Music for the season!

Nanna, Grandma, Pop Pop, Grant and Erik -- following a violin concert. The boys are my sons. My mom and dad are on the left and right and my mother-in-law is in the middle.

We were all together at Thanksgiving, except for one sister, Geri Ann. Her family called in to the feast as they were at the swim pool all day in Florida, just north of Orlando. It was 77-degrees there. Meanwhile, we passed about a half-dozen accidents on 279 headed north in mid-day ice.

Drivers need to give the wind and cold more respect. Slow down a bit. The bridges and overpasses freeze first and worst.

Barbara, my mother-in-law, lives just across the street from us. She made five great pies!

All is well with us. Hope you have the same good fortunes too.

Talking about the legislature. Brutal.

PennLive.com: Search The recent record of the Legislature suggests it is far too timid to tackle a challenge as large as bringing sanity and affordability to health care in the commonwealth. This is most unfortunate, inasmuch as Washington shows the same lack of interest.

Pa. lawmakers eyeing spending limits on state budget

Pa. lawmakers eyeing spending limits on state budget a spending cap that would make it harder for officials to enact a new state budget that exceeds the annual rate of inflation. ...

Another way to cut state spending is to elect a few Libertarians.

Turkey Trot - Mindy A - OU Band

Mindy A., a swimmer I coached in the early 1990s while she was at Plum High School, teaches in Richmond, Va. She is home for Thanksgiving and ran in the YMCA's Turkey Trot!

I went to the Blvd of Allies to cheer on the runners and those who trot!

The winning of the Y's Turkey Trot, a gentleman from Spain, was interviewed on KDKA with his girl friend, a local from Carnegie. I know the family now as we talked at the race due to my swim coaching connections. She put in a great dig. "One day we hope to have him come back to Pittsburgh and win the PITTSBURGH MARATHON.

The Ohio University Band got some national tv coverage with Matt L on The Today show (NBC). Go Bobcats. They looked great at the head of the parade and "getting down."

Have a great weekend!

Mayor O'Connor has his work cut out for him

Mayor O'Connor has his work cut out for him - 2005-11-14... O'Connor said his No. 1 priority was attacking the city's financial problems. Without detailing exactly what he would do, O'Connor says the city has been mismanaged and that he will hire professionals to clean up the mess.

Gov. Rendell, already saw to it that Pittsburgh hired some professionals to give financial oversight to the city's budget. We have two oversight boards. They are 'hired.'

We don't need "hired guns" -- we need "elected leadership."

Bob should hire professional managers. He is going to need them. The city needs to get on the right track. The city is a mess. The mayor can turn to plenty of sources for advice, consultants and bond agents in getting new lines of credit.

We also need to make sure great, new, creative perspectives are part of Grant Street and city council in the years to come. Hence, this is why I want to be elected to city council in 2006.

West End Pedestrian Bridge Competition

The West End Pedestrian Bridge Competition The West End Bridge is a gateway to the city, framing Pittsburgh's great skyline. It crosses the Ohio River approximately one mile below Point State Park, which marks the union of the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers. From the downtown approach, the West End Bridge serves as the portal to the Ohio River, the Gateway to the West.

Beaver County Times - Why wait?

Beaver County Times Allegheny TimesThirty days hath November, and Pittsburgh's budget for 2006 is still but a dream.

Last week, the state-appointed fiscal overseer rejected Mayor Tom Murphy's spending plan - for a second time.

Murphy has set up the city for state sanctions, which might hold up an expected $3.5 million reimbursement.

Why not wait a little longer, Murphy and friends? After all, the city has only two eyes that can be blackened. They're both starting to look pretty darn dark.

World's Smallest Political Quiz

Give it a whirl.

World's Smallest Political Quiz

Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition -- our state reps and state senators are AWOL on this!

Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition Where do your state legislators stand on free and equal elections?

Guys, Gal, and Babes of the future -- where do you stand on the PA Ballot Coalition?

Chat with PPS boss -- retro technology and unsound logic

In the wake of yesterday's comments in my open letter -- here are a few points form the chat with the new Superintendent of Pgh Public Schools.

pittparent: I work in the technology industry here in Pittsburgh and have worked across the county in the field. I commend your use of data and the data-driven decisions. However, I do wonder how accurate the data is PPS. Without a CTO, how do plan to address data integrity and the technology infrastructure?

mark_roosevelt> I think that the data capacity here is amazing. With Rand's help it enabled us to use rich. deep student achievement data to drive our right-sizing decisions. No one has brought any inaccuracies to my attention as of this time.

Wait!

The data is closed. The lack of inaccuracies is because the data has not been put into the open. The deep student achievement data needs to be put out into the open, as in an open-source software model.

This is not a good answer. Thw lack of a CTO is sticking out like a sore thumb. RAND is not well suited to be a CTO for the district.

---

sethmad: What are PPS's plans for closed school buildings? Will they be sold? Razed?

mark_roosevelt> We must be much more aggressive about dealing with the closed facilities. Sold to a tax-paying entity will be the priority....

Wait again. Think again. A sell off of the buildings to a tax-paying entity is hardly a sound-bite. A sell-off where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer is NOT an option that is going to work for me and our communities.

---

One of my six questions got put up to the chat board. By the way, the Post-Gazette chat is so retro. I saw better chat applications with 1985 vintage.

Mark_Rauterkus: I think it might make great sense to turn Peabody and Westinghouse High Schools into SINGLE GENDER Schools. Then we'd have public school alternatives to Central Catholic and Oakland Catholic.

mark_roosevelt> We will be looking at high school reform next. Consideration of single-gender schools at various grade levels is on our list of inquiries as well.

Classes, new devices can help - PittsburghLIVE.com

Classes, new devices can help - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Classes, new devices can help

Have you heard?

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Center for Audiology and Hearing Aid Services offers a free, three-part class for people with concerns about hearing loss. Sessions cover how the ear works and why hearing declines; various types of hearing aids and where to find professionals to help you choose; telephone usage, including cell phones (which often don't work well with hearing aids); and alerting devices such as alarm clocks, smoke alarms and sound detectors for people with impaired hearing.

The next set of classes will be held 12:30-3:30 p.m. Thursday at Eye & Ear Institute, Oakland. To register, call 412-647-2030.For online information about hearing loss and UPMC's audiology center, check audiologycenter.upmc.com.

The center also offers a free hearing screening test over the telephone; call 412-647-2400.

The inability to communicate can be frustrating for people who are deaf, and for their loved ones. Even those who suffer from partial hearing loss may find communication to be a formidable challenge.

One mission of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Center for Audiology and Hearing Aid Services is to educate the public on ways to cope with hearing loss. In addition to private counseling sessions, the center offers a three-part class that focuses on how hearing loss occurs, and on advances in hearing aids and other technology.

'We offer the course to educate people, and they can go from there,' said Dr. Catherine Palmer, the center's director. 'A lot of people don't understand how hearing loss occurs. As for consumers, people feel very confused.'

At some point, most people will experience some degree of hearing loss, she said.

'The funny thing about hearing loss in adults is it's a gradual process. So often you lose quite a bit of hearing before you realize (you're having) communication problems.'

The center's monthly educational sessions are free. The classes explain how the ear works and how hearing can decline. Participants learn about the various types of hearing aids and where they can find professionals to assist with their purchase. And speakers address telephone usage -- especially cell phones, which don't work well with some hearing aids.

The classes also explain alerting systems that use visual cues to indicate when the doorbell rings, a baby cries or a smoke detector sounds. The discussion even covers alarm clocks that shake the bed or use lights instead of sound.

'The reality is, to be an independent person, you have to be able to use an alarm clock,' Palmer said.

In addition to classes, the center offers a free hearing screening test over the telephone. People who call 412-647-2400 are asked to listen for a series of faint tones designed to check their hearing.

'It's just a screening,' Palmer explained. 'If you can't hear all four tones, there may be a problem.'

The next educational session on hearing loss and hearing aids will be held 12:30-3:30 p.m. Thursday at Eye & Ear Institute, Oakland. To register for the free class, call 412-647-2030.For online information about hearing loss and UPMC's audiology center, check audiologycenter.upmc.com.

independent solutions -- new political blog from Steve Karas, D candidate

These are Steve's words, independent solutions I believe government can be a positive and unifying force in the lives of people.

Good luck. Idealist are fun. But, I'd say something else.

I think government has been a negative and dividing force in the lives of people of Pittsburgh. Government could be turned into a positive force, rather than negative, if we NUKE much of it, including the greed. But, to NUKE big chunks and attitudes in our public realm isn't going to happen with one trigger point.

I think the best way to get to a place where the people obtain their wishes -- "wish to live" -- is for self-reliant people to be self-reliant. Hence, government needs to get out of the way. That's the right track, in the real world of Pittsburgh today.

What happens when we don't have "educated constituents" -- nor "educated politicians?"

We need to be concerned with our schools. We need to make sure those we elect have the capacity to make intelligent decisions.

Good to see the blog. Let's talk....

Statement about Schools -- from Mark Rauterkus -- delivered to meeting hosted by B-PEP

From: Mark Rauterkus, Mark@Rauterkus.com
Candidate for Pittsburgh City Council, District 3
cell = 412 298 3432

To: Fellow Citizens of Pittsburgh

November 21, 2005

I care greatly and want to make positive impacts!
I have a number of concerns about our city and our schools. I care a great deal about our schools and their interaction among our communities. I hope to serve the residents of the city as a dynamic leader on City Council who is known to put kids at the top of the priority list. My two sons go to public schools. I coach and have been in many school settings.

RAND and PPS must build trust by publishing all the data and formulas for all to see.
Trust is suspect with reports. But trust and confidence can soar, after the data is published. Peer review is powerful. Open source ways are invincible. The data on schools and the logic in the formulas need to be published on the web.

A robusts and visible job-ticketing system should document all comments from citizens. This would lead to a valid change log to display tinkering from administrators.
All requests for features and changes should be automated by the district. One citizens' comments should be documented for all to see. If a job-ticket process was deployed, then the district would be able to make replies to all issues. Outstanding issues and suggestions would be visible.
Versions and evolutions of the major plan need to be made.
A problem for one might be a feature for another. Statements from the administration should be charted on each matter. A change log is needed to clearly document the 'tinkering' with the plan by the administrators. Perhaps some changes are needed for next year.

Closed School Buildings have serious implications for our neighborhoods. We must think again about those interactions.
Schools in neighborhoods that are in transition or are in great decline need to be given the highest priorities for re-use. The overall approach to the liquidation of the various buildings must be put into a holistic plan for the good of all the city and region. We run the risk of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer if the wrong course is charted in the months and years to come.
The building and land opportunities at some places, such as Schenley High School, South Vo Tech and even (perhaps) Connelly Tech are prime. A quick sell off of those assets might saturate the market and then other, more complicated, more deserving projects won't ever have a hope of getting completed. Beltzhoover, Arlington, Hazelwood and other areas of the city need new investments and new energy to enter more than a place such as the South Side.
The school district and the city need to invest a lot of attention to these details and establish a reasoned philosophy. Jobs, community needs and the stability of neighborhoods have to be factored into the discussions. I would love to play a leadership role in these efforts, and as a city council representative, I'd embrace this challenge.

Peabody and Westinghouse could be turned into single gender High Schools.
Central Catholic and Oakland Catholic are private, single-gender schools that do well in academics. The trend to single-gender schools shows great promise. Getting families more choices for their students, such as single-gender public-school, might make fantastic sense. Girls and boys from throughout the city who desire single-gender schools could attend, while those who want a co-ed setting could still attend the other schools.

Teams within the city need to migrate to the WPIAL.
After school activities, recreation, community use of our public buildings and the interscholastic elements within our schools in the city need a major overhaul. Our kids are not getting the same chances to excel as their suburban counterparts. Boosters, coaching, schedules and sportsmanship need increased attention. Volunteers are kept at arms-length in the city as well. Much more can be done. The best way to advance the sports system is to have the city kids play, day-in and day-out, against the suburban schools by being within the WPIAL.

The Pgh budget, not PPS, should pay for Crossing Guards, as the policy had been before Murphy's crisis.
School resources needs to focus on reading, math and history, not sidewalk patrols in neighborhoods.

Pitt lecture: “The Ethics of Dissent in National Security”

University of Pittsburgh: News From Pitt Pitt's Johnson Institute Sponsors Dec. 1 Lecture.

The individual rights of free speech and the freedom to dissent are sacrosanct elements of American democracy, but what happens when these rights clash with issues of national security? That is the conundrum that Pitt professor of international affairs Janne Nolan will tackle during a free lecture, “The Ethics of Dissent in National Security,” sponsored by the Johnson Institute for Responsible Leadership in the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 1 in the Bigelow Room of the Pittsburgh Athletic Association, 4215 Fifth Ave., Oakland. The event, which is cosponsored by Pitt's School of Information Sciences, is open to the public, but reservations are required by Nov. 28 at www.johnsoninstitute-gspia.org/events.asp.

Recyle the cycle in the West End by Citiparks

This is not another photo from China!

The event was on Sunday morning. I unloaded about five bikes there.

If I'm on City Council and I'm chair of the Committee on Recreation and Youth -- we're going to hold the Recycle the Cycle program two times a year. It has been held seven times in the past 14 years.

So, is it safe to say that I'll be four times as good as what they've been doing?

The program relies upon volunteers too. A staffer or two help. But the project run with donations and good working people.
A tiny bike donation being cleaned by a big-time volunteer. That bike model is GREAT for kids. Both Erik and Grant loved it. I loved the handle, like a 'tail' that keeps us flowing around the city's less than smooth sidewalks.

Barnestormin hits upon a FAQ & A

Barnestormin How many lobbyists does it take to pass a gambling law?

Single gender high schools for Peabody and Westinghouse

Go there and click a vote on the poll. But, see if you can or not??? I can't figure out if you can even register a vote with the poll. Weirdness. Perhaps the poll was shut? Perhaps the button is locked to me as poll author? Thanks for giving it a whirl and reporting back.

aplusschools.org :: View topic - Single gender high schools for Peabody and Westinghouse Should Pgh Public Schools consider the options of making single-gender high schools?

Recycle a cycle. I'm going to drop off a bike or two at the event on Sunday at the West End. They are seeking bikes for gifts.

Where is the "Tiger Team?" asked Dave E?

Tiger team...

David Eckart, a CMU Computer Professor and fellow board member of the Allegheny County Libertarian Party, spoke up at the recent public hearing hosted in the Gold Room with Allegheny County Council concerning the purchase of new voting machines.

ICA Board Rejects Murphy's Latest Budget

What's the old expression? Dam the torpedos? Darn them torpedos? Damn the torpedos?

KDKA - Pittsburgh's Source for Breaking News, Weather and Sports: ICA Board Rejects Murphy's Latest Budget The Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority's decision raises the possibility of state sanctions and suggests city council may begin budget deliberations November 30th with a torpedoed spending plan.

How about this new expression for the history books, "Murphy torpedoed Pittsburgh, once again." May this time be the last. Incomming.....

Alternative capition: "All hands on deck! Photo taken at the Mark Rauterkus Cookie Cruise."

Really. Grant and I at People's Park in Chengdu, China.

Ready to view Concept Maps?

Try this on for size. I'm diving into the Platform.For-Pgh.org. Don't go there yet. Just wait a few more weeks. Should be G-R-E-A-T!



Click for larger size to see what's what in the Concept Map.

Transportation: PAT won't strike

Transportation: PAT won't strike See my other blog for details, via Glenn.

Our places do not look like this....

Would you perform in front of this audience?

Up at 5 am. Warm-ups by 7:30, after scribbles on your hand and arm. Home by 2:30. Birthday party bowling by 3.

Grant snagged a trophy for one of his events.

I'm developming a "Why KNOT" program / presentation. Our Ys in Pittsburgh don't generally look like this.

The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund

The Community Environmental Legal Defense FundParticipate In The Third -- Guiding the Conductors -- A Democracy School Training Institute. The Four Day Institute at Wilson College in Historic Chambersburg, Pennsylvania runs from Thursday, January 12th to Sunday, January 15th, 2006.

Richard Grossman and Thomas Linzey, Directors The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, Host

This Event is open only to persons creating and teaching Democracy Schools across the United States, who wish to become certified lecturers for the Schools. Due to the intensive nature of the four day Institute, attendance is limited to fifteen lecturers-in-training. For the training, attendees will be divided into three groups of five, with each group being facilitated by individual instructors. Presentations by each lecturer-in-training will be delivered both to the individual groups as well as to the entire class.

If you plan to attend, you must RSVP by Thursday, December 1st...

21st Century Pamphleteer - How could you stay in a party that behaves like that?

21st Century Pamphleteer No Primaries? Follow-up

Two interesting posts from the blog linked to above deal with leaders in the "D" party and the unwillingness of letting voters decide who should be our elected leaders. Calling them Soviets is too nice.

How can you stay a Democrat when you hear messages such as those?

If 10,000 Ds in PA bolted the D party and showed up as Indies and with other third-party tags --- people would notice.

Then we'll push for the Voters Choice Act to allow candidates access the ballot within reason. Then -- who needs a D primary? We can run in the general elections and take the message straight to 'we the people.' It worked as we tossed out Nigro with the Retention Vote. His $85 bottles of wine caught up to him.

Every dog has its day in the sun. The sun is setting on two-party cronies.

Holiday Bike Build-A-Thon!

Republicans are needed for this event! Right Mike?

The Free Ride Recycle-A-Bike Program is in Need of Volunteers to help clean and fix up children's bikes for the holiday season. Some of these bikes will be donated to the South Hills Interfaith Ministries who work with and will then distribute directly to the Prospect Park neighborhood that is currently housing refugees from such places as Sudan, Afghanistan, Burma, Iraq, and Turkey, among other places. Another organization that will receive bikes is the Tree of Hope, a Hill District based non-profit that works with families whose lives have been torn by violence.

Sunday, November 20, 1 PM to 7 PM

Sunday, December 4, 1 PM to 7 PM

Please show up during any of these times and we'll put you to work. Although having mechanic experience helps, it is not necessary. If you don't have mechanic skills, we will still have a job for you. Snacks will be provided. Also, if you have a truck and are willing to help transport the bikes, please contact us at freeride@bike-pgh.org.

http://www.freeridepgh.org

I'm picking on Mike, a frequent blog reader here, because he is into bike riding and has been turned off by some of the very left leaning bikers he's encountered. So, if a few more conservatives would show up -- that might help so the bikes don't all lean too far to the one side, an at. :)

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Chat

To bad the P-G's chat room is so lame.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Chat Join Pittsburgh schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt in a live online discussion on education issues, including his plan to realign Pittsburgh schools, from 2-3 p.m. on Nov. 22.

7 out of 10 measures passed in PA

The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association reports that these conservation measures were approved by voters on election day, November 2005:

* Pike County -- $10 million open space bond passed 68 percent to 32 percent;

* Bedminster Township, Bucks County -- Increase in earned income tax, generating $10.27 million in conservation funds passed 51 percent to 49 percent;

* Bushkill Township, Bucks County -- Increase in earned income tax, generating nine million dollars in conservation funds passed 66 percent to 34 percent;

* Plumstead Township, Bucks County -- Eight million dollar open space bond passed 77 percent to 23 percent;

* Solebury Township, Bucks County -- $18 million open space, farmland and recreation bond passed 88 percent to 12 percent;

* Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County -- $10 million open space and farmland preservation bond passed 80 percent to 20 percent;

* Honey Brook Township, Chester County -- Increase in earned income tax generating $10 million for open space and farmland passed 51 percent to 49 percent.

Similar measures in three other townships in Chester and Cumberland Counties were defeated. The majority of citizens voted yes when asked to float bonds or raise taxes to pay for the open space protection.

Oppose the "Crescent of Embrace" Proposal for the Flight 93 Memorial Petition

Humm....

Oppose the "Crescent of Embrace" Proposal for the Flight 93 Memorial Petition The US Park Service is currently going forward with a proposed monument for the Flight 93 Memorial that is called the 'Crescent of Embrace' which is a large crescent of red maple trees that closely resembles the Islamic Red Crescent that is the very symbol of the radical Islamics who attempted to hijack the aircraft.

What about this?

Pitsburgh Xplosion of ABA Basketball -- interesting PR outreach to real Heroes.

Hoops for Heroes

Pittsburgh Xplosion, www.pittsburghxplosion.com, offers free tickets to Police Officers, Firefighters, EMS and Military.

The Pittsburgh Xplosion is the city's new American Basketball Association team. It honors local heroes by making free tickets available all season to police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel and active members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The special offer is good for all of the team's home games at Mellon Arena and Pitt's Peterson Events Center. The free tickets, generally $12.50 each, are distributed on a first come, first served basis at the Box Office on the day of the game.

To receive a free ticket, fans must present ID that confirms their current status in the police, fire service, EMS or military.

The team has former NBA players, Armon Gilliam and Myron Brown, and a blend of talented players with college and professional experience.

The Hoops for Heroes ticket offer is our way of saying thanks to these outstanding men and women.

There is a limit of one free ticket per eligible person for each of the team's 17 remaining home games. Fans eligible for this offer will also have the option of receiving a $12.50 discount off the price of other Xplosion home game tickets, which range from $25 to $55. This offer is good only at the Box Office; it does not apply to tickets purchased in advance or through Ticketmaster.

Schedule snapshot:

Fri, Nov 25 @ Petersen Event Center, 7:00 pm

Wed, Nov 30 @ Mellon Arena, 7:00 pm

Promotion for Nov 30: Salvation Army's Treasures for Children - Bring a new toy to the Mellon Arena gate and receive $5.00 off admission!

Fri, Dec 2 @ Mellon Arena, 7:00 pm

Wed, Dec 7 @ Petersen, 7:00 pm

Mon, Dec 12 @ Mellon Arena at 7:00 pm

Thur, Dec 15 @ Mellon Arena at 7:00 pm

Tue, Dec 20 @ Mellon Arena, 7:00 pm

Mon, Dec 26 @ Petersen, 7:00 pm

Mark Roosevelt with Urban League radio show

The Development and External Relations Department at the Urban League produces a live, call in radio show hosted by the Urban League of Pittsburghs President and CEO, Esther Bush. The show is called Urban Reality and airs every other Saturday from 7:00-8:00 a.m. on WAMO, AM 860. The show's guests discussing issues of importance to the African American community.

Superintendent Mark Roosevelt will be the featured guest on Saturday November 19, 2005.

Call with questions and hear what other parents are saying.

Getting into the ear of the leader of the free world -- while in China

President Bush is in China.

Fear not, I'll spare you from photos of our three recent trips to China and instead share this scoop.

This image is a recent photo of the leader of the free world while in China. President Bush is inserting a hearing plug into his ear used for translation purposes. The hearing device was made by a company in Chicago -- while we were there last week visiting.

He uses an Etymotic earphone. President Bush got turned onto Etymotic's products for use with his iPod. At the lab they sent along three sets and moved the volume control to a lower on the chord for easier adjustments without being as noticed. He'll need ot listen to the transaltors with foreign leaders.

Communication is critical! Often communication elements become very technical. And, for communication efforts to play to the widest audiences, it has be of the highest quality.

BlogShares - Rauterkus

The value of my shares are climbing -- like the cost of home heating oil. Who woulda thunk... :)
BlogShares - Rauterkus:
13:16 08 Nov 2005 B$8.97
21:10 06 Nov 2005 B$6.84
08:06 05 Nov 2005 B$5.47
00:51 04 Nov 2005 B$4.31
06:19 03 Nov 2005 B$3.35
17:13 19 Aug 2005 B$3.35
11:44 07 Feb 2005 B$2.69

Associate sites

The eVote blog.

The eVote.CLOH.org site.

Deliberate.com.

The eVote Blog, one of my other blogs. It covers more technical voting elements.

eVote Blog Memo to Allegheny County Council and Board of Election at Public Comment Hearing: Allegheny County Voting Machine Selection Process (HAVA)

hannahinisrael.com

hannahinisrael.com keeping in touch from across the ocean

THE PAY-JACKERS REPENT: But it's not enough - PittsburghLIVE.com

THE PAY-JACKERS REPENT: But it's not enough - PittsburghLIVE.com

As expected, the Pennsylvania Senate followed the lead of the state House and Wednesday repealed its self-dealt and wholly unconstitutional summer pay raises. But the wound is not healed.

Folks like Majority Leader Chip Brightbill slobbered all over themselves yesterday trying to pick up the Oscar for Best Speech of Contrition in a Lead Pay-Jacking Role. 'We are here to correct a mistake,' the Lebanon County Republican said. 'As one of the people who exercised poor judgment, I would like to apologize.'
We hope there are some real and good Republicans out there who are ready to plug that 'poor judgment' line into campaign commercials and send the Chip Brightbills, Bob Jubelirers, Sam Smiths, John Perzels, Bill DeWeeses, Mike Veons and the rest of their ilk packing in the 2006 elections.

Republicans and Democrats, those who voted for the no-debate, middle-of-the-night pay-jacking -- and those who didn't but who then accepted the ill-gotten gains -- violated the public trust. No apology and no repeal can 'fix' things. All must go.
All must be driven from the positions of authority they abused.

The rejection of Supreme Court Justice Russell Nigro and the pay-raise repeal are just the first of many, many battle victories in what will be a yearlong revolution to reclaim a Pennsylvania government that is of, by and for the people.

The fight is right. The fight is on. And the people will prevail.

Speaking with others about the voting machines

PUBLIC HEARING ALLEGHENY COUNTY COUNCIL
Thursday, November 17, 2005 5:00 PM, Gold Room

To afford interested parties an opportunity to express their views on the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and its effect on Allegheny County’s voting machine modernization.

1. Shea McKinney, Private Citizen

2. Joan W. Stein, President & CEO – Accessibility Development Associates, Inc.

3. Dr. Robert Harper, Professor, Computer Science Department – Carnegie Mellon University

4. Tim Stevens, Chairman – Black Political Empowerment Project

5. Paul O’Hanlon, Esq., Disabilities Law Project

6. Audrey N. Glickman, Private Citizen

7. Suzanne Broughton, President, League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh

8. Colleen Willison, Private Citizen

9. Richard King, Private Citizen

10. Dr. David Jefferson, Chair, California Secretary of State’s Voting Systems Technical Assessment and Advisory Board

11. Danny Sleator, Professor, Computer Science Department – Carnegie Mellon University

12. Mark Brentley, Sr., Member, Pittsburgh School Board; Host, Voter Education Program

13. Marybeth Kuznik Executive Director, Vote PA

14. Deborah Gouge, Private Citizen

15. Eugene Barton, President, PA Council of the Blind

16. Mark Rauterkus, Libertarian Party

17. Kathleen Paul, Private Citizen

18. Eugene Mariani, Private Citizen

19. Adrian Perrig, Private Citizen

20. Sam Gibson, Private Citizen

21. Gary S. Schermer, Private Citizen

22. Angela Yocham Private Citizen

23. Antoine Pearson, Private Citizen

24. Dan Taylor, Private Citizen

Break a leg folks.

Questioning our pay-jackers - PittsburghLIVE.com - Letter to editor

Questioning our pay-jackers - PittsburghLIVE.com Questioning our pay-jackers

For those who are temporarily outraged at our state legislators for increasing their salaries, here are some facts for your consideration that should, if you give it some thought, cause you to question some basic assumptions about state government:

The New Hampshire Legislature is the only one in the U.S. larger than Pennsylvania's, with 400 representatives and 24 senators. However, the representatives and senators receive only $200 per year plus mileage reimbursement. There are no career politicians in New Hampshire.

The Georgia Legislature, the oldest in the United States, convenes on the second Monday in January and runs for 40 businesses days, adjourning in mid- to late March. These are not full-time jobs.

Please think about it. Then register and vote Libertarian. It's a matter of who owns your body and who spends your money.
Nick Kyriazi, Deutchtown

PoliticsPA -- PAY Grab goes poof! A second state-wide win in as many weeks!

The repeal of the pay raise has come. Now, we've got to be certain that is is all paid back. And, then we need to get that clean sweep in high gear.

PoliticsPA Pay Raise Repealed Gov. Ed Rendell has signed the pay-raise repeal, ending a the legislature's four-month ordeal at the hands of outraged Pennsylvania voters. Earlier this afternoon, the state Senate voted 50-0, agreeing with the House to roll back the massively unpopular raises enacted in July for for lawmakers, judges and top state officials.

Subjected to intense public pressure to repeal the raises, which were enacted in the wee hours of July 7 without public hearings, the House and Senate had wrestled for more than a week over how to take back raises granted to state judges, who received them right away. The state Constitution bars cutting the salary of judges without cutting the pay “of all salaried officers of the commonwealth,” a provision designed to protect judicial independence.
Brightbill apology
Senate quotes
Representative Metcalfe spin
Scranton spin
Logan Spin

LIBERTARIAN-LEANING JUSTICE

The original attribution: Ilya Somin, assistant professor at the George Mason School
of Law.

"Most debate about Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito has focused on his propensity to vote to overrule Roe v. Wade and the similarity between him and conservative Justice Antonin Scalia. But despite the superficial parallels between the two conservative, Italian-American Catholic jurists, it is important to recognize that Alito has a substantial libertarian dimension to his jurisprudence as well as a conservative one. In several key fields of law, he is more likely than Scalia and other conservatives to be skeptical of assertions of government power. More important, there is much in his record that should appeal to libertarians...

"While judges should not simply vote for whatever outcomes because they prefer them on policy grounds, a libertarian orientation helps sensitize jurists to the fact that the Constitution is meant to constrain government, not just empower electoral majorities, as some conservatives claim. Here Alito's libertarian streak and his differences with Scalia may have an impact.

"...Obviously, Alito is far from being an across-the-board libertarian. But there is much for libertarians to like in his record, more than in the case of Scalia. Liberals understandably have less reason to support Alito than libertarians do. But they should think seriously about whether they would rather have a conservative with a significant libertarian streak like Alito or a pro-government conservative who will be just as likely to overturn Roe, but less likely to vote to restrict government power over religious freedom, free speech, or immigration."

Reactions welcomed, of course.

Panel sets stage for debate over lieutenant governor's selection

It isn't right to be "un-democratic" and to be so "anti-women." Lt. Gov Catherine Baker Knoll, a local, is getting public praise from her boss, Ed Rendell, but is often viewed in a different light when it comes to the unspoken comments. What about honesty? And, if the story of praise is sincere, then there is nothing else to say.

I agree with the last line in the article. I too trust the people more than I trust the politicians.

PennLive.com: NewsFlash - Panel sets stage for debate over lieutenant governor's selection Panel sets stage for debate over lieutenant governor's selection

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) A Senate panel Tuesday endorsed a bill that would allow gubernatorial candidates to pick their running mates rather than being paired with the choice of Republican and Democratic voters in the primary election.

The bill, forwarded 6-5 by the State Government Committee, could if approved change the political landscape in next year's gubernatorial election and focus new attention on gaffes by Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll.

Teacher contract -- a four year deal gets signed

I turned to the Fox Chapel web site today after hearing yesterday's budget presentation from Pittsburgh's outgoing mayor. He mentioned Fox Chapel at the microphone. The mayor is talking about Fox Chapel to make the point that the next breed of leaders for the city need to think in a regional way. We can't think Fox Chapel as a competitor -- but we have to think of the entire region.

I coached the boys and girls varsity swim teams at Fox Chapel a couple of years ago in a "transitional season." The old coach has split to a new job out-of-state. He was a young guy (sound familiar) and his wife was able to land a job there too. But, all the coaches on the staff left at the same time. The varsity team needed a coach and I stepped up.

I have a lot to say about those concepts of regionalism raised by the mayor and how we should NOT compete with Fox Chapel-- but for now, check out the news there. The Fox Chapel Teachers got a new deal signed. See the notes of the blog or their home page for some of the details. http://www.fcasd.edu.

I'm sure that the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers are looking long and hard at the plans and vision of the new superintendent of schools, PPS's Mark Roosevelt. The teachers are going to see their ranks shrink. Some 250 jobs are going to be cut. Plus, there is sure to be a lot of shifting of jobs among schools as so many schools are getting a make-over or else closing.

One cornerstone of the new plan for next year is a longer school day for the "accelerated learning academy" settings. Those kids need to be put into overdrive to catch-up.

The Fox Chapel plan calls for more working days in the school year, but the work day is kept to eight hours.

Presently, I can only wonder what's going to happen with the union and the reaction of the plans for the district. Should be interesting.

Legislator's lonely....

In Beaver Falls, not everyone is angered by their legislator's lonely vote for a pay raise

'He's one of the main reasons that I'm no longer a Democrat,' said Rep. Mike Diven, R-Brookline, who served four years as a House Democrat and then switched to the Republican Party this year.

'He's what's wrong with Harrisburg. The mentality he carries -- he's disconnected from people. It's his way or the highway on issues.'

Okay Republican Diven, then what's to say you won't switch back to being a D, if and when the state house leader, the Beaver Falls D, Veon, departs Harrisburg???

Will you campaign for a Dem challenger to Veon in the Dem's primary in Beaver Falls? Will you offer ideas and money to that challenger?

Would you campaign for a Republican challenger to Veon should Veon win the D's primary?

Mike left the D's party. Mike became a Republican because he was pushed out or pushed away by the Dems. You can go from point A to point B by driving in reverse or driving in forward. Sure, you're allowed to peek in the rear-view mirror. Perhaps that's all that is being offered in this quote. I wonder, as do others, if Mike join the Republicans because he valued the Republican approach. And, now that Mike is in the GOP Camp, is he still a (self-described) "back bencher?"

What's the upside to being in the 'majority party' now?

Opponents speak against Pittsburgh-area racetrack proposals

AP Wire | 11/15/2005 | Opponents speak against Pittsburgh-area racetrack proposals
'This site is so patently inappropriate for a variety of reasons that to approve this racetrack would be to destroy South Versailles Township,' said Joel Aaronson, an attorney hired by residents who don't want to see the Oak Park racetrack built near their homes.

Amen.

To be clear, I don't want to destroy South Versailles Township. Nor Baldwin, and other areas just over the edge of the city. We do need to think like a region, more and more. The race track is at the edge of the city and would hurt those over the border more than most of the people in the city.

But, the sky isn't falling either. Destroy?

The plan is bad. Very bad. It should not occur for many reasons. But, let's keep our wits and not go overboard and say that the sky is going to fall.
If the good people of South Versailles want to meet with me and my camera -- we'll be able to do that. I'd love to hear and see how bad it would become.

Hay's hilltop (artist friend).

Yesterday's meeting was on my agenda, but I didn't attend as I picked up the boys at school and went to swim practice. I've been on the record as a vocal opponent to the Hays race track in the past.

Let's get in shape!

Gene Ricciardi -- stepping down as City Council President

My council-person, Gene Ricciardi, is about to step down as the President of Pittsburgh's City Council. His time there is about to end by the end of the year (2005). So, he can step down and help with the transition to a new council leader.

But, Gene can NOT step down until there are enough votes (five are needed) among the councilmembers (9 are on council) for the next President. Right now, the five necessary votes for president have not been found for any one individual. So, Gene stays on in the position.

Gene get's a vote in the new leader if he steps down now. If he waits until the end of his term -- the new council president is picked without his influence.

Council president gets to make a few assignments among the members of council for chairs of various duties, i.e., public works, budget, Citiparks.

Being Council President isn't a big deal, generally. It is a feather in one's cap however. That is why there has been some talk about Sala Udin getting the nod to be council president. Sala is being retired from city council due to his loss at the polls in the May 2005 primary. Council could give Sala the title as a resume builder for his entry into the private sector.

I wrote to Sala last night asking him if he would like to get my help in setting up a blog for himself. I think that might help him more, showing he's stayed within the modern era of communications.

Sala would NOT be the first black man to be Pittsburgh's City Council President. That historical feat has been accomplished years ago.

But why stop Sala at the level of Council President?

Sala Udin could be named City Council President as a first step. Then, Mayor Murphy resigns as the second step. Then comes the third step: Sala Udin moved to the mayor's office and Pittsburgh would have the city's first black mayor. The big deal about being city council president is the the migration of roles to mayor should there be an emerengy opening.

What would that do to their pensions?

Bob O'Connor could still go around town calling himself the next mayor.

City officials and VIPs have been playing musical chairs around here for some time now. I should turn this into a contest, play-by-play of the musical chairs among people and spaces.

We've got Valerie McDonald (in the next post) who moved from office to office, just as Lt. Gov, KBN, has done. But there are plenty of others.

Mario went from hockey player to team owner and would-be casino operator.

Neighborhood groups have become builders and developers with their housing projects. Developers then become politicians building department stores (Lazarus).

Land owners (speculators) have become toll road builders for the Mon Valley and big-time political donors.

Casino operators have become political donors and hockey arena builders.

Librarians make expresso. Expresso makers maintain wireless network hubs. Library Board Members move books from historic structures to leases above laundry mats.

You get the point. And there are a lot of better one's yet to be made.

I'm a musical chair kinda guy as well. I've been a journalist, coach, publisher, small businessman, coach, computer guy, dad, community activist, party-jumper, candidate, coach, blogger.

PA VERIFIED VOTING -- looks like optical scanning is best short term solution.

PA VERIFIED VOTING HOME PAGE What are Voter-Verified Paper Ballots (V-VPBs)?

Voter-verified paper ballots safeguard the integrity of elections. V-VPBs prevent inaccuracies and covert computer fraud while providing the secure basis for audits and recounts. Voters inspect and verify that the ballot accurately reflects their intention to vote, this is called 'verification'. Voters then place the paper ballots in the ballot box for counting. Audits of V-VPBs provide the best measure of accuracy for electronic voting in elections. In America, voting always occurs in privacy to prevent the historical problems of coercion and bribery in elections. Because we vote in the privacy of the voting booth, only the voter can verify that the official ballot is accurate. Because inaccuracies due to error or fraud in computer voting are covert, voter-verification of a permanent publicly observable official record (the paper ballot) is the essence of the intended safeguard of V-VPBs.

Long term, the real solution is an OPEN SOURCE Software Solution.

A primer for a grass-roots campaign -- they end if you run for judge

A primer for a grass-roots campaign Kathryn Hens-Greco is not a candidate for the Pennsylvania Legislature, but she seems like many people I've encountered who are considering a run. A week ago, she received roughly 129,500 votes for the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, more than enough to become a judge.

Ms. Hens-Greco hadn't been hand-picked by her party. She won a nomination through the Democratic primary without getting the party committee endorsement.

KHG ran in 2001 too. That was overlooked in the story, perhaps. They didn't start two years ago. They started six years ago, I imagine.
Next, comes this line from Sam: Running for office is hard work, but Sam Hens-Greco says, "The great thing about political campaigns is that they end."

The campaign season for state-reps never ends, really. State Reps are elected to 2 year terms. The judge is generally 8 years. Some are for 10 and others get life appointments. So, Sam is right about the end in the campaign cycle for the bench positions. But, the end is never near in other races.

Penny-ante disagreement may hold up budget

Let's pick fights on the penny-ante parts of the budget. This isn't what Pittsburgh really needs. Then call names.

Penny-ante disagreement may hold up budget Tom Murphy deferred to the authority on other disputed budgetary issues. The authority wants 'to be the small dictators of this kingdom,' he said."

This is a weird set of names to call as well. He mixes a "kingdom" mention with a "dictator" mention. I wonder who is going to own up to the facts that, we the people, want a democracy.
The "overlords" (my frequently used term) are hardly "dictators." But, in a one-party town, the mayor used to act as if he was a "dictator." And, that's what got him in trouble. So the state sent in the overlords to curb the dictator. Who has the uppper hand --- well --- I'm sure the advantage isn't with the people.