It's cool large websites are ignoring gag requests on government subpoenas. However, we realize they only do so because not appearing to collude with government overreach happens to benefit their marketability (particularly overseas). Furthermore, this doesn't affect the most opaque of government requests: court-ordered FISA requests and executive NSLs. That's why we, private citizens, will continue pressing for Congress to remedy this.

RIP Al Feldstein The activists of the 60’s got their early exposure to satire and inept government from the pages of Mad Magazine. Al cared about humor, kids and country and he made a difference.

Democracy requires both Liberty and Justice. And giving billionaires orders of magnitude greater influence on elections than ordinary citizens is not just. This ruling pushes American society further along a cycle of increasing corporate influence from which it will be difficult to return.

Spring brings new life to Hays as the first eaglet emerges from it’s shell. Pittsburghers are jubilant as we pray for his health and await the hatching of his two siblings.

Governor Christie isn't fooling us for a second. Not only was the "investigation" he ordered into the GW Bridge closings a waste of money ($1 million in legal fees fronted by >New-Jerseyans), but it was also a waste of effort! Unsurprisingly, it defends his ignorance, but it then illogically fails to explain why the lane closings occurred in the first place! If Christie really were innocent, that would've been the entire point of the investigation. What a petty bully.

The California Coastal National Monument has been expanded by 1,665 acres. We are overjoyed that this beautiful rugged coastline will be preserved for our children and their children. The additional acreage, in Mendocino County, includes tide pools, dunes, bluffs and the estuary of the Garcia River.

>Americans and >Environmentalists love Bald Eagles, but none more so than Pittsburghers who have a nesting pair within city limits incubating three eggs. Bald Eagles had been absent from the Pittsburgh area for about 250 years but thanks to reintroduction efforts, which began 30 years ago, there are currently nests on all three rivers according to the Audubon Society of Western Penna. Outsiders may be surprised to learn of the nesting eagles within city limits but Pittsburghers are well familiar with the wildlife that exists in their many wooded areas. Not the least of which are wild turkeys, another majestic bird that, if Benjamin Franklin had his way, would have replaced the Bald Eagle as our national symbol. Click the link to see live activity from the Hays Bald Eagle cam.

Pizza - ummm We love the new fast fired pizzerias. Custom pizzas at a decent price and prepared within 10 minutes. The ones we tried are surprisingly tasty; as good as those you will find at the best mom and pop pizza shops. They will surely impact the business model of the major chains like Dominos, Pizza Hut and Round Table. Serves them right. The new shops have names like Blaze, 800 Degrees, Pieology and MOD Pizza. Check’em out.

>Pittsburghers mourn the passing of Porky Chedwick, the Daddio of the Raddio. We celebrate the life of the most loved DJ of all time of any American city, bar none. Porky originated the “old sound” in the 1950’s and played the very best of the rare oldies. He sincerely loved and respected his fans. Rest in peace Porky! One of Porky's big sounds from the early '60's, Swingin' Little Chicky by the Belltones: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uvx44KANbpU

Putin's aggression against >Ukrainians continues to undermine his oft-repeated claim that >Russians play by the international rules. Which just validates our own sidestepping of treaty and protocol. All of which concerns us because it may be setting the region up for a destructive confrontation. Hopefully Ukrainians can find a middle ground between Western and Russian alignment.

We are heartened by the rain. And it is not the typical light sprinkles that puts the local networks on “Storm Watch.” It’s a bonafide winter storm from the Pacific. On Friday it dropped 2 1/4 inches on downtown Los Angeles and more in the foothills. The storm generated warnings of flash floods and mudslides and created 12 foot waves at some beaches. Last night some San Gabriel Valley residents were awakened by two reverse 911 calls; the first warning of a tornado (“…take shelter now…”) and the second warning of flash floods. Despite our elation over the rain experts say it will do little to relieve the drought. Nevertheless it’s better than nothing. And we love it.

Programming languages are not foreign languages, just as mathematics, sheet music, and art are not foreign languages. Specifically, programming languages don't have anywhere near the expressive power of natural languages, nor are they formed by thousands of years of cultural history. Kids need to become computer literate, no question about that. But this shouldn't come at the expense of exposure to foreign cultures. In fact, we need to ensure our kids are getting more exposure to other cultures, as the globe becomes smaller and smaller.

We must not ignore the >North-Koreans. Nothing on Earth compares to the horrifying scale of inhumanity there, and the extent of oppression and despair that render them incapable of revolution. We must not mistake their inaction for satisfaction with their condition. As free people in the most powerful country on Earth, it is *our* duty to come to their aid. Michael Kirby of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in DPRK, summed up the imperative: "At the end of the second world war, so many people said, 'If only we had known. If only we had known the wrongs that were done...' Well now, the international community does know. There will be no excusing a failure of action." For starters, let's pressure our government to hold the >Chinese accountable for abetting this regime. Let's support NGOs, such as LibertyInNorthKorea.org, that help refugees. Let's talk with friends about this, and about our responsibility for the weakest and most abused of our fellow human beings. But let's not ignore the North Korean people.