Fwd: Brian Terry is dead. What is Obama hiding?

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Grassfire Nation" <alert@grassrootsaction.com>
Date: Jun 22, 2012 7:30 PM
Subject: Brian Terry is dead. What is Obama hiding?
To: <mark@rauterkus.com>

From the Desk of: Steve Elliott, Grassfire Nation Friend, Next week, the full House is expected to vote on the "Contempt Of Congress" charge against Attorney General Eric Holder for the AG's obstruction in the investigation into the botched gun-walking scandal. Grassfire Nation is preparing to deliver "Holder Must Go" petitions to the House prior to that vote. We must be ready to deliver petitions early Monday. Our records show that you have not yet signed this petition. In order to have your name incluced in the next delivery, go here and sign the "Holder Must Go" petition: www.grassfire.com/191/petition.asp See below for our report on Why Fast And Furious Matters. Steve + + + + + + + + + + + + SPECIAL REPORT: Why Fast And Furious Matters In this highly charged political season, it's easy to lose sight of why we care about Fast and Furious, It's all about Brian Terry -- the border patrol agent who was murdered by illegal alien thugs who were armed by our own government. As Eric Odom writing on LIberty News said: The reason we care is very simple and straightforward. Brian Terry was murdered. The weapon used to murder him was made available by our Department of Justice. To date no one has been held responsible. The real question is not about why conservatives care so much about the situation. The real question is why do liberal media figures not? Why do they act as if this isn't a big deal and it's just a political witch hunt? What about Brian Terry? What about his family? The man was murdered! Brian Terry's family deserves answers. And the American people deserve answers for this tragic miscarriage of justice and subsequent cover-up. So this weekend, I'm asking you to do three simple things: #1: Sign the "Holder Must Go" petition We want to deliver at least 150,000 petitions to the House before the vote next week. That means we need another 16,000 petitions by Monday. Please go here and sign the "Holder Must Go" petition: www.grassfire.com/191/petition.asp #2 -- Join the Brian Terry Tribute On Facebook Liberty News just launched a special Facebook tribute page to Brian Terry. I encourage you to "like" this page and help spread the word about the real tragedy behind the Obama administration's botched gun-walking scandal. #3 -- Stay Informed As we noted yesterday, it is vitally important that grassroots Americans stay engaged on this issue. Liberty News has posted more than two dozen stories on this issue in the past few weeks. Here are a few from the past 24 hours: 1995 Holder Vid Shows Desire to Brainwash Against Guns Brian Terry's Family Releases Statement Regarding Executive Privilege Rush: Tell Brian Terry's Family Holder Stopped Fast & Furious! (Video) White House Says Fast and Furious Hearings "Unworthy of Congress" Pelosi: Holder Held In Contempt Because He'd Stop GOP Voter Suppression (Video) Rep. Trey Gowdy: Pelosi's Statement "Mind Numbingly Stupid" (Video) Thanks for the stand you are taking. Steve Elliott +   +  +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +  +  +   +   +   +   +   + (Note: Please do not "reply" directly to this e-mail message. This e-mail address is not designed to receive your personal messages. To contact Grassfire Nation with comments, questions or to change your status, see link at the end.) + + + + + Grassfire Nation, a division of Grassroots Action, Inc., is a million-strong network of grassroots conservatives that is dedicated to equipping you with the tools that give you a real impact on the key issues of our day.  Copyright 2012 Grassroots Action, Inc. + + Comments? Questions? http://www.grassfire.com/email.asp?ind=10 + + Technical questions only:  For technical questions regarding this email, go here:  (Not for comments/feedback on this update) http://www.grassrootsaction.com/r.asp?U=116983&CID=191&RID=35563773 + + + + + Click here to be removed from this list or send a written request to: Grassroots Action PO Box 277 Maxwell,IA 50161 You are signed up as: mark@rauterkus.com. Click here to change your email address.

Fwd: GETTING GREAT IDEAS OFF THE GROUND

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bill Peduto
Date: Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Subject: GETTING GREAT IDEAS OFF THE GROUND
To: mark@rauterkus.com



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Pittsburgh is an awesome city and Awesome Pittsburgh -- a local chapter of the Awesome Foundation -- rewards ideas each month that add to that awesomeness with a $1,000 grant. They're looking for projects which have a wow factor and that have both local impact and global resonance. The grants come with no strings attached.

If you have an awesome idea for Pittsburgh, you can apply online through The Awesome Foundation's website here. The deadline is the 15th of each month. Awesome Pittsburgh has additional tips for applying at their website here.

 

 

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The Sprout Fund is one of Pittsburgh's MVPs. For 10 years they have been funding some of the most innovative, coolest projects and programs this city has to offer. I've had the great honor to work with them over the years and have seen them blossom from a tiny upstart organization to one of the most prolific and impactful grantmakers in this region.

Their Seed Awards, small $500-10,000 grants, are part of what makes them so special. These awards are meant to give a jumpstart to a project in the early stages of development and, with a bit of luck, help it reach fruition.

 

 

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New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg announced last week a $9 million grant program to fund the best ideas generated by cities across the country. Mayors have until September 14, 2012 to submit an idea and the Bloomberg Philanthropies will choose 20 finalists to attend the Bloomberg Ideas Camp to sharpen their proposals. One grand prize winner will receive a $5 million prize and four runners up will receive $1 million each.

Mayor Bloomberg knows that cities are the laboratories of innovation and I applaud his efforts to use his personal wealth to help spur the next big idea.

For more on the announcement and the challenge, check out this video on YouTube.

 

 

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The Convergence Partnership, a consortium of grantmakers interested in the intersection of health and place, is looking for some innovative new ideas. The Fund supports innovative programs at the local and regional levels that expand access to healthy food and build sustainable communities -- particularly in those neighborhoods and communities that haven't seen economic development in decades.

Convergence is a foundation that funds foundations. They seek out local and regional grantmakers and encourage them to take risks, focus on equity in their funding, and look for sustainable, long-term solutions. They provide several years of matching funds -- up to $200,000 to accomplish these goals.

Pittsburgh is blessed with a world-class community of foundations and I encourage them to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity.

 

 

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The PNC Neighborhood Wishlist is a new program by PNC Bank which helps make good things happen in our neighborhoods. Up to 100 ideas will receive up to $500 each for community improvement projects. To get started, go to their Facebook page and submit a project. If your project is picked, you'll need to get your friends to vote for it -- one vote for every dollar you're requesting.

PNC Neighborhood Wishlist will only be reviewing the first 500 projects submitted by July 1st. Submissions started this week, so apply now.

 

 

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Carnegie Mellon University's Open Field Entrepreneurs Fund (OFEF) provides early-stage business financing to recent CMU graduates who want to become entrepreneurs and drive innovation. The fund was created by CMU alumnus Jonathan Kaplan, the creator of Flip video camera; Kaplan's wife, Marci Glazer; and Kaplan classmate and bitly CEO, Peter Stern. OFEF recently granted $500,000 to 10 startup companies -- 7 of which are located in Pittsburgh.

If you've graduated from Carnegie Mellon in the last 5 years, you can apply for the next round of grants online here.

 

 

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Throughout the 1950s, acclaimed newsman Edward R. Murrow ran a radio program called "This I Believe." During the program, notable leaders of business, politics, and community read essays about their core beliefs and guiding principles -- the things that made them successful. In 2004, This I Believe, Inc. was formed to carry on that legacy and encourage youth and adults alike to write about what drives them and create conversations and educational opportunities around these ideas.

Judith R. Robinson, a Pittsburgh-based poet, was asked to submit one of these essays and it is my pleasure to share it with you.

Do you have an idea on how to build a better Pittsburgh that you'd like to submit for inclusion in our newsletter? If you have some thoughts or a project you'd like to share, please email barron@billpeduto.com and your idea may appear in The Guest Post in a future newsletter.

 

 

Be sure to visit www.billpeduto.com every week to learn more about what is happening in Pittsburgh and www.reformpittsburghnow.com in order to know what is happening in City Council. You can also subscribe to Bill on Facebook, follow Bill on Twitter, and connect with Bill on Linked-In.

 

 

 

 

Paid for by People for Peduto

People for Peduto
PO Box 9161
Pittsburgh, PA 15224<http://images.myngp.com/images/newtracker.aspx?CampaignID=1650&MailID=48991641>
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Ta.
 
 
Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com    
PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim and Water Polo Camp Head Coach with Neighborhood Learning Alliance

http://NeighborhoodLearning.org

http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://FixPA.wikia.com
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: 8th Annual Jazz on the Hillside

8th Annual Jazz on the Hillside
SHCDP hosts annual Jazz Concert in Hill District
 
Greetings,

The office of Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle is proud to announce that the 8th annual Jazz on the Hillside fundraising concert will take place on the lawn of the Schenley Heights Community Development Program multi-purpose center at 3171 Ewart Drive. The celebration will take place on Friday, June 22, 2012 from 5pm to 9pm. This event will honor and highlight Pittsburgh's renowned and rich jazz legacy. In the chance of rain, the concert will be held at Milliones University Prep located at 3117 Centre Avenue. There is a suggested donation of $35 for food and entertainment.

The Jazz on the Hillside celebrates the mission of the SHCDP and Pittsburgh's Musical legacy with an evening of entertainment that will feature music from artists such as Jeff Montgomery, Howie Alexander, Tubby Daniels, Southern Comfort, and several other local jazz artists. Last but not least, the Pittsburgh Jazz Society founder Tony Mowod will be acting as the event's emcee.

The SHCDP is a non-profit community organization that was established in 1995 to provide an alternative to crime and other socially destructive activities that often plague inner-city, low-income communities. There they have a suite of programs catered to Pittsburgh's urban youth that promote academic and life success, as well as behavioral and physical wellness.

Please join us for this 8th annual Jazz on the Hillside fundraising concert. The proceeds from Jazz on the Hillside will go towards the support of SHCDP programs that include the After School Tutorial Enrichment Program, the Summer Enrichment Program, the NADIA Track and Field Program, Project LEARNS at Weil Elementary School, parent support groups, and early childhood classrooms. Again, we would love to see you at the event. For tickets and any other information, please contact the SHCDP at (412) 621-3341.

From DISTRICT 6 NEWS


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Ta.
 
 
Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com    
PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim and Water Polo Camp Head Coach with Neighborhood Learning Alliance

http://NeighborhoodLearning.org

http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://FixPA.wikia.com
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: Policy Brief: Pittsburgh Promise Raises Money, But Misses Primary Goals

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "allegheny institute for public policy" <allegheny_institute_for_public_p@mail.vresp.com>
Date: Jun 20, 2012 1:38 PM
Subject: Policy Brief: Pittsburgh Promise Raises Money, But Misses Primary Goals
To: <mark04@rauterkus.com>

	Policy Brief (Volume 12, Number 32)
		Pittsburgh Promise Raises Money, But Misses Primary Goals     (June 20, 2012)--Last week was a bounty of good news for boosters of the Pittsburgh Promise.  It was announced that $160 million had been raised over the past four years, putting it well on its way to a ten year target of $250 million.  The first recipients of money from the 2007-08 graduating class that went to a four year program just completed their studies.   The Promise uses funds to provide money for post-secondary education costs for students of the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) or one of the City's charter schools who attend from at least the 9th grade on, have a minimum 2.5 grade point average, a minimum 90 percent attendance record, and are accepted to an accredited public or private post-secondary school in Pennsylvania.    The stated goals of the Pittsburgh Promise program, as outlined on its website, are threefold:   Mitigate and reverse population declines in the City of Pittsburgh and enrollment declines in Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) Grow the high school completion rates, college readiness, and post-high school success of all students in PPS Deploy a well-prepared and energized workforce and an eager core of community volunteers The focus of this analysis is on enrollment and college readiness. Presumably, from the stated goals, both should have improved as a result of the Promise. Has either happened? According to District audits, total enrollment in PPS from the year before the Promise was announced (2004-05) to the most recent available year (2009-10) fell from 32,529 to 27,132, or by 5,397 students.  This was slightly more than the decline in the previous five year period (2000-01 to 2004-05) when enrollment dipped by just over 5,000.  The District's 2012 general fund budget summary states "even as the City of Pittsburgh's population has declined, the number of students attending [PPS] has declined even faster".  If the budget's enrollment numbers are accurate, enrollment in 2011-12 stood at 25,034.  Using SAT scores as the best objective measure of academic achievement and preparedness for college we can assess whether the Promise program has had a salutary effect on learning in Pittsburgh schools.   In the 2004-2005 school year, 1,096 Pittsburgh school district students at ten high schools took the SAT exam.  The average score on the math portion was 478 while the average for the verbal section stood at 473. In the 2010-2011 school year, 977 students took the exam, a drop of 11 percent from 2004-05.  The number of test takers fell from the 2004-05 level at eight of the ten schools, with only the CAPA performing arts school showing a significant rise in the number of students taking the test.  Westinghouse test takers were also up slightly.  The average math score in 2010-11 had slipped to 462 and the verbal slid to 458. Scores fell at every high school on either the verbal or math portion and most often both except for CAPA. What's worse, the average for all high schools hides a bad story.  If the reasonably good scores at Taylor Allderdice and CAPA are taken out, the average math score for the eight other schools dips to 425 and the verbal to 416. Several schools' combined verbal and math score failed to reach a total score of 800 and have fallen even further below the state and national averages since 2004-05. By way of comparison, the state combined average score was 994 and the national was 1,011.  As long as SAT scores keep falling why would parents who care deeply about the quality of their children's education want to keep them in Pittsburgh schools or move to Pittsburgh so they can take advantage of the Promise program?  If they can enroll at Taylor Allderdice or CAPA, maybe: otherwise, no. The Allegheny Institute noted on previous occasions that education performance might well decline since the criteria set for receiving Promise funds were so low in order to provide help to virtually all students who graduate and apply for the money. In short, the Pittsburgh Promise has yet to deliver either greater enrollment or better academic performance. By promising money to anyone with a 2.5 average, the incentive to study hard is even further reduced. And there is no way to tell how much easier grading has become over the period in order to help as many students as possible to receive college funds. But to the extent these factors are operating, the Promise program is actually hurting education. Sending unprepared students to college is a dreadful thing to do in terms of their futures as well as wasting resources that could be put to better use. If the Promise is going to achieve either of these primary goals it needs to establish stricter standards of academic achievement by putting a minimum SAT score qualification.  Certainly, any student that cannot score 850 on the SAT is going to have problems in college.  Promise grants could be escalated for each 100 additional points scored on the SAT.  By encouraging students to do better in order to receive Promise funding, the PPS might actually see some improvement in academic achievement.  Jake Haulk, Ph.D., President Eric Montarti, Senior Policy Analyst   If you wish to support our efforts please consider becoming a donor to the Allegheny Institute.The Allegheny Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible.Please mail your contribution to: The Allegheny Institute 305 Mt. Lebanon Boulevard Suite 208 Pittsburgh, PA15234   For more on this topic click here Link to Allegheny Institute Website Forward this Brief to a friend
	Tel: (412) 440-0079 Fax: (412) 440-0085 Email: aipp@alleghenyinstitute.org

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Race. Grant is 2nd from L. MB is 4th, Erik is 5th.

Latest message from Ron Paul

Mark Sammartino, recent candidate for office of the Pgh Federation of Teachers, may have written in an email:

This got sent as an email and I think it is legit.

I cannot begin to express my appreciation to all of the PFT Members who have given me, and the entire TFC Slate, such incredible support over the past year. I am honored to have had the opportunity to meet and talk with so many of you. I have learned a lot about your thoughts and concerns with respect to the PFT’s role in supporting you and I will continue to share your opinions at Executive Board Meetings. Additionally, I want to congratulate Nina, Jason Bell, and the members of the CCEU Slate who won positions on the Executive Board.

I am obviously disappointed at the results of the election; however, I do respect the membership’s decision. I am dismayed at the paltry vote total. Approximately 50% of our members did not vote. I cannot fathom this. The source of my frustration isn’t that I believe that I may have won with better participation; rather, I am amazed at the apathy of our colleagues. For the PFT to provide strong representation for its members we must have full participation in our union. Both the CCEU Slate and the TFC Slate sent out several mailings informing our members about their options. The fact that 50% of us didn’t participate is inexcusable.

Throughout the campaign the TFC Slate has been talking about the importance of the membership’s opinion and solidarity. Now that the election is over we all need to do everything we can to unite our membership. This process must include seeking out the 50% of members who didn’t vote, find out the source of their apathy, and get them involved. Our profession continues to be under attack by a plethora of groups. For us to defend our rights, educate the public on the true aspects of our jobs, and protect our members, we must be united. This doesn’t mean that we will blindly follow where the Executive Board leads; it means we must participate fully in our Union and ensure that our elected leaders take us down a path that is dictated by the membership. I am very hopeful and optimistic that Nina will be responsive to the membership and lead us down a path that is dictated by the members.

Once again the TFC Slate and I would like to thank you for your support and encouragement. We ask that you not only continue your participation in our Union but that you increase it.

Sincerely,

Mark Sammartino

Stand up and cheer, except at your own kid's high school graduation

So sad. Gotta read this load of crap.

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/05/12068135-sc-mom-busted-at-kids-graduation-i-cheered-for-my-baby-and-i-got-the-cuffs?lite

Motherload of school news comes from this new blog

Check it out.  http://www.pa-sos.org/ 

I am going to put it on this blog's sidebar now. 

Fwd: Fw: Thanks for taking action. Can you help spread the word?

An email with footnotes.

Reposting it about democracy.

. . . . . Snip starts . . . .

Thanks for demanding an end to Florida's unlawful voter purge and calling on Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate Governor Rick Scott and Secretary Ken Dentlzer. Now can you take a moment to ask your friends and family to do the same?
Below is a sample message you can copy and paste into a new email. Please only send it to people you know personally — spam only hurts our campaign.
 
Dear Friends,
An unprecedented attack on the right to vote is happening in Florida — a state George Bush "won" by just 573 votes in 2000.1
Florida Governor Rick Scott is trying to purge state voter rolls just before a key election2. Scott's purge will give 180,000 Floridians — 87% of whom are people of color — 30 days to prove their citizenship.3 Any person who does not provide proof will be dropped from the rolls and deemed ineligible to vote. If this reckless plan succeeds, thousands of eligible voters could be disenfranchised.4It could sway upcoming primary elections, and the presidential election.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) sent a letter to Florida Secretary of State Ken Dentzler demanding a halt to the purge.5Governor Scott just responded with blatant disregard for the order and explained Florida's plan to continue the purge.
The DOJ has already taken the first step to stop this purge, now they need to hear that we're behind them. Florida's county election officials, Governor, and Secretary of State need to know that we will use our collective power to fight and protect our voting rights, and our democracy.
Please join us in demanding that Florida officials stop this purge, and asking the DOJ to investigate Governor Scott and Secretary Dentzler for violating the law. It only takes a moment:
http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/rickscott/

In April, Governor Scott began the purge by sending lists of over 2,600 suspected non-citizen voters to county election officials across the state. After reviewing the lists and Scott's method of compiling non-citizen names, several officials (mostly Republican) have refused to comply with the state sanctioned voter purge, citing the lists as unreliable and suspect.6

This unlawful move is painfully reminiscent of the voter purges in 2000 ordered by former governor Jeb Bush — where thousands of mostly Black and Latino voters were disenfranchised prior to a presidential election. That year, despite much controversy, George Bush's victory was decided by a mere 573 votes.7

Based on current ratios of Floridians falsely flagged as non-citizens, there may be more than 35,000 eligible voters disenfranchised by this proposed voter purge in a state where elections have been decided by far fewer votes.8

This is not the first time Florida has come under federal scrutiny for tampering with the voting process. Just last year, the U.S. Department of Justice challenged three changes to the state's election law as discriminatory under the Voting Rights Act.9 Florida's legislature is seeking to cut the early voting period in half, place prohibitive regulations on voter registration drives and increase the use of provisional ballots. These changes effectively disrupt the voting process at several stages, suppress the vote by shrinking the electorate, and disproportionately affect Black and Latino voters.

For years, Republicans have used every trick in the book to gain a political advantage and steal elections by preventing certain kinds of people — Black people, Latinos, students, the elderly, and the poor — from voting. Right-wing groups and public officials use a range of tactics to advance this agenda: passing discriminatory voter ID laws, manipulating the distribution of voting machines, restricting voter registration,10 and attacking groups that register large numbers of voters. As a way of justifying many of these policies, they have spread the myth that "voter fraud" (individuals voting illegally) is a widespread problem, when in fact it occurs almost never.11 Voter purges like the one we're seeing in Florida are a very powerful form of voter suppression.
Governor Scott is waging a full assault on an essential component of any democracy — the right to vote. If the DOJ doesn't take further action to stop Governor Rick Scott's voter purge, thousands of citizens could become ineligible to vote. Please join us, and our partners at Florida New Majority, in this effort to end state sanctioned voter suppression. And when you do, please ask your friends and family to do the same:

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/rickscott/
Thanks and Peace,
-- Rashad, Gabriel, Dani, Matt, Natasha, Kim, Aimée, Charlene, Arisha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team

June 9th, 2012

References
1. "Florida weighs warning against voter purge," Reuters, 6-2-12
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/02/us-usa-voting-florida-idUSBRE85011W20120602
2. "Florida Continuing to Protecting Citizen Voting Rights, Miami Herald," 6-6-12
http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2012/06/06/18/40/7E4PS.So.56.pdf
3. "Florida voter-suppression campaign means WWII vet has to prove he is American or lose his vote," BoingBoing, 6-1-12
http://boingboing.net/2012/06/01/florida-voter-suppression-camp.html
4. "Florida Gov. Scott appears ready to fight DOJ on voter rolls purge," Miami Herald, 6-6-12
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/06/v-print/2835357/florida-gov-scott-appears-ready.html
5. "TPM Docs- DOJ Demands Florida Stop Voter Purge, ThinkProgress," downloaded 6-6-12
http://www.scribd.com/doc/95500652/TPM-Docs-DOJ-Demands-Florida-Stop-Voter-Purge
6. "Florida Election Officials Refuse to Use Rick Scotts Inaccurate List to Purge Voters," ThinkProgress, 6-1-12
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/06/01/493206/florida-elections-officials-refuse-purge-voters-inaccurate-lists/
7. See reference 1
8. "Florida voter purge to intensify," The Rachel Maddow Blog, MSNBC.com, 5-31-12
http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/news/2012/05/31/11987875-florida-voter-purge-to-intensify?lite.
9. "Shameless: Florida's Tea Party Governor Trying to Strip Voting Rights from Thousands," AlterNet, 5-31-12
http://www.alternet.org/teaparty/155676/shameless%3A_florida's_tea_party_governor_trying_to_strip_voting_rights_from_thousands/.
10."Voter registration groups sue over new Florida election law," Tampa Bay Times, 12-16-12
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/legislature/voter-registration-groups-sue-over-new-florida-election-law/1206508 "The Myth of Voter Fraud," Washington Post, 3-29-07
http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/the_myth_of_voter_fraud/
11."The Myth of Voter Fraud," Washington Post, 3-29-07
http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/the_myth_of_voter_fraud
You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time.
 
 
"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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Ta.
 
 
Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com    
PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim and Water Polo Camp Head Coach with Neighborhood Learning Alliance

http://NeighborhoodLearning.org

http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://FixPA.wikia.com
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Groupthink at school

The trouble with 'Groupthink' in school reform from The Answer Sheet at the Washington Post This reminds me of a phenomenon called "Groupthink." What we are experiencing in education is actually a virulent and coercive strain of Groupthink, and it is harming our students. The value of test data has been inflated way beyond its true worth, in a manner similar to real estate prices during the bubble of the past decade. Once this bubble is launched, many people begin to depend on it for their livelihoods.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/the-trouble-with-groupthink-in-school-reform/2012/06/08/gJQAywg6OV_blog.html#pagebreak

PR video for Neighborhood Learning Alliance about waterpolo with me, Coach Mark

Let's all go swimming on Thursday, after school is out!

We’re going for a Guinness World Record!

Thelma Lovette YMCA is a host site for…

…and YOU’RE INVITED!

Pre-register NOW for this unique event to be a part of history and receive a FREE swimming lesson!

June 14^th, 2012Check-in: 10-10:30am
Lesson begins promptly at 11 am(must be present for the entire lesson to be included in the attempt)

You will receive an official certificate showing your participation in the Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous swimming lesson happening around the entire world!

REGISTER TODAY!

Worlds Largest Swim Lesson, world record. Happens Thursday at Hill District's YMCA. Kids and teachers are invited.

I will try to be there. What about you?

Rivers Casino wants what?

Got an email from Rose that read in part:

So, the what of the Rivers Casino's tax assessment appeal for years 2009-2013 - an appeal that if they win will force the Pittsburgh School District to write a check to the Casino for somewhere in the ballpark of $5 million dollars!

So much for the new Casino benefiting our communities! I would like to have as many community groups as possible sign an open letter to the Casino (that we could hopefully get printed in the paper) to tell them to stop their appeals. This is mostly to shame the Casino - whose owner, Neil Bluhm, is on the record in New York telling investors about the hundreds of millions of dollars they are making at the Rivers just weeks before he testified in Allegheny County tax court that "in 20/20 hindsight he never would've made the investment here" because they've lost so much on their investment(!) - and to scare other major real estate holders and corporations from taking on the same sort of appeals and deprive our schools of even more desperately needed funds. I'll be reaching out by phone about this soon, starting with those of you directly involved with education focused groups, but please, if this interests you, reach out to me now and we can figure out how best to work together on it.

Pitt has Big East flap pulled from Allegheny County to Federal Courts

See the court papers from Pitt about the case.  http://aforathlete.wikia.com/wiki/File:BIG_EAST_COMPLAINT.pdf

Plan A is still Ron Paul pulling off a Tampa miracle. Plan B is Gary Johnson.

Now that's Drama! Pittsburgh High School kids got a taste of bigots in the Culture District

Link to a story in the school newspaper about the CLO treatment of a high school theater group at the awards night.

http://www.obamaeagle.org/top-stories/2012/06/05/obama-drama-voices-protest-over-gene-kelly-awards/

I'm proud that the school newspaper did such an article.

Tweet it!

Update:

A friend posted speculation that this will all be worked out and that the article will be taken down from the website. My reply is different. I said, "No way will the article be taken down from the school paper. That would be more of an outrage than the crap the kids experienced in the Cultural District that day.

Schools are getting an "F" in this graphic.

I didn't create it, just re-posting it. Food for thought. Chew as you wish, mouth open or closed is fine.


Via: OnlineEducation.net

Graduation speech for the kids from Glenbrook Evening High School

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight
you, then you win."

Last night I was invited to deliver the Commencement Address to
the Graduating class of 2012 at my high school.

Consider this a great milestone for our efforts to restore America.

Why?

For years we have fought to make our message part of the American
Dialog using every format we can think of... Websites, films,
news shows, flyers, street actions, elections and more...

Despite the attacks from the establishment against our message the
fact that I was given the podium and able to address the young
graduates is a major victory.

We recorded it for you to see and share. I hope it inspires.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W8Zg_-oDbI


Forever Vigilant for Liberty,

Gary Franchi
RTR National Director

FUD kills nations too

From another source on a web thread:

The concept of "Romney Supporters" is an Oxymoron. So refer to them instead as the (GOP) "establishment".

The establishment's biggest weakness (problem) is that they embrace the culture of FEAR.

Fear is at the root of our country's problems. These fears have been created, nurtured, expanded, and embedded into our very culture by TPTB for the purpose of manipulating the people into surrendering to tyranny and the NWO. (death of Liberty)

Based on my experience, I think they KNOW that our country is screwed, but because they have such great FEAR they fail to take any action - including mentally recognizing the problems, and therefore doing anything about them - (we would call them "asleep" vs. those with less / no fear are "awake").

Now, because they are driven by their fears, it is much easier for them to "accept" the falsehoods of TPTB and actually embrace evil than it is to "man up" and do what is right. They SUBMIT to SLAVERY because they are COWARDS.

FUD = Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt.

Israel and apartheid

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Julian P Heicklen" <jph13@psu.edu>
Date: Jun 1, 2012 9:35 PM
Subject: Israel and apartheid
To: "Julian Heicklen" <jPH13@psu.edu>

Hi Tyranny Fighters

I have received e-mails, seen Facebook postings, and videos, where Israel is called an apartheid state.

This e-mail is to clarify this situation.

The world is an apartheid world.  It is sending all of its Jews to live in the ghetto called Israel.

Anti-semitism has grown rapidly since 2000 all around the world.  Jews are fleeing their native countries.

A significant factor driving this is the emigration of Muslims into many world countries, particularly in Europe.

The Muslims are the world's leading zionists, driving Jews into Israel.

As far as I know, there are only 2 countries in the world where the Jewish population is growing.

These countries are Israel and Germany.

Since the second world war, the Jewish population in Germany has grown from zero to about 100,000, mostly emigrants from the former Soviet Union.

Over the same period, the Jewish population in Israel has grown from about 100,000 to over 6 million.

In all of the rest of the world Jews have been sufficiently badly treated that they left their home countries.

All of Africa, except South Africa and maybe Morocco is cleared of Jews.

All of Asia, except for Iran, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and parts of India have been cleared of Jews.

Vast emigrations now are taking place from Western Europe.

Emigrations are increasing from North America.  In Jerusalem, I live in an area of almost total North American Jews.

Please be careful when you use the word apartheid in reference to Israel.  Israel is the ghetto.  The rest of the world is apartheid.

Yours in freedom and justice—Julian

Teachers teach

Bram is diving into education at his blog. He is way out of his comfort zone, and that's okay from time to time.

I posted this at his blog.

---

Here is the deal. Bad teachers should be fired. That needs to happen throughout time.

Good teachers in the wrong settings, perhaps, should be moved to different settings once or twice. But, PPS can't be keeping bad teachers.

There are very few bad teachers, but they are exist.

Furthermore, if we did fire bad teachers, then it would be easy to decide who needs to stay and who needs to go based upon years on the job.

Because some bad teachers have stayed too long, because of failures of middle and upper management, and because of a lack of peer review among teachers, we are in a mess.

Yes, teachers need to watch out for other teachers, helping and otherwise.

I wish there was more peer review and more peer pressure.

First, gang up on the teacher (among other teachers, staff and administration and even trusted parents) so that the challenges are overcome to make sure that the students are getting good opportunities, making progress and successes are delivered.

But by the end of the year, the staff needs to realize that the hand holding can't be forever.

Sadly, when a teacher is floundering, they don't get the help. And in due time, they don't get the next assignment nor the boot.

Bad teachers that linger are hurting public education, PPS and the Teachers Union. IMNH, good and great teachers have to carry some (say 5%) of the blame. The principals get the lion's share of the blame. Central Admin gets some too.

Great teachers know what's going on in their buildings.

Ask how much impact in all the rubics outlined in the blog posting are with peer review?

Heading to Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday

These students get to go to Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday at 10 am to get a Proclamation. Erik Rauterkus (far right) is the Pennsylvania Youth Governor this year.

Flashback: Four years ago, we were getting set for the Olympics in Beijing

We love the Olympics. In 2008, we went to Beijing. Here is a little slide show from then.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0ByN94c3Pp4BpYTYyYTMzMWUtZmM1My00NjIwLWE1YWEtYWY3YTMwZmE5OTdk

John Carlos in the UK, before the London Olympics

My life is not about winning medals. My life is about being a freedom fighter.

It is not about "black vs. white." That is what they want us to believe. It is about "right vs. wrong."

Olympic Project for Human Rights.

I am not afraid to offend my oppressor.

Grant jumps from NA Tigers to Princeton Tigers to get ready for possible JO tournament in California in August

Screen shot.

USA_Waterpolo_Transfer_Grant_May_2012.bmp

So, this summer Grant might play water polo at the JOs in northern California with a team from Princeton. The deadline for switching one's club status is tomorrow. Grant moved from being a NA Tiger to a Princeton Tiger.

This happens all the time. The NA program is going to field teams in other age groups, but not 14-under boys.

Fwd: Raising money for Obama music programs -- by baking! (PSO concert too)

From: Jean Siegel <jeanmsiegel@gmail.com>

Hi PPS Parents,

Would you please help earn money for PPS Obama Academy's music
programs -- by baking?

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is returning to East Liberty
for a fifth annual Community Engagement Concert at East Liberty
Presbyterian Church on Saturday, June 2nd at 7:00 p.m.

ALL proceeds from the concert will benefit music education programs at
Pittsburgh CAPA, Pittsburgh Dilworth, Pittsburgh Obama, and Hope
Academy of Music and the Arts.

Helen Blier is again running the bake sale after the event, once
again, the proceeds will support the music programs at the 4 schools.
She's a little stricter than I am baking for teachers -- she asks
folks to make something, and to individually wrap the items, so they
can sell them a piece at a time.  Please contact Helen at   pacem1
-at- gmail -dot- com. Also, Helen would appreciate one or two
volunteers to staff the bake sale as well.

If you're interested in the concert itself, here are the details:
(please buy your tickets at the school from Mr. Schrader, because then
we keep all the money)

Tickets:

$10 - Adults

$ 5 - Students & Seniors 60+

FREE - Children and youth 18 and under with adult

SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICALLY IMPORTANT: The proceeds from tickets we sell
at the school before the concert, we get to keep, completely. That's
100%, as in all (A-L-L) of it!

Tickets are available for purchase at the school from Mr. Schrader.

Tickets are also available online at Brown Paper Tickets
www.brownpapertickets.com (online sales will be split between the four
participating schools).

There will be cash sales at the door the evening of the performance
(door sales will also be split between the four schools).

THANK YOU for your support.

Fwd: Car Wash / Bake Sale

We are sponsoring a car wash, bake sale with kettle corn, apple crisp.

Busy Beaver - Crafton/Ingram shopping center from 9 to 3 pm on Sat.
May 26, 2012.

Come and let us wash your car and have some apple crisp or kettle corn
while you wait.

From Coach Mike Schneiderlochner

Fwd: Heicklen flees U. S.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Julian P Heicklen <jph13@psu.edu>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HEICKLEN FLEES UNITED STATES

Julian Heicklen arrived in Israel on May 22, 2012 as a political exile.  He was granted Israel citizenship at customs.  

There is a warrant for his arrest in Santa Ana, CA  because he distributed pamphlets on the sidewalk in front of the U. S. District Courthouse in Santa Ana.  Also he was arrested for the same offense, but the cases were dismissed, in Springfield, MA, Newark, NJ, and 11 times in Manhattan, NY.  However the Department of Homeland Security refuses to return his confiscated property.

He was tortured 7 times in 3 New York hospitals and once in a Springfield hospital.  He was dragged out of his bed at home  at 6:00 am by 11 law enforcement officers and placed in jail in the federal courthouse in Manhattan.

He was arrested by New York City police for standing on the sidewalk in front of the Isaiah wall across from the UN building in New York City and holding two signs which read STOP HATING JEWS.  As a result he was incarcerated for two weeks in the Riker's Island jail before his case was dismissed in the interest of justice.  However New York City refuses to return his confiscated property.

He has been convicted for criminal contempt of Court in Orlando, FL and sentenced to 145 days in jail for distributing jury information on the sidewalk connecting the county courthouse to the parking lot. The conviction has been appealed, though Heicklen already has served 22 days in the Orange County (Orlando) jail.

In Manhattan, NY he was on trial based on a grand jury indictment forged by the U. S. Attorney.  Title 18 USC § 3161(c) states: "In any case in which a plea of not guilty is entered, the trial of a defendant charged in an information or indictment with the commission of an offense shall commence within seventy days from the filing date (and making public) of the information..."  

Judge Kimba Wood colluded in the forgery by purposely violating 18 USC § 3161(c) to give the U. S. Attorney time to produce a witness.  On at least 2 occasions, undercover agents posed as jurors to entrap Heicklen into jury tampering.  Both attempts failed.   Heicklen has copies of the recordings.  After 18 months with no success, Judge Wood dismissed the charges on April 19, 2012.

THE PRICE OF JUSTICE IS ETERNAL PUBLICITY

The situation described above is the 21st century version of the Watergate scandal of the Nixon administration.  Yet the U. S. and world press mostly have ignored this story and refuse to publicize it.  Without publicity there will be no justice.

All of the above happened because Heicklen told the truth.  The United States is now Nazi Germany of the mid 1930s.  Hitler is in the White House.  The press is afraid to report the news.  The American people are in denial.    The United States is the number 1 prison state in the world.  The mass executions are still to come.  

Fwd: FW: CAPA CABARET TONIGHT, Saturday

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bonita Allen
 
Dear Friends:

CAPA CABARET is Saturday, 5/19/12, and you can buy tickets at the door ($20 for adults and $15 for students).  Please forward this email to everyone you know to support this important fundraiser for the students of CAPA!   I am out of town and sad to be missing this big event, but Steve and Erik will be there with money to spend on raffles and auctions. Look below for more information about this incredible event!
CAPA CABARET 2012!

Tickets include live entertainment, light hors d'oeuvres & desserts.   There will be wonderful raffle & auction items including student artwork, a KindleFire, a diamond ring, a Lemieux autographed hockey stick and more! An affordable family-friendly event also featuring a 40 minute show of CAPA talent.

Proceeds from this year's event are to benefit all CAPA students by funding their Arts Department programs. 
For more information click here: http://www.pps.k12.pa.us/capa/site/default.asp

Event: CAPA CABARET 2012
Hosted by the CAPA PTSA
Location:
Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12
111 Ninth St
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Thank you for your support and I hope you can attend CAPA Cabaret 2012!

--
--
Ta.
 
 
Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com    
PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim and Water Polo Camp Head Coach with Neighborhood Learning Alliance

http://NeighborhoodLearning.org

http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://FixPA.wikia.com
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: PTC Sponsor - Rev Pittsburgh - Grand Opening

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Brett Prince" <brett.prince@gmail.com>
Date: May 18, 2012 12:39 PM
Subject: PTC Sponsor - Rev Pittsburgh - Grand Opening
To:

PTC,

On May 26, one of our new 2012 sponsors, Rev Pittsburgh, is hosting a grand opening event at their facility in Cranberry township:

It's official… REV is open! Let co-owner Frank Velasquez, former strength coach for the Pirates, and co-owner Aimee Slattery, former World Wrestling Rehab Specialist, welcome you to our state of the art 3600 sq. foot turfed facility. Enjoy refreshments, door prizes, 10 min informative "chalk talks" every hour, a FREE chair massage, and talk shop with Pittsburgh Pirates players and staff.  It's the one stop shop in care! First of its kind in the area! "There is something for everyone at REV" Visit our REV website at www.REVpgh.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Date: May 26^th, 2012     Time: 10am - 2pm     Location: 290 Executive Drive #400 Cranberry Twp. PA 16066      Contact: 724-591-8228

10:45 – 10:55am: "Shoulder Care for the Overhead and Throwing Athlete" Frank Velasquez Jr. ATC, CSCS*R

11:45 – 11:55am:  "The Female Athlete" Aimee Slattery, PT, MS, CSCS

12:00 – 12:10pm:  Official "Ribbon Cutting" Ceremony

12:30 – 12:40pm: "Change without Pain" – Carrie Velasquez, BS, LMT

12:40 – 1:40pm: "Free Chair Massages"

--

Brett Prince
(412) 335-3478

brett.prince@gmail.com

Water Safety in Schools. Imagine that!

United States House of Representatives formally acknowledges that water safety education should be included in primary and secondary schools. (H.RES.658)

May 15, 2012, marked the Inaugural International Water Safety Day (IWSD) prompting the United States House of Representative via H.RES.658 to formally acknowledge that water safety education should be included in primary and secondary schools. The day was celebrated with water safety tips and lessons by life guards, teachers and swimmers from around the world, including Olympic Great Anthony Ervin and the Michael Phelps Foundation, all striving to make a planet that’s 70 percent water, 100 percent water safe.


This important congressional resolution brings annual in-classroom water safety education on May 15th a step closer for schools across the nation. It also strengthens the critical advocacy work conducted by the water safety community.

Read the full resolution via the Library of Congress:  (H.RES.658)

Thanks to the Diversity in Aquatics efforts.

Fwd: Reminder - You're Invited: EPLC Education Policy Forum - May 17 - Pittsburgh

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: The Education Policy and Leadership Center <robinson@eplc.org>

Reminder: You are invited to attend the PENNSYLVANIA EDUCATION POLICY FORUM  "Western Pennsylvania Breakfast Series"  Thursday, May 17, 2012  Continental Breakfast - 8:00 a.m.   Program - 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.   Holiday Inn Pittsburgh University Center (100 Lytton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213)     SUBJECT: College Completion Agenda   If you have already RSVP'd, there's no need to RSVP again.    SPEAKERS:   Gregg Fleisher National AP Training and Incentives Program Director, National Math+Science Initiative      Marcus S. Lingenfelter  Director, State Government Relations, The College Board Dr. Peter H. Garland Executive Vice Chancellor, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  The Lumina Foundation, The College Board, and Complete College America are among just a few of the nation's leading organizations calling for a dramatic increase in the percentage of young adults with a 2-year college degree or more to at least 55%. In the recently released College Completion Agenda 2011 Progress Report, Pennsylvania (43.4%) ranks just above the national average of 41.3%, while it trails far behind neighboring states New York (49.2%), New Jersey (46.2%), and Maryland (46.1%). With educated citizens as the basis for innovative, productive, and healthy economies, Pennsylvania currently stands at a disadvantage.    This session will discuss the degree attainment/completion agenda landscape nationally and locally. It will include discussion of best practice policies and programs being utilized around the country seeking to "fix the leaky P-16 pipeline." Also included are a host of resources, data, and policy initiatives from the College Board's Advocacy and Policy Center (http://advocacy.collegeboard.org/). The College Board's College Completion Agenda Report is available at http://completionagenda.collegeboard.org/sites/default/files/reports_pdf/Progress_Report_2011.pdf   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  Please RSVP Today!    Registration is free, but everyone must RSVP at http://www.eplc.org/events-calendar/western-pennsylvania-breakfast-series/.  Please share this invitation with your friends and colleagues. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Thanks to our Sponsors:  AFT Pennsylvania Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties College of Education - The Pennsylvania State University Center for Educational Leadership - University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education Educational Testing Service (ETS) OnHand Schools Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals  Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools Pennsylvania Association of Pupil Services Administrators Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Pennsylvania School Boards Association Pennsylvania State Education Association The College Board