from Citizens Against Government Waste

Porker of the Month: Rep. Louise Slaughter

Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) has named House Rules
Committee Chairwoman Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) Porker of the Month for
conjuring up an eponymous House "rule" that would have
allowed House Democrats to ram through the $2.3 trillion healthcare
reform bill without directly voting on it. The invocation of the
"Slaughter Rule" was one of the last steps in the tortured
journey of the bloated, expensive healthcare bill. In an effort
to absolve vulnerable House Democrats of having to take an unpopular
vote on the Senate version of the bill without an ironclad guarantee
that the Senate would later enact corrections to the most toxic
provisions, Chairwoman Slaughter jury-rigged a proposed
"self-enacting" rule that would allow the House to vote to
"deem" the Senate bill as passed without forcing members
to cast individual votes up or down. To quote former House
Speaker Newt Gingrich, "Last year, the House was passing bills
without reading them. This year, they're passing bills
without voting on them." This mind-boggling disintegration
of the legislative process into procedural travesty enabled by
Chairwoman Slaughter provoked questions of constitutionality,
fairness, and transparency, and in the end was not used to pass the
abominable healthcare bill. For her mindless slaughter of the
legislative process and leading an assault on the credibility of
Congress, House Rules Committee Chairwoman Slaughter is CAGW's
March Porker of the Month. Read more about the Porker of the
Month.

http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=qz_MY9frZx9mBhKxSdU51A..


CCAGW Praises GOP for All-Out Earmark Moratorium

The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) commended
House Republicans this month for enacting a unilateral ban on
congressional earmarks, including those that are tariff- and
tax-related, for fiscal year (FY) 2011. The GOP's move
came one day after House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey
(D-Wis.) and Defense Subcommittee Chairman Norm Dicks (D-Wash.)
announced that the committee would no longer accept earmark requests
directed to for-profit entities. "House Republicans have
finally stepped up to rein in wasteful and corruptive earmarked
spending," declared CCAGW President Tom Schatz.
"This move has been a long time coming and tens of thousands of
wasteful earmarks worth hundreds of billions of dollars have been
enacted while taxpayers waited for authentic leadership from members
of Congress." Due to the efforts of waste watchdogs,
earmarks have been on a downward trajectory over the last four years,
as documented by CAGW's Pork Database. In FY 2006,
Congress stuffed the appropriations bills with 9,963 earmarks totaling
$29 billion. In FY 2009, the appropriations bills contained
10,160 earmarks costing $19.6 billion, a 32 percent reduction in
dollar terms. During that same period, Congress began requiring
that all earmarks be accompanied by the name of their congressional
sponsor, a significant improvement in transparency.
http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=0RwTQi9eUTrZ5p5OugsPSw..

Read more about the House Republicans' earmark moratorium

http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=eKXByx90mwzaN036aLL_WQ..
CAGW Applauds President's Support for Fraud "Bounty
Hunters"
CAGW applauded President Obama for announcing on March 10 that he will
use private-sector auditors to root out fraud in the country's
two massive government-run healthcare plans, Medicare and
Medicaid. The practice of using private-sector auditors,
technically called recovery audit contractors (RACs), to identify and
recover improper payments to healthcare contractors and providers has
been a staple in the private sector for many years. The Office
of Management and Budget reported on November 18, 2009 that federal
improper payments across the board totaled $98 billion in FY 2009, an
increase of 38 percent over the $72 billion in FY 2008. Medicare
and Medicaid accounted for $54 billion in improper payments.
Even though a limited three-state Medicare RAC demonstration project
implemented by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services between
2005 and 2008 initially encountered stiff resistance from hospital
associations, some providers, and some members of Congress, the
program was nonetheless rolled out nationwide by January, 2010.
"Recovery auditing has been a critical tool in the
government's anti-waste arsenal for several years," said
CAGW President Tom Schatz. "We are pleased to see the
President publicly recognize its importance and advocate its use to
claw back tens of billions of taxpayer dollars lost to waste and
abuse." Read more about the savings produced by Medicare fraud
"bounty hunters."

http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=29AH0BxkzzAIbbu-O5G19w..

CAGW Applauds Georgia Budget Task Force

CAGW has congratulated Georgia Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle (R)
upon the release of the report of the Budget Task Force. The
seven-member Task Force performed a detailed review of state
government spending and operations, and the report provides 50
recommendations that have the potential to save more than $3
billion. The proposals can help alleviate the state's $1.6
billion budget shortfall without raising taxes. "Georgia
is the latest state to undertake the kind of detailed review of
programs and functions that should be performed by governments at all
levels, from federal to local," asserted CAGW President Tom
Schatz. "States from South Carolina to Nevada have been
issuing similar reports over the past several years and adopting
recommendations to make government more efficient and effective.
The Georgia report notes that the 50 states are facing an overall $350
billion budget shortfall in fiscal year 2011, making these task forces
even more essential." CAGW has been working with and
encouraging the creation of state cost-cutting commissions around the
country in order to promote more effective and efficient government
and to help balance budgets without raising taxes. Read more
about the Georgia Budget Task Force's recommendations
http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=Y9pXm4RmGvEjakc8Mvv2tQ..

Take Action!

Tell Congress: Sign the No Pork Pledge!  http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=CtmIAaeSgFujUk4AJkrfWw..

Sign the Citizen's Demand to Ground the Joint Strike Fighter Alternate
Engine Program! http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=OWdANuEpgNNkTyz8sM4F7Q..

Washington Residents: Help Stop a Tax Increase in Your State! http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=X7XzVTdJgBIcWi4wdLDhgQ..

CAGW Commentary: "Sex, Drugs and BlackBerrys" by CAGW President Tom Schatz, http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=XAotVZRY-Qzg9kfZl343eQ..  The Washington Times (March 16, 2010)

Visit CAGW's Blog! - Give us your opinions and tips about government waste in your area on
"The Swine Line"!  http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=FAebB8RCEOZXCzP3Zqb4bQ..

Read more
http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=x3NKFyqn_G32UyrrBzV3UQ..

about the Pork Advisory System.

Wastewatcher Read the monthly newsletter online.
http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=-7Sj9kfnWgZ96hB2tN2rfQ..

This month's issue includes the articles:

"There Ain't No Rules Here": Vote Buying, Fix-its, and Budget Gimmicks Used to Ram  through Healthcare Bill http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=zSpR0PiJcj-nPcw_fuX-5Q..

Government Broadband is too Broad http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=u4EV5-hBnTv4-k7bmoKqmg..

It is Time to Deflate Federal Salaries http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=1B9eUzQC0_I-3AVi1KZU1g..

To Infinity and Beyond! http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=Dw3Dq2jqmjpzzJq6YzeIMA..

Robbing Peter to Pay Paul: Trying to Track Stimulus Money Robs Oversight of Other Federal Spending http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=NXanbNG_v2Ym_ZbovhxNhQ..

Shop CAGW! http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=UcflCZ_fgmLz1ii5L2c6tw..

In the News...

The Washington Post(March 23, 2010): "Breaking the Earmark
Addiction" http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=HJXjdl9ZXRX4gUTGp2zhkg..

The Cleveland Plain Dealer(March 21, 2010): "Health Care Bill Arrives at Historic Vote Today in U.S. House of Representatives" http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=ZxS6WUCDL-mld-zEDETVNg..

FOX News (March 17, 2010): "Watchdogs Barking at Taxpayer-Funded
Traffic Barrier 'Art'" http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/R?i=i8ljxFy_mU0rIszi6i2k_g..

Fw: DR News: Can Corbett See the Forest for the Trees?

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: Tim Potts Democracy Rising PA <tim@democracyrisingpa.com>

Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2010 16:46:57 -0400 (EDT)

To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>

Subject: DR News: Can Corbett See the Forest for the Trees?

Democracy Rising Pennsylvania

UNSUBSCRIBE HERE Referendum & Convention Update Here's another reason for a Constitution convention: Clouding Up Sunshine Law, Editorial, Dubois Courier-Express, March 22 And here's another candidate who has signed the petition for a referendum this fall: In the Lehigh Valley, Justin Simmons is opposing Rep. Karen Beyer in the Republican primary. Can Corbett See the Forest for the Trees? Although a jury returned guilty verdicts against former House Democratic Whip Mike Veon, D-Beaver, and two staff on Monday, Attorney General Tom Corbett didn't have long to savor his victory last week. The rest of the week was all downhill. Click here for a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story summarizing the verdicts. At his victory news conference on Tuesday, Corbett exposed a curious myopia about the relationship between the trees felled in the trial (as well as 13 more defendants awaiting trial) and the forest of government that he hopes to lead as he campaigns for governor. "Hopefully the people of Pennsylvania can have a little bit more faith in their state government today now that these defendants have been convicted," Corbett said in The Philadelphia Inquirer. Click here. Other news reports also quoted Corbett as saying that we will never know whether lawmakers have learned a lesson from his prosecutions. Corbett seems to be unaware and unconcerned that after three years of investigations, trials and pleas, lawmakers have not enacted a single law to make sure that this scandal, which has now cost taxpayers more than $10 million according to some estimates, will not happen again. New laws, plus better enforcement of existing laws, can raise citizen confidence and show that lawmakers are determined to repair the conspicuous problems with state government. Now they seem to be biding their time before reverting to the culture of corruption that allowed the Bonus Scandal in the first place. Given his roles as both attorney general and gubernatorial candidate, Corbett is in the ideal position both to recommend new laws to prevent a repeat of the Bonus Scandal and to campaign for a Constitution convention where citizens can decide for themselves how to alter and reform their government. He has done neither. By the end of the week, that dual position became more troublesome. A preliminary hearing for another defendant, former Rep. and former Revenue Secretary Steve Stetler, D-York, had to be postponed. Stetler's attorney filed a motion to dismiss the charges against him with the accusation that Corbett engaged in the same practice of using tax dollars to subsidize his own election campaigns. Click here for a story from the York Daily Record. Judge Richard Lewis has given Corbett two weeks to respond to the motion. Also, an attorney for one of the staff convicted on Monday has asked the judge to declare a mistrial. A juror wrote in a blog post that jurors had visited the capitol building during lunch one day to see the scene of the crimes. However, jurors are not permitted to do their own investigations and must limit their deliberations to the evidence presented in court. Click here for a Post-Gazette story. Lewis gave Corbett two weeks to respond to that motion, too. While finding a variety of activities to be illegal, jurors did not find another act to be illegal. That is the practice of lawmakers charging taxpayers for meals on top of the three meals a day taxpayers already buy them with per diems . Veon and a cadre of basketball buddies charged taxpayers more than $15,000 for meals following their after-hours pick-up games. Click here for Brian O'Neill's latest column in today's Post-Gazette. Questions for lawmakers: We often pose questions that citizens and reporters may want to ask their lawmakers. Now the AP's Mark Scoloforo has compiled a list of questions that voters can ask incumbents as a result of the Bonus Scandal. Click here. And here are a few of our own: When will PA debate a "resign-to-run" law to prohibit public officials from serving in one office while running for another? How many meals do taxpayers have to pay for each day? Why aren't three a day enough? When will the House and Senate adopt a rule (better yet, a law) that tax dollars may not be used for food beyond what lawmakers receive in per diems? Which "leader" is going to make that happen? When will the House and Senate require lawmakers to document their expenses in order to receive per diems, just as everyone else in America must do? A New Reality We don't have to settle for whatever government lawmakers, judges and governors want to give us. 1. Click here to sign the petition for a referendum on a Constitution convention. 2. Forward this edition of DR News to others and ask them to sign the petition. 3. Donate to keep the pressure on. A new reality is up to us, because only we can keep democracy rising! Democracy Rising Pennsylvania abides by strict NO-SPAM rules. Please read our Privacy Policy for more details. We can be reached at: P.O. Box 618, Carlisle, PA 17013  © Democracy Rising Pennsylvania 2001-2010. All Rights Reserved. Powered by the Action Potential Nonprofit Web Toolkit

Fw: City Council: Garment workers are not rocksalt

From: PGH Sweatshop <nosweatshopsbucco@yahoo.com>

Workers from Bangladesh are coming here to provide testimony that will directly contradict legal documents that their bosses have signed… the bosses promised our local governments that the working conditions were much better than they actually are.  These sweatshop bosses lied to take advantage of government contracts. 

Members of the Bangladesh Center for Workers Solidarity are coming to Pittsburgh on April 27 and they expect us to implement our laws in ways that will empower them at work.   They know that we have laws in the City, County, and State that are designed to protect their rights… laws designed to leverage our governmental procurement and be felt as improvements to sweatshop working conditions in Bangladesh.  The workers are coming to ask us if our laws work, if our legal system and administrative policies can have an impact for them.

Our answer is YES!  The Pittsburgh Anti  Sweatshop Community Alliance does not underestimate the challenges this testimony will pose to our government officials, but the resources and capacity to take action are at our finger tips.   Members of PASCA will speak before Pittsburgh City Council at 10 AM on Tuesday March 30 and to Allegheny Council at 5 PM on Tuesday April 6… The message for the members of Pittsburgh City Council this Tuesday is simple: Garment Workers are not rocksalt. 

The momentum towards April 27 has surged forward with a grant award from the Three Rivers Community Foundation that will help pay for the workers' visit.  Thank you TRCF for believing in a Civil Rights Bridge from Pittsburgh to the Floor of the Global Sweatshop.  Yes, 'Change not Charity.'

NINE different labor unions, civil rights organizations, individuals, and businesses have stepped up to co-sponsor this workers visit with generous donations for $50 - $200.  Please join them. 

CONTACT: Kenneth - 412 867 9213 or nosweatshopsbucco@yahoo.com

Send a donation to: PASCA c/o Thomas Merton Center, 5125 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Fw: Tea Party Battle Hymns Celebrated in Spin Magazine

By, Angie Ress, Staff Writer, http://RestoreTheRepublic.com

On page 28 of the 25th anniversary edition of Spin Magazine, Ted Nugent says, "Basically, these guys are telling the government to 'Leave me the f*** alone.'" in reference to the "Band of Patriots" single "Take Our Freedom Back" written by Glenn Hudson, Gary Franchi and Billy Worley.

"The Nuge" was on hand to provide punditry and interpretation for the April issue of Spin in the article titled, "Battle Hymns of the Republic". Spencer Kornhaber who penned the article provides a guide to the top 5 most popular Tea Party Anthems where the song produced by Franchi came in number #1.

Kornhaber writes of the Restore the Republic produced "Band of Patriots" song "Take Our Freedom Back", "It sounds like if Lynyrd Skynard cut their hair and featured pennywhistle solos."

"We wanted something that would evoke songs of old and inspire people to stand up," says Franchi on the pages of Spin Magazine. Kornhaber further clarifies Franchi's statements by pointing out the Revolutionary War as the founding inspiration for the Tea Party tune.

Three members of the "Band of Patriots", Glenn Hudson, Gary Franchi and Billy Worley stand out on a star spangled backdrop along with four other leading music figures of the Tea Party Revolution. Lisa Mei Norton, an Air Force vet who came in at number two and sang "A Revolution is Brewing".  Steve Vaus, a.k.a. Buck Howdy, came in third place with "We Must Take America Back". Nashville's Brion Butterbaugh who was inspired by Rick Santelli's now famous statements on CNBC in 2009 rounded out 4th place with "It's Time to Party". The self-described "proud black conservative" Lloyd Marcus, took fifth place with his song "American Tea Party Anthem".

When asked about the recent spotlight on the dedication of the "Band of Patriots" Franchi stated, "We're moving in fast, and we're going to take our freedom back town by town, iPod by iPod. The song is free but freedom isn't. Those who came before us paid a price so we could sing songs like this and I'll be damned before the 'War on Terror' is turned into the 'War on Liberty.'" Franchi's statements were made in light of the recent advisory, by security industry professionals to DHS, to raise the Terror Alert in response to the public outcry against the health care bill.

He continued, "This song is the anthem we march behind on the front lines of the new revolution and we're crossing over into popular culture thanks to Spin Magazine."

The "Band of Patriots" are:

Glenn Hudson - Songwriter, Lead Singer, Guitars, Vocals.
Billy Worley - Songwriter, Lead Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals.
Gary Franchi - Lyricist, Poet, Video Director, Producer.
Bito Cruz - Guitars
Berto Gonzalez - Drums

Spin Magazine enjoys a monthly circulation volume of 462,000 and an audience of 1.8 million. Spin Magazine Online traffic reaches 4.2 million unique visitors and 48 million monthly page views.

Restore the Republic was co-founded by the late producer Aaron Russo who managed Bette Midler and is credited for booking Led Zepplin's first American gig at the famous Chicago hot spot the Kinetic Playground.

The music video of the "Band of Patriots" single, "Take Our Freedom Back" can be seen and downloaded in MP3 format at http://BandOfPatriots.US

# # #

RestoreTheRepublic.com, 3149 Dundee Rd #176, Northbrook, Illinois 60062, USA

Education Week: Struggling Georgia School Firing Entire Staff

Who wants a job in Georgia?

Education Week: Struggling Georgia School Firing Entire Staff A failing Savannah high school is firing its entire staff in an effort to avoid further sanctions from the state and to make the school eligible for up to $6 million in federal money, officials said Thursday.

"You're fired." Now pay us money.

So, the taxpayers see 200 people going onto unemployement. And, the district gets lots of extra money because such drastic measures were taken.

Tell Congress to Sign the No Pork Pledge!

Tell your lawmakers to sign CCAGW's No Pork Pledge and to reject the pork-barrel earmarks that corrupt the federal budgetary process. Please click the link below or visit the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste's web site, http://www.ccagw.org/, to send a letter today.
To take action on this issue, click on the link below:
https://secure2.convio.net/cagw/site/Advocacy?s_oo=Q7fXrbD1DkFWSE_GxEARHg..&id=615

Kissing a toad leads to this madness

Once upon a time, ...

Police: Man tried to revive dead possum; alcohol involved Police: Man tried to revive dead possum; alcohol involved
Friday, March 26, 2010
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Police said a man will be charged with public drunkenness after several witnesses saw him attempting to resuscitate a road-killed opossum.
State police said they charged Donald Wolfe, 55, of Brookville, Jefferson County, after they arrived at the scene on Route 36 in Oliver Township around 3 p.m. Thursday.
A news release from police does not state how he was trying to revive the opossum.

Thankfully, the porcupine got to the other side of the road.

Urban Forest takes root in Hazelwood

A Facebook message that can be shared.

Hazelwood Food FOrest WOrkdays! :)

We are happy to announce that we will be hosting a Food Forest workday this Saturday, March 27th 1pm-5pm. If you are interested please read this entire email, as it contains important information! :)

1. You will need to bring your own tools! Sorry about this! We are working to get tools for future workdays but you will need to bring your own until further notice. Bring water, gloves and a hat as well. Its supposed to be sunny! :)
2. Please respond to this email if you plan to addend the workday this weekend. Also email us any questions/ concerns. I will provide those who respond with my cell phone number, in case you get lost trying to find us!
3. Email us if you do not wish to receive notification of workdays! We really dont want to bug you if you are not interested!!
4. The site is located on Irvine/ 2nd Avenue. E-mail pghfoodforests@gmail.com if you plan to attend and we will give you more specific directions.
5. Future work dates are included and will be held from 1pm - 5pm.

Tools you could bring if you have them! (There is some work that can be done without tools....so please come even if you dont have any of the items below, also we will have some to share...we just dont have enough for everyone!)
maddox- to remove tree roots
spades
hard rakes
digging bar/ pry bar
loppers
tree saw
gloves
blue recycling bags
garbage bags/ cans

Work days:

March 27- continue clearing
April 3- import soil, compost, mulch? begin forming pathways
April 10- import soil, compost, mulch? begin forming pathways

Workshops:
April 17- fence in site/ sheet mulch/ form raised beds
April 24- plant trees/ shrubs

Thanks SO much!!! We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you this Saturday!
Juliette

The fix is in. A quote from Today Show about Health Care Bills

They said it, "The fix is in."

Gosh.

Belmont Club » “It’s For the Children”

Belmont Club » “It’s For the Children” Admission to top Chicago schools has long been a competitive and murky process, with longstanding rumors of abuse. Mr. Duncan created a formal appeals process in 2008, and when he left to join the Obama administration, his successor, Ron Huberman, created a system to stop the gaming of the system.

If a school soars with a waiting list and there is more demand, then the school could be expanded.

Does it scale?

I went to a meeting about afterschool activities in Pittsburgh the other day.

By the way, another open informational meeting will be held for all and any afterschool providers on Friday, tomorrow, at 9 am (to 10) on the South Side on Sarah Street at the Brashear Association, right next to Phillips Elementary School. Join me there if you can.

There are lots of questions and issues that swirl around the whole concept of afterschool and getting the best for our kids -- while they are in school and out of it.

One of the questions was about scaling programs.

I look at swimming as an afterschool activity that scales -- and I don't mean like the skin of a fish either. Rather, we need to teach swimming to kids of all ages and even can have masters (adults) swimming. Plus, we can have and should have swim lessons at all our city pools -- in the schools. I want to lead a learn to swim enterprise that teaches swimming from the east end to the west end -- and all the places in between.

Here is another way to look at scales in a fun light.

Board votes to close 2 Pittsburgh schools

Board votes to close 2 Pittsburgh schools: "The board, in an 8-1 vote, approved the closure of Pittsburgh Vann K-5 in the Hill District and Pittsburgh Rooney 6-8 in Brighton Heights, effective June 30.
Pittsburgh Weil Accelerated Learning Academy K-8, also in the Hill, will be reconfigured to Pre K-5 beginning with the 2010-11 school year."

Fw: Hi, it's me. The Internet.

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: The Internet <info@freepress.net>

Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:59:17 -0500 (CDT)

To: <mark@rauterkus.com>

Subject: Hi, it's me. The Internet.

Dear Mark, It's me, the Internet. Can you help me? My future is in danger, which means your online freedom is in danger, too. The FCC just released its National Broadband Plan to get me into more homes in America, but the agency punted on the most serious problem: Companies like Comcast and AT&T have made me too expensive, too slow and too scarce. Even with this plan, you won't see a better me anytime soon, and many Americans still won't have access to me. You've already done so much for me. But I urgently need your help again today.  Can you donate $3 a month to save me? The FCC has sent their plan to Congress, and industry lobbyists will be out in full force to try to make the plan meet their own interests rather than yours. My friends at the Free Press Action Fund are working to make sure that the FCC hears from you, and that industry lobbyists don't strong-arm the FCC into accepting their anti-consumer agenda. Your contribution today will help the Free Press Action Fund to: Turn the lofty goals of the National Broadband Plan into reality Give you a voice at the FCC and in Congress, where Internet policy is being decided Fight to make sure the FCC crafts clear, strong Net Neutrality rules Rally public support across the country for building the super-fast, world-class, ubiquitous, open Internet you deserve Your access to information and freedom to communicate will be decided in this monumental fight. Don't let companies like AT&T and Time Warner Cable take away the free-flowing platform I was born to provide. The National Broadband Plan is my best chance to thrive — but it won't happen without strong leadership from the FCC. Defend me with a $3 monthly gift If thousands of people chip in just $3 a month, it will go a long way toward sustaining the Free Press Action Fund's work. And it will ensure that I'm here and healthy for generations to come. Thank you — and see you online! Your friend, The Internet P.S. Your monthly gift to the Free Press Action Fund will help get me, the Internet, into every home and business in the country. Without access to me at my best — fast, affordable and neutral — millions won't have access to the world. That's a future none of us can afford. Please donate today! Want to learn more? Join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. If you haven't already, you can also join our E-Activist list. You ( mark@rauterkus.com) are receiving this e-mail as an opt-in subscriber to Free Press' E-Activist Network. You can unsubscribe or manage your account at any time.

School District may scrap neighborhood school alignment

Get this, parents cheering at a school board meeting. How refreshing.

Montour may scrap neighborhood school alignment during renovation The Montour School District likely will drop its neighborhood school alignment for a year while its high school is renovated.
Under the scenario laid out by acting Superintendent Donald Boyer at a crowded public meeting Tuesday night, grades 8-12 would move into David E. Williams Middle School in the fall, with grades 6-7 into Ingram Elementary School, grades 3-5 into Burkett Elementary and grades K-2 into Forest Grove Elementary.
The plan drew cheers from many in the audience. Many parents have called for moving the high school to David E. Williams so those students could have a full curriculum and a somewhat normal year of high school.

I have been an advocate, and some others agree with me, that the Pittsburgh Public School District should go to an "All Choice" system for all high school students. This would get rid of the "Feeder Pattern" system of locking in certain students to certain high schools based upon where their parents say that the kid resides.

In our high schools, we should give the kid a choice to go to a city-wide magnet such as Perry Traditional, CAPA, Sci-Tech, U-Prep, or the International School (IB at Obama) -- as well as the more traditional schools of Allderdice, Carrick, Brashear, Langley, Oliver, Peabody and Westinghouse.

If everyone had the freedom to go to what school they desire, perhaps fewer would go to the Charter Schools too. Likewise, private and Catholic schools are an option as well.

If the city gets rid of the feeder pattern for high school students, the district would retain more families in the city too.

140 Character Conference

Anyone up for a NYC Road Trip?

140 Character Conference: "Welcome to Jeff Pulver’s 140 Characters Conference! (#140conf)
The 140 Characters Conference: New York City (#140conf) will be taking place April 20-21, 2010 at the 92nd Street Y. This event is shaping up to being the largest worldwide gathering of people interested in the effects of the real-time Internet on both business and “we” the people.
If you are thinking about attending #140conf NYC, now would be a great time to secure your seat. With the ticket costing only US$ 140 for the two day event, register NOW to guarantee yourself access to the event. Based on the strong demand for the “early bird” tickets, we are now on a pace to sell all of the available tickets before mid-April."

Final 500 of the high school season, Erik at States.

Erik swam in lane 8 and did a 5:08 in the 500 free. I don't know if that is a team record or not? It was a personal best.

More PIAA Swim Video to come soon.

Wishing to work on sports reform for the Pittsburgh Public Schools

I just sent the following email to Principal Vader of Brashear High School:

Hi Principal,

Please count me in on any and all work on PPS' sports overhaul plans
as talked about yesterday with Mr. Lopez. This is something that I've
been asking for for many years. Put me on your lists and feel free to
call or email at any time.

I understand that there is much to do. I have plenty of suggestions as well.

Looking forward to the next chapter and meetings.

Yesterday, on March 22, a meeting was held for all sports coaches by Mr. Lopez, a PPS Administrator, concerning PPS sports. It was a mandatory secondary schools coaching meeting.

All in all, I'm very happy to see this begin. Mr. Lopez was there to get the support of the coaches so that the district can move forward in the next five years. The conversation began. Roles are to be discussed.

Sports are an important function of schools and the educational process, as pointed out by Mr. Lopez, because being part of a team is essential to human growth. In every field of human endeavors, we are called upon to produce on a team. This is true in schools, in college studies, in the workplace.

Coaches model commitment for athletes, so it was stressed. There is some reading between the lines there. Lopez also said it wasn't wise to give athletes a pass. Coaches can't call off practices. A coach's professionalism is paramount.

Some of the talk was just get to know you stuff from Mr. Lopez. He had to unload on a few fronts and then kick off the discussions. Unsportsmanlike behavior was a bullet point. Ongoing issues include, practices, recruiting, student misconduct and sportsmanship, Title IX (brewing big), team size, parents and community perceptions.

No joke.

The Title IX report is a year late and an inch thick and the space between Mr. Lopez' thumb and first finger is still empty as the report isn't released -- yet.

A commission to study athletics within PPS is going to be formed. The members will include folks from central office, a principal at least, coaches, parents and students.

Time will tell if I'm invited. I hope so.

Some other notes from the meeting: Business as usual is not acceptable.

I'd love to see some talk about the role of boosters, the role of the athletes, the role of the parents and the role of the community. It has to be more than just a principal, coach, teacher club. What about the role of the taxpayers?

Sports do have value in many ways. Mr. Lopez likes that the students are learning new skills within a new construct. They have to sort out the team positions and relationshps as well as the sports skills. He thinks coaches are the adult of last resort. I say that the slide should be re-written to say "FIRST" and not 'last.' If coaches are the last to know, then something is wrong. I just posted about how Big Ben called Coach Tomlin from Georgia.

A giggle moment did come when Mr. Lopez said that our kids want to grow up to be the next Michael Jordan or Big Ben. -- Well, a fresh example for #7 might make for less blushing.

Mr. Lopez was a track coach with 150 athletes on his squad. He recruited them. But, that is a hot potato word, recruitment. Coaches are told to recruit in the school but not outside of the building.

Questions came from right field to left field -- of course. The middle school seasons are too short. The snow day policy is not uniform. The segregation of fans, teams and all who attend a game is unhealthy. The depth of participation in the city is small. The legacy honors and banners are absent. Access to fields and facilities on Saturdays and summers is impossible.

There is much to do. If the crazy stuff of PPS sports was removed, then this process would be half way to finished. It sounds as if Mr. Lopez is well intentioned. Time will tell. Video is pending.

Pittsburgh parking ticket writers to make up snow days - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh parking ticket writers to make up snow days - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Pittsburgh parking ticket writers to make up snow days

Here is an idea. Let's change the time and the enforcement for parking at a meter in the South Side around East Carson Street -- near the bars -- from the present periods of enforcement (9 am to 5 pm) into the later hours when the parking is at a premium. Put on enforcement from the hours of 9 am to 3 am. Then, others who park in illegal ways will also get tickets too.

Paramedics say they're scapegoats for city's snow response

Paramedics say they're scapegoats for city's snow response A couple of medics pointed out that they were in town and working during the snowstorm while Mayor Luke Ravenstahl was out of town. He had gone to a Laurel Highlands ski resort to celebrate his birthday.
Council will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. April 5 on the city's response to the February snowstorm.

Golly. Two wrongs do not make a right.

Tomlin says Big Ben called him within hours of accusation

Of course he did. He's the coach. Coaches take those calls. Coaches don't wish for them, but we expect them.

Tomlin says Big Ben called him within hours of accusation: "Ben Roethlisberger called Steelers coach Mike Tomlin in the early hours of March 5 to inform him that a 20-year-old woman had just accused him of sexual assault in Georgia.

Call your coach. Coaches are not the person to turn to at the last resort -- but a prime, early, and trusted source for all sorts of players.

State College, PA - PIAA State High School Basketball Championships

State College, PA - PIAA State High School Basketball Championships Return This Weekend All-session tickets are good for the following doubleheader dates and times:

Friday, March 26, 2010 at noon – AA Girls’ Final
Friday, March 26, 2010 at 2pm – A Boys’ Final
Friday, March 26, 2010 at 6pm – AAAA Girls’ Final
Friday, March 26, 2010 at 8pm – AAA Boys’ Final
Saturday, March 27, 2010 at noon – A Girls’ Final
Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 2pm – AA Boys’ Final
Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 6pm – AAA Girls’ Final
Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 8pm – AAAA Boys’ Final

Single-session tickets are also available now and cost only $8 for adults, $5 for Penn State students, and $4 for students 18 and under. Don’t miss the action as the state’s best high school boys and girls basketball teams converge at the Jordan Center! For more information, visit www.piaa.org.
PIAA Basketball players that recently played at the Bryce Jordan Center:
• DeJuan Blair went to Schenley High School and was named 2007 player of the year for Class AAAA. He went to Pitt and was drafted to the San Antonio Spurs, where he currently plays.

The Art of News - updated as The Onion on TV

“Internet Archaeologists Find Ruins Of ‘Friendster’ Civilization”

Participation 3.0 - E-Democracy.org

Participation 3.0 - E-Democracy.org: "Participation 3.0 - Social media in local public life for engagement, transparency and problem-solving.
Participation 3.0 is E-Democracy.org's next generation local online civic engagement initiative for 2010 forward. It represents a new and third wave of activity since our founding in 1994. Today, we seek to connect local people everywhere with the best ideas and opportunities for local online civic engagement."

A Tea Party comes to Pittsburgh on April 3, 2010

This isn't my perfect cup of tea, but for many, it is.

"Announcing The Pennsylvania Tea Party 2010!

DATE: Saturday, April 3, 2010
TIME: 12:00 NOON

LOCATION: Allegheny Landing, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
[The Allegheny Shore between the 6th and 7th Street Bridge]"

Environmental Justice in the City April 8-10, 2010

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary's Metro-Urban Institute will convene its 14th annual Urban Intensive Weekend conference April 8-10, 2010. This year's conference will be a national dialogue on ecological and social justice as tasks to be addressed by the Church of Jesus Christ through both evangelism and community organizing.

Utilizing Martin Luther King, Jr.'s theology of "The Beloved Community," this conference will explore strategies to bring people interested in saving trees and endangered species together with people concerned about gun-violence, poor schools, and poverty to help create a more physically and spiritually healthy environment for all.

Registration fee is $75. Fee includes all conference events and meals.

Visit The Metro-Urban Institute for complete information. Call 412-441-1393 or e-mail swerth@pts.edu with questions.

This three-day event (Thursday afternoon through Saturday) will focus on the theme: Building the Beloved Community: Environmental Justice in the City and will include practitioners in environmental and social justice as well as some of the leading scholars and pastor-scholars from Pittsburgh and various sections of the nation. The conference is the Second Calling for the Order of the Day dialogue among African American Presbyterians throughout the PCUSA.

The distinguished career of Dr. Gayraud Wilmore, Professor Emeritus of Church History, Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA will be celebrated. In 1963, Dr. Wilmore became the first African American Professor to join the faculty of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

The conference will include presentations, site-visits, and community-based workshops led by community groups, and churches, schools giving participants an opportunity to interact with leaders of faith-based efforts in their host communities where positive changes are occurring.Registration Information
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Mike Tomlin concerned about Steelers’ franchise, Big Ben

Mike Tomlin concerned about Steelers’ franchise, Big Ben: "Tomlin and the Steelers are doing the right thing by letting the legal process work itself out when it comes to Roethlisberger’s situation. But the reality is that the organization should be concerned. Its starting quarterback has been accused of sexual assault twice in the last year and a half and while he may have not done anything wrong in either incident, this is the third time in the last four offseasons were Big Ben has gotten into some kind of off-field complication.
It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Roethlisberger’s future in Pittsburgh is in doubt."

A Medical Doctor and Insider -- Congressman, Ron Paul on Healthcare Reform

Congressman Ron Paul - Healthcare Reform Passes - Texas Straight Talk Following months of heated public debate and aggressive closed-door negotiations, Congress finally cast a historic vote on healthcare late Sunday evening. It was truly a sad weekend on the House floor as we witnessed further dismantling of the Constitution, disregard of the will of the people, explosive expansion of the reach of government, unprecedented corporate favoritism, and the impending end of quality healthcare as we know it.

Read it and whatever.

CD Release Concert & Party at Our House on the South Side - Soon.

Feel invited:

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0ByN94c3Pp4BpMGJjNDZkNTItN2U5Yi00ZTc3LWExMDAtZGRmYWI0MjVmOTM4&hl=en

Click the link to a one page PDF hosted as a public Google Document.

World Summit on Media for Children and Youth - Karlstad, Sweden 2010

This would be a fun road trip, to Sweeden.

World Summit on Media for Children and Youth - Karlstad, Sweden 2010: "JOIN US IN KARLSTAD
World Summit on Media for Children and Youth Karlstad Sweden 2010 will be a summit for 1500 delegates from 80 countries preparing with children and youth for a new media world in the 21st century. It will offer you great opportunities to network, to be part of debates, to be interactive and to be part of workshops to share your perspective, experience and expertise. World Summit in Karlstad will be the most important meeting place in 2010."

W&J German day lets students showcase knowledge in different ways - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Rauterkus is a German name. But, that's about it for me when it comes to this.

W&J German day lets students showcase knowledge in different ways - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review'The best part is the process of getting ready for the event,' said Gary Harger, a German teacher at Schenley High School and the Barack Obama Academy of International Studies. 'These are the things a student remembers, not grammar or bookwork.'

Fw: Municipal Debt Train Wreck ahead

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

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From: "Bob Logue" <ucblogue@verizon.net>

Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:07:04 -0400

To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;><Invalid address>

Subject: Municipal Debt Train Wreck ahead

Too many towns, too much debt: Welcome to Pennsylvania

By Jeremy Boren and Brad Bumsted
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, March 21, 2010

The small town of Westfall in Pike County this month quietly became the first municipality in Pennsylvania to declare bankruptcy.

It might not be the last.

"A train wreck is coming, and, because of my position, I think it's my duty to alert people," said George Cornelius, secretary of the state Department of Economic and Community Development. "Some of these municipalities may get into a situation where they have no choice; bankruptcy is the only option left."

Cash-strapped municipalities suffering from the industrial decline, population loss and overwhelming tax increases common in the Rust Belt face a "downward spiral," Cornelius said. He wouldn't single out cities but said a major reason is that Pennsylvania is bloated with local governments and many resist cutting costs through government consolidation with neighbors.

"We have municipal boundaries that were drawn in a different era that bear no relationship to current economic realities," he said.

Act 47, the state-managed safety net that provides "financially distressed" cities with state-prescribed recovery plans while requiring them to cut costs, "failed in its essential purpose," Cornelius told the House Appropriations Committee last month. In November, he predicted that "financial distress is almost assured" for all mid-size and large cities in the state.

Since 1987, 25 cities and towns, including Pittsburgh, fell into state receivership. Six escaped. Eleven languished there for a decade or more. The state's capital could be the next. Harrisburg officials are contemplating selling City Island Park, parking garages and other public assets to cover a looming debt larger than the city's annual budget.

Similarly, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl wants to lease city parking garages and meters for 50 years to infuse at least $200 million into Pittsburgh's anemic pension funds and avoid a state takeover of the pension system. The funds contain 30 percent of the money needed to cover $899 million in long-term obligations.

Pittsburgh remains under state oversight. Its general debt payments consume 17 percent of the city's budget, and anticipated deficit spending could begin eroding the city's surplus next year. (End quote from the Tribune Review article). 

            *********************************************************************************************************************************************************

   This is just the initial segment of the excellent Tribune-Review article which goes on to share more info about how cities and towns are trying to deal with their budgetary problems.  (A copy of the full article is attached to this message.)  One proposed solution discussed in the article was annexation of neighboring municipalities.  Pittsburgh did that many decades ago when the North side (a once prosperous independent Old Allegheny) Carrick and perhaps other boroughs were annexed into the City Of Pittsburgh.  What eventually happened was just a bigger blighted, declining Pittsburgh with even bigger financial problems, crime problems, etc.  Yes, merging municipalities would mean some savings on duplication of services, but since such a large number of Pennsylvania municipalities are in economic trouble, wouldn't merging two depressed municipalities (without changing the economies of either) eventually just make one bigger economically depressed municipality. 

    Doesn't it make more sense to try to help the cities and towns grow and prosper?  Let's think outside the box for once...and try reversing the decline by attracting more residents to make our towns and cities home for their families.  More residents....mean more revenue from existing taxes; more customers for existing businesses, and a magnet for new businesses to serve the growing population. 

     Answer this yes or no question for yourself:  If all property taxes --school, county and municipal--were abolished on all primary residences--homesteads\farmsteads--would there be a greater attraction for individuals and families to buy homes and live in our municipalities? 

Ownership changes attitudes.  Stakeholders have greater pride in their homes and communities.  With a growing population there would be fewer abandoned properties, fewer closed schools and houses of worship, fewer closed businesses and our communities would be revitalized WITHOUT ANY COSTLY, INEFFICIENT GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAM. 

Read below the damage done to communities by abandoned properties...with statistics from the Federal National Mortgage Administration (Fannie Mae). 

 

ABANDONED PROPERTIES:   According to the Federal National Mortgage Administration's Fannie Mae Foundation, the impact of abandoned properties is much greater than most people realize. 

   Quote from Fannie Mae Foundation:  "Of all of the conditions that adversely affect neighborhoods, abandoned properties may be the most destructive, because they exacerbate many of the other problems communities face, including:   Decreasing property values. The presence of abandoned properties in a neighborhood significantly affects the value of the remaining properties.  A Philadelphia study found that the presence of one abandoned property on a block reduced the value of the other properties on the block by nearly $6,500 each. (End quote.)

 

 

S.T.O.P. believes high property taxes, absentee landlords and predatory lending are all major contributors to the ever-increasing number of abandoned properties and increasing decline and blight in our communities throughout Pennsylvania.  In Philadelphia roughly one in every ten homes and lots are abandoned.  Pittsburgh has had an average of 350 newly abandoned properties every year.  While it is often looked upon as an urban problem, there are many abandoned homes and properties in suburban and rural Pennsylvania.

   Abandoned properties provide NO TAX REVENUE to the municipality, school district and county.  The municipal government is obligated to try to care for the abandoned property to prevent them from becoming crack houses or fire traps endangering nearby homes or businesses; and the municipal government is often required to expend thousands of dollars per property to demolish the slum properties and clean up the sites. 

 

     THE STOP LEGISLATION CAN HELP REVERSE THIS BLIGHT AND REBUILD OUR COMMUNITIES. AND DO IT WITHOUT ANOTHER MULTI-MILLION DOLAR TAXPAYER- FUNDED PROGRAM.  LEARN MORE AT www.undercoverclub.com (hit on the STOP Page) and www.grandoldusa.com 

    

Abolishing all property taxes on primary residences will make many of those abandoned homes and properties desirable again.  Punishing a homebuyer with higher property taxes for purchasing an abandoned or dilapidated property and investing substantial money and sweat in upgrading the home and land is stupid.  Knowing they could make the improvements without penalty—since there would be no property taxes ever imposed on their home--would encourage investment by private citizens.  More residents means more revenue from the local earned income tax, per capita taxes, and Emergency and municipal services tax; the Emergency services tax;  plus more attract and keep more businesses that pay business taxes to the municipality.   The STOP Primary Residence protection legislation has been proven fiscally sound and viable by the PA State Government's Legislative Budget and Finance Committee's experts.  Any questions? Write Bob Logue at ucblogue@verizon.net

Testing if and how well Teachers teach

P-G article about teacher evaluations highlight;

Planning and prep

Classroom dynamics

Learning environment

Responsibilities

But what can not happen is what was quoted in the article. The process can not be the same for all of the teachers. Everyone can not be "the same." Some are better. Some are worse. Some need extra coaching. Some need only professional observation.

All the students are not the same. Nor are the teachers and administrators.

Everything needs to be square, fair, just, documented and able to be defended and explained. But--- that isn't the SAME.

I think that bigger meaning is what she meant.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

6 practices

Say yes.
Be generous.
Love more.
Trust ourselves.
Speak up.
Slow down.

Humm.

The above is from Patti Digh.

Last one does not work. But it is relative.
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Anonymous Bloggers get blasted on P-G's front page

Perhaps there would not be a need for so many anonymous bloggers if the watchdog media was really doing its job. The media has a critical role to play in our free and open society. Too often the fumble, sadly.

The school superintendent's cronyism should nor be talked about only in faceless and nameless blogs -- as per the example in the P-G article. But I fail to remember any such article about any high raking official in any newpaper. So, blog away folks. And think for yourself as you both read and write.

I am sure that those in power would love nothing more than to contol all the power and communication streams.

By the way, in PPS with the superintendent, our issues are not with cronyism, exactly. Other ills, still untold, by the media, exist. Plus, a great deal of the blogging happens with folks who sign their words to their names.

I don't favor the anonymous, nor do I ever play in that space -- but -- I do defend it. Their freedom and mine are linked. We all should care, as we should all be careful with our words.
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Fw: NAMLE Extends Board of Directors Nomination Period

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

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From: NAMLE <vdomine@namle.net>

Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:45:26 -0400 (EDT)

To: <mark@rauterkus.com>

Subject: NAMLE Extends Board of Directors Nomination Period

There is still time for you to take your commitment to media literacy education to the next level. NAMLE is extending the Board of Directors Nomination Period to March 29, 2010 NAMLE is inviting any current member in good standing to join the NAMLE Board for a two-year term from June 2010-June 2012. What are the qualifications? We are looking for creative minds with a passion for media literacy education, and visionaries committed to working with others to develop the field of media literacy. If you have leadership skills, a practical eye for organizational development and energy to devote to your passion for media literacy, complete a nomination form today! When is the new deadline? Since our solicitation for nominations was emailed about a week later than our original timeline, we are extending the date for electronic submission of completed nominations. Nomination forms may now be submitted electronically via email up until midnight Monday, March 29, 2010. Self-nominations are welcome. Members of minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Online voting will take place in April and NAMLE members will be notified when the polls are open. What positions are open? The following positions are open for election in 2010: 3 At-Large Director positions Secretary President New voices and visions are invited and encouraged to apply. Please note that the positions of Secretary and that of President must be filled by persons who have been NAMLE members for at least 2 years. Anyone considering running for the Board can address questions to Lynda Bergsma, Immediate Past President and Elections Committee Chair, at lyndabergsma@gmail.com or (520) 403-7450. Bring your voice and vision to the NAMLE board and help build the growing field of media literacy education!   Click here for more information on qualifications, duties & how to submit nominations Meet the current Board of Directors

Forward email This email was sent to mark@rauterkus.com by vdomine@namle.net. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by NAMLE | 10 Laurel Hill Drive | Cherry Hill | NJ | 08003

Fw: DR News: House Per Diems

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

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From: Tim Potts Democracy Rising PA <tim@democracyrisingpa.com>

Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:35:46 -0400 (EDT)

To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>

Subject: DR News: House Per Diems

Democracy Rising Pennsylvania

UNSUBSCRIBE HERE Signers Rep. Mario Scavello, R-Monroe, is the latest lawmaker to sign the petition for a Constitution convention referendum this fall. Also, here are more candidates who have signed the petition: Jonathan Jenkins, a Republican running against Rep. Tim Hennessee, R-Chester John Wieczorek, a Democrat running for the open seat of retiring Speaker Keith McCall, D-Carbon. Jason Petrella, a Democrat running against Rep. Jim Christiana, R-Beaver. Per Diems: Open This, Part 2 In December we were able to report on per diems received by our state Senators. These are payments lawmakers receive when they are in session. Ostensibly available to cover travel expenses, for most lawmakers they are a second, largely tax-free salary for which they need not turn in receipts. Click here for that edition of DR News. Per diems have become a campaign issue in some parts of the state. Click here for an article from The Citizens' Voice in Wilkes-Barre. This time we are able to report on how much money members of the House received in per diems in 2009. A DR fan provided us with the information received from the House Chief Clerk's Office. Once again, it was provided in a particularly unfriendly manner - 1,273 pages in pdf format of individual payments to individual lawmakers but with no totals, either for each lawmaker or for the House as a whole. Click here for the member totals, ranked from low to high. Click here for background about per diems and a spreadsheet that includes separate payment dates for each member and each per diem. If you don't see your representative on this list, it's because the House Chief Clerk's Office did not report any per diems for 23 representatives. This may be because your representative lives too close to the capitol to collect per diems (50-mile radius), or it may be that your representative has chosen not to collect them for some reason. The best way to find out is to ask him or her. In short, the House paid a total of $3,034,394.01 in per diems to 180 members. The average amount of per diems received was $16,858. The median amount was $17,008. Here are the highs and lows: Below $5,000 Mark Keller, R-Perry * $218.00 Dan Moul, R-Adams * $316.00 John Payne, R-Dauphin * $414.00 Lewis Chris Ross, R-Chester $429.00 Susan Helm, R-Dauphin* $438.00 Staley Saylor, R-York* $486.00 Nicholas Micarelli, R-Delaware $958.00 Eugene DePasquale, D-York* $979.00 Robert Kauffman, R-Franklin $2,972.00 James Cox, R-Berks $4,960.00 David Argall, R-Schuylkill** $4,990.00 * These members live within 50 miles of the capitol and therefore do not qualify for full per diems. ** This represents just three months in 2009 before he was elected to the Senate. Above $25,000 Joseph Brennan, D-Northampton $25,008.00 Tim Solobay, D-Washington $25,135.00 Mark Longietti, D-Mercer $25,160.00 Dick Hess, R-Bedford $25,162.00 Kathy Rapp, R-Warren $25,374.00 Jake Wheatley, D-Allegheny $25,478.00 John Evans, D-Philadelphia $25,537.00 Thomas Caltagirone, D-Berks $26,410.00 Joe Petrarca, D-Westmoreland $26,606.00 Richard Geist, R-Blair $27,354.00 Michael O'Brien, D-Philadelphia $27,632.00 Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne $27,688.00 Christopher Sainato, D-Lawrence $27,831.00 John Galloway, D-Bucks $31,133.00 Mark Cohen, D-Philadelphia $31,473.00 H. William DeWeese, D-Greene $36,051.00 Robert B. Mensch, R-Bucks*** $37,784.00 *** This does not include per diems after his election to the Senate in September 2009. Now's Your Chance If this strikes you as a good place for the legislature to start saving money, there's someone you can tell about it. The Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission is looking for ideas between now and the end of June, which is supposed to be when the state budget is finished. Email the commission at cuttingcosts@pasen.gov , and click here for an amusing column by John Baer in the Philadelphia Daily News. A New Reality We don't have to settle for whatever government lawmakers, judges and governors want to give us. 1. Click here to sign the petition for a referendum on a Constitution convention. 2. Forward this edition of DR News to others and ask them to sign the petition. 3. Donate to keep the pressure on. A new reality is up to us, because only we can keep democracy rising! Democracy Rising Pennsylvania abides by strict NO-SPAM rules. Please read our Privacy Policy for more details. We can be reached at: P.O. Box 618, Carlisle, PA 17013  © Democracy Rising Pennsylvania 2001-2010. All Rights Reserved. Powered by the Action Potential Nonprofit Web Toolkit

Restaurant proposed in Schenley Plaza

Restaurant proposed in Schenley Plaza: "Eat'n Park Hospitality Group is proposing to build a full-service sit-down restaurant in the parking lot turned park, with completion expected in the spring 2011."

I still long for the parking lot.

On Friday there must have been 300 people sitting on the lawn on Soliders and Sailors, near the cannons that can hurl on Hazelwood, should West Mifflin ever attack due to the RAD tax on Kenneywood tickets. I was shocked. So many sitting on the lawn and not in front of TVs cheering for the Pitt hoopers.

Naming rites

A P-G article on sports about nicknames. Schenley is mentioned.

Naming rites: "From Valley's B.B. Flenory and Schenley's Jeep Kelley in the 1970s, to Monkey Cersosimo and Admire 'Pickle' Carter of Beaver Falls today, nicknames flourish in hoops circles.
One of the best nicknames ever in WPIAL or City League sports had to be 'Onion,' the standout point guard of Schenley's powerful PIAA championship team of 2007 that included DeJuan Blair and D.J. Kennedy. Onion is Jamaal Bryant, who got his name at a young age because a youth league coach said his head was shaped like an onion. Seemingly no one knew 'Onion' as Jamaal Bryant."

One of the best, yet not used pet name will be, "The Last Spartan." Schenley is closing. Then what? Powerful.

Meanwhile, few know that Pittsburgh Obama High School is on the way. Once again, while at High School States, we talked with many people and most are sure we are joking when told of the new name to come. B.O. High.

The Eagles!

Top 20 in AAA Swimming in PA

Girls Results:

1 WILSON WILSN 231.5
2 HERSHEY HRSHY 205.5
3 PARKLAND PAR 173
4 EMMAUS EMM 151
5 NORTH ALLEGHENY NALLE 132
6 SOUDERTON AREA HIGH SCHOOL SOUDR 107
7 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH HIGH SCHOOL CRNOR 84
8 STATE COLLEGE STACO 76
9 CEDAR CREST CDRCR 73
10 UNIONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL UNVIL 71
11 GREATER LATROBE GREAT 63
12 DOWNINGTOWN EAST HIGH SCHOOL DOWNE 57
13 GREAT VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL GRTVA 56
13 WEST CHESTER EAST HIGH SCHOOL WCEST 56
15 MANHEIM TOWNSHIP MANTP 54.5
16 MCDOWELL HIGH SCHOOL MCDOW 53
17 BAYARD RUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL RUSTN 50
18 DOWNINGTOWN WEST HIGH SCHOOL DOWNW 49
19 WARWICK WRWCK 40
20 WILLIAM TENNENT HIGH SCHOOL WMTEN 33

Boys

1 NORTH ALLEGHENY 1384 227.5
2 WILSON WILSN 192
3 LASALLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL LS 180
4 EMMAUS EMM 158
5 MOUNT LEBANON 1378 140
6 WEST CHESTER B. REED HENDERSON WCHEN 112.5
7 BOYERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL BOYER 109
8 CUMBERLAND VALLEY CUMBV 85
9 CEDAR CREST CDRCR 71.5
10 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST HIGH SCHOOL CBEST 69
11 UPPER ST. CLAIR 1412 66
12 FRANKLIN REGIONAL 1351 59
13 UPPER DUBLIN HIGH SCHOOL UPDUB 56
14 UNIONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL UNVIL 51
15 NORTH PENN HIGH SCHOOL NPENN 48
16 HAVERFORD HIGH SCHOOL HAVRF 41
17 CHICHESTER HIGH SCHOOL CHICH 36
18 PARKLAND PAR 33.5
19 GATEWAY 1355 32
19 RED LAND RLAND 32
19 OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL OXFRD 32
22 PENN TRAFFORD HIGH SCHOOL 1389 31

Google May Shut Down China Unit in April, CBN Says (Update2) - Bloomberg.com

Google May Shut Down China Unit in April, CBN Says (Update2) - Bloomberg.com: "Google May Shut Down China Unit in April, CBN Says (Update2)"

Hockey Players and Hips

New Study Finds 70 Percent of Able-bodied Hockey Players Have Abnormal Hip
and Pelvis MRIs

http://www.sportsmed.org/tabs/newsroom/AOSSMPressReleaseDetails.aspx?DID=687

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Seventy percent of healthy professional and collegiate hockey players had abnormal hip and pelvis MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), even though they had no symptoms of injury, according to a study presented today at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's Specialty Day in New Orleans, (March 13). The study's surprising findings could serve as a warning for surgeons to not depend excessively on imaging when diagnosing patients.

"This study was done to see if abnormal MRI results are found incidentally in active roster hockey players," said Matthew Silvis, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Orthopedics at Hershey Medical Center at Penn State University College of Medicine. "Unexpectedly, the majority of players had some abnormality in their MRI, but it didn't limit their playing ability. The study raises many questions, but its value to surgeons is to recognize that imaging doesn't replace good clinical judgment, which includes a detailed history and complete physical exam. This study might make you hesitate to read too much into an MRI."

In the study, high-resolution MRIs were taken of the pelvis and hips of 21 professional and 18 collegiate hockey players, aged 18 - 35. Of the 39 players, only two reported slight pain, which they identified as a 3 on a 10 point scale, with minimal to no disability in relation to their pain.
Twenty-one out of the 39 (54 percent) had labral tears (tears in the structure that keeps the hip in place). Twelve of the 39 (31 percent) had muscle strain injuries of the hips and 2 of 39 (5 percent) had tendinosis (inflammation) of the hips. Overall, 70 percent of the players had irregular findings on their MRIs, but no clinical symptoms.

MRIs are noninvasive tests that help doctors diagnose and treat medical conditions. MRIs use a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and many other internal body structures.

"This study raises all sorts of questions that should be examined in further studies. For example, will these abnormalities cause problems and symptoms later for these athletes?" said Silvis. "But this study shows the limitations of depending too heavily on an MRI. A surgeon may see something
in the image, but it isn't causing a problem."