyright forum in October
Source: Xinhua | 08-27-2008 17:06
BEIJING, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Beijing is for the third year running to host the International Copyright Forum in October, the National Copyright Administration said here on Wednesday.
Sponsored by the administration and the World Intellectual Property Organization, the two-day forum, slated for October 27, will feature forums on 'copyright creates wealth' covering issues in software and media development fields.

Would love to soak up this session. There is much to be said about 'open source software' and 'public domain' for art and beyond. However, much of that is also with a copyright.

To stick around for the Paralympic Games will make for many interesting contrasts too. Just as a copyright session would.

Pittsburgh 5th poorest big city, census shows

Pittsburgh 5th poorest big city, census shows: "Pittsburgh residents are making slightly more money than last year, but they still live in one of the poorest large cities in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
City residents have the fifth-lowest median household income among residents of larger cities around the country, at $32,363, according to a report the bureau released yesterday. Pittsburgh was seventh-lowest in the 2006 figures, at $31,779. Unlike some other poor cities, however, Pittsburgh contains affluent neighborhoods such as Shadyside, Squirrel Hill and Point Breeze, potentially skewing the results to make the city look wealthier than it truly is.

Reactions welcomed.
The city is poor now. But, after the retirement and pension funds from all the governement workers run dry, we'll be much worse than now.

Urban Redevelopment boss Pat Ford resigns

Urban Redevelopment boss Pat Ford resigns Urban Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Pat Ford issued a strongly worded resignation letter today, alleging a 'culture of deception and corruption' and saying he will no longer 'support the actions of what I believe to be a failed administration' nor seek to 'return to a position where I will again be forced to serve as a scapegoat for the inappropriate affairs and activities of others.'

There is an expression in China that fits: "Bye bye."

To be fair to the Chineese, they would not give months and months of salary without any work. Nor would they let him off without a division between head and body.

The boss of the FDA of China faced capital punishment this past year. Furthermore, a front page story talked about how the secret lovers of the corrupt officials would not get off either.

No doubt, the administration is not anything to be proud of. But, it fits just what came before it. Ford rose through the ranks in that pool. Somethings float.

BBC SPORT | Olympics | China targets more golds in 2012

BBC SPORT | Olympics | China targets more golds in 2012 China will target sports including cycling, athletics and swimming to increase its gold medal haul at the 2012 Games, China's sports chief says. China will target sports including cycling, athletics and swimming to increase its gold medal haul at the 2012 Games, China's sports chief says.

Rot woo, says Scooby.

Pittsburgh Police Chief Wants To 'Invest In Kids' To Prevent Violence - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

Golly.

Pittsburgh Police Chief Wants To 'Invest In Kids' To Prevent Violence - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Police Chief Wants To 'Invest In Kids' To Prevent Violence

Except, it seems, that the way the police invest in the kids is to craft cameras around town to watch them. Then to make road blocks and build curfew centers to contain them.

Mayor Tom Murphy was the worst -- as he did not allow our groups to invest in kids and put computer labs into the city's rec centers. Many rec centers, to this day, have empty computer rooms. They have had the furnature and the little signs on the doors -- but not the computers.

Perhaps this news is a change of heart. Let's hope so.

Not only will the increase in graduation rates drop the number of murders, but I've got some more insights.

Holding AM Swim Practice, say at 5:30 or 5:45 AM -- even slackers are in by 6 -- does a great deal to insure that the students are in bed and sleeping by 10 pm, if not 9:15. Go figure.

Student athletes get better grades than students who are not in interscolastic athletics.

Student athletes have better graduation rates -- and have better chances of getting into college, being recruited into college, getting college scholarships, staying in college once they arrive, getting tudors while in college, getting coaching, mentoring and postitive peer pressure, and staying fit.

Sadly Mark Roosevelt is just as bad as Tom Murphy in terms of killing sports and community participation in wellness activities in the city. Murphy killed the city's marathon and The Great Race. Plus he closed the rec centers and swim pools (all 30+) of them. Meanwhile, Mark Roosevelt took swimming out of the public physical education programs in all the schools, is building new schools that will not have sports programs by design, and allows the city league to be laggards equal to the opportunities girls were presented with in the 1940s.

Wanjiru becomes 1st Kenyan to win men's marathon - 2008 Olympics - SI.com

Wanjiru becomes 1st Kenyan to win men's marathon - 2008 Olympics - SI.com: "Wanjiru negotiated the 26.2-mile course through the Beijing streets in bright morning sunshine in an Olympic record of 2 hours, 6 minutes, 32 seconds.

So much for the bad air theory.

The Pittsburgh Comet: Monday: They'll Sell You the Whole Newspaper, But You'll Only Need the Edge

Humm...

The Pittsburgh Comet: Monday: They'll Sell You the Whole Newspaper, But You'll Only Need the Edge Swimming in political data for years already, having grown acclimatized to it, having followed several election cycles and even having developed some healthy coats of cynicism, there is now a new political animal on the scene -- the 18 year-old veteran organizer. There are creatures in high school, incapable of voting themselves, who nonetheless possess the motivation and the sophistication to evangelize 100, 200, 500 or more voting-age individuals to the polls. Often as not, they do it face-to-face, no Internet required.

I'm with you Bram -- but not buying your story in whole.

The Pittsburgh Comet: Monday: They'll Sell You the Whole Newspaper, But You'll Only Need the Edge

The Pittsburgh Comet: Monday: They'll Sell You the Whole Newspaper, But You'll Only Need the Edge: "Just for fun, can we start comparing who has the most LEED silver, gold and platinum certified buildings? (P-G, Mark Roth)"

For fun? Well, Pittsburgh would be sorta like India -- getting one gold every 100 years. China is blowing the doors off of Pittsburgh in terms of buildings that are energy wise.

Michael Phelps Returns Home

Michael Phelps Returns To His Tank At Sea World | The Onion - America's Finest News Source Michael Phelps Returns To His ...

Cute.

But, we spent much more for places for our fish to swim in -- Pgh Zoo and Aquarium -- then for our children.

A taxi- cab breakthrough - Kelli Anderson - SI.com

A taxi- cab breakthrough - Kelli Anderson - SI.com: "I took a lot of taxis in Beijing; we all did.

Think again. You all did. We didn't.

We took one taxi and that was because the USA soccer game ended with a very late gold medal award presentation that forced us off of the subway because it was closing. At 1 am, we didn't want to ride our bikes the OTHER way home. So, we left them locked at the Workers Stadium and were going to take the subway. But, it is four lines away from our apartment. When you hear in the first subway platform that this is the last train -- we were smart to bolt for the street exit.

Then we burned too much energy at the day, getting to the game, and waiting for the handout of the gold medals to bike home from 1 to 2:30 am with a 10-year old, 13-year old and me. Hell, we've seen street lights go off, yet alone the closing of the subway.

Our taxi ride that night was one of the rare times we aimed to get into a cab. We were one with the bike lanes and able to navigate these games and this city just fine without the car. We took a bus or four. We took the subway a bunch too.

Mind you, we watched the taxi situations -- as our goals included them. We didn't want to get hit by anything on the roads -- most of all -- the taxi.

Our fun as the games come to a close

The 17 days of the Olympics have ended. We watched the closing ceremony last night on China TV. Not once did we see a soul from the USA throughout the entire show. What's up with that?

Early in the day we went out of our apartment and down a small stretch of road -- about from 107 Pheasant to Joan Drive, -- and saw the men's marathon go past. There were a bunch in the pack when we saw the opening hour of the race -- and then when they went past us there were three in the lead by 2-minutes or so. The guy from Kenya won in the end. They got their medals in The Bird's Nest (stadium) and it seemed as if the guy that got 2nd, Morocco runner, was having a hard time lifting his leg to get onto the podium. Glass eyes too. They must have wanted a nap.

In the final day of competitions -- we were lucky to get into the final water polo session. We saw a preliminary game -- Spain and Croatia. Then the bronze game where Serbia beat Montenegro. Both were on the same squad a year ago. Then we saw USA vs. Hungary. Great first half. Then Hungary, winning its 3rd gold in a row, got more goals than the USA team. The fans and cheers from Hungary was wild to witness.

The skys have been blue -- but the smog is going to return, we expect. From our apartment we could see in the distance the fireworks in T-square. We biked there last week -- took about 1 hour or more. The flood lights from the Olympic Green are able to be seen from a hallway window. Our apartment is on the 13th (top) floor of a new building in a neighborhood in Beijing's Silicon Valley. A massive computer mart is 15 minutes away on bikes.

We took lots of photos and video. But, I've not uploaded them. Just waiting. NBC was cracking down on pirated videos. I don't need that hassle.

We all have bikes and are doing well on them. We expect to take a train to The Great Wall on Tuesday. Our flight to Chicago is Saturday.

We will pick up a few more treats -- but -- we spent a good deal on the final water polo tickets. Tickets were hard to get and scalpers were out of hand. But, we paid good / fair prices.

We have some new crafts... Got CD of music used in the games. "beijing welcomes you" is a song we've enjoyed.

Got to meet a number of Olympians. Many of their parents and siblings. Lots of fun people from many nations. The Hungarians were known for storming the doors to the water polo venue -- getting 7 or so tickets but seeing 50 or so get past the gate(s). They got wise to them by finals. Don't mess with China -- unless you are from Hungary.

Erik and I have been going to a 5-star hotel where we joined their health club for a month. We lift and swim. Catherine and Grant to a local university and park where there our outdoor badminton courts. We got more rackets (4) and a net. We're going there again tonight at 5 to play with local boy and his mom, our friends now.

Omega finally releases Phelps photo sequence - 2008 Olympics - SI.com

Why did it take so long to release the photos, Omega?

Omega finally releases Phelps photo sequence - 2008 Olympics - SI.com: "FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu had been pressing Omega, one of Phelps' sponsors, to release the images for several days.

Catching Up With The Water Polo Team : NPR

I hate articles that start with such a big negative.

Catching Up With The Water Polo Team : NPR One of the nation's best chances for an Olympic gold medal this summer is in a sport relatively few Americans watch, even during the Olympics — women's water polo.

BBC NEWS | UK | British athletes 'to get honours'

The rest of the world is investing more and more into sports, fitness, wellness and being competitive on personal level on the global stage.

BBC NEWS | UK | British athletes 'to get honours' 'And as we move up to it we want more and more young people in Britain interested in sport, and that is why we will be investing more in sport in our schools, as well as for our elite athletes.' 'And as we move up to it we want more and more young people in Britain interested in sport, and that is why we will be investing more in sport in our schools, as well as for our elite athletes.'

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Public Schools is pulling the plug on its past investments into sports -- and those were pitty sad to begin with.

Cuban taekwondo athlete banned for life after kicking ref in face - Olympics - CBSSports.com

The coach is not the athlete. Dishing out a lifetime ban to a coach, for the acts of the athlete, is wrong.

Cuban taekwondo athlete banned for life after kicking ref in face - Olympics - CBSSports.com 'This is a strong violation of the spirit of taekwondo and the Olympic Games. The sanctions are the following and are effective immediately: Lifetime ban of the coach and athlete in all championships sanctioned by the (World Taekwondo Federation) and at the same time, all records of this athlete at the Beijing Games will immediately be erased,' said the announcer, reading a WTF release'This is a strong violation of the spirit of taekwondo and the Olympic Games. The sanctions are the following and are effective immediately: Lifetime ban of the coach and athlete in all championships sanctioned by the (World Taekwondo Federation) and at the same time, all records of this athlete at the Beijing Games will immediately be erased,' said the announcer, reading a WTF release.

To re-write history is something that I am not fond of either.

We Got Hope. We were there! Workers' Stadium, Beijing: USA women win gold in "football"

Are you ready for some great football news?

The USA women's football team -- in western PA its called soccer -- beat Brazil in the gold medal game at The Workers Stadium here in Beijing. And we were there and have lost our voices to prove it.

The day was filled with rain, breaks in rain and tears of joy for a few different teams around town.

We were hoping for gold in the softball -- but Japan beat the USA team, 3-1. Last night we saw Japan tag Australia for the bronze medal game. The victor, Japan, got to play the favorite, USA, for the gold. Oh well.

The other big game on the schedule today was in women's water polo. USA played The Netherlands. The Dutch won by one point.

Today's early hours were filled with heavy rain. Without tickets to the open water swim, and with the rain -- we blew it off. We had the alarm set for 5:45 AM. Got up then and checked the puddles and punted. Back to bed. We knew we'd be up late for the soccer game later.

Very little was on the television too.

We got a swim in ourselves (Erik and I). And we watched the women's volleyball team beat Cuba. We also saw the USA women win the beach volleyball. The women's hard-court spikers advance to the gold medal game against Brazil.

Grant and Catherine played some park badminton and we at the last of the leftover Pekin Duck for lunch.

Then the boys and I headed out on the bikes to the double-header football games. It was a 90-minute bike ride. We locked up the bikes on the street between the Worker's Stadium and Worker's Gymnasium. These facilities look to be a bit older, but nice. I'm not even sure what is played at the Worker's Gymnasium. But there was a lot of activity on the streets around the venues.

The first game of soccer tonight was for the bronze medal and it featured Japan vs. Germany. To the end of the game, Germany scored twice. Then there was a 1-hour break and the gold medal game at 9 pm.

The game was hard. Great for the USA -- our goalkeeper, Hope Solo. She was not going to let anything past here.

The game ended in a tie -- 0-0. Then the game has two 15 minute periods. The USA squad scored in the first session and turned back a number of good opportunities including plenty of corner kicks.

The audience was mostly locals -- some from each of the four teams. But there were 51,000 in the stadium -- with few empty seats. Some, but not many.

Outside, tickets were being sold at face value and below. That's a good sign for going to the men's gold medal game or perhaps to soccer.

We got our helmets off the bikes and headed to McDonals. It was packed and we didn't get anything. Ran to the subway at 12:30 pm and was told this would be the last train. We needed three to get home and were worried about a transfer and getting stuck without the bikes. It took two cab rides to get home.

In the AM, we'll need to get back to pick up our bikes.

Good night.

Yet to come at Olympics

A big day is slated for USA Women's Softball. The team has a leg up with rest as the team from Japan had to get past Australia in a long game tonight.

But we'll be pulling extra hard for the women's USA Water Polo team in its gold medal match.

But we'll be in the stands for the USA vs. Brazil women's gold medal football game -- if all goes well with the ticket delivery. They're be playing football -- also known as soccer to a small percentage of people in the world.

U.S. softball beats Japan in extra innings 4-1, into final - 2008 Olympics - SI.com

We were there.

U.S. softball beats Japan in extra innings 4-1, into final - 2008 Olympics - SI.com: "After losing in the morning to the U.S., Japan beat Australia 4-3 in 12 innings to secure a spot in the gold medal match. The Aussies were left with the bronze.

The pitcher from AUS is Tonya Harding. She is a UCLA grad. I helped to lead a cheer in right field for her. U-C-L-A, U.C.L.A., UCLA - go Tonya!

On the way home we peeked into the baseball venue and the score was still 0-0 late in the game.

The basketball venue, like the Water Cube, changes colors.

In the morning, we are up early to get to the 10-K open water swim for the men.

In today's women's 10K it was a Russian and then two Brits. The Brits have been impressive in the swimming events.

Beijing has the first ever 10-K open water swim races in Olympics. Well, if you don't count when the regular swimming was in the open water. These will be the longest races.

I predict that the USA guy swimmer will be on the podium in the 10K swim.

Examples of pulling rank play out at the Olympics

Examples of pulling rank play out at the Olympics 'The Olympics are a great festival of human beings seeking rank, and that's OK,' he said. 'We all seek high rank, and we rather enjoy watching other people seek gold medals, and we applaud the victor and feel sorry for the loser.'

Problems arise when rank holders abuse their power.

No kidding.

Cyclists observed wearing USOC-issued masks upon arrival

Cyclists observed wearing USOC-issued masks upon arrival 'They should have
taken more responsibility -- maybe publicly supported us and behind the scenes
slapped our wrist,' Lea said of top U.S. Olympic officials. 'It's hard to say
what kind of a toll that could have taken, but, for sure, our first five days at
the Olympics were terrible.'

It has been worse for Friedman, an outgoing sort who is accessible
because he has a blog. He estimates he has received more than 15,000 hate
e-mails from around the world.

I still do not understand. The guys show up in Beijing wearing masks. Then they feel like they were targeted for being foolish. So, now they are done with the competition and have a statement. But the statement they make is full of additional vile and goes to prove that they were foolish. Now the slant is their burden because the USA Olympic Committee did nothing to prevent them from playing the part of a fool.

If I'm missing something -- let me know. I don't think Shelly Anderson is such a reporter as to have twisted things like a soap opera script. But, perhaps I'm wrong.

John Challis, a great athlete, RIP

Obituary:
John Scott Challis / Teen delivered message of hope with cancer
fight: John's two-year battle with liver and lung cancer ended
yesterday afternoon, when he died at his home in Freedom, Beaver County. He was
18.

Playing street games with Beijing's twist of friends and activities

Talking about the words in Chinees and English -- of each sport.


Some morning exercises for Grant and Erik, with a leader.

Jump roap.

We had a great time yesterday playing some traditional games of Beijing with some new friends.