Over two days last week . . .

DAVE: I've decided that I'm going to root for the Tampa Bay Rays. I like their team and I like Joe Maddon.

JIM: Traitor.

We're going to kick your ass in the World Series again.

DAVE: How am I a traitor? I have never, nor will I ever, like the Phillies.

JIM: We're still going to kick your ass in the World Series.

I just learned that Mario has a last name. It is Mario. He is, in fact, Mario Mario.

DAVE: I have no idea what you're talking about.

JIM: MARIO!

From the Nintendo game.

DAVE: I'm 41.

With no children.

JIM: Yeah. So that means you were a kid when Mario was born. You never played Super Mario Bros. on Nintendo?

DAVE: Actually, I was never very big on video games. I had an Atari as a kid, but it never went any further than that.

JIM: I find it hard to believe that you've never played a video game with Mario in it.

DAVE: I did play Donkey Kong. I believe it was the Calecovision version for Atari.

JIM: Mario's first appearance ever was as a character in either Donkey Kong or Donkey Kong, Jr. I don't think he was called Mario at the time though.

There are stink bugs everywhere.

DAVE: From what I have gathered from friends and the media, one of the reasons why the new healthcare reform is being met with such criticism is because the insurance companies are raising premiums now to unprecedented levels in anticipation of the reforms that are coming down the line. So, people are seeing their premiums going up and their coverage going down (which was going to happen anyway, regardless of Obama), but the insurance companies are blaming it on Obama, so their clients blame him. It just goes to show that you can't do anything positive in this country without some group exploiting it to their advantage. Maybe the pundits are right that healthcare reform will make health insurance available to more people, but will the cost be too great for them to even take advantage of it? This country is controlled by big business. It doesn't matter who the President is. The guy is trying, but the deck is stacked against him.

DAD: All of what you say is true. People also believe that when the law goes into effect their taxes will go up, because that is what the Republicans have been telling them. Hitler believed that if you tell a lie often enough and loud enough, people will believe it to be the truth. So the Republicans are practicing something they learned from Hitler. Isn't that great! Nothing ever changes.

Keystone Cops

Written by Rob Rogers

The Pennsylvania Department of Homeland Security paid $125,000 to the Philadelphia-based Institute of Terrorism Research to spy on peaceful protesters, including those protesting Marcellus Shale drilling. They also flagged gay and lesbian pride events, a forestry industry conference and a screening of the documentary "Gasland" as events likely to be attended by activists. Harrisburg should be on their list too. The real threat is coming from a state government who is in the pocket of the gas drilling companies.

Speaking of Bob, this is from today's Post-Gazette:

On the Pirates' off day today, the players have been invited to Seven Springs by owner Bob Nutting for a sporting clays shoot.

On a beautiful, even perfect, late summer/early fall, Saturday night, the Pirates offered their last fireworks show of the season. These fireworks shows and the has-been concerts are what keep the Pirates franchise in business. Their full-season ticket base is down to something like 11,000 and shrinking, and on some nights, it looks like a good bunch of those folks stayed home. If Zach Duke was pitching, that would probably be a good idea. But the Yinzers love their fireworks and their REO Speedwagon. So, this past Saturday night, the second to last home Saturday night game of the season, the Pirates drew 25,981. That's more than 12,000 less than capacity. If the Yinzers stop going to the Pirate games to see the fireworks, the Pirates might actually lose money. Bob wouldn't stand for that. Fireworks nights are the centerpiece of the entire Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Club franchise. He would borrow more money from MLB, because apparently he's allowed to do that. Then with the money, he would build a facility in the Dominican Republic to try and find young fireworks talent that can produce better fireworks displays than the company that is doing it for the Pirates now, because they are obviously not doing it well enough to draw the fans.

There are way too many Katherine Heigl movies.

DAVE: I saw an ad tonight during Jeopardy for Jason Altmire. You probably saw the ad as well. The way he distances himself from the President and Pelosi, the ad seems like an ad for a republican candidate. What a sell-out. Was Melissa Hart really any worse than he is?

DAD: Melissa Hart might as well be back in the House. Altmire is no different. He is a coward who is interested only in his own re-election. Let's hope his strategy back fires.

Inventor of The Club steering wheel lock among 3 dead in crash
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
By Torsten Ove, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

James E. Winner Jr., a Sharon businessman whose claim to fame was The Club, a steering-wheel lock for cars, was killed in a head-on collision in Clarion County on Tuesday that claimed the lives of two other people.

State police said Mr. Winner, 81, who also has an address in Hollywood Beach, Fla., was driving his Lexus on Miola Road in Highland at about 4:40 p.m. when his car crossed the center line into the opposite lane and hit a Chevy Blazer driven by Bobby Jarrett, 82, of Forest County. Mr. Jarrett and his passenger, Raymond Fair, 76, of Tylersburg in Clarion County, were both killed.

Mr. Winner, whose business empire over the years included hotels and steel processing plants, created Winner International in 1986 to market The Club. According to the company's website, he came up with the idea after his Cadillac was stolen. As an Army veteran in Korea, he remembered how he had secured his vehicle's steering wheel with a chain to keep thieves from being able to steer. If they can't steer, he said, they can't steal.

Winner International, based in Sharon, said company officials and family members would not be available but issued a statement saying the "outpouring" of support from the community was appreciated. Mr. Winner's family requested privacy.

Boy Tweeter

Written by Rob Rogers

According to Tuesday's paper, the city is launching a new and improved website. You can see videos of Sophie and Boy Mayor talking about the parking lease plan. If that's not entertaining enough, you can also follow the mayor's office on Twitter and Facebook. I can hardly wait!

The dude's tan IS pretty weird . . .

Boehner's Tan

Written by Rob Rogers

Obama is now taking shots at House Minority Leader John Boehner in his speeches. The White House is targeting Boehner in the same way that the GOP has been targeting Speaker Pelosi. One of the fights has been over the Bush tax cuts (favored by the GOP) vs the middle class tax cuts (favored by the Dems.) Hey, I've got an idea ... let's just appropriate the money that Boehner is spending on tanning sessions. I think that would solve the debt crisis.

DAVE: Have you seen Jeff Fisher recently? He does not look good.

JIM: Can't say I've really paid that much attention to him. I have thought in the past though over the years that sometimes he looks like shit. I don't know. Maybe he just has his good days and his bad days. Or maybe the days he doesn't look good come after he spends all night in his office working or something.

DAVE: The Eagles have a different color of green for their uniforms every season. The Steelers never change their uniform.

JIM: No. I think they were celebrating the 50th anniversary of the last time they won the NFL championship. So they wore retro uniforms and helmets. Probably just for this week. And so that they would have more stuff to sell, of course.

DAVE: Have you seen Andy Reid recently? He looks very fat.

JIM: What is this sudden fascination with NFL head coaches and their health?

Not everyone can rock a pair of Raybans the way Mike Tomlin does.

After the first game of the season is when I traditionally make my prediction for the Steelers season record. This year is a little more complicated since Big Ben is out for the first four games. But I feel up to the challenge. In a move that goes against what most ESPN types are prognosticating for the Steelers, I predict that their record will be 11-5, with an outside chance of 12-4.

I was just talking about this very issue last night with my parents . . .

Quran Burning

Written by Rob Rogers

When you consider the ground zero mosque protesters, the idiots who think Obama is a Muslim and the Florida preacher who wanted to burn a pile of Qurans, the world might think this country is anti-Muslim. OK, the preacher changed his mind about burning the Qurans, but it still looks bad. I hope the world knows we are not all crazy, hate-filled fundamentalist extremists.

Muslims are not the enemy. Fox News is the enemy.

Zombie Dems

Written by Rob Rogers

The Republicans are helping stimulate the economy the only way they know how. I don't mean tax cuts for the wealthy. They only THINK that stimulates the economy. No, when the GOP is not blocking important legislation, they are pumping money into negative campaign ads to throw out the Dems and malign Obama. That's what I call leadership.

JIM: Phirst place! Thank you, Buccos!

DAVE: It's funny. Teams like the Pirates and the Orioles can really affect the outcomes of the races and wildcards.

JIM: Isn't it exciting?

DAVE: Sure. If you're a Phillies fan. If you're a Pirates fan, you're insane or already dead inside.

I don't think it's a good idea for joggers wearing earphones to run in the street rather than on the sidewalk. Am I wrong?

The stink bugs are back. Personally, I flush them . . .

Stink bugs pose a 'devastating' threat to crops
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
By Monica Von Dobeneck, The Harrisburg Patriot-News
Photo: Mel Evans/Associated Press

HARRISBURG -- Last year, the insects called brown marmorated stink bugs were a nuisance. This year, they are a serious threat to fruit orchards, and experts are not sure how destructive they might become.

The ubiquitous brown bugs with a citrusy or piney scent are making their way into Pennsylvania homes, previewing the hordes likely to appear late this month and next as the weather cools.

Bloggers share ideas about getting rid of them: Flush them down the toilet, vacuum them up, drop them in a bucket of soapy water, squash them, stick them to duct tape.

They are annoying in homes but don't do much damage. They don't bite people or destroy wood.

To farmers, they have become a destructive pest.

Greg Krawczyk, an entomologist with the Penn State University Fruit Research Center in Biglerville, said some fruit orchards have lost 40 percent of their crops to the bugs. The hardest hit are in Adams County, northern Maryland and West Virginia.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10250/1085561-455.stm?cmpid=newspanel1

No more Hilton in the Golden Triangle . . .

Hits just keep on coming for Hilton
$49.6M foreclosure sought by backer
Saturday, September 04, 2010
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The other shoe has dropped for the owner of the former Hilton Pittsburgh.

BlackRock Financial Management Inc. has begun a foreclosure action against Shubh Hotels Pittsburgh LLC, one day after the prominent Downtown hotel lost the Hilton name.

The New York-based lender filed the complaint Friday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court against Shubh and CEO Atul Bisaria.

As part of the action, BlackRock is asking the court to order the sale of the hotel. It also is seeking a judgment for $49.6 million, plus interest, the amount of the mortgage to Shubh.

BlackRock moved to foreclose on Shubh a day after Hilton Hotels & Resorts terminated its franchise license agreement with the hotel owner. It tied the decision to "violations of the terms" of the franchise agreement, although a spokesman would not discuss specifics.

As a result, the hotel, Pittsburgh's largest with more than 700 rooms, was stripped of the prestigious Hilton name and no longer is part of its reservations system. Hilton also has removed the hotel from its website.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10247/1085012-53.stm

Just exactly WHO is doing the proper parenting here . . . ?

Bill addresses kids left alone in casino lots
Recent incidents sparked legislation
Friday, September 03, 2010
By Tom Barnes, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau

HARRISBURG -- Two Republican lawmakers are upset about several incidents this summer at a suburban Philadelphia casino, where adults have gone inside to gamble while leaving young children alone in vehicles in the parking lot.

State Sen. Robert Tomlinson and Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, both from Bucks County, said Thursday that stronger penalties are needed to stop such incidents at the Parx Casino, located at Philadelphia Park racetrack, or any other casino. The lawmakers are sponsoring a bill calling for stiffer fines and jail time.

"The public needs to understand that there are serious safety risks to children who are left in unattended vehicles," Mr. Tomlinson said. "This bill will send a message that irresponsible behavior will not be tolerated and that offenders will face strong penalties."

The most recent incident occurred last week, according to police in Bensalem, where the casino is located. A 34-year-old father was accused of leaving his children, ages 7 and 12, inside a car with their puppy, after 10 p.m. while he went inside to play blackjack for up to 30 minutes.

On Aug. 1, a Philadelphia woman was charged with having her daughters, 8 and 15, wait in her car while she played slot machines for six hours, until 12:30 a.m.

Mr. DiGiralamo said, "It is unconscionable to me that parents will intentionally leave their children alone in their cars in a casino parking lot. While we cannot legislate proper parenting, we can put tough laws on the books to provide serious punishments for those who are willing to put their children in harm's way."

They will introduce the same bill in both chambers. It would make it a third-degree felony to leave a child under age 13 in a vehicle without adult supervision, with a penalty of 31/2 to seven years in jail and a fine up to $15,000. Currently, the offense is a misdemeanor with up to five years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.

The two legislators said Parx Casino has been "cooperative and aggressive" in trying to prevent anymore such incidents. It has increased its own patrols of cars in the parking lot and is working with police in Bensalem. The casino also is sanctioning offending customers, the lawmakers said, but added tougher penalties are needed.

David LaTorre, a spokesman for The Meadows racetrack/casino in Washington County, said there have been no such incidents of children left unattended at The Meadows.

"We have a 24-hour security officer presence that patrols our parking lot," he said.

Spokesman Jack Horner for the Rivers Casino on the North Shore said the facility has only had one incident in the year it has been open.

"Thanks to regular sweeps of the parking lot, Rivers' identified the car, notified authorities and within one hour, corrected the situation," he said. "We can't stop parents from making bad choices; but Rivers Casino will continue being vigilant in our efforts to prevent this from happening."

Must-read article . . .

Financial crisis has forced a record number of investors to withdraw money from 401(k)s prior to retirement
Cashing out
Thursday, September 02, 2010
By Tim Grant, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Withdrawing money from a 401(k) prior to retirement age goes against the advice of most financial experts, yet a record number of people are dipping into funds they've set aside for retirement to pay for immediate needs.

Fidelity Investments, one of the nation's largest suppliers of retirement plans, recently reported a sharp increase in the number of 401(k) participants who tapped their retirement accounts for hardship withdrawals between April and June this year.

About 62,000 of Fidelity's 11 million account holders requested hardship withdrawals compared with 45,000 who did so during the same period last year. The top reasons were to prevent foreclosure and eviction, pay for college and purchase a primary residence.

The average age of people who took a loan or hardship withdrawal was between 35 and 55 years. The average loan amount was $8,650. The company did not disclose the average hardship withdrawal amount.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10245/1084372-28.stm

The End
Written by Rob Rogers

Obama said it was time to turn the page on Iraq. The war is over. Of course, we still have troops on the ground but their mission is training, not combat. This is good news for sure. Maybe I'd feel more like celebrating if, one, it hadn't been a war based on lies and hubris, and two, we're still in Afghanistan.

Rumor has it that Big Ben is going to ask Roger Goodell to reduce his suspension from six games to THREE. Most media and fan types have been expecting it to be reduced to four. But Ben's gonna ask for three, they say. We'll see how that turns out on Friday.

Layoffs increase CEO pay
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
By Len Boselovic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Chief executive officers at the 50 companies that announced the biggest layoffs since the recession intensified in late 2008 made 42 percent more last year than the average large company CEO, according to a study released today by a Washington research group.

Three Pittsburgh companies made the The Institute for Policy Studies' list, which ranked CEOs based on the number of announced layoffs. Alcoa finished ninth, with 13,985 layoffs; CEO Klaus Kleinfeld's pay was $11.2 million. U.S. Steel placed 23rd, with 6,705 layoffs and CEO John P. Surma's $1.5 million pay. PNC Financial Services Group ranked 28th, with 5,800 layoffs and CEO James E. Rohr's pay of $14.8 million.

"Our findings illustrate the great unfairness of the Great Recession," said Sarah Anderson, who co-authored the study. "CEOs are squeezing workers to boost short-term profits and fatten their own paychecks."

The Institute for Policy Studies said the average CEO on its list of the 50 layoff leaders made $12 million in 2009 compared to the average $8.5 million that CEOs at S&P 500 companies received. The average CEO on the list announced 10,627 layoffs at his or her company between Nov. 1, 2008, and April 1, 2010, the institute said.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10244/1084027-28.stm

Pittsburgh Power

Written by Rob Rogers

Pittsburgh is taking another stab at Arena Football. The Pittsburgh Power will play in the new Consol Energy Center (gee, I wonder where they came up with the name "Power".) Granted, we are a major sports town, but will this city really turn out to support a non-Steelers football franchise? If not, the investors may have to pull the plug (sorry, I couldn't resist.)

I've been avoiding getting some blood work done for months now. So, today I decided to go to the Quest Diagnostics located close to me and get it over with. But then I remembered my rule about Steeler games. Never get anything serious or important done on a Monday in Pittsburgh after a Sunday Steeler game. Even the preseason. You can't be sure when the party stopped for the person who's going to be working on your car, your teeth, or pricking you with a needle.

Baseball star Albert Pujols honored at Beck rally
Aug 28, 6:06 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Tony La Russa doesn't understand the minor backlash that's been created by his participation in radio personality Glenn Beck's rally in Washington on Saturday, an event the St. Louis Cardinals manager said was more religious in tone than political. Before Saturday night's game against the Washington Nationals, La Russa said complaints had been made to the Cardinals' offices in St. Louis about his participation in what some viewed as an event with political overtones.

La Russa added that the Walnut Creek, Calif., Animal Rescue Foundation he operates had received questions about the manager's presence at the rally.

Speaking from notes scribbled on the back of a lineup card, La Russa introduced Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, who was given an award for his off-field charitable work at the rally.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_DC_RALLY_PUJOLS?SITE=PAPIT&SECTION=NATIONAL&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Spot on, two days in a row . . .

Pisces

You need to just go with the flow, because your energy is bringing new stuff your way in torrents. Make sure your all-powerful intuition is in good working order today, because there's a heck of a lot to pick up on now. The more overt stuff -- so-called coincidences, weirdos both new to you and long-familiar, secret messages from odd sources -- is certainly coming your way too.

Pisces

You can see what everyone else is missing, and it gives you a tremendous advantage for the time being. Of course, it's just your way to look at things differently and get to the murkier aspects of the situation. What are you going to do with your inside info? Letting others in on it would be tricky for anyone else, but you can most likely do it without saying a word.

City's unfunded pension liability grows
Thursday, August 26, 2010
By Joe Smydo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Pittsburgh pension fund's unfunded liability grew 2.1 percent in the last quarter, according to figures released today.

The fund's liability is $989.5 million, according to the recent actuarial report, and the value of the fund was about $272.2 million June 30. That's down from about $293 million on March 31.

The fund was 27.5 percent funded June 30, down from 29.6 percent March 31.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has proposed leasing the city's parking garages and meters and using some of the proceeds--at least $200 million--to boost the pension fund. He said the infusion would get the funding level to 50 percent and stave off a state takeover of the fund.

DAVE: Wow. The AP is really going after the Pirates this week.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BBN_PIRATES_FINANCES?SITE=PAPIT&SECTION=SPORTS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

I also find it interesting that the Pirates did not actually invest any of their own money in all of their new moves to improve the team at the minor league level, but rather borrowed money from MLB to sign Alvarez and build the facility in the Dominican Republic.

DAD: That probably indicates that the team is underfunded by its investors. They either do not have sufficient capital to own a major league baseball team or they do not care to invest their money in the team. Which cries out for selling the team to someone who is a major league investor in terms of both having the capital to invest and the willingness to spend what it takes to make a winner.

I must admit, my dear vast and loyal readership, that at 41 just like me, I would love to get a taste of that.

My best friend . . .

I don't think that I could have expressed it any better . . .

Obama's Cross

Written by Rob Rogers

I wonder if anyone ever accused Abe Lincoln of being a Muslim? Why is it so important for American Presidents to prove they are good Christians? It has nothing to do with their ability to govern. It certainly doesn't preclude them from scandals. A recent poll showed that 1 in 5 Americans actually thought that Obama was indeed a Muslim. Look, people ... unless the President of the United States is abusing altar boys or endorsing the stoning of eloping couples, his chosen faith is none of our business.

My father started the baseball season with two tickets to 15 Pirate games. The only person who would begrudgingly go with him was my mother. They went to 11 games, one of which got rained out. He told me today that he gave the tickets to the four remaining games to a local charity for children. Pirate season is over for my father. He recently changed his cable TV plan so that he gets the MLB Network. So, like me, when he wants to watch actual major league baseball played by actual major league players, he turns on MLB and watches their games.

JIM: So, I keep thinking that I will never forget that home run hit by Domonick Brown last night. It just went unbelievably far. And I think that my son won't forget it either.

And then today, I heard that Bobby Thompson died. So that got me to thinking about famous home runs in baseball. There are home runs I have seen that I will personally never forget because I was there in person (Jeff Bagwell hitting one well into the orange seats in the upper deck at Three Rivers comes to mind). But just take a minute to think about famous home runs in baseball:

Thompson's shot heard round the world
Babe Ruth's "called shot"
Hank Aaron's 715th home run
Kirk Gibson being injured and coming off the bench in the 9th inning to hit the game-winning home run in the first game of the World Series
Joe Carter hitting the game-ending World Series winning home run in 1993
Carlton Fisk hitting the home run where he is waving for the ball to stay fair as he runs down the first base line.

These are just ones that come to mind immediately off the top of my head. But what do you notice about this list?

There aren't any home runs on this list hit by Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, or Mark McGwire. In fact, even when I try, I can't think of one famous or memorable home run hit by any of those guys, even though I've probably seen the vast majority of all of the home runs they've hit in their careers (at least on SportsCenter highlights). Yeah, I may someday tell my grandkids that Barry Bonds was probably the best player I ever saw, but if they ask for that one memorable, career-defining home run that he hit, I got nothing.

Maybe the Baseball Gods really do make sure that everything always evens out in the end.

DAVE: I have one for Bonds. It's a highlight that gets shown here in Pittsburgh from the 1991 season. I was at Peter's Pub drinking with some friends and watching the Pirates game (because that's what you did when they were good) against the Cardinals, who were the Pirates' closest rival in the standings at that time. It was extra innings and Lee Smith (who was at the height of being unhittable as a closer) came in to face Bonds. Bonds hit a home run to right field and raised his arms in the air and then went down the first base line clapping his hands together while a stunned Lee Smith walked off the mound. The bar erupted in joy in a way that I've never experienced since regarding baseball in Pittsburgh. And the Pirates never looked back, going on from there to win the division.

But no, I agree that there are not "historical" home runs associated with those guys, if you don't count the ones where McGwire and Bonds broke records. I still remember those. I watched them, even though I didn't believe.

Mission Accomplished . . .

President Obama promised to get the troops out of Iraq (Where we never should have been in the first place. Do I really even have to say that? Is there anyone out there left who actually believes that the U.S. had any legitimate reason to go to war with Iraq?), and he is fulfilling that promise. Seven lost years over there. At least 4,415 dead. That was George Bush's war. Obama is bringing it to an end. That's one of the reasons we elected him. Remember? The other guy and that woman who ran with him wanted to keep our troops over there.

DAVE: I was thinking to myself today how I probably never write to Bill [Peduto] with something good to say. So, with that as context, I would like to sincerely compliment Bill and anyone else involved with the City regarding the improvements made to the intersection of Fifth and Penn. I have driven through that intersection for most of my life, and it looks like it finally is designed to effectively deal with the traffic flow, especially after the students return, which will be the true test. Nice work.

DAN GILMAN (Bill's Chief of Staff): Funny you send on that. We have got lots and lots of complaints about how the city made it worse!!!

Thanks for the compliments though.

DAVE: It is not uncommon for me to disagree with the general consensus.

I've noticed that many parents sort of ignore their young children when they are playing with their cell phones, and that many teenagers sort of ignore their parents when they are playing with their cell phones.

I love this story because the teacher's name sounds so much like a stripper's name. Ginger D'Amico?! Come on.

Brownsville teacher settles suit over photo with stripper
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
By Paula Reed Ward, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A Fayette County teacher who was suspended for 30 days without pay because pictures showing her with a stripper were posted on Facebook has settled her case for $10,000.

Ginger D'Amico, who teaches high school Spanish in the Brownsville Area School District, also will have her disciplinary record cleared and be given back pay for wages lost during her suspension.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10229/1080650-100.stm

Homewood cannot catch a break . . .

Homewood youth football coach accused of drug dealing
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
By Sadie Gurman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A youth football coach faces a preliminary hearing Thursday after state police said they seized about 300 stamp bags of heroin from his car during a sting in North Versailles.

Robert Burgess, 32, of Wilkinsburg, was charged with several drug offenses after state troopers searched his car on Aug. 13. Police had arranged to buy drugs from Vaughn Beck, who they said promised them six bricks of heroin, according to a police affidavit. They set up a meeting in the parking lot of the North Versailles Wal-Mart.

Police said Mr. Burgess drove Mr. Beck to the scene, and they found drugs in the center console. Mr. Beck later told troopers that the heroin belonged to Mr. Burgess and that he "supplied the drug deal," according to the affidavit.

Mr. Burgess is a coach of the Homewood Bulldogs, though his status with the team was unclear today.

Do you want to know how important football is in Pittsburgh? Witnesses to violence in our inner cities almost NEVER give even anonymous tips to the police. Well, this time they did.


Chief's threat draws suspects after Homewood shooting
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
By Sadie Gurman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A day after gunfire cut short a youth football game at Stargell Field in Homewood, both residents and police said they are frustrated by the violence and called on each other to bring it to and end.

Police Chief Nate Harper, surrounded by disheartened coaches, police brass and community members outside the field on Monday, said the city would consider shutting down the popular football program if witnesses didn't give up the names of at least two gunman who exchanged gunfire there Sunday afternoon, sending three people to the hospital.

Chief Harper said he wanted the names by 8 p.m., and before that deadline arrived, he got his wish.

Residents provided detectives with the names of "two prime suspects," police spokeswoman Diane Richard said, identifying them only as men ages 20 and 26 who are well-known in Homewood.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10229/1080580-53.stm

Councilman to propose gas drilling ban in city; Ravenstahl opposes idea
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
By Joe Smydo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh City Councilman Doug Shields today plans to unveil legislation to ban natural gas drilling in the city, saying he's wants to test a municipality's right to self-government, even if that means inviting a legal challenge from the drilling industry.

"Why can't we say no? Why is it that local authorities, the local government, can't make that determination?" Mr. Shields said Monday, the same day that the University of Pittsburgh reported a surge in the number of Allegheny County property owners who have leased land for oil and gas exploration.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10229/1080536-53.stm

On Saturday night, I ran into the East Liberty Giant Eagle (which is always an adventure) to quickly buy two boxes of Popsicles and a box of Twix mini ice cream bars. I was in the mood for some frozen treats after such a hot and humid week. I grabbed my items and headed to the self-checkout lanes (which is also always an adventure). To my great joy, one was free, and I scanned my items. Just as I was pulling my wallet out of my pocket to pay the $12 total, a man came out of nowhere and approached me with his Access card extended and asked me if he could pay for my total with his card and then I would give him the cash. I said no. He stepped closer to me and said, "Why not? It's the same thing." To which I said, "It is NOT the same thing." And then I asked him to step back. And he disappeared back into the store. That's the first time that's ever happened to me.

I have recently learned that the pollen found in lilies is toxic to cats. I had never heard that before, but I'm not a cat person. So, I guess the lesson is don't bring home lilies if you have a cat, and if you know someone with a cat, don't send them lilies.

In the middle of a horrible, lengthy recession (at times seemingly teetering on the verge of a depression), Duquesne Light wants to raise electricity rates. They are proposing the following increases:

Monthly bill for an average commercial customer: 6.14%
Monthly bill for an average industrial customer: 2.98%
And, of course, the average residential customer gets screwed on the monthly bill: 9.38%

This is how America does business.

Judge orders identities of commenters be revealed
Thursday, August 12, 2010
By Mary Niederberger, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Anonymous bloggers beware. You may not be as anonymous as you think.

Forward Township Supervisor Thomas DeRosa has won a court victory in the action that he filed in November to uncover the identities of people who posted comments on an online bulletin board that he said defamed him.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10224/1079435-96.stm

Iowa restaurant ticketed for toad-licking chef
Aug 11, 7:03 PM EDT

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) -- An Iowa restaurant owner said he'll pay a fine after his head chef was videotaped kissing and licking toads in the kitchen. The Scott County Health Department reviewed the video Wednesday and called in the chef and owner of Osaka in Davenport to issue a $335 ticket. Food inspector Lindsay Gorishek said several violations were committed during the video.

On the tape, chef Christopher Turla is seen with two small toads on the prep table. He kisses the toads a few times, licks them, then stuffs them in his mouth.

Turla said it was meant as a joke. His brother videotaped the kitchen antics and posted them on YouTube.

Restaurant owner Yidi When said Turla is just a funny guy who needs some more training about restaurant sanitation.

Written by Rob Rogers

Tom Ridge once had a job where he had to put a good face on the Bush Administration's civil liberties crackdown. Now he has a job where he has to put a good face on the gas drilling industry's environmental frackdown. He is the new spokesman for Marcellus shale drilling interests. The controversial hydraulic drilling procedure (called fracking) has been said to contaminate underground water. They are paying him a $900, 000 salary. Heck, for that much money ... even I would say it is perfectly safe!

Written by Rob Rogers

Just because we are pulling out of Iraq doesn't mean our soldiers are out of harm's way. Reports are showing a rise in the suicide rate among soldiers fighting in Iraq. Combine that with post-traumatic stress, violent behavior, depression, drug and alcohol abuse and we have a national epidemic on our hands. These heroes need serious help. They need treatment and counseling. Let's make sure they get it.

Woman wipes dirty diaper on car during traffic dispute
Monday, August 09, 2010
The Associated Press

CONNELLSVILLE -- State police say a woman wiped a dirty diaper on the window of another woman's vehicle during a dispute in a traffic jam as both were leaving the Fayette County Fair.

Twenty-three-year-old Jessica Hollis, of Mount Pleasant, has been charged with harassment in the incident, which state police in Uniontown say happened about 10:50 p.m. Saturday.

Police say Ms. Hollis smeared the diaper on the rear window of a vehicle driven by 36-year-old Melanie Campbell, of Hopwood.

Police say the women began arguing while they were stuck in traffic leaving the fairgrounds in Dunbar Township.

I think that if you live in Pittsburgh, you need to have a friend or relative with a boat. I have neither.

New Rule: If you're going to use the self-checkout lane at a grocery store, then you either have to know how to use it already, or you have to be able to figure it out in five minutes.

I was wondering when this would come up . . .

BP says it might drill again in spill reservoir
By GREG BLUESTEIN and HARRY R. WEBER
Associated Press Writers
Aug 6, 2:16 PM EDT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- BP PLC said Friday it might someday drill again into the same lucrative undersea pocket of oil that spilled millions of gallons of crude, wrecked livelihoods and fouled beaches along the Gulf of Mexico.

"There's lots of oil and gas here," Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles said at a news briefing. "We're going to have to think about what to do with that at some point."

The vast oil reservoir beneath the blown well is still believed to hold nearly $4 billion worth of crude. With the company and its partners facing tens of billions of dollars in liabilities, the incentive to exploit the wells and the reservoir could grow.

Caption inspired by FF . . .

"Okay, Ben, just smile and pretend we're talking about something serious. Now tell me, how tight was that 20-year-old pussy?"

It's just my opinion, but I don't think we are helping obese people when we give them handicapped or disabled parking placards.

Police arrest four after drugs found in toddler's diaper
Thursday, August 05, 2010
By Jim McKinnon, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A 2-year-old child was removed from her mother's custody overnight after police, in a raid, found the toddler's diaper full of illegal drugs and urine.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10217/1077924-455.stm


If for no other reason, you should open up the story to see the photos of these chuckleheads.

Too good not to post . . .

On Facebook, wife learns of husband's 2nd wedding
By MEGHAN BARR Associated Press Writer

AP Photo

Aug 5, 5:56 AM EDT

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FACEBOOK_CHEATING_DISPUTE?SITE=PAPIT&SECTION=NATIONAL&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Peter Diana/Post-Gazette


It's a nice photo. But Dan Rooney is definitely shrinking.

What's up with the patches on the training camp practice jerseys? Are the Steelers having some trouble meeting payroll this month? I saw that the Dallas Cowboys have patches for the University of Phoenix on their practice jerseys. But not every team has them. Jerry Jones, I can understand. But the Rooneys?

It's progress . . .

State's taking applications for high-risk health insurance
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
By Bill Toland, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The state's new high-risk health insurance plan, PA Fair Care, is accepting applications from Pennsylvanians starting this morning.

The program is meant provide health coverage for Pennsylvanians who have been unable to obtain insurance because of preexisting medical conditions. Up to 3,500 Pennsylvanians will receive coverage initially on a first-come-first-serve basis. Policies will cost about $283 a month.

You can apply online at www.pafaircare.com. Those without immediate access are encouraged to visit a local library, community center or county assistance office for free public access to the Internet, because applications will be processed more quickly online. If your computer has a pop-up advertisement blocker, you'll need to temporarily disable that as well.

The application can be completed in under 15 minutes.

A toll-free help line (1-888-767-7015) is also available for those with questions, but it is not meant to handle those applying for coverage.

Sometimes it's hard to believe that President Obama is only eight years older than I am. I have a lot of work to do.

National report cites local subway extension as stimulus waste
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
By Jon Schmitz, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10215/1077322-147.stm


Tunnel to Nowhere news is always fun. This story puts a political spin on the project, with an almost surprise ending.

Just Sidney being Sidney.

Drill, baby, drill is now Pennsylvania's slogan. Gas companies have been scrambling to take advantage of the Marcellus shale natural gas deposits. While all of this could mean new energy sources, tax revenue and jobs, environmentalists are worried about the impact. Toxic chemicals used in the hydraulic "fracking" process have been known to contaminate underground water. The drillers claim these are isolated incidents, but some of us are not convinced.

Isn't he just the charmer?

DAVE: Barry Bonds was the best baseball player that I ever saw, and as you know, I saw him pre-steroids. But the motherfucker was so envious of McGwire and Sosa, rather than being content being considered the best all-around baseball player in the game, he had to juice. He had been my favorite player, even with the Giants, up until then. Now, I just think he's a joke.

JIM: Same here. I agree with all that. For many years, I used to stick up for Bonds when people ripped him. oops.

I can remember watching a skinny Barry Bonds hit .258 while batting leadoff his rookie year. I used to tell people all the time that he was going to be a future Hall of Famer and they would laugh at me.

DAVE: Well, the Pirates sure had high hopes for him, even then. But now, I suspect he will never get into the Hall of Fame.

JIM: That remains to be seen.

Written and drawn by Rob Rogers . . .

Jane Orie, a Republican state Senator, is accused along with her sister Janine of using staff members to help another sister, Joan, with her campaign. They are under investigation by Allegheny County DA Stephen Zappala. It has also been revealed that they used a medium or "Angel Whisperer" to peek into their future charges.

Written and drawn by Rob Rogers . . .

Sarah Palin made up a word and then compared herself to William Shakespeare. No, I am not making this up. She used the word "refudiate" and then, after being told it wasn't a word, claimed that English is a living language. She tweeted, "Shakespeare liked to coin new words too. Got to celebrate it!" To be or not to be? You Betcha!

I figured it out while I was walking dogs today. I have to stop reading the PG online. I used to check it just for the weather, but when I allow myself to scroll down the whole page, I end up reading articles and then thinking about them and then blogging about them and then thinking about them some more. I already had a rule where I haven't watched the local or national news in almost a year. But I like reading the stories. I don't like newspapers, but newspapers online are just fantastic, as far as I'm concerned. I embrace that technology. But now I'm going to have to control how much exposure I get to it.

Tony Hayward is leaving as head of BP. But don't worry about him. He's going to get a very nice golden parachute as a parting gift, and he will most likely be employed as a high-ranking executive in the oil industry somewhere else within the year. These guys don't just go away. They get recycled among giant corporations.

A lot of things to blog about this morning. I think I will conclude by saying that while it is clear that Kaye Cowher was a tremendous person and mother, the two indelible memories that I have of her are the way she and her daughters greeted Bill Cowher as he walked off the field after losing Super Bowl XXX to the Cowboys in 1996, and then the way she stood by his side and celebrated with him when he (and the Steelers) finally got that elusive fifth Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl XL in 2006.

Written and drawn by Rob Rogers . . .

Republicans didn't want unemployment benefits to be renewed. We're in the middle of an economic crisis and suddenly they find religion about spending? Guess they forgot about all those deficits they racked up with two wars and tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. During Obama's presidency, the GOP has done nothing but vote "NO" on everything. They're not working toward a solution, they're just standing in the way.

Well blast prompts call for stricter regs
Fatal natural gas explosion in Indiana Twp. was state's 2nd since June
Sunday, July 25, 2010
By Jim McKinnon, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10206/1075294-113.stm

Deepwater Horizon alarm was disabled
Technician: Didn't want to wake crew
Saturday, July 24, 2010
By Robbie Brown, The New York Times

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10205/1075056-84.stm

Now that Pennsylvania is such a hotbed for the oil and natural gas located in the underground Marcellus Shale, I wonder if these types of incidents are going to become a regular occurrence. But don't worry, my vast and loyal readership, if republicans have their way, there will be little to no regulation or supervision of these wells. And if you are gullible enough to believe the ridiculous commercials on television that suggest that actually taxing these huge moneymaking energy companies that are now rushing from all over the country to dig for our oil and natural gas will hurt, rather than help, the local economies, well, then, you're just wrong. Corporations have LOTS of money to spend on affecting public opinion. Not so much money on safety regulations and disaster preparedness, it seems.


Blast at natural gas well kills 2 workers
Texas firm puts out fire in Indiana Twp. and caps the well
Saturday, July 24, 2010
By Moriah Balingit, Jim McKinnon and Sean Hamill, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10205/1075121-54.stm

Several Downtown Pittsburgh landmarks up for sale
Friday, July 23, 2010
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The way things are going, the Golden Triangle just might become one gigantic "for sale" sign.

All over Downtown, buildings are going up for sale almost as fast as LeBron James jerseys in Cleveland.

And not just any old building. Some of Pittsburgh's signature real estate is on the block -- from Macy's (formerly Kaufmann's) department store to Gateway Center, the linchpin of the city's first renaissance.

Others up for sale include the Henry W. Oliver Building; the Regional Enterprise Tower, formerly the Alcoa building; EQT Tower, once known as Dominion Tower; and the American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania building.

And that doesn't even count some of the smaller properties that have hit the market recently.

What's next? The County Courthouse? PPG Place? U.S. Steel Tower?

The surge in sales has made newspaper headlines and even attracted the attention of City Hall. Aides to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl have consulted with local real estate brokers seeking to determine what is driving the phenomenon.


Interesting story with different theories and predictions. Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10204/1074697-28.stm

The Orie sisters kind of freak me out.

It looks like there were no new local shootings overnight. So, the streak ends at two. I suppose that's actually good news, as opposed to bad.

From an AP story . . .

At a hearing in suburban New Orleans, one of the ill-fated rig's drilling supervisors told Coast Guard investigators that the rig's crew didn't stop drilling or properly notify regulators when a hydraulic leak was discovered in a critical safety device weeks before the blast. Well site leader Ronald Sepulvado testified that he and others aboard the rig believed the leak wouldn't prevent the device, called a blowout preventer, from functioning properly.


Oops.

While there was not a shooting in the East End overnight, there was a fatal shootout in nearby Penn Hills in the early hours of the morning.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10201/1074008-100.stm

As his term as Governor moves toward its conclusion, Ed Rendell wants Pennsylvania to raise $472 million a year it needs for transportation projects. His first plan is to tax oil companies in the state, like all of the energy companies that have descended upon Western Pennsylvania now that we apparently have a slew of fossil fuels in the Marcellus Shale. If the state legislature won't tax big oil companies, then guess who is going to make up that money?

Options including increasing driver's licenses renewal fees from $21 to $23.10; increasing annual car registration from $36 to $45; increasing vehicle title fees from $22.50 to $28.13; increasing annual inspection sticker fees from $2 to $4.06 and increasing the cost of driving history reports from $5 to $11.20.

Those fee increases would raise about $265 million, the governor's office said. A 3.25-cent-per-gallon increase at the pump, meanwhile, would raise about $200 million.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10201/1073904-147.stm

Jim and his family are on a cruise this week, so no witty email banter from the two of us. But I just wanted to conduct a little experiment. I bet that every day this week, there is a story in the PG online about a shooting in the East End. My neighborhood. The violence is getting closer. And more frequent.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10200/1073804-53.stm

That's one.

I always find it funny that I get thirsty after I eat ice cream.

I almost never even think or speak about Sarah Palin, because I consider her to be completely insignificant. But this piece of information about her daughter's new job was just too much:

Bristol Palin was thrust into the spotlight as a pregnant teen during her mother's unsuccessful campaign for vice president. She recently signed on with a group to offer speeches on abstinence and "pro-life" issues, among other topics, and will be paid between $15,000 and $30,000 per appearance, Palin family attorney Thomas Van Flein said in May.

I can't stop listening to this song . . . and whistling . . .

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros "Home" from Edward Sharpe on Vimeo.

JIM: My wife tricked me into going to the mall tonight to make me buy new clothes for our upcoming vacation.

I got two new pairs of shorts. Size 34.

I am so sad. So very, very sad.

DAVE: When's your vacation? Where are you going?

How ironic. I just ordered a new pair of shorts online last night. Size 34.

Has your waistline gotten bigger?

JIM: We're taking the kids on a cruise.

It ain't getting any smaller.

DAVE: Where are you and the kids cruising to?

Mine seems to have found a nice resting spot at 34.

JIM: We're going on a Nickelodeon themed cruise that leaves from New York and goes to Nassau, Port Canaveral, and Norweigan's own island in the Bahamas. The kids think we're going to Canada though and aren't quite thrilled about that.

DAVE: Nice one, Dad.

JIM: Dad really has nothing to do with it.

DAVE: Who's paying for it?

JIM: That is a good point.

Normally, my monthly bank statement is three pages, front and back. This month's bank statement was four pages. An entire page was devoted to this insert.

Today I gave what amounted to the bulk of my football and baseball card collection to a 14-year-old young man named Matt from the South Hills who was the only youth who replied to my craigslist ad to give away my cards. Everyone else was an adult, in some cases asking for them to give to a youth. But from our email correspondence responding the cards, I could tell that the cards should go to him. Today, when I met him face-to-face, and saw his family crammed into the minivan waiting for him, I knew that the cards were going to the right place. I couldn't have picked a better candidate if I had tried. Typical Pittsburgh family. Going into high school in the fall, braces, zits, facial hair in patches, hair all a mess like the kids wear it these days. I wouldn't go as far as to say something sort of corny like he reminded me of me at his age. Because he didn't. But he did remind me that baseball cards are something to be handed down, within families, from outside families, among complete strangers. That's the way it should be done, and today I helped continue the tradition.







Post Script

For such a large collection, there were just a small number of cards of any real value in today's market, something about which I've lamented in previous posts. I kept those cards. I didn't give them to Matt. Although there were some decent cards in what I gave him. Just not anything with much actual value. And in a surprisingly sentimental move, I kept the complete Topps set from 1979, the last year that the Pittsburgh Pirates will ever win a World Series.

I'm told that people are actually wearing these little contraptions as shoes.

It looks like some people have been waiting their whole lives for table games to come to Pittsburgh.

Sandbonis to the rescue.

DAVE: Postal rates are going up again. Last increase was May 2009. That's why I always buy the Forever stamps. The Postal Service has got to be the worst run business in America.

JIM: It used to be so efficient and cost-effective too. Stamps were cheap and rarely went up in price and the Postal Service generated enough revenue on its own to sustain itself. I wonder what happened.

DAVE: Are you being sarcastic?

JIM: No. It wasn't really all that long ago that the Post Office was a totally self-sufficient government organization. Honest. I'm sure you could Google it with your high-speed internet access.

DAVE: That's what I thought. Actually, it was high-speed internet that killed the Post Office. And it is no longer a government organization. THAT may be the problem.

JIM: Maybe. It's probably not quite that simple though.

DAVE: No, but it is one of these companies with "antiquated" things known as pension plans. Those companies are not doing so hot these days. The City of Pittsburgh has a HUGE pension plan fund shortfall. So, the mayor raised parking rates.

JIM: Here, they are putting a tax on soda. Or "pop", as you would call it.

DAVE: I don't call it "pop." And our mayor proposed that, too.

I went through a huge box of baseball and football cards on Saturday. It was painful. There was nothing of value in the box of something like 6000 cards, and the cards had been given to me by somebody at some point, and I guess I had never gone through them. But on Saturday, I did. And among the cards was this classic.

"Yo, Adrian! I did it!"

Still gives me goosebumps when I see it.

I just heard that today is the 25th anniversary of the release of "Back to the Future."


How old does that make you feel?