Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Education in PA

EPLC Education Notebook
Tuesday, February 7, 2012

SPECIAL EDITION

Summary of Governor Corbett's Proposed 2012-2013 Education Budget

The Education budget for 2012-2013 proposed by Governor Tom Corbett on February 7 would shift more K-12 school funding burden to local taxpayers and dramatically cut state funding for higher education.

The proposed K-12 budget would "block grant" or collapse four current line items for basic education subsidy funding ($5.35 billion), pupil transportation ($542.3 million), nonpublic and charter school public transportation ($77.7 million) and $541.56 million of School Employees' Social Security into a new Student Achievement Education Block Grant. This combined line block grant line item would provide an increase of only 3/10 of 1% over last year's figure, or $21.8 million. This modest increase apparently covers only increased social security obligations, and provides no real increase for the basic subsidy to districts. Most other line items under the Governor's PK-12 education budget were level funded or received a 5 percent reduction.

The Education budget for 2012-2013 proposed by Governor Tom Corbett on February 7 would shift more K-12 school funding burden to local taxpayers and dramatically cut state funding for higher education.

The proposed K-12 budget would "block grant" or collapse four current line items for basic education subsidy funding ($5.35 billion), pupil transportation ($542.3 million), nonpublic and charter school public transportation ($77.7 million) and $541.56 million of School Employees' Social Security into a new Student Achievement Education Block Grant. This combined line block grant line item would provide an increase of only 3/10 of 1% over last year's figure, or $21.8 million. This modest increase apparently covers only increased social security obligations, and provides no real increase for the basic subsidy to districts. Most other line items under the Governor's PK-12 education budget were level funded or received a 5 percent reduction.

BASIC EDUCATION-

The following education line items received a 5 percent reduction, as indicated by the dollar value.


  • Pre-K Counts ($4.139 million).
  • Head Start Supplemental Assistance ($1.864 million).
  • Adult and Family Literacy ($614 thousand).
  • Education of Migrant Laborers' Children ($45 thousand).
  • Services to Non-Public Schools ($4.319 million).
  • Textbooks, Materials and Equipment for Nonpublic Schools ($1.314 million).
  • Safe School Initiative ($106 thousand).
The following line items received a 10 percent reductionas indicated by the dollar value.

  • Teacher Professional Development ($718 thousand).
  • Community Education Councils ($120 thousand).
The following line items were level funded. Total funding is listed for each item.

  • Special Education would be flat-funded for the 4th consecutive year ($1.026 billion).
  • PA Charter Schools for the Deaf and Blind ($39.401 million)
  • Approved Private Schools ($98.098 million)
  • Authority Rentals and Sinking Fund Requirements ($296.198 million)
  • Payments in Lieu of Taxes ($194 thousand)
These education items were eliminated entirelyLast year's funding level indicated for each item.

  • Mobile Science Education Program ($650 thousand).
  • School Nutrition Incentive Program ($3.327 million).
  • Job Training Programs ($4.8 million).
These line items received increases, as indicated by the dollar value.

  • Career and Technical Education was increased by 1.5 percent ($1.089 million).
  •  PA Assessment was increased by 42.6 percent ($15.601 million).
  • Early Intervention received a 4.1 percent increase ($8.057 million).
  • School Food Services was increased by 2.4 percent ($734 thousand).
  • School Employees' Retirement was increased by 52.6 percent ($315.880 million).
  • Tuition for Orphans and Children Placed in Private Homes was increased by 3.5 percent ($1.955 million).
 HIGHER EDUCATION-

  • The Community Colleges line item was reduced by 3.8 percent, a loss of $8.801 million.
  • Regional Community College Services was eliminated ($700 thousand).
  • Three of the four State-Related Universities (The Pennsylvania State University, University of Pittsburgh, and Temple University) have been cut by 30 percent.
  • The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) has been reduced by 20 percent, a loss of $82.550 million.
  • The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency was reduced overall by 6.4 percent, a loss of $27.245 million. Grants to Students and Matching Payment for Student Aid were reduced by 5 percent, a combined loss of $19.705 million. Institutional Assistance Grants (IAGs) were reduced by 30 percent, a loss of $7.317 million.
LIBRARIES, THE ARTS AND PA HISTORICAL AND MUSEUM COMMISSION-

  • Pennsylvania Council on the Artsadministrative budget and grants to arts organizations would be held level at $886,000 and $8,179,000, respectively.   
  • Funding to Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission would face a 5% reduction, decreasing from $17,525,000 to $16,649,000. 
  • Library funding (including the public library subsidy, services for the visually impaired and disabled, and the library access line item) would be reduced by 5%.  Total state dollars will decrease from $59,179,000 to $56,220,000. 
Click here for information from the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget about the proposed education budget.

Click here to view Pennsylvania Department of Education's 2012-2013 Budget Presentation documents and highlights.

Additional information and analysis about the budget will be posted on EPLC's website as it becomes available.


The EPLC Education Notebook (current and past editions) also is available by visiting the EPLC website at http://www.eplc.org/category/education-notebook/

Thursday, February 02, 2012

Fw: [ACA Google Group] Steel City Showdown Registration Open

Sent from my BlackBerry®

From: Benjamin Stephens <benjamin.j.stephens@gmail.com>
Sender: acaracing@googlegroups.com
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 07:26:16 -0500
To: ACA<acaracing@googlegroups.com>
ReplyTo: Benjamin.J.Stephens@gmail.com
Subject: [ACA Google Group] Steel City Showdown Registration Open

Just a quick note that registration for the 2012 Steel City Showdown is now open.


Note the addition of a couple of categories including a separate Women's 3/4 and separate 45+ and 55+ Masters races.  Tell your friends to come race.  This year's race is also part of the PA Cycling BAR series and the ABRA Crit Series.  We will have more announcements coming soon at the usual places:


-Ben

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Linden Letter Writing Party



---------- Forwarded message ------
From: Yinzercation
Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Subject: [New post] Linden Letter Writing Party

New post on Yinzercation

Linden Letter Writing Party

by YinzerThing

Pittsburgh Linden, an elementary school, is hosting a letter-writing party today, from 4-8PM in the school library. Parents and community members are writing to the Governor and legislators in advance of the budget announcement next week, calling for the restoration of funding to public education.

Linden is a thriving magnet school in the Pittsburgh Public system, with a very diverse student body, drawing families from fifteen different zip codes throughout the city. It is a great example of a public school that "works," but it is being threatened by these budget cuts. Due to the state budget, Linden is losing its vice principal, its science teacher, its instrumental program, and two home-room teachers in the upper grades. The art teacher and music teacher will be reduced to half time.

Reaching out to our legislators is the very best thing we can do right now. That is how we can effectively fight these completely unacceptable budget cuts. Indeed, it is the only way we can fight to save public education. Sometimes writing a letter or making a phone call feels too "simple" or perhaps even ineffective, but experienced advocates assure us that this is exactly what works -- and we're having an impact! So please consider hosting your own letter-writing event. And check out the other strategies on the Take Action! tab.

Together we are Yinzer Nation, and we can do this.


--
--
Ta.
 
 
412 298 3432 = cell

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Fw: [DBD] We want to do more in 2012 to end DRM

Sent from my BlackBerry®

From: "Free Software Foundation" <info@fsf.org>
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:18:41 -0500
To: <mark@rauterkus.com>
ReplyTo: "Free Software Foundation" <info@fsf.org>
Subject: [DBD] We want to do more in 2012 to end DRM

In 2011, we had our share of victories. We broke into the global mainstream media with our Brick Nintendo campaign, and even forced Nintendo to respond to reporters about their despicable terms of service and DRM on the 3DS. The 2011 Day Against DRM was a success: small groups formed and collaborated, and as a result many people walked away with a stronger sense of solidarity and resolve in the fight to eliminate DRM. Lastly, we began creating a focus on ebooks, posting popular articles against the Nook and Amazon, as well as orchestrating several small events throughout the world.

But we need to do more

Despite our accomplishments in 2011, there was a lot more we wanted to do, and a lot more that we need to do if we want to create a world in which people can stream movies, read ebooks, and browse the Web without being pressured to give up control and buy into DRM.

We wanted to launch our new site redesign in 2011, have a bigger response against Apple's textbook initiative, and provide even more information on the positive steps people can take, software they can use, and hardware they can buy that will allow them to live a DRM-free life.

If you want us to do more in 2012 than we did in 2011, then we need your help.

Will you pitch in a few dollars to help the Defective By Design campaign in 2012?

The DRM Challenge

Our goal at DBD isn't simply to eliminate DRM, it's to do so in a way that still lets us stream our favorite television shows or movies and to read the latest ebooks. Unfortunately, each time a person purchases a DRM-encumbered ebook reader, or when an individual pays a monthly fee to a DRM video service, each dollar spent is like a vote in favor of DRM. So, how can you spend your money to show a vote against DRM?

Next time you find yourself rejecting a DRM service or product, why not consider donating $5, $10, or $20 as a vote against DRM? Building critical mass around our campaign is a way to show the world that people want DRM-free products. Take the DRM Challenge in 2012.


Sincerely,
Josh, John, Matt, and Richard


--
Follow us on identi.ca at http://identi.ca/dbd | Subscribe to our blogs via RSS at http://www.defectivebydesign.org/rss.xml | Donate to support the campaign at http://www.defectivebydesign.org/donate/1

Defective by Design is a campaign of the Free Software Foundation:

51 Franklin Street
Fifth Floor
Boston, MA 02110-1335
United States

You can unsubscribe from this mailing list by visiting the link http://crm.fsf.org/civicrm/mailing/unsubscribe?reset=1&jid=125676&qid=1326166&h=98828025dd231d4c.

To stop all email from the Free Software Foundation, including Defective by Design,
and the Free Software Supporter newsletter, click this link:

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Friday, January 27, 2012

The International Documentary Challenge is back!

From: Kahmeela Adams  pittsburgh@48hourfilm.com


Hello Filmmakers!
Sometimes the best stories aren't scripted. The International Documentary Challenge is back! Now in its 7th year, the Doc Challenge takes place March 1-5, 2012 with registration now open to filmmakers worldwide.

The 7th annual Doc Challenge is coming up soon. 48HFP is a presenter of Doc Challenge.  The Doc Challenge is a chance for 48HFP participants to try their hand at non-fiction by spending 5 days making a short documentary. Our top films make their world premiere at the Hot Docs Documentary Festival in Toronto (and win cash prizes) and many of them have received additional distribution on the Documentary Channel and Snag Films.

IMPORTANT DATES:Registration NOW OPEN Sign Up Now
Early Registration Deadline: February 14, 2012
Final Registration Deadline: February 29, 2012
Doc Challenge: March 1-5, 2012

Hot Docs Dates: April 26 - May 06, 2012

Complete details and entry forms can be found at docchallenge.org

The Doc Challenge is produced by KDHX Media. The 2012 Presenting Partners include Hot Docs, The Documentary Channel, American Documentary/P.O.V. and Documentary Educational Resources. Supporting partners include the International Documentary Association, the Documentary Organization of Canada, DocuMentors, the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Dokufest, Docs In Progress and the 48 Hour Film Project.

The International Documentary Challenge.
Real Life. Filmed Real Fast

Much Success!

Kahmeela Adams & Nina Gibbs
Pittsburgh City Producers

_______________________________________________
Pittsburgh 48 Hour Film Project
http://www.48hourfilm.com/pittsburgh


Fwd: [school-discuss] project idea: open source text books


From: Jeremy C. Reed
Subject: [school-discuss] project idea: open source text books
To: schoolforge-discuss@schoolforge.net


I propose the group advocates and works toward open source text books.

These would be open content projects that result in free digital and
(optionally) very low-cost print textbooks and course work. This would
be a public endeavor using open collaborative methods. The text and its
related artwork and formatting and tools to create and re-generate will
be freely and publically accessible and redistributable.

Some side goals could be to save money for schools and better allocate
tax payers money, such as increasing school teacher's salaries, and
maybe better learning experience due to further media capabilities.
(Another minor goal is so kids, like mine, don't have to carry around
20+ pounds of textbooks :)

Maybe some ideas at:

 http://www.opencontent.org/

 http://archives.seul.org/schoolforge/discuss/May-2002/msg00194.html
 (Hey David where is your document now?)

 http://www.jasonheppler.org/open-source-scholarship-and-why-history-should-be-open-source.html

 http://teachinghistory.org/teaching-materials/ask-a-master-teacher/22276

 http://levine.sscnet.ucla.edu/general/intellectual/open.htm

I know we talked a little about it before around May 2002, but sadly
nothing came out of it from me. But it is time to do this again because
I recently listed to an interview about Steve Jobs and their textbook
plans.  Here are some related links:

http://idealab.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/01/apples-textbook-partner-mcgraw-hill-reveals-ibooks-2-plans.php

350,000 downloads in 3 days
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2140927/apple-s-textbook-initiative-350-downloads-days

http://www.apple.com/education/ibooks-textbooks/

They may be "reinventing the textbook" but I don't think they are open
source and may be, in fact, tied down to a proprietary platform.


Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Recruitment letter for Water Polo delivered at the PPS Middle School Swim Championships

Water Polo is growing in Pittsburgh



Consider joining this spring, summer and/or fall.


To Swimmers, Coaches and Families of Pittsburgh Public Schools:

You can be a part of our new swimming and water polo teams with open practices, clinics and play at various pools around the city in the weeks to come. Neighborhood Learning Alliance is our nonprofit sponsors.

Summer Dreamers:
In the summer of 2011, a five week Swim and Water Polo Camp was a part of Pittsburgh Public Schools Summer Dreamers. More than 150 enjoyed their experiences with swimming and playing the sport of Water Polo at Peabody’s indoor pool.
We hope the Swim and Water Polo Camps can continue in the summer of 2012. PPS approval is pending. In 2012, Summer Dreamers’ academic and fun camps are moving and space is limited. Look to sign up and attend at U-Prep on Centre Ave in The Hill District as that’s where we have access to swim pools.

Middle school students get to RUN and JOG, with coaching supervision, of course, to the swim sites – at the brand new Centre Ave YMCA and the giant, outdoor, Citiparks operated, Ammon Rec Center Pool .

This year, younger kids in Elementary Grades are going to be able to swim at the indoor pool at U-Prep too. So tell your younger brothers and sisters and neighbors.

Spring Play:
Additional swimming and water polo play is being organized as well. Practices and a spring league are about to begin at Peabody, three nights per week from 6 to 7 pm. We have been playing every Wednesday, at Westinghouse High School.

City Wide Opportunity:
High School athletes, our “Pittsburgh Combined” team played in Columbus, Ohio, in September 2011, getting 3rd place in the Ohio Cup Tournament. This team allows kids from any area high school to join.

Get in Touch:
Please call or email the water polo coach, Mark Rauterkus, Mark@Rauterkus.com, 412-298-3432. Then specific practice times and details can be delivered to you. (See P-G sports news on other side, too.)
Way to go on your middle school swim championships!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Fwd: ZOO SUMMER JOBS FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS-jobs for 55 an older



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Date: Friday, January 20, 2012
Subject: ZOO SUMMER JOBS FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS-jobs for 55 an older
To: RFlanag@aol.com


(Jobs for 55 and older-- see attached)
 
PLEASE SHARE OUT
 
 
Project of YouthLINK and East End Works

 PITTSBURGH ZOO SUMMER JOBS FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS

Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center can help you with:

 Knowing what Pittsburgh Zoo summer jobs

          (16 years and older) are available

     Preparing for an interview

  Filling out the actual Pittsburgh Zoo application

 

(Once prepared to apply you will need to attend the Pittsburgh Zoo job fair on Saturday, January 28, 2012. We have the details on the job fair and will share them when you visit our office.)

For a copy of the youth and adult Pittsburgh Zoo job application and to gain assistance with applying go to:

 

Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center 5321 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA  15224

Phone: 412-362-8580

(Open every day after school until 7 p.m.)


--
--
Ta.
 
 
412 298 3432 = cell

Friday, January 20, 2012

SportsTown article: Water polo for the city league and beyond

Article:


Announcement: Water polo for the City League and beyond

Written by Cara DeCarlo on .
The City League is once again at the center of a positive new thing. Water polo, a favorite sport of Obama boys’ swim coach Mark Rauterkus, is turning into a citywide athletic opportunity. Rauterkus is currently working with Shaler Swim Club President Scott Harris, Plum water polo coach Greg Kinzler, and the coach of North Allegheny and Tiger Water Polo, Nikola Malezanov. Together, these three are creating numerous water polo camps and clubs. The aim is to make water polo a year-round sport in Pittsburgh.
One of the most interesting water polo evolvements is the fielding of a boys’ team in the Metro League. This is a high-level travel league with high school teams at the Naval Academy, Gonzaga (DC), in Connecticut, and in Ohio. The Metro League has its water polo season beginning in August and running through the fall. After it, players are conditioned and ready for their winter swim teams.
Rauterkus told Sports Town that a grant application has also been made to relaunch Summer Dreamers, a five week summer water polo program. The goal is to get more than 200 kids playing water polo at three different locations this summer: University Prep, the CityParks pool, and the Center Avenue YMCA. According to Rauterkus, the grant application has not yet been approved. However, the program was in effect last summer, and provided water polo competition for 150 at Peabody last summer.
Lastly, Rauterkus explained that spring league water polo is becoming available through North Allegheny. There is a current initiative to fill a team to play on Sundays throughout the spring.
“I think it’s really important for our kids in the City who are going to be joining the WPIAL to get used to doing year-round sports,” says Rauterkus, explaining some advantages of year-round water polo. “The suburban athletes get committed to doing their sports more than just during the season. In the City, we don’t always do that but we need to make our programs more competitive and give our kids more opportunities.”



Thursday, January 19, 2012

Fw: Winter Lecture Series is Back!



Pro Bikes Logo
Hello All!
I hope you're having a great winter, we certainly are here at Pro Bikes. And with that, we'd like to re-introduce the Winter Lecture Series! We took last year off due to construction, but are back with a full lecture series in our NEW Spin Studio and Lecture Room. The series will be happening on a weekly to bi-weekly basis with topics being presented by local coaches and experts in their field! All lectures are FREE to attend and will be held at Pro Bikes, Squirrel Hill location, 5876 Forbes Ave. 15217. Click HERE for directions.
There is No RSVP required for this event! It is a free, one hour lecture/event aimed at providing knowledge for those interested! Thank you, and we hope to see you all there!!
First Lecture
  • Date: January 23, 2012
  • Time:7:00-8:00PM
  • Where: Pro Bikes-Squirrel Hill 5876 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh
  • Speaker: Mike Schultz from Highland Training
Mike will be presenting "Learning about the tools of the trade – A discussion of the use of heart rates, breathing, perceived exertion and power to make gains in endurance and power for cycling."
Highland Training is a coaching, and consulting business for endurance and ultra endurance athletes. Training programs are for all athletes, from novice to elite, who are interested in improving their athletic performance, strength and fitness for endurance and ultra-endurance sports.
Mike Schultz is the founder of Highland Training and is a professional ultra endurance Cyclist, and Coach. He brings more than ten years of racing and training experience from national ultra endurance cycling events, mountain bike stage races, and ultra endurance 24 hour solo cycling events.
He has many podium finishes as a 24 hour solo racer, including a few top five finishes at the 24 hour Granny Gear national race series, and a 2nd place finish in the Duo/Pro category in 2009. As an avid cyclist, runner, and cross country skier, Mike combines his love of the outdoors with his passion for coaching and training.
Mike is certified with the NSCA as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Personal Trainer. He has a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Robert Morris University. He continues to compete within endurance and ultra endurance events on a regional and national level to further study the science behind sports specific training. He also competes to practice what he teaches. Mike resides in the Laurel Highlands, PA where he coaches and trains year round.
For more on our first presenter, go to: http://highlandtraining.net/wordpress/.
Mike Schultz
For more infomation or questions about the event call Pro Bikes (412) 586-5497 or email Todd todds@probikesllc.com or Gregg gregg@probikesllc.com.
Pro Bikes Ride

Forward email


This email was sent to mark@rauterkus.com by todds@probikesllc.com |  

Pro Bikes | 5876 Forbes Ave | Pittsburgh | PA | 15217

Fw: Exclusive Pass: Ron Paul Spin Room - Saturday

From: "Revolution PAC" <mailer@revolutionpac.com>


Subject: Exclusive Pass: Ron Paul Spin Room - Saturday



RevPAC logo Facebook Twitter Youtube RTR
Dear Mark,
Had enough of the anti-Paul media bias?
Well, we don't want to watch the skewed reporting from FOX or CNN on Saturday either. So, buckle up for a LIVE primary broadcast, for Paul supporters by Paul supporters!
SOUTH CAROLINA PRIMARY WEBCAST Saturday, January 21, 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
RevolutionPAC.com
Join Revolution PAC for Skype commentary from our boots on the ground in South Carolina. In studio, a five-person panel of seasoned Paul pundits headed by Forrest Jehlik, grassroots leader and founder of the Libertate clothing line, will analyze the race and results and get YOUR feedback throughout the evening.
The South Carolina contest is bringing the Republican race into clear focus. Rick Perry's exit and Newt's ... eccentricities ...  are drawing increased public curiosity. Let's talk about how we capture that attention and direct it to the Ron Paul liberty camp!
So, plan to join us, and please share the event on Facebook. . We'll see you in the Ron Paul Spin Room!
Yours truly,

Gary S. Franchi Jr.
Chairman, Revolution PAC



P.S. Dana Bash and Sean Hannity are not invited . . .
RevPAC logo Facebook Twitter Youtube RTR
Copyright © 2011 Revolution PAC. All Rights Reserved.
3149 Dundee Rd. #176 | Northbrook | IL 60062 | info@revolutionpac.com



Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Ken is running for state rep.

Libertarians nominate Ken Krawchuk for State Rep in PA

Mon Jan 16, 2012
For more information, contact Ken Krawchuk at (215)-881-9696 or Ken@KenK.org

LIBERTARIANS NOMINATE KEN KRAWCHUK FOR STATE REP IN PENNSYLVANIA'S 153rd DISTRICT

Abington, PA -- Ken Krawchuk, the Libertarian candidate for Pennsylvania
Governor in 1998 and 2002, was chosen as the Libertarian Party candidate in
the upcoming special election for State Representative in Pennsylvania's
153rd District. The seat became vacant earlier this month when the
incumbent Josh Shapiro resigned to accept the position of Montgomery County
Commissioner. A date for the special election has not yet been set, but is
widely expected to take place on Primary Day, April 24, 2012.

"I would like to thank the Libertarian Party for once again selecting me to
be their standard bearer," Krawchuk said to the Montgomery County
Libertarians after his nomination at their monthly meeting on January 4th,
"especially in these exciting times. Thanks to true Americans like Ron
Paul, voters all across the nation are finally awakening to the libertarian
message of constitutionally-limited government, less taxes, and more
freedom. It's long past time someone championed those sentiments in the
Pennsylvania State House, and I plan to do just that."

Krawchuk indicated that his campaign will reaffirm the core message of his
prior campaigns. "It all comes down to a single principle," he said. "You
have the God-given, inalienable right to live your life your way without
interference, provided you respect the rights and property of others. It's
the political Golden Rule. Everything else follows from that."

Unsurprisingly, topping his legislative agenda are economic issues. "Taxes
are simply too high. Government spends far too much, most of which is
either unnecessary, counterproductive, or blatantly unconstitutional. To
help reign in that kind of out-of-control spending, I'm proposing an
entirely new approach: the separation of Society and State. Reduced to its
essentials, the idea is to transfer responsibility for all of the
well-meaning, unconstitutional programs to a separate public entity I call
Society. Society would work just like government, including three elected
branches, except that it would not wield any coercive powers, such as forced
taxation and mandatory regulations. Society would have a dual mission: to
help provide for those who can't provide for themselves, and to create a
viable mechanism for kind-hearted citizens who wish to help their fellow
man."

Separation of Society and State is also the central theme of Krawchuk's
latest novel, Atlas Snubbed, a pastiche parody sequel to Ayn Rand's Atlas
Shrugged.

Still ahead for Krawchuk lies the perennial challenge of ballot access,
which is another hot item on his agenda. "Pennsylvania's draconian election
laws are very effective at limiting choices on the ballot," Krawchuk
contends. "Take this race, for example. To get my name on the ballot, I
need to collect hundreds and hundreds of signatures in a very short period
of time, but the candidates from the two old parties need to collect no
signatures at all. None. Zip. Nada. Such blatant favoritism flies in the
face of the constitutional mandate that 'all elections shall be free and
equal.' Apparently some candidates are more equal than others."

In response, Krawchuk is championing Senate Bill 21, the Voters' Choice Act,
which would work to equalize signature requirements for all candidates.
"This is a bill that the outgoing state rep Josh Shapiro promised in writing
to support, but when it came up before his committee he flip-flopped and
withdrew his support," Krawchuk noted. "His two-faced behavior makes it all
the easier for his friends in the two old parties by making it all the
harder for someone like me to challenge their unconstitutional game.
Correcting the inherent unfairness of Pennsylvania's ballot access laws is
yet another issue that drives me to seek public office. Enough is enough,
wouldn't you agree?"

Ken V. Krawchuk, 58, is a Philadelphia native and long-time political
activist who has run for political office eight times, including two
record-breaking campaigns for Governor of Pennsylvania. He is an
entrepreneur, an Information Technology professional, and holds three US
patents related to computer database theory. He is also a professional
public speaker, an author, and an award-winning Distinguished Toastmaster.
He and his wife Roberta have three daughters and two grandchildren, and have
lived in Abington Township, a Philadelphia suburb, for over 30 years. More
information about Mr. Krawchuk can be found on Wikipedia.

Founded in 1971, the Libertarian Party is the third largest political party
in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and the nation, with over 150 elected or
appointed officeholders nationwide, 27 in Pennsylvania, and 2 in Montgomery
County. For more information about the Libertarian Party, the public may
contact the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania at www.LpPa.org or (800)
R-RIGHTS, or the National Libertarian Party at Lp.org or (202) 333-0008.


--
--
Ta.
412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: [DW] Wikipedia Black Out to Protest Proposed US Legislation



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Steven Clift
Date: Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Subject: [DW] Wikipedia Black Out to Protest Proposed US Legislation
To: newswire@groups.dowire.org


Hat tip to Anjney Midha for passing along ...


http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/English_Wikipedia_anti-SOPA_blackout

To: English Wikipedia Readers and Community
From: Sue Gardner, Wikimedia Foundation Executive Director
Date: January 16, 2012

Today, the Wikipedia community announced its decision to black out the
English-language Wikipedia for 24 hours, worldwide, beginning at 05:00
UTC on Wednesday, January 18 (you can read the statement from the
Wikimedia Foundation here). The blackout is a protest against proposed
legislation in the United States—the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in
the U.S. House of Representatives, and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) in
the U.S. Senate—that, if passed, would seriously damage the free and
open Internet, including Wikipedia.
This will be the first time the English Wikipedia has ever staged a
public protest of this nature, and it's a decision that wasn't lightly
made. Here's how it's been described by the three Wikipedia
administrators who formally facilitated the community's discussion.
From the public statement, signed by User:NuclearWarfare, User:Risker
and User:Billinghurst:
It is the opinion of the English Wikipedia community that both of
these bills, if passed, would be devastating to the free and open
web.Over the course of the past 72 hours, over 1800 Wikipedians have
joined together to discuss proposed actions that the community might
wish to take against SOPA and PIPA. This is by far the largest level
of participation in a community discussion ever seen on Wikipedia,
which illustrates the level of concern that Wikipedians feel about
this proposed legislation. The overwhelming majority of participants
support community action to encourage greater public action in
response to these two bills. Of the proposals considered by
Wikipedians, those that would result in a "blackout" of the English
Wikipedia, in concert with similar blackouts on other websites opposed
to SOPA and PIPA, received the strongest support.On careful review of
this discussion, the closing administrators note the broad-based
support for action from Wikipedians around the world, not just from
within the United States. The primary objection to a global blackout
came from those who preferred that the blackout be limited to readers
from the United States, with the rest of the world seeing a simple
banner notice instead. We also noted that roughly 55% of those
supporting a blackout preferred that it be a global one, with many
pointing to concerns about similar legislation in other nations.
In making this decision, Wikipedians will be criticized for seeming to
abandon neutrality to take a political position. That's a real,
legitimate issue. We want people to trust Wikipedia, not worry that it
is trying to propagandize them.
But although Wikipedia's articles are neutral, its existence is not.
As Wikimedia Foundation board member Kat Walsh wrote on one of our
mailing lists recently,
We depend on a legal infrastructure that makes it possible for us to
operate. And we depend on a legal infrastructure that also allows
other sites to host user-contributed material, both information and
expression. For the most part, Wikimedia projects are organizing and
summarizing and collecting the world's knowledge. We're putting it in
context, and showing people how to make to sense of it.But that
knowledge has to be published somewhere for anyone to find and use it.
Where it can be censored without due process, it hurts the speaker,
the public, and Wikimedia. Where you can only speak if you have
sufficient resources to fight legal challenges, or, if your views are
pre-approved by someone who does, the same narrow set of ideas already
popular will continue to be all anyone has meaningful access to.
The decision to shut down the English Wikipedia wasn't made by me; it
was made by editors, through a consensus decision-making process. But
I support it.
Like Kat and the rest of the Wikimedia Foundation Board, I have
increasingly begun to think of Wikipedia's public voice, and the
goodwill people have for Wikipedia, as a resource that wants to be
used for the benefit of the public. Readers trust Wikipedia because
they know that despite its faults, Wikipedia's heart is in the right
place. It's not aiming to monetize their eyeballs or make them believe
some particular thing, or sell them a product. Wikipedia has no hidden
agenda: it just wants to be helpful.
That's less true of other sites. Most are commercially motivated:
their purpose is to make money. That doesn't mean they don't have a
desire to make the world a better place—many do!—but it does mean that
their positions and actions need to be understood in the context of
conflicting interests.
My hope is that when Wikipedia shuts down on January 18, people will
understand that we're doing it for our readers. We support everyone's
right to freedom of thought and freedom of expression. We think
everyone should have access to educational material on a wide range of
subjects, even if they can't pay for it. We believe in a free and open
Internet where information can be shared without impediment. We
believe that new proposed laws like SOPA—and PIPA, and other similar
laws under discussion inside and outside the United States—don't
advance the interests of the general public. You can read a very good
list of reasons to oppose SOPA and PIPA here, from the Electronic
Frontier Foundation.
Why is this a global action, rather than US-only? And why now, if some
American legislators appear to be in tactical retreat on SOPA?
The reality is that we don't think SOPA is going away, and PIPA is
still quite active. Moreover, SOPA and PIPA are just indicators of a
much broader problem. All around the world, we're seeing the
development of legislation intended to fight online piracy, and
regulate the Internet in other ways, that hurt online freedoms. Our
concern extends beyond SOPA and PIPA: they are just part of the
problem. We want the Internet to remain free and open, everywhere, for
everyone.
On January 18, we hope you'll agree with us, and will do what you can
to make your own voice heard.
Sue Gardner,
Executive Director, Wikimedia Foundation
___________________________
Anjney Midha
Stanford University | Undergaduate








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412 298 3432 = cell

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Fw: Skirts

From: Shelby Knox, Change.org

Change.org
Tell the AIBA: Don't force female Olympic boxers to compete in miniskirts
Sign the Petition
Dear Mark,
Women's boxing will make its debut at this year's Olympic Games in London -- a huge victory for female boxers who have fought for years to be taken seriously. But now it seems their participation will come with an outrageous catch: female boxers might be required to wear miniskirts in the ring.
The Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) is reportedly considering the new dress code because it thinks skirts will make the female athletes look "elegant" and help "distinguish" them from their male counterparts.
Elizabeth says, "The idea that female boxers should be made to wear skirts reduces these skilled athletes to sex objects. It undermines the respect they have long fought for." Worse, competing in unfamiliar clothing could even negatively impact the boxers' performances.
And Elizabeth isn't the only boxer speaking out against the proposed dress code. When asked about the policy, three-time world champion Katie Taylor says, "I don't even wear miniskirts on a night out, so I definitely won't be wearing miniskirts in the ring."
Fortunately, the AIBA will be considering public opinion and feedback from the boxing world before making its final decision next week. That means if enough people sign Elizabeth's petition, you can force the AIBA to abandon the proposed dress code for good.
Thanks for being a change-maker,
- Shelby and the Change.org team
This email was sent by Change.org to mark@Rauterkus.com   |   Start a petition
Unsubscribe from future weekly updates. Edit your email notification settings.

Voters



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: West PA Black Political Assembly
Date: Friday, January 13, 2012
Subject:
To: Western PA Blk Pol Assembly <wpbpa2006@fastmail.fm>


PROTECT VOTING RIGHTS IN PENNSYLVANIA!

STATEWIDE PHONE-IN DAY - TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 9:00 am - 11:00 PM!

Join with other defenders of democracy by participating in a Statewide Phone-in Day Against Voter Suppression on Tuesday, January 17, between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Call your state Senator's Capitol office on Tuesday and insist that he or she oppose the Voter Suppression Bill (House Bill 934) as an unnecessary, expensive, and undemocratic obstacle to voting rights. Click HERE to find your senator's name, his/her State Capitol office number, and some suggestions about what to say.

The Pennsylvania Senate is poised to vote on legislation that will disenfranchise thousands of voters -- possibly as early as next week when the Senate returns from recess. House Bill 934, which was passed by the state House last summer, would deprive voters of the right to cast a ballot if they do not show a valid state-issued photo ID card, with only a few limited exceptions. This will particularly affect non-drivers (senior citizens who no longer drive, persons with disabilities, and residents of urban communities who travel by public transit), and the challenge of securing a non-driver photo ID card from PennDOT will be costly, difficult, and impossible for some. Supporters of the bill have been unable to show any evidence of voter identity fraud in Pennsylvania, because safeguards against fraudulent voting are already in place in our state. Worse yet, the legislation will cost Pennsylvania taxpayers millions to implement. Long lines at polling places are likely to form, leading other voters to simply give up and go home. Background info is available here.

Please join us in opposing voter suppression by calling your state Senator on Tuesday, and help spread the word!


Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Rick Adams and Rev. Tom Smith Co-Conveners WPBPA

E. Richard Phipps Comm. Secretary WPBPA


"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little. "
Franklin D. Roosevelt


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412 298 3432 = cell

Saturday, January 07, 2012

Fw: Rick Santorum Exposed

Sent from my BlackBerry®

From: "Ron Paul" <ron.paul@ronpaul2012.com>
Date: Sat, 07 Jan 2012 06:04:50 -0800
To: Liberty Activist<mark@rauterkus.com>
ReplyTo: ron.paul@ronpaul2012.com
Subject: Rick Santorum Exposed



Dear Liberty Activist,

The question everyone asks in the campaign for the Republican nomination for President is "Who is the genuine conservative?"

Obviously, it isn't Mitt Romney nor Newt Gingrich.

And just take a peek at Rick Santorum's Big Government voting record , rather than his current rhetoric, it's clear he is also a counterfeit conservative.

When you compare it to my record on opposing Big Government, deficit spending, and reckless growth in federal programs, I think you will conclude that I am "the real thing."

Just like the other "flavor of the week" establishment candidates, Rick Santorum's campaign will come crashing down once voters learn of his Big Government record.

In fact, my campaign just put together a TV ad called "Betrayal" highlighting Rick Santorum's long record of being part of the Big Government, big spending status quo in Washington.  Won't you take a minute to watch it.

Click to Watch the  Video

And, if you possibly can, I hope you'll agree to make a generous contribution to help me run this ad in New Hampshire, South Carolina and the other key early states.

As you'll see from my ad, Rick Santorum is anything but a conservative.  Just consider his record, which includes:

***     Padding his own wallet as a corporate lobbyist at the expense of taxpayers;

***     Voting to RAISE the debt ceiling five times;

***     Voting to DOUBLE the federal Department of Education;

***     Voting with liberals like Ted Kennedy on multiple occasions in support of Big Labor's radical agenda;

***     Urging more federal involvement in housing with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac;

***     Voting to create a brand new, unfunded entitlement, Medicare Part D, the largest expansion of entitlement spending since President Lyndon Johnson - creating $16 TRILLION in unfunded liabilities;

***     Endorsing liberal Big Government RINOs like Arlen Specter over conservatives.  Of course, Specter later became a Democrat and worked hand-in-glove with President Obama to pass his radical agenda;

***     Voting for Sarbanes-Oxley, which imposed dramatic new job-killing accounting regulations on businesses;

***     Supporting raising taxes on oil companies, which directly costs Americans more money out of their pockets at the gas pump;

***     Voting for gun control;

***     Voting to give Social Security benefits to illegal aliens, while voting against an additional 1,000 border patrol agents;

***     Voting to give $25 million in foreign aid to North Korea;

***     Voting to send hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to Planned Parenthood - the nation's largest provider of abortion - and hand out hundreds of billions of dollars in foreign aid to enemies of Israel.

But unlike many of my other establishment opponents, Rick Santorum isn't even trying to sweep his Big Government record under the rug.

He's proud of it!

Click to Watch the Video

Rick Santorum said constitutional conservatives have a "crazy" idea that government should "keep our taxes down, and keep our regulations low."

Not only that, but he endorsed Mitt Romney just four years ago!

How can the "alternative to Romney" also be a Romney supporter?

The truth is, Rick Santorum has no national campaign and no funding to compete against Mitt Romney, let alone Barack Obama.

And as I've laid out, there's no way his Big Government record can stand up to an ounce of scrutiny.

On the other hand, my campaign has seized the momentum in New Hampshire and elsewhere after my strong finish in Iowa.

That's because I've been warning about the dangers of Big Government, out-of-control spending, and runaway inflation for years.

In fact, I'm the only candidate to predict the current economic mess we're in right now.

In 2003, I predicted the housing crisis and pushed to get the government out of the mortgage business.

In 2008, I fought TARP and the Fed when they laid waste to our economy, while others in this race applauded their disastrous Big Government intervention.

And unlike my opponents, I am absolutely ready to enact real spending cuts, right now.

In fact, my Plan to Restore America cuts $1 trillion in federal spending during the first year of my presidency by eliminating five federal departments that I can actually name - Education, Energy, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, and Interior.

Click to Watch the Video

As President, I'll balance the budget by year three without cutting one penny from our veterans, our senior citizens, or our national defense.

That's what sets me apart - my plan, my record of being right while others were wrong, and my unmatched and unwavering record of fighting for fiscal responsibility and constitutional principles.

In a nutshell, it's my conservatism that's winning the day.

And today, I'm asking for your support.

These are troubling times for our country - times that call for conservative leadership.

A counterfeit like Rick Santorum won't cut it.

As I run for President, I want to make sure our Republican Party keeps its strong commitment to limited constitutional government and free market solutions.

The only way to do that is to nominate someone in 2012 who predicted the economic crisis long before it happened.  Someone who has conviction and has fought against Big Government in Washington his entire career.

And if you are so moved, I'd appreciate it if you would consider contributing to my presidential campaign, as well.  I don't have big corporations or special interests behind my campaign.

But I do have hundreds of thousands of individuals who care about getting our economy moving in the right direction again.

Whatever you can do, $500, $250, $100, or even $50, will help.

Together, you and I can Restore America Now.

For Liberty,

Ron Paul

P.S. Considering the trouble our nation is facing, we simply can't afford to nominate a counterfeit conservative.

As my new TV ad shows, Rick Santorum is just another counterfeit conservative with a long record of being part of the Big Government, big spending status quo in Washington.

The truth is, I'm the only candidate left in the race with the fundraising, organization and track record to defeat both Mitt Romney and Barack Obama.

So please, support my campaign and help get my message out to as many voters as quickly as possible.

Click to Watch the Video



Paid for by Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee

www.ronpaul2012.com

Friday, December 30, 2011

Fwd: 2011 Dirty Dozen Results & Summary Article


http://www.dannychew.com/dd_11.html

8 Links to 2011 DD Articles, Photos, & Videos

2011 DIRTY DOZEN RESULTS

The 29th annual Dirty Dozen was held on Saturday, November 26th. With a high temperature of 60 degrees F, mostly cloudy skies, and dry conditions, we had a record turnout of 305 riders! Of these 305 cyclists, 175 (57.4%) were rookies (first timers). A record 47 riders were over 50 years old including ten over 60. A record 16 teenagers. A record women's field of 16. 

Taking 1st & 2nd on the first 2 hills, Steve Cummings (Steevo) and Sam Morrison (started with a fractured wrist he got in a cyclocross race two weeks before) were tied for the lead when Steevo dropped his chain at the bottom of the 3rd hill (Berryhill) forcing him to go to the bottom for a restart. Sam placed 4th giving him a 7 point lead over Steevo. This made Steevo raving at me for going 10 places deep on the points this year. Instead of being down by just 2 points (old 5 place system), defending champ Steevo was down by 7. I explained to him that Sam could have a similar mishap on future hills such as Canton which causes many crashes even among the leaders. On the next 3 hills, Steevo was only able to gain one point on Sam on each hill, but on the toughest hill (#7 - Suffolk), Steevo won and Sam scored no points. This gave Steevo the lead again which he held to the end (winning 5 hills) for his record 8th consecutive DD win. Because of his fractured wrist, Sam stopped on the next hill (#8 - Sycamore) atop of which he quit. 

Finishing in 2nd & 3rd place were 5 time DD riders Eddie Grystar Jr. & Bob Stumpf - the only 2 riders to score points on every hill. The top rookie finisher & 4th place was my Nephew Steven Perezluha from Florida who finished solo Race Across AMerica (RAAM) this summer. Sprinters John Cotter & Mark Nicoll each won 2 hills. 51 year old Jim Doan was the first 40+ rider and finished in 7th place. Of the 29 men to score points, only 5 were rookies, but 8 were over 40 years old. Pro Bikes owner Craig Cozza was the only 40+ rookie to score points. This was the highest calibre DD field I have ever seen. Even with the points going 10 places deep, it was still quite difficult to score. The following riders dropped in places from last year to this year: Gerry Pflug went from 2nd place last year to 8th place this year. Joe Lydic fell from 3rd to 6th. Jonathan Pratt (not the photographer) dropped from 13th to 22nd. Gunnar Shogren went from 15th to 24th. I fell from 6th to 19th. 

Gunnar Shogren headed a new single gear/speed (SS) category this year. None of the bikes were fixed gear. The winner Bill (Stik) Westover finished in 10 place overall. He forfeited points on hill #6 (Pig Hill/Rialto St.) by deciding to climb in the SS heat. Montana Miller (first to finish DD on a fixed gear in 2009) broke Gunnar Shogren's (45x22 {2.045} fixed gear in 2010) highest low gear record by using a 36x17 {2.118} gear this year. Here are the SS results with the gears they used: 

1. Bill "Stik" Westover, 39x22 {1.773}, 10 place overall 
2. Gunnar Shogren, 36x19 {1.895} 
3. Donald Powers, 38x20 {1.900} 
4. Montana Miller, 36x17 {2.118}, a new highest low gear record 
5. Steve Harouff, 42x22 {1.909} 

Without the top 5 places returning from last year, the women's race was wide open this year. 14 out of the 16 women were rookies. I went 5 places deep on the points again. The women tie a piece of pink tape around their handlebars to distinguish themselves from the men. Ironman triathlete Anne-Marie Alderson led through the first 6 hills despite being shut out (no points) on hill #5 (Logan) in Millvale. Near the top of the hill, a guy crashed right in front of her causing her to stop (got a foot out before crashing) so she had to go back down and ride up the hill again. On the toughest hill (#7 - Suffolk), Alderson was shut out again, and Erin Yanacek won the hill and moved into the lead. 

A trumpet player at CMU, Erin lost her lead on the steepest (37% grade) hill - #9 Canton in Beechview which Alderson won and led to the end (winning 9 hills) for her first DD victory. After Erin's manfriend Jean-Christophe Veloso was seen pushing her up Canton, I insisted that she make it up on her own. After many failed attempts, she switched rear wheels with Jeff Lazar (a 25 cog for a 28 cog), and on her 7th try finally made it up - weaving at walking speed all the way across the rough cobblestones, and nearly coming to a stop several times. Bloodied up from crashes on the hill, Erin's heroic effort was truly remarkable and inspiring to watch by the huge, cheering crowd assembled on the hill. After one of these crashes, a photo shows her lying on the ground with her bike, and it looks like she is taking a nap. Erin won 3 hills and finished in 2nd place. 

Karen Brooks (of Dirt Rag Mag & Bicycle Times) finished 3rd. Despite not having her feet attached to her pedals (this gives a huge advantage for climbing up steep hills), Linda Thomas was 4th. Riding her mountain bike, 15 year old Angelina Palermo was 5th, and became the youngest female DD finisher. Only 5 women made it up all of the hills. The DD was quite a family affair for the Palermo's of Butler. Angelina's parents Ron & Cheryl rode, and Ron's brother Dan attempted to break bike race promoter JR Petsko's heaviest DD finisher record of 240 pounds (set in 2009). 245 pound Dan nearly had it until he had to veer off and loop around side streets on the last 2 hills. 

To be an official DD finisher, you must ride up every hill without stopping or crashing. You must have continuous forward motion UP the hill! You can weave back and forth as long as you are continuing to go UP. As soon as you start to go level or back down the hill, you are disqualified. You can go back down to the bottom of the hill, and try again as many times as you want. In the early days of 20 or fewer riders, I was able to keep track of who made all the hills, but once the DD grew bigger than this, I was unable to police it anymore. Now there exists an honor system where riders keep track of themselves. Of course when it comes to scoring points and setting DD records, I still have to keep track of this. 

With the DD growing so fast, I had to organize an entire staff again this year to help me run it. Thanks to Maura Spillane, Ashley Bock & Nina Wilczek for doing registration in the morning. Thanks to Lee-Ann's brother Kevin Beatty (men's), his wife Amanda (videotaped top men finishers), & Carol Moore (women's & single speed) for officiating (scoring points) atop hills. Thanks to Ron Lutz & son Eric and Dave Shaffer for driving the food vehicle, and organizing the food stops - Millvale's Riverfront Park on the Allegheny River at the bottom of the 5th hill Logan, and at the top of the 9th hill Canton Ave. Thanks again to Steve Mentzer for loaning me his 10 gallon orange coolers and 6 gallon blue cubes he uses for the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge. 

Thanks to Glenn Pawlak & Big Bang Bicycles for sponsoring the DD again this year. Glenn's brother Scott drove the BB support vehicle again with Glenn's son Isaac, and mechanic Evan Robinson making on-the-go repairs. Thanks to Gary Baun (Ian's father) for driving the clothing/spare equipment vehicle. If you lost any clothes, please e-mail him about it at soleman33@aol.com

Thanks to the Eat'n Park and Vice President Brooks Broadhurst who really stepped up to the plate this year. They donated hot chocolate, Smuckers Uncrustables peanut butter & grape jelly sandwiches, and smiley face cookies. Once theBud Harris Cycling Track (oval) parking lot filled up at the start in the morning, Brooks made sure people didn't park illegally by sending them down to overflow parking - a gravel lot North of the oval on Washington Blvd. Thanks also to the little girl who held up a sign for this. Brooks also allowed my DD food crew to empty trash and get water at his restaurant along the route at Crane Ave. & Banksville Rd. in Beechview before Canton Ave. At this location and at Middle Rd. & Rt. 8 in Shaler Twp. (also on the route between hills 3 & 4), Brooks had his employees come out and marshal traffic at these very busy, dangerous intersections. Here is a photo of Brooks, myself & Glenn at the start. The registration table is to our right. 

With such a huge pack/field of riders this year, safety became my #1 concern, so I increased the number of orange vest marshals and made Chris Helbling head marshal. A big thanks to Chris, his son Ian, & the rest of the marshals: Returning from last year were Bob {looks like Al from "Home Improvement" TV show with Tim Allen} Bliss (Aaron's father), Tom Reay (Andrew's father), & Michael Hordijk. Also helping were Gene Nacey & his daughter Nina Wilczek, Ken Kaszak, Mike Horowitz, Mark Rauterkus (Erik's father), and August (a woman from Miami, FL). Ron Mower (Tyler's father) was a motorcycle marshal. Riding marshals were Joe Ross, Matt Kurpiewski, Owen Bittner, & Seth Gernot. If I have left anybody out, please let me know who you are. Thanks to West Virginian Steve Harouff for giving us 4 stop/slow signs and 4 orange flags all of which belong to JR Petsko. 

Neighborhoods have been getting involved. Thanks to Julie Ewing & her Troy Hill crew for sweeping clean closed hill #6 - Pig Hill/Rialto St., and removing the barrier atop the hill. Thanks to Fineview's Melissa Gallagher for welcoming riders (with signs) up hill #7 - Suffolk/Hazelton/Burgess - the single toughest DD hill! Thanks to Oscar Swan and Bob Stumpf for lending me their electronic bullhorns again. 855 people have ridden (started) the DD over the past 28 years. 30 riders graduated to my 3 or more DDs ridden list this year. I was unable to ride the 2008 DD because of back surgery. This ended my record 25 consecutive DDs streak. Currently, Steevo has the longest consecutive DDs ridden streak at 9 years. Only 7 people have ridden more DDs than Steevo. Of these 7, only two (Ray Russell & myself) rode this year. Bryan Routledge has ridden the most DDs (9) without ever scoring any points. 

Congrats to all the riders who conquered every hill. To those who didn't, train harder next year and bring a lower gear. If you have say over 50 DD photos in a Facebook album and would like to share them, please send the link to me at DanChew@yahoo.com and I will put them in my media links section. Could somebody with an advanced GPS unit please send me a file with the entire (oval to oval) 50 mile DD route on it with a cue sheet at least as nice as this one? I need to replace the old one (Liberty Tunnels used to be on the course) on my website. 

Last year, brothers Rich & Greg Hartley started the DD, but only Rich was able to finish. This year, Greg came back and finished. Greg would like to get a 2010 DD jersey (black & yellow) for his brother Rich who inspired him to finish this year. Greg will pay the $75 purchase price for a size XL jersey in good condition. I still have one bran new (unopened) size medium jersey left. If your XL jersey is way too big (maybe you just lost a lot of weight), and you would like to make a trade, I can sell Greg my new one which he will trade you for your old one. If interested, please call Greg at 412-445-5570 or e-mail him at HartleyGreg@verizon.net 


 
Sincerely,

Danny

website: http://www.dannychew.com


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412 298 3432 = cell

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Ron Paul and a perspective on the race matters

Ron Paul gave CNN some answers yesterday and then the CNN reporter asked the same questions today. And, the question got a reply. And then the CNN reporter re-asked the same dang question over again. Go figure. Then I was reading a thread and came upon this remark reposted from someone called, "theredpill" at http://www.dailypaul.com.
The second flaw in the Ron Paul critique is that his voting record doesn't support what is being implied. After 30 years in public office shouldn't we see a pattern in his voting record that is blatantly racist? Unfortunately for his detractors, we don't. Some votes were not in favor of issues sympathetic to poor blacks. Some votes were not in favor of issues sympathetic to rich whites. In the balance his voting record (which is how he actually MUST be judged) shows an uncanny bravery and consistency. Agree with him or not I can see a constitutional thread through every single vote he's cast. There doesn't appear to be a specific race bias but more a guiding principle of not permitting favors or handicaps based on belonging to a group. His voting records says that people should be free to make their own choices and governments cant legislate who you speak with, love or hate. If I disagree with him at least I know the foundation of my counter argument. The constitution. In an era where lobbyists determine congressional votes by bribery isn't it refreshing and a bit inspiring that no such bias exists with this man? Rather than demonize the man for newsletters why don't you in the media find a consistent strain in his record in public office against blacks, Jews, hispanics or any other ethnic group specifically.

In addition to this I looked for a speech or presentation that contained racist rhetoric. Where is his Sally Kern style "..blacks are lazy" moment? Where is the moment where like Joe Biden, he says that "..."You cannot go to a 7-11 or Dunkin Donuts unless you have a slight Indian Accent."? Where is his outrageously racist quote similar to those we can find from Senator Byrd, Governor Wallace or even Hilary Clinton's now famous "Ghandi" quote? I can't even find a public Truman-esque "God does hate the Chinese and Japs" meltdown. With the way he's described I'd at least expect to hear something akin to the famous "...(God) created the white man. I know not who created the blacks" quote from Theodore Bilbo but I haven't found it. If Ron Paul is as racist as some in the media implies, I would think there would be a few Freudian slips from Mr. Paul. Yet there don't seem to be any that I can find.

--------------

There were many on the left who protested against accusations that Obama hated America due to his "spiritual mentor's" incendiary words. I think Barack's tolerance and support for Reverend Wright somewhat parallels Ron Paul's current situation. The views we support and our words do come back to haunt us. But should the possibility of his words alone disqualify Ron Paul? If we're going to judge Ron Paul in the history books as a racist, unfit to lead America in its darkest hour then is it fair for us to examine the words of others in the same light?Ghandi is the icon of civil disobedience. He was the face that inspired millions of Indians seeking independence from the British. But if he were judged by his views on race as the press is doing with Dr Paul he would be excluded from the pages of history as a be-speckled, calm loving pacifist.

Ghandi was a outspoken racist when he lived in South Africa. He had a newsletter called Indian Opinion where he regularly presented his anti black rhetoric such as ...

"...Why, of all places in Johannesburg, the Indian location should be chosen for dumping down all kaffirs (niggers) of the town, passes my comprehension. ...About this mixing of the Kaffirs with the Indians I must confess I feel most strongly. I think it is very unfair to the Indian population, and it is an undue tax on even the proverbial patience of my countrymen."

Beyond his anti-black rhetoric Ghandi was also rumored to have a slightly deviant perspective with regards to sex. So let me get this straight. If I'm Ghandi I can basically call people niggers (kaffirs), sleep with young girls and still end up being admired by Martin Luther King, become an icon to every peace activist in the world and even get a spot on the Apple "THINK DIFFERENT" commercial. Sounds good to me. If we judge Ron Paul by his newsletters is it safe to say we should judge Ghandi by his as well? Or does the Ron Paul Rule not apply?

We're taught that Winston Churchill was England's brave leader who kept the allied forces inspired with his words and deeds during WW2. Even though many Americans limited perspective of the British is gleaned from watching royal weddings, there are a good many that have learned that Churchill was a man to be admired. If we apply the Ron Paul rule to him however then he too must be disqualified from history as a racist deserving of scorn and not the leader we've been taught about. Churchill once said.

"...I do not admit for instance, that a great wrong has been done to the Red Indians of America or the black people of Australia. I do not admit that a wrong has been done to these people by the fact that a stronger race, a higher-grade race, a more worldly wise race to put it that way, has come in and taken their place"

Is it safe to say that Winston Churchill and Hitler agreed that there were superior and inferior races? It appears that what they disagreed on is who should lord over them.Abraham Lincoln is portrayed as the central hero in the emancipation of black slaves. A hero worthy of his own monument and face on the five dollar bill. However if we use the Ron Paul Rule we should also be told that he felt blacks were a lesser species and unfit for equality with whites?

Wasn't Abraham Lincoln the one that said

"... Your race suffer very greatly, many of them by living amongst us, while ours suffer from your presence. In a word, we suffer on each side. If this is admitted, it affords a reason at least why we should be separated."

Do you in the media ask us to denounce or disregard the words of these men? No and for good reason. They were imperfect men who espoused perfect ideas. As racist as Churchill was I'm happy that he stood shoulder to shoulder with the allies against Hitler. For as racist as Abraham Lincoln was and despite his reluctance to end slavery, he did influence the ending of that institution. Despite his attitudes towards blacks I will always have great respect for Mahatma Ghandi's sacrifice and heroism.

Like these icons of our freedom and peace, Ron Paul's words deserve scrutiny. How one views the world will affect how they govern. Ultimately though, it is his voting record and public statements that are the criteria by which he should be judged. If we vilify Ron Paul we must by definition do the same with Ghandi, Lincoln and dozens of others who are imperfect individuals.

Regardless of the views in those newsletters Ron Paul deserves the same respect afforded to Hilary Clinton, Joe Biden and Barack Obama. He's denounced the controversial contents. Let's move on. The words attributed to Ron Paul are no worse than the blatant racism of our accepted icons of virtue. For Ron Paul supporters, civil liberties, ending militarism and fighting against crony capitalism of the Federal Reserve takes precedence over these newsletters for good reason. If we're collectively shackled by debt or perhaps indefinitely detained for speaking our minds in what used to be the freest nation on earth the content of those newsletters won't really matter. In the final analysis, Ron Paul is an imperfect man with a nearly perfect, and very simple message.

Freedom is popular.