Grass-Roots Support for Philly's Embattled Cops

On Halloween morning in 2007, police officer Chuck Cassidy of the city's 35th district pulled up to a local Dunkin' Donuts to perform a routine security check and perhaps grab a fresh cup of joe to begin his work day. The bright sunshine of the morning combined with the lesser light inside the shop made it impossible for him to see inside the establishment.

Little did he know as he pulled open the door to that innocent coffee and donut shop, one that he had entered many times before, that it would be the last door he would ever open. Inside was an armed robber who turned and fired a gunshot into Cassidy before the officer ever knew what hit him.

Thus began the most deadly string of murders of Philly's Finest in decades. Just seven months after Cassidy's murder, in May of 2008, Sergeant Steve Liczbinski responded to a robbery in progress taking place at a bank branch inside a supermarket of his 24th police district. It would be the final call of his career, as Liczbinski was also gunned down in cold blood by the robbers.

Philly cops and their supporters mourned the loss of these two popular officers throughout the summer of 2008. Little did they know it was not over yet. Not nearly. In early September the city's police were again driven to shock when officer Isabel 'Izzie' Nazario was killed. She and her partner were involved in a vehicular pursuit of a stolen car, though not in direct pursuit, when the driver suddenly emerged from a blind intersection and slammed into their cruiser at full speed.

The loss of a third officer in less than a year seemed like dirt being rubbed into an already open wound. Then the unthinkable happened. Just a couple of weeks later, still in September, officer Pat McDonald pulled over a vehicle for a simple traffic violation, something that many of the city's police officers do every single day, something that I did hundreds of times. Only this would be Pat's final car stop. This time the driver was a wanted man, and he decided to shoot and kill Pat McDonald rather than risk returning to jail.

It was official, Philly's cops were under siege.

Corruptadelphia

In the ongoing probe into corruption in Philadelphia government, a number of individuals working in the administration of current Mayor John Street have been snared in the web, with some prison terms already begun.

Bugs were found in the Mayor's office, the investigation was revealed, and now the details play out in public. Developments keep coming, layers keep getting peeled back, and more and more names come to the surface.

With the imminent indictment of Philadelphia City Councilman Rick Mariano, the investigation takes another step up. Mariano created some "high drama", pardon the pun, when he climbed to the top of the City Hall tower last week in what was reported as a distressed state of anguish after his attorney resigned.

The incident saw scores of police and fire units respond, and resulted in Mariano's being talked down by Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson.

How high will it climb, and who ultimately may be caught in the web of deceit and corruption in the governing of the City of Brotherly Love? Mayor John Street himself? Perhaps even powerful local party bosses like State Senator Vince Fumo, or Congressman Bob Brady?

Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure. It is long past time for a change from Dem control of Philly without any real challenge. Stay tuned at this item for further updates as they occur, and feel free to add your own items and commentary.

Gas Prices Up: Sky is Falling !

Gas prices are up...surprise! 

Despite what the liberal Dems across the U.S. would have you believe, it is not all some simplistic George W. Bush-led cash-grab by big oil. 

Supplies squeezed by the twin destructive actions of terrorists and hurricanes. Demand pushed by emerging economies such as the behemoth China. 

Our own stupidity in failing to simply ignore the environmental wackos by expanding our domestic resources with drilling at ANWR, among other efforts. All of these forces have ganged up on us at once. 

Now, Philly mayor John Street has said "We are facing a possible utility emergency...unlike anything anyone in this city has ever experienced!" as he pushes ever more lib-style plans to help the needy with their heating bills this winter. 

First, I'll be curious to see where he draws the line on who "needy" covers. 

Next, I'll be curious to see if more taxes or less services delivered come out of this. 

Yep, things will cost a bit more, and for libs like Street, that means, in the immortal words of Chicken Little, "The sky is falling, the sky is falling!"

"The Brothers & Sisters Are Running This City"

"Let me tell you: The brothers and sisters are running this city! Oh yes, running it! Don't let nobody fool you; we are in charge of the City of Brotherly Love. We are in charge!" 

These words were spoken by Philadelphia mayor John Street in 2002. 

Can you imagine a white mayor of Philly speaking in a public forum about how the "white folks are running this town"? 

Philly has become a racially polarized town, no matter what the PC folks at the local Chamber of Commerce try to sell you. 39% white, 38% black as it's twin racial majorities. 

In the current local politically ultra-liberal climate, take it from a lifelong resident and city employee, thus someone who can't leave without losing their job: Philadelphia - A nice place to visit, but you wouldn't wanta live here.

Historic Opportunity for Parents of Philly Schoolchildren

Well, the ultra-liberal City of Philadelphia has done it again. Back in June, the school board voted to make African-American History a required course for all students in order to “further the understanding of black history.”

I have just one question for the board. What about American History, period?

Ask many of the kids currently in Philly’s public school system about American history and you will get back a blank stare.

Our kids have heard of George Washington (he was a President, right?) and Abraham Lincoln (he freed the slaves, right?) They may even have heard of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

The vast majority of Philly’s public school children get a sampling of real American history. But that exposure is inside a program that has become watered down. It is wholly incomplete, and virtually of little or no use in instilling a feeling of the shared national pride with which we and our parents and grandparents were raised.

Forget about learning the basic foundational principles of our nation. Forget about teaching of the many great men and women, and the pivotal events establishing the same.