Sir, Put Down the Harmonica Immediately!

Some of you might have heard this already, but to me it’s fairly recent news.  For months now, local authorities have been enforcing a ban on unsolicited music in Rittenhouse Square, prompting a protest by permitted musicians today that I could not watch because I was at work (oh, pooh).  The recent ban has effectively dissuaded [...]

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Endorsement: Michael Nutter for Philadelphia Mayor

I should have posted this (and other things) a while ago, but we all get busy, right?
This is a conclusion that I came to some early on, and with relative ease no less.  When mulling over the candidates for Philly mayor, Michael Nutter stood out in just about every way.  As we gaze into a Philadelphian [...]

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Mistakes Were Made (Really?)

How often have we heard this line in the past couple of years, or at least a variant of the same thing?  It feels like quite a bit, especially most recently in several news items involving the current administration.  Wanna recap?
 - Here’s President Bush commenting on his displeasure with the federal prosecutor dismissals, and hey, here’s [...]

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Stop the Presses

Some people who could use more than a little less press coverage than they already receive:
In Philadelphia:
 - Milton Street:  The fact that he is the Mayor’s older brother and that he is an amusing nutbag are the only real reasons why he gets so much press.  He plans on running for Mayor or City Council, depending [...]

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Michael Nutter Talks Taxes at Gracie’s

I was bemused to say the least when I read in last week’s City Paper that Michael Nutter, former city councilman and current mayoral candidate, would be appearing in Grace’s Tavern (23rd & Grays Ferry) on Feb. 12th to discuss Philadelphia tax reform issues. For those who have never been to Gracie’s (as I’m sure [...]

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“The Next Mayor”

It’s early 2007, which means the candidates for the mayoral race here in Philadelphia are beginning to show up.  For more information on the current candidates and the issues, you can go to http://www.thenextmayor.com/.

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Ignored Again

I saw only some of the State of the Union address (and begrudgingly at that; my roommate wanted to watch), and kind of found it to be the same old deal.  Most of what was said has been, just about every year, I’ve heard it before, so whatever.  I just don’t have the patience for the [...]

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A Legitimate Contender?

 
Just the other day, I tried to avoid this conversation at work.  I mean, we’re barely into 2007, far, far away from the 2008 Presidential election.  Most of the people who have announced their candidacy or are expected to fall into two categories: old standby or eye candy.  Also, it has long been my general [...]

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Lucky Us

 
After we had finished watching the Casey-Santorum televised debate last night on ABC [1], my roommate reminded me of one of my favorite Lewis Black lines:  “You see, in our two-party system, the Democrats are the party of no ideas and the Republicans are the party of bad ideas.” [2]  Too often, this sentiment rings [...]

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Left Behind, or Just Left Alone?

 
For someone who is hoping to start teaching secondary English before too long, I am often concerned and frustrated with the circumstances behind the No Child Left Behind Act [1], the federal law signed by President Bush that has demanded major school reforms throughout the country.  For those who require some background, the Act (also [...]

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