Like Disney's parade -- but yet different

On the Olympic Green, they had a parade. I got to stand next to the gal who was representing the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. The dates were July 19 to August 4, 1996, as shown on her wings. All of the Olympics were with a different angel, of sorts. The main float is seen in the photo just over my head.

It was an interesting parade. And, it was fun to be on the subway home that day as all the dancers were boarding just as we were.

As for remembering, 18 years ago, today, we got married. I tweeted about our 'gift.'

The 1984 girl.

Have you been to jail for justice, recently?

Peace activist John Dear to speak here today: "The Rev. John Dear, a peace activist and Jesuit priest, will discuss his book 'A Persistent Peace' today at 7 p.m. at Joseph-Beth Booksellers, South Side.
He has been arrested 75 times for protests, but most recently made news because a former Guantanamo Bay prosecutor sought Father Dear's counsel before resigning over concerns about the fairness of the war crimes tribunals there.

A song title from Anne Feeney is, "Have You Been to Jail for Justice?"

Mayor writes himself a ticket to court

Mayor writes himself a ticket to court Mountain or molehill? There are, of course, two sides.

No. There are more than two sides. Even a coin has three sides, as you've got to count the edge.

First, the elected official needs to be honest. Don't use the ticket book and scratch another person's name on the citation. That's a lie. That's not honest and not 'transparent.'

Second, the elected official needs to do his or her job -- and not "over reach." The purpose of government needs to be understood and followed. As wires get crossed, things get ugly, very quickly. And, in turn, solutions are hard as hell to develop.

When city council becomes a developer, then the developers become the law setters.

If everyone did what the role called for them to do, then we'd be much better.

Our bus system builds a tunnel. Our housing authority sells air rights. Our stadium authority, from the time of Three Rivers Stadium, still exists.

Third, I have no problem with citations being delivered by folks other than the police -- if that policy can be passed by the people.

It would be great if the citizens could slap a ticket onto a parked car that blocks an intersection. We don't need the police to do that, all the time. If a dog drops a stinker on the sidewalk that isn't picked up -- it could result in a ticket for the dog owner, without police intervention. But, we'd need to adjust the regular mode of operations to allow that to occur.

If there is a will, there is a way. Some checks and balances need to be established. Some evidence of credit needs to be earned by the one who has the authority to deliver the ticket.

Judges will decide in the end. Fines need to be modest, if not minimal.

This theme, taken with a larger view, is much like a pollution case getting handed to a corporation from a neighbor rather than the EPA. Damages done can be collected in court between private parties.

We all have standing with air polution, illegally parked cars, and dogs crap on sidewalks.

"Our position is that in order for a parking ticket to be issued it has to be issued under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, and only a police officer has the power to do that, to issue a citation."

That's B.S. Is a ticket a criminal procedure? And, what became of the notion that everyone is responsible for fighting crime?

I'd love to see expanded operations of the school crossing guards. They should be given the ability to write tickets. If a car speeds by a bus stop and the crossing guard takes notice of the license plate -- a ticket could / should be mailed to the car owner. I'd much rather have those powers in the hands of people rather than automatic stop-light cameras.

Try the Politics of Sports. - washingtonpost.com

Missing the Campaign? Try the Politics of Sports. - washingtonpost.com By Dave Zirin
Sunday, November 9, 2008; Page B05

It's a long-standing lament of the political activist: 'If only people devoted the time, effort and attention to politics that they apply to sports, we could change the world.'

Presidential Transition Team

Presidential Transition Team: "Message to Presidential Nominees and Appointees, and Members of the President-elect's Transition Team

DRE 700 is running strong

Michael Phelps and Bob Bowman formed partnership to operate a pool in Baltimore

Great news for both the story of the community and the swimming.

Michael Phelps and Bob Bowman formed partnership to operate a pool in Baltimore - More Sports - SI.com: "BALTIMORE (AP) -- Michael Phelps and his coach, Bob Bowman, have formed a partnership to operate the pool where the Olympic swimmer began training at age 7.

Their partnership, Aquatic Ventures LLC, formally announced on Friday that it was taking over at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center and the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, which produced Phelps and six other Olympians over four decades.

'We're just very excited to be home,' Bowman said. 'This is our home.'

Taking a walk

I'm walking on The Great Wall. Don't trip.

1 charged in PSU football rioting is from WVU

Can you smell skapegoat? It takes a WVU student to go to State College to kick up a real storm after a football game victory. Go figure.

14 charged in PSU football rioting: "The suspects include a West Virginia University student, a University of Maryland student and two others who are not Penn State students.

OC Moms - A place for Mom's in Orange County: Mom Bloggers Emerge as Crucial to a Brand's Success

How many Pittsburgh mom's have blogs?

OC Moms - A place for Mom's in Orange County: Mom Bloggers Emerge as Crucial to a Brand's SuccessMom Bloggers Emerge as Crucial to a Brand's Success

The Top 5 Sporting Rivalries!

The Top 5 Sporting Rivalries!: "Sporting rivalries can often be as absorbing to watch as the sports themselves and usually occur as a result of two teams or individuals competing to be the ultimate champion. However other factors can come into the equation such as locality, religion and politics. Combining these ingredients often results in an epic sporting encounter which grips the entire sporting world.

These are my top 5 sporting rivalries

What a list.

Boxing, Tennis, Skating, Cricket, and Football.

Pitt vs. Penn State in football, nor the Backyard Brawl or the Steelers vs. Browns is on his list.

Jazz Violinist Billy Bang

If you are looking for something exotic to do on Saturday night Jazz Violinist Billy Bang will be at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty. Definitely interesting and unusual. Read the story on him and his film presentation to see if you are interested and it's appropriate at http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobas/Content?oid=oid%3A54839

Billy Bang & The Aftermath Band. 8 p.m. Sat., Nov. 8. Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Ave., East Liberty. $25 ($30 day of show). 412-322-0292 or http://www.proartstickets.org

Feels like Paris - photo needs a $9M subsidy to get there

Who wants to go to Paris? Who wants to pay $9-million to Delta Airlines as a 'golden parachute' on its risk for flights from Pittsburgh to Paris?

Live Blogging an interview:

Dan Onorato on Marty Griffin: Not true. There is a backstop guarantee. And, it is 'private money.'

Why does it matter. It is much easier to do the transfers in Europe than in the US on the east coast. You loose an entire day.

We have 330 companies in Pgh that employ 46,000 people. They were loosing a day of work.

If you give us direct flights, we'll provide the tickets.

Most airports offer a waiver of landing fees of flights to airports. You give us direct flights, we'll waive landing fees. Not lost revenue.

We'll guarantee so much revenue. It is a bonus of $5M in first year. $4M in second year. There are only two years in this deal. That's the $9M in the headline.

The first year's total of $5M breaks with $2.5 M from private companies and $2.5M from the commonwealth. That's PA Tax Money going to Delta. In year two, it is $2Million from private sector and $2Millionn from PA. Real money from Pennsylvania is $2.5M + $2M.

Private sector does not want to pay for this. But, who is the 'private money' supplier -- exactly?

Onorat said, "International companies are key!" Dan Onorato could not put the county into the deal. The private sector has really stepped up.

Onorato: "I want to have this conversation a year from now. If they pack it, (the flights from Pittsburgh to Paris) then the state would not need to have the state nor private money involved."

Then a caller to the show said that the last thing that this region needs is another fleecing from an airline company. We need transparency.

Perhaps the reporting wasn't 'ideal.' But, it isn't 'transparent.'

Companies that offer a 'backstop' are on the hook. But, who is going to extract that money from them if needed? How does that deal work, exactly?

A rehash of Mark C's vote for President

This isn't my words, but that of another Libertarian named Mark. Mark C posted:

I voted for Barr. His change of heart on several issues, real or not, was enough of a "man bites dog" story (reversal on drug war and PATRIOT Act) that I figured he could capture some media attention. I wish it had captured more attention than it did.

Besides, the thrifty Republicans spent like drunken Democrats. Their last Iraq war justification was as a welfare program aimed at an inner city that was a nation. Those protectors-of-the-little-guy Democrats let the PATRIOT Act and REAL ID stand untouched. As long as we treat all citizens like they're guilty members of a sleeper cell, then that's our fairness doctrine. And, hey, Homeland Security, TSA, etc. are big enough expansions of government that any Democrat could overlook potential civil rights trashing.

Barr's debate logic escaped me. He won't win, I understand that. I'll then settle for either educating people about LP ideas or to forcing the media to address ignored questions. This is where I think he missed the boat or that boat didn't even sail.

I wish he would have debated the other third party candidates as often as possible. Surely he's a smart enough guy to present a case that without both personal and economic freedom we're all at risk. That's the education part that didn't happen enough.

I also wish he would have screamed something like, "Why are Republicans spending like drunken Democrats? and "Why hasn't the Democrat congress repealed the PATRIOT Act?" and "Why do both parties want new, expensive departments that only serve to threaten individual rights? Those questions may have been asked, but I certainly didn't hear them enough.

Mark C.

Council OKs $1.8 million for Zone 3 police station - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

This is silly spending. This is "churn." They are moving for the sake of moving. There is no 'expansion.' The city is in decline. This isn't a new station. This is a move. Move the chairs on the deck of the Titanic.

Furthermore, they are moving into a facility that should be a youth hostel. Pittsburgh could use a youth hostel. We had one. It was miss-managed by a bunch of weenies on the Youth Hostel Board. They drove the facility to the brink and beyond.

Then the URA took over the building. The URA should have done some URBAN REDEVELOPEMENT there. But no. The URA only sells the building to the city. That isn't what urban redevelopment looks like. That is a total failure.

The building should be put back into the hands of a private owner. Do a joint partnership if you must with the building. Make it into a B&B. Make it into a teacher's quarters for out of town teachers to lodge. Make it into a Ronald McDonald's House for families who have kids staying in area hospitals.

The URA, again, failed the city.

The city, again, failed the taxpayers.

The police, again, move to a station that isn't ideal.

The only ones who make out are the folks who do the churning -- perhaps a few contractors.

Council OKs $1.8 million for Zone 3 police station - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Pittsburgh City Council today tentatively approved a $1.8 million plan to renovate a new Pittsburgh police station in the city's Allentown neighborhood.

The Warrington Avenue building is owned by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and once served as a youth hostel. If council members approve the renovation plan in a final vote Tuesday, the city will own the building.

City Council raises fine for drinking alcohol outdoors to $200

Why not just enforce the existing law four times as much?

City Council raises fine for drinking alcohol outdoors to $200: "City Council raises fine for drinking alcohol outdoors to $200
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Pittsburgh Council today approved quadrupling the fine for open container law violations today, meaning that anyone nabbed drinking alcohol in the streets could be hit with a $200 fine.
'The nuisance problem with open containers in neighborhoods like the South Side Flats, like Oakland, seriously sap our public safety services,' said Councilman Bruce Kraus, the prime sponsor.

You can't legislate good behaviors. Government can't punish the people and expect to good results.



There are plenty of things that can be done that are much more productive than this. But, it would take a bit of creativity.

Barack Obama's win means Japan and Tokyo are toast

Original from 11-5-08.

Triumph!

Meet me in Chicago, come 2016.

Tokyo fears Barack Obama's election gives Chicago edge for 2016 - SI.com - Olympics Japanese Olympic officials fear the election of Barack Obama as U.S. president could make his home city of Chicago the favorite to host the 2016 Olympic Games and harm Tokyo's bid.

(See comment about the PM that is a 1976 Olympian and shooter.)

Tokyo, Chicago, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro are the four cities in the running to host the 2016 Games.

'I wonder how IOC members will react when Mr. Obama appears in a presentation for Chicago,' Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda told Japanese media Wednesday.

The IOC will name the 2016 host at its general assembly in October next year.

'Mr. Obama is popular and good at speeches, so things could get tough for Japan,' said senior JOC board member Tomiaki Fukuda.

More about baseball -- in an update:

Could Obama election help baseball in Olympics?
With Barack Obama in the White House, baseball officials think their sport could have a better chance of getting back into the Olympics.
Read the full story at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/11/05/gm.meetings.wednesday.ap/index.html

This is silly if you ask me. Obama will be much less of a friend to baseball than George W. Bush -- a former MLB owner himself. Perhaps baseball can get a break from W. Now that W is with some spare time on his hands, he can go out and stump for his most favorite sport and not need to worry about the goings on with Team USA -- err -- the Nation.

"Hour of Power" - put it in the pool

CollegeSwimming.com::Third Annual "Hour of Power" A Day Away: "More than 5,500 college, high school and club swimmers from nearly 100 different teams plan to jump into the pool on Thursday, Nov. 6 with the same goal in mind––going all out for an hour in the name of cancer research.

The Carleton College swimming and diving teams are sponsors of the third annual “Hour of Power” Relay for cancer research in honor of former Carleton student and teammate Edward H. “Ted” Mullin, who passed away from sarcoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer, in September 2006 at the age of 22. This year's 'Hour of Power'is set to include nearly eighty colleges swimming simultaneously.

The event is a one-hour, all-out, leave-it-in-the-pool practice that will occur simultaneously at numerous pools across the country and involve teams from NCAA Division I, II and III, including teams like Princeton, Georgetown and Providence and nearly every Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) program.

Bonus:

USTA takes ambitious steps to find, cultivate tennis talent - USATODAY.com

USTA takes ambitious steps to find, cultivate tennis talent - USATODAY.com: "USTA takes ambitious steps to find, cultivate tennis talent"

We get to stay!

The 2008 general election for US President brings good news for us. We get to stay. Let me explain. Had the other US Senator, John McCain, won, then we would have been getting into moving mode. My wife, not in the photo above, said, "If McCain becomes US President, I moving to New Zealand."

Something in the way he moves, just makes her want to flee. Out of sight, out of mind, I guess.

Well, we're staying. I told her all along that we'd not need to depart as there was no way that McCain was going to win the election. So, we were not worried too much.

Sure, Obama and his team ran a wonderful race. They had a good story. He kept his cool. They did get a bit nasty, oh well. And, they burned through a lot of money. It helps if you have money and spend it before election day arrives, unlike John Kerry who didn't deploy all his cash as he should have.

But for as good as Obama was, McCain was worse. Tom L, a "R," and a Running Mate here with this blog, was right when he said he'd have to hold his nose and vote for McCain. McCain wasn't McCain throughout the months of the campaign. He was not a puppet. But, looking hard, some might have seen the strings had it not been for his winkles of old age.

A McCain folly to remind Rs of was the snub of Ron Paul in the time of the GOP Convention. But generally, Obama's success was due in large part to the urgent desire to send the Neo-Cons and the Bush legacy packing.

Far worse than the McCain fumble of Ron Paul's message was the fumble from Bob Barr, Libertarian, former GOPer and Congressman from Georgia.

Ouch.

Bob Barr tried, some. He did. But he didn't do well at all. He was iced by the mainstream media. He could have made some fine remarks within the discussion. The general voter is poorer to have been filtered of his insights. Yet, talk of bad campaigns needs to begin and end with Bob Barr's efforts and results.

Within the city, I'm not sure who had more votes, Bob Barr or Tony Oliva. I'll have to look it up.

Good to see some other statewide candidates from the Libertarian Party get 3% of the vote. Barr was a point oh three percent. That's .03 percent. That's one-third of one percent. Ouch squared.

Barr lost my vote when he wouldn't do a phone interview with KQV. Go figure.

In the end, I voted for self-interest. I voted to stay. You know what they say about a house divided. Plus, I voted for all the other Libertarians.