Tuesday, January 31, 2012

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

Sent from my BlackBerry®

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

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

But we need to do more

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

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

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

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

The DRM Challenge

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

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


Sincerely,
Josh, John, Matt, and Richard


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

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Friday, January 27, 2012

The International Documentary Challenge is back!

From: Kahmeela Adams  pittsburgh@48hourfilm.com


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

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

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

Hot Docs Dates: April 26 - May 06, 2012

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

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

The International Documentary Challenge.
Real Life. Filmed Real Fast

Much Success!

Kahmeela Adams & Nina Gibbs
Pittsburgh City Producers

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


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


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


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

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

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

Maybe some ideas at:

 http://www.opencontent.org/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Wednesday, January 25, 2012

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

Water Polo is growing in Pittsburgh



Consider joining this spring, summer and/or fall.


To Swimmers, Coaches and Families of Pittsburgh Public Schools:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday, January 21, 2012

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



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


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

 PITTSBURGH ZOO SUMMER JOBS FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS

Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center can help you with:

 Knowing what Pittsburgh Zoo summer jobs

          (16 years and older) are available

     Preparing for an interview

  Filling out the actual Pittsburgh Zoo application

 

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

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

 

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

Phone: 412-362-8580

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


--
--
Ta.
 
 
412 298 3432 = cell

Friday, January 20, 2012

SportsTown article: Water polo for the city league and beyond

Article:


Announcement: Water polo for the City League and beyond

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



Thursday, January 19, 2012

Fw: Winter Lecture Series is Back!



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

Forward email


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

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

Fw: Exclusive Pass: Ron Paul Spin Room - Saturday

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


Subject: Exclusive Pass: Ron Paul Spin Room - Saturday



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

Gary S. Franchi Jr.
Chairman, Revolution PAC



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



Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Ken is running for state rep.

Libertarians nominate Ken Krawchuk for State Rep in PA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


--
--
Ta.
412 298 3432 = cell

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



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


Hat tip to Anjney Midha for passing along ...


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

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

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








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--
--
Ta.
 
 
412 298 3432 = cell

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Fw: Skirts

From: Shelby Knox, Change.org

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

Voters



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


PROTECT VOTING RIGHTS IN PENNSYLVANIA!

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

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

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

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


Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Rick Adams and Rev. Tom Smith Co-Conveners WPBPA

E. Richard Phipps Comm. Secretary WPBPA


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


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Saturday, January 07, 2012

Fw: Rick Santorum Exposed

Sent from my BlackBerry®

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



Dear Liberty Activist,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click to Watch the  Video

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

***     Voting for gun control;

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

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

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

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

He's proud of it!

Click to Watch the Video

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click to Watch the Video

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

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

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

And today, I'm asking for your support.

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

A counterfeit like Rick Santorum won't cut it.

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

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

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

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

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

Together, you and I can Restore America Now.

For Liberty,

Ron Paul

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

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

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

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

Click to Watch the Video



Paid for by Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee

www.ronpaul2012.com