Philly Budget Crisis

Tom Ferric, in Wednesday's Inquirer, speculates on the Street created budget crisis.

This much I do know. If the city goes without a budget for a long, long time, voter anger is likely to focus more on the mayor. Why? Because he's supposed to be the leader of the city. They expect him to solve problems, not create them.

Read the whole thing.

Godspeed President Reagan

Ronald Reagan was the first President I voted for. He is also an important reason why I enlisted in the Navy. He caused me to believe that service to my country was a noble act. He also sparked my interest in politics and someday, after lawschool, I hope to continue to serve my country and fellow Americans with President Reagan as my role model.

Don't be Fooled by the Rocks She Got . . . in her Head

I read in Wednesday's Metro that Jennifer Lopez is a devout Catholic.

Umm yeah. If this is so, how then could she be married three times with the third time coming less than a week after her husband was divorced. Even with all the money those two may have available, it takes longer than a week to get an annulment. Oh wait, she was married outside, not in the Catholic church, no annulment necessary.

The reason for this information coming to light: She is pregnant and because she is a devout Catholic, she doesn't want her child born out of wedlock.

She may be Catholic but she is in no way devout.

Don't be Fooled by the Rocks She Got . . . in her Head

I read in Wednesday's Metro that Jennifer Lopez is a devout Catholic.

Umm yeah. If this is so, how then could she be married three times with the third time coming less than a week after her husband was divorced. Even with all the money those two may have available, it takes longer than a week to get an annulment. Oh wait, she was married outside, not in the Catholic church, no annulment necessary.

The reason for this information coming to light: She is pregnant and because she is a devout Catholic, she doesn't want her child born out of wedlock.

She may be Catholic but she is in no way devout.

Philadelphia Inquirer | 06/09/2004 | Romance on Net leads pair to jail

There are some stories that just make me shake my head because they seem to prove that my long-held belief that, on a good day, 98% of the world's population are idiots is a grossly over optimistic assessment. This is one of those stories.

A Smarty Blessing

There is no Philly curse!

I am always amused at the depths to which this city sinks to after a sporting event loss. Saturday, Smarty Jones lost by one length over the mile-and-a-half oval that is the Belmont Stakes. I watched the race at a local pub and after the race was over, the muttering began.

"It's the Philly curse," my waitress said.

"Why can't we ever catch a break," said a man at the bar.

All reactions expected but none justified.

Every year, thousands of thoroughbred racehorses are born, all, incidentally, given the birthdate of January 1 of the year of their birth. Out of those thousands born three years ago in Kentucky, Smarty Jones escaped a mysterious illness that killed young foals by the hundreds. That Smarty Jones was born to a Philadelphia car dealership owner is Philly blessing number one. That Smarty Jones was brought north to train in Philadelphia and escaped the Kentucky plague is Philly blessing number two.

Soon after coming north, Smarty Jones began training at Philadelphia Park and rears up in the gate one day, knocking himself out and nearly killing himself. Fortunately, after hurting himself, Smarty received the finest veterinarian care possible and was saved. Philly blessing number three.

Two years later, Smarty Jones wins North American horseracing's signature event, The Kentucky Derby. The fourth Philly blessing bestowed upon Philadelphia by this remarkable horse. Two weeks later, Smarty Jones wins the Preakness for blessing number five.

For three weeks after the Preakness there was an incredible sense of community as the whole region got behind the smallish colt from Bensalem. Blessing number six.

Smarty Jones did not win the Belmont Stakes and did not claim the triple crown. Contrary to the thinking of many, this is not evidence of a Philly curse. Instead of focusing on the final loss, why can't the infamously fatalistic Philly fans see this year's triple crown odyssey for what it really is: An incredible blessing to be involved in something so exciting.

No, Smarty Jones did not lose because of an imagined curse. Rather, Philadelphia won because we were all taken for a wonderful and exciting ride on the back of the little horse from Someday Farms.

Ladies Nights Prohibited in New Jersey

KYW reports that Ladies Nights are no longer legal in New Jersey.

I wonder if the guy who so lacked a life that he pursued this cause of action will next be upset when the men in the bar don't offer to buy him a drink.

Philly Spurns Love(ly) Idea

Philadelphia's administration, led by Mayor Street, once again demonstrated their ineptitude and lack of vision.

"The city really has run out of valid reasons for the LOVE Park ban. It's hard to shake the suspicion that the opposition stems from a perverse dislike of anything that's new or youthful."

Read the whole thing here.

Philadelphia finally a Champion

Living in Philadelphia makes you three times more likely to be murdered than in New York City. Way to go neighbors.

Read the story here.

Derisory Darby Dispute

Can you do anything else but laugh every time you hear about Darby Mayor Paula Brown's standoff with the borough council?

Happy Memorial Day

No matter what you do this Memorial Day, be it going to the shore or grilling in your own backyard, take a moment and think about the reason for the holiday.

Kerry anoints self President

Have you seen Senator Kerry's plane and website? Timoth Perry has a picture of Kerry's plane here.

Did I somehow fall asleep for six months and am now waking up to a Kerry administration? If he is now President, shouldn't someone tell him that he's violating the Constitution by holding postions in both the executive and legislative branches.

Internet Telephone: It's much better than you think

Comcast announced yesterday that it was going to begin testing of Voice Over Internet Protocol. I fired Verizon as my phone provider last month and subscribed to an originator of the service, Vonage.

What ever you think or have been told about internet telephones in the past is wrong. Among the misconceptions I've encountered is that you have to hook a microphone up to your computer. Umm, no, you actually use your phone just like you normally would. I've also been told that the sound quality is bad. Well, to my untrained ears, it sounds like a normal phone call to me.

Finally, and in my mind most importantly, the price is great: for unlimited local and long distance calls, caller ID, voicemail, call forwarding, etc. it costs $29.95 per month.

Never before did I have such a feeling of empowerment as when I told Verizon why I was cancelling my service.