Memorial Day @ Adventure Aquarium

How did everyone enjoy their Memorial Day Holiday?  My wife and I joined my daughter and son in law and our three grandchildren and My cousin and his wife and their son on a Ferryboat ride from Philadelphia to Camden...

We went to what is now known as Adventure Aquarium....(See Photos Above)

A good time was had by all!

Broad Street Run

You know after what just transpired in Boston a few weeks ago, I was a little leery about the Broad Street run ,which this city hosts every year...Especially since some dear friends of mine were set to run in it...But as I write this...Hours after the run's end...I am elated to say that there was no incidents reported....Certainly no tragic terrorist attacks and loss of limbs and life such as the tragic events in Boston recently.

Such are the times we live in...Where you have to be thinking in the back of your mind everytime you go out to a movie, a sporting event, a concert or maybe an outdoor bar or Cantina....Is some nut with an agenda planning something?

Despite that...You have to live your life...You can't retreat to the presumed safety of your homes...You have to live your life....You can't let the terrorists and nut fringe win!

There was certainly evidence today that several people were indeed living their lives....(I was there, as was my wife...Just blocks away at the Green Eggs Cafe (see today's Good Foodie post!-Shameless plug for one of my other blogs!)

The 34th annual Broad Street Run, just three weeks after the Boston Marathon bombings, winds to a close not only without violence but with glory and glee. The race, sponsored by Independence Blue Cross, has become more than just a footrace, but a motivation, a milestone, and a celebration.

From North Philadelphia where the 10-mile course began to its finish at the Navy Yard, runners and spectators were obviously happy that the race appears to have gone off without any problems. "That was awesome," said Christy Pegg of Malvern as runners gave the high five to Army Reserve and National Guard at the finish.

 "A different vibe this year." Mayor Michael Nutter and Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey told reporters there were no security issues or problems so far. "So far, so good," Mayor Nutter said at Broad and Walnut Streets, the six-mile point of the race. "No one has done anything they shouldn't do so far." 

Referring to the helicopters flying overhead, Mayor Nutter added, "We need our eyes in the sky.” He confirmed federal agents are helping. "Everyone has really cooperated well." For the runners - an estimated 40,000 in Philadelphia’s signature race - the run took on many meanings. The top runners are from Ethiopia. The male winner, Ayele Feisha, now of New York finished in 47:03; the top female runner, Askale Merachi who lives in Ethiopia, finished in 53:46.

Thousands wore red socks to show their support for Boston.

Huddling Up For Autism

This month, April is Autism Awareness Month and as part of the activities sponsered by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Eagles football team is the Huddle Up For Autism event given at Lincoln Financial Field here in Philadelphia.

My wife and I took our grandson to the event yesterday...

This free, fun-filled day  included field and locker room tours, arts and crafts, magic shows, games, face painting and more. There was also be special appearances by Eagles personalities!

My grandson had the time of his life yesterday and may even of found a sport that he loves and will one day master...Golf.. We couldn't get him out of the indoor golf range!! Imagine that! The second coming of Tiger Woods!

New Hope for Children With Autism

Did you know that April is "Autism Awareness Month" and April 2nd was "World Autism Awarness Day"?This is actually the second post I've done this week about autism, and now you know why. Just a couple of years ago, it was reported that 1 in every 110 children were diagnosed with autism. Now, it is a staggering 1 in every 88 children... and, to break it down even further, 1 in every 54 boys and 1 in every 252 girls are diagnosed with autism. As you can see, there is a disproportionate number of boys diagnosed with autism and that has consistently been the case for some time now. So, I think the timinig of the news I'm about to share is not only appropriate, but also encouraging.

A new study shows that about 10% of children who are severely affected by autism at age 3 seem to have bloomed by age 8, leaving behind many of the condition’s crippling deficits. And, while these "bloomers" still retain some symptoms of autism, like the tendency to rock back and forth when stressed or to repeat the same behavior over and over, they have become what experts dub, "high functioning", according to the study published today in "Pediatrics". This means their social skills and their ability to communicate have vastly improved.

A child at the low end of the communication scale might not be able to talk or even make any sounds, explained the study’s lead author, Christine Fountain, a post-doctoral fellow at Columbia University. Those at the other end of the scale "would have a broad vocabulary, understand the meaning of words and use them in the appropriate contexts, understand the meaning of story plots, and carry on complex conversations", she explained.

Similarly, a child with a low score on the social scale would have problems interacting with others and would not be able to make friends or socialize. At the high end of the scale, is a child who "would initiate one-on-one interactions with both peers and others in familiar and unfamiliar settings, initiate and maintain friendships, and not need encouragement to participate in social activities", Fountain said.

So-called "bloomers" appear to be edging up towards the upper half of both those scales. Christine Fountain and her colleagues didn’t expect to see kids jump from the low end to the high end in just a few short years. "It was a surprise to see how much improvement they showed and how quickly", Fountain said. "That's kind of a hopeful message. This is hopeful because the odds of such big improvements might rise if more kids got the right kind of therapy early in life", Ms.Fountain said.

The researchers studied the records of 6,975 California children who had been diagnosed with autism. They found that many of the children showed improvements between ages 3 and 8, but the "bloomers", showed startling progress, moving from the most severely affected to some of the highest functioning. Kids who are older can continue to make progress, but more slowly, experts say. While many of their symptoms fade, they still retain the autism diagnosis.

Fountain and her colleagues suspect, after scrutinizing the differences between children who bloomed and those who didn't, that it likely comes down to which kids were able to get early, intensive therapy since the children who improved the most had parents with more education and financial wherewithal. Researchers say that it's possible there might be something inherently different about the children themselves who are "bloomers," but they don’t know that for sure.

As they delved into the "bloomers" backgrounds, the researchers found that these children were more likely than others to have mothers with at least a high school education and to come from a higher socio-economic class. Unfortunately, they didn't have information on the fathers. "Bloomers" also tended not to have any intellectual disabilities.

The findings don't surprise autism expert Tamar Apelian. “Most children need about 30-40 hours a week of intervention", said Dr. Apelian, a staff psychologist at the Autism Evaluation Clinic at the University of California, Los Angeles. "What's tricky is being able to navigate the system to get the therapy, especially with the state budget crisis. The parents who do this seem to have more means and they can hire an advocate or a lawyer."

And, that's where parents' backgrounds come into play. You know the drill... those who have the means can get the best therapy and treatment for their child. And, then there are those that don't, yet I see this as one of those issues where every family, regardless of means, should be able to have proper and equal treatment for their children. Call me a socialist or whatever you will, but that's how I feel. And yet, eternal optimist that I am, I am heartened by this news.

Let Your Blue Light Shine For Autism!

It's officially Autism Awarenss Month and "LIGHT IT UP BLUE" time! This is our outdoor porch light, which will continue to shine bright April 1st-2nd for all those on the autism spectrum. Just a couple of years ago, it was reported that 1 in every 110 children were diagnosed w/ autism... now, the numbers are a staggering 1 in every 88 children--1 in every 54 boys and 1 in every 252 girls. For more information, visit the Autism Speaks website: http://www.autismspeaks.org/

Hoodies,Skittles and Guns!

They are trying to criminalize Trayvon, reporting that he was on suspension from high school at the time of his death (for having an empty marijuana baggie) and stories (from George Zimmerman) that Trayvon decked him with one punch and was on top of him punching him when he pulled out his gun and shot him...

Trayvon isn't around to tell his side of the story unfortunately..So they are going to make him out to be a criminal so his killing can be justified..I knew this was going to happen.

How about...If George Zimmerman had heeded the damn good advice from the 911 operater that night and not pursued Trayvon, Not attempted to detain him, Not questioned him...None of this would have happened? 

Forget about race, forget about all of this....This is a case of simple right and wrong and common sense....(Or lack of it!!!) This isn't about hoodies or whether George Zimmerman is or isn't a vile racist...Again..it's about right and wrong.  He had no right to stop,question or detain anybody that night...He was not and is not a police officer!  It wouldn't be anymore less tragic if this had been a white youngster who had been slain...but if it had..I'm 100 percent certain that George Zimmerman wouldn't have just been allowed to walk home that night and WITH his GUN!!

Think about that long and hard!

The Side That Ain't So Sweet!

SugarHouse Casino Official Website

Last Thursday, the City of Philadelphia became the largest U.S. City to have a casino. Yes, in both area and population, Philly is larger than both Atlantic City and Las Vegas. I know it doesn't seem like it, but it's true. My wife and I visited the Sugar House just this past Friday Night.

Nobody thinks that the opening of this casino a few days ago will make Philadelphia an east coast version of Las Vegas. It won't even be Atlantic City west, but the first casino ever in the city of Philadelphia may put a dent into AC's business and it will give the city government a much-appreciated revenue boost. At least that's what they've been telling us.

The opening of the Sugar House last Thursday marks the end of more than a decade of legal wrangling, protests, suits, countersuits, and delays as casino owners worked to mollify upset neighbors and keep supportive ones happy. It also means that Philadelphia will finally get at least some of the rivers-of-money state lawmakers envisioned would flow from legalized gambling in the state. In today's depressed economy, however, the promised tax relief that would accompany that money may not be in the cards.

The new Sugar House casino is the smallest of the three casinos now operating in the Philadelphia area (there is one in Chester and I don't know where the third one is), with only 45,000 or so square feet of gaming space, a decision made in response to community opposition to a huge facility. Inside the low-ceilinged, intimate space are 1,600 slot machines, 40 tables offering seven different games, a small enclosed area with blackjack tables for high rollers, two casual eateries, two bars, and one amenity no other casino floor in North America has... windows!

Yupper, a whole wall of them, facing the Delaware River, on whose bank the facility sits. They offer a fabulous view of the river and Camden on the other side of it... and they can be opened. No one will be able to completely lose track of time here. A promenade just beyond the windows will eventually connect to a planned riverside greenway and pedestrian/bicycle path.

Also, with the casino comes jobs... 900 of them, which are 90% filled by Pennsylvanians, 75% of whom are city residents, and 20% residents of neighboring Fishtown. The casino will also pump money into a special services district for Fishtown and other neighborhood improvements, with the stream expected to be $1 million a year by 2012.

Casino critics fear the facility will also bring crime, increased poverty, and a passel of domestic problems stemming from gambling addiction, not to mention traffic. Casino-Free Philadelphia, an organization formed to stop the two casinos the state gaming law allocates to Philadelphia, plans to launch a campaign publicizing the problems associated with gambling addiction in an effort to depress casino revenues.

But the casino also has fans among the neighbors, including a group organized specifically to support it, Fishtown Action. The supporters especially appreciate the jobs and physical improvements that the casino is bringing to the area. Okay, that's the sweet side... here is the side of having a casino or casinos isn't as sweet.

I parked my car this morning and instead of walking the three long city blocks to my building, I caught the shuttle bus that just happened to be there. A woman was excitedly telling the bus driver about her experience at the Sugar House (apparently, she had been there Friday Night when my wife and I were there). She told the bus driver about the two restaraunts, the band that was doing 70's cover songs, and the little bit of money she won on the slot machines. She asked him if he had been or when he was planning to check it out and the bus driver said flatly-"Never!"

It wasn't that I was listening to their conversation, but this flat refusal to go to something brand new in this town peaked my interest. He went on to say that he was a "degenerate gambler" and that, "some years ago, he ran up a debt so big at Resorts in Atlantic City that the hotel-casino actually had the deed to his house!" He said he owed close to $100,000 and it took him ten years to pay it all off. After that, he had learned his lesson. He said, almost with pride, "I haven't been in a casino since 1992."

I shook my head at the loss and the pure waste of being on the hook for that kind of money for ten or fifteen years. He could've put a couple of kids through college and bought a bigger, better home, car, or done some traveling in all of that time. Again, I thought, what a complete waste.

Some human beings don't need their weaknesses and vices brought to light like that... I shudder when I think of the people who have gone bankrupt and lost their homes and marriages behind their gambling addictions. That's the side of legalized gambling that ain't so sweet... regardless of what you call the house!

This Is How It's Done

Once upon a time in Philadelphia, there was something magical called the "Greek Picnic". In the days before pagers, cell phones, email, Facebook, and Twitter, African American college students had a "word of mouth" underground type of communication that would rival all of these things. It was known that on every second Saturday in July, you were to converge on Philadelphia with members of your fraternity and sorority for a day of chillin', grillin', and socializing. This is what is referred to as networking nowadays, I suppose.

Thousands of members of Kappa Alpha Psi, Delta Sigma Theta, Omega Psi Phi, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Zeta Phi Beta, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Iota Phi Theta (the adeptly named, "Divine Nine") would meet in a chosen spot in Fairmount Park, set up tables full of food, beer, and wine, and just eat, drink, and socialize with old college chums and meet new people. People would stay there from 12noon until 7:00 or 8:00pm, then go home or to the home of a fraternity brother or sorority sister, get washed, dressed, and head downtown to the clubs.

The Kappas or the Ques were usually throwing a party somewhere, and that was that. Come Sunday Morning, we would all pile into IHOP (the one on City Avenue that used to stay open 24 hours and have breakfast) before we went home or back to college. During the years I was in college, I would actually be in town and my parents wouldn't even be aware of it... and then, I would leave and head back to college that Sunday and none would be the wiser. After college, of course, I would just head home, since I lived here. Now, fast forward to the not-so-distant-past...

The local radio stations found out about the Greek Picnic and started setting up shop in Fairmount Park on that day. They did bring DJs and music, something we never had before... but, they also brought companies trying to sell things, all kinds of "independent entrepeneurs" (drug dealers, con men), and teenagers from nearby neighborhoods that had never set foot in a college and didn't know a Delta from a Zeta. This led to fighting, police intervention, sexual assaults, and all kinds of mayhem.

Then, all of these teenagers would head to South Street and have a mini-riot, assaulting people, breaking store windows, etc. The media would always pin the mayhem on the "Greek Picnic", even though in nearly every case, the person arrested was a teenager who was not even associated with the Greek Picnic weekend. All the media needed to know was that it was a young African American and that was that..

The whole spirit of the Greek Picnic was ruined. Then, about ten years ago, some of my contemporaries put together something called "The Old School Greek Picnic". Represenatives of every predominately black frat and sorority got together and organized another picnic... in a different part of Fairmount Park on the second Saturday in August. These weren't young bucks... these were people who are my age and older. We organized it and notified only those people who needed (Greeks) to know on Facebook, Twitter, e-mails, texts, and word of mouth.

Each organization donated money for the permits, a DJ, picnic tents, and grills... and that was that. We've been meeting without incident for close to ten years and it was just like before... Just chilliin', grillin', and socializing with folks you haven't seen in a while or only on Facebook.

Today, I was happy to take my wife to the Old School Greek Picnic and show her a good time. We sat with my cousin, who is a Delta, and some of my frat brothers from Philadelphia Alumni. I saw Ques, Deltas, and AKAs I knew from my job, college years, and just from the streets. It was great... good food, good people, good times. Young people take note... this is how it's done!

Mercy, Mercy Me, The Economy!

I keep hearing stories coming from Washington, DC and Wall Street about how the economy is getting stronger and rebounding. I keep hearing this, but everyday another one of my friends is getting laid off. I have a couple of enterprising friends (with MBAs) who have decided to try and start their own businesses (and I'm not talking about selling Amway products or pre-paid medical/legal services). This has not been going well for them either.

So, if the economy is righting itself and getting stronger, who is reaping the benefits from it? Nobody I know, for sure. I suspect that the Federal Reserve board is widely expected to downgrade its growth projections for the American economy (something the panel has already done once already in 2010) when it meets in Washington soon.

For the 6.6 million of my fellow citizens who have been unemployed for more than six months... news of this downgrading is going to cause little more than a yawn and someone saying... "Oh, yeah? Really?

Yet, it's still not clear whether America's policy makers have truly come to grips with the gut-wrenching plight of the so-called "99ers" - at least 1.4 million workers who'd exhausted all their unemployment benefits before Congress just barely passed a 20-week extension - or the fact that some economists fear that the jobless rate could hover near the current 9.5% level for perhaps a couple of years. From what I've been reading, this is the highest unemployment has been since records started being kept, shortly after World War II. You would think that this would have people out in the streets screaming bloody murder... but I suppose, people are too busy either trying to get a job or wondering what Lindsey Lohan is going to do when she gets out of rehab!

It wasn't supposed to be this way. Not in Philadelphia. In January 2009, both Philadelphia and the nation had a little more optimism. The Eagles were one victory away from returning to the Super Bowl (So much for that!) and the $787 billion stimulus package, backed by incoming President Obama, was promised to keep unemployment from spiking above the 8% mark. Neither of these things happened. The job crisis is vexing because by many conventional measures, the economy has improved over the last 18 months. So, why can't Johnny or Mavis find a job? (Me and these names. I know, right?)

Corporate profits have risen a steep 40% since "Black Friday 2008" and the average corporate profit margins are expected to rise to a record 8.9% by the end of next year. That's a key reason that stocks on Wall Street have rebounded so sharply from their early 2009 lows.

But these profits have come on the backs of the American worker, who has watched his and her salaries remain flat. Public companies are stockpiling their excess cash rather than hiring back workers or buying new equipment. In fact, some companies plan to remain profitable through continued job reductions.

These firms basically aren't hiring because... well, they don't have to. Their main obligation is to their shareholders anyway, and more than at any time prior, firms have squeezed out productivity and learned how to do more without hiring workers back. More with less they call it, although that has never made any sense to me.

"Given the very impressive gains we have had in worker productivity over the recent years, companies can produce just as many goods and services as before with fewer workers," said Tom Fomby, professor of economics at Southern Methodist University.

The human effect of all of this is devestating. According to Newsweek the number of chronic, long-term unemployed is something we haven't seen since the Great Depression. The percentage of the 14.6 million unemployed Americans who've been unable to find work for more than six months is a whopping 45% now. Daniel Hamermesh, professor of economics at the University of Texas at Austin, noted a comparable figure of 33% when unemployment spiked above 10% in the recession of 1981-82. Damn!!!

Getting scared yet? Well, you ought to! Social Security is experiencing its first cash shortfall this year because an unexpectedly large number of people took early retirement before the age of 62, many from among the long-term unemployed deciding they would never get a job again.

Which brings me full circle. Yes, the economy has gotten better, but for who? Not me, not you... just the corporate fat cats who find a way to be solvent, regardless of what party is in the White House, I'm going over my cousin's house tonight. I grew up in that house. I think I lost that silver spoon that used to be in my mouth. I'm sure it's over there under the sofa or something!

Today Is The Day In Philadelphia!

Walk for Autism... Walk for Cerebral Palsy...
Walk for Down Syndrome... Walk for all disabilities...
Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the Philadelphia Art Museum, 8:30am

Well, even though the day began with clouds, you'll be happy to know that the sun eventually came out and not a drop of rain fell from the sky. As a matter of fact, it is now 6:30pm and we are still waiting for the thunder storm that was supposed to start around 12 noon. My cousin and his family also participated in the walk, so we traveled as a group of 6 adults and 3 children. This was the first walking event I ever took part in and I must say, it turned out to be a great day of fun, exercise, and purpose. Now, that just goes to show you who is really in charge of the weather... to God be the glory!

Photos of the Day
[click on collages for a larger view]

Thank you to everyone who supported me in this effort!
Click here to see my personal "Walk With Me" page

ESDS "Walk With Me" Is Coming to Philly!

Walk for Autism...
Walk for Cerebral Palsy...
Walk for Down Syndrome...
Walk for all disabilities...

Saturday, June 12, 2010
Philadelphia Art Museum
Check-in/Registration 8:00am
5K USATF Sanctioned Run 9:00am
1 or 2 mile Family Fun Walk 9:35am

National Sponsors:
CVS Caremark, Century 21, Amway Global

Local Sponsors:
Century 21, First Financial Group, Metro Philadelphia,

PhRMA, Kreischer Miller, Hatfield, Ride-Away

For more information and online registration:
Visit WALKWITH ME.ORG or call 610-565-2353

Philadelphia Event Manager:
Contact Liz Graham by phone or email at
484-234-8007 or lgraham@easterseals-sepa.org.

I'm registered for this event:
Click here to see my personal "Walk With Me" page

Spread the word!

They Used To Wear Bedsheets & Hoods

Governor Jan Brewer

I did a post a couple of weeks ago called "Who's a True American?" about Arizona's new "immigration" bill that masquerades as a justification for racial profiling. Now, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has signed into law another bill that is equally controversial and so blatantly racist, it makes me wonder if she's secretly a member of the White Citizens Council or the local branch of the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.

Last week, she signed a bill targeting a school district's ethnic studies program, hours after a report by United Nations human rights experts condemned the measure. State Schools Chief Tom Horne, who has pushed the bill for years, said he believes the Tucson school district's Mexican-American studies program teaches Latino students that they are "oppressed by white people." Public schools should not be encouraging students to resent a particular race", he said. Is he serious? What world do these legislators live in?

I mean, seriously... with all of the real problems we have in this country... unemployment, education, the infra-structure, etc., you mean to tell me that they have time for this nonsense? And, get this... He went on to say, "It's just like the old South and it's long past time that we prohibited it," giving me further proof that these Republicans are out of their minds, or at least they live in another world that only vaguely resembles this one.

Brewer's signature on the bill Tuesday comes less than a month after she signed the nation's toughest crackdown on illegal immigration — a move that ignited international backlash amid charges the measure would encourage racial profiling of Hispanics. The governor has said profiling will not be tolerated.

The measure signed Tuesday prohibits classes that advocate "ethnic solidarity", that are designed primarily for students of a particular race or that promote resentment toward a certain ethnic group. Some of you may say "Keith, you're African American and that's about Mexicans... What do you care?" Yeah, well for the short-sighted amongst you, here is why I care...

The Tucson Unified School District program offers specialized courses in African-American, Mexican-American, and Native-American studies that focus on history and literature and include information about the influence of a particular ethnic group. For example, in the Mexican-American Studies program, an American history course explores the role of Hispanics in the Vietnam War, and a literature course emphasizes Latino authors.

The African-American History program is simular and these courses exist primarily because for centuries, if you weren't white, your participation in AMERICAN history was largely left out. All of this is American History and, hopefully, it will all be included one day and there will be no need for African American studies, Latino studies, or Asian American studies. But, I just checked and that time ain't now!

In their defense, supporters of this bill say the measure doesn't prohibit classes that teach about the history of a particular ethnic group, as long as the course is open to all students and doesn't promote "ethnic solidarity or resentment." Oh, come on... there is actually a hidden political agenda in this entire thing!

Republican Tom Horne, who is running for Attorney General, said these programs promote "ethnic chauvinism" and racial resentment toward whites while segregating students by race. He's been trying to restrict it ever since he learned that Hispanic civil rights activist Dolores Huerta told students in 2006 that "Republicans hate Latinos" and that's what this is really about. He now has an ally in Governor Jan Brewer and Sarah Palin, who has agreed to come to Arizona to campaign for him.

Wow! Ku Klux Klanners used to wear hoods and bed sheets... now they just use the stroke of a legislative pen instead of the hangman's noose. This is why I urge everybody everywhere to get out and vote. Every election is important. You don't want nuts like this in office anywhere. You can vote and make sure they don't get a job. It's a little too late to picket the statehouse, city council, or the governor's mansion after these "kooks" have already been elected!

Tased & Bewildered

Most people have heard about this incident whether they live in Philadelphia or not. It's just one more incident involving Philly's nationally-known rowdy and unruly sports fans that I would rather forget.

The other night during the Phillies game, an over exuberant teenaged fan ran on the field during the game. Despite repeated warnings and pleading for him to return to his seat, he continued to run until police officers tasered him. I can't believe that this made the national news! Jay Leno was riffing about it and Jimmy Kimmel was joking about it too. I didn't catch David Letterman because I had turned back to the game (Lakers vs. Jazz).

Anyway, in response to all of the furor, the Philadelphia Phillies say team security will now apprehend most fans who jump on the field during games and then, hand the unruly fans over to police to face charges.

The team announced the revised policy Wednesday, two days after a Philadelphia police officer tasered the teenaged fan who ran onto the field Monday evening at Citizens Bank Park. On Tuesday evening, another fan ran on the field... this time, it was a 34 year old man, a man who really should have known better. (I might add, he had marijuana on him too!...Idiot!)

The Phillies say they made the decision after discussions with the police department. The team says in a statement that Phillies security personnel will apprehend most field jumpers, but will call for the assistance of police officers at the park if greater force is necessary... that is, if they can find a police officer. A law was recently passed here that says that the police do not have to be called and do not have to be present after an automobile accident. Will they find it necessary to be present if a fan or two or three decides to run on the field? And, this is not a trick question.

I'm just bewildered by the whole thing. I wonder if this had happened in San-Francisco, Atlanta, or Cleveland would this have made national news? I'm just wondering. This has been the subject matter of the Steve Harvey Morning Show and the Michael Baisden Show recently and now I have blogged about it.

This kid and the kid who vomitted on an off duty policemen's daughter a few weeks ago at yet another Phillies game, have gotten way more publicity than either of them deserved. Ahh, the luck you can have on a slow news day!

Celebrities Help In Haiti Relief

The situation in Haiti still remains grave as I write this post. I would like to take the time to acknowledge and give big ups to some celebrities who are doing their part to help and are doing so in the right spirit and not trying to hype a new movie or project.

John Travolta has flown emergency supplies to Haiti. The "Grease" actor, who is a trained pilot, flew the specially-borrowed plane to the Caribbean nation's capital Port-au-Prince to help the 1.5 million people who are believed to be homeless in the capital following the earthquake.

Travolta flew in the Qantas Airline aircraft filled with ready-to-eat rations for survivors of the disaster with his wife Kelly Preston. Speaking on his return flight, the 55 year old actor said... "We have an ability and a responsibility to help make a difference." Last week, he said... "I have arranged for a plane to take down some volunteer ministers, supplies, and medics. I hope that inspires others as well. It's needed." Travolta is among a number of A-list celebrities to take action after the disaster struck.

Last week, George Clooney fronted a TV telethon to raise money for the Haiti relief effort, with celebrities including Wyclef John, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Jay -Z, Sting, U2, Reese Witherspoon, Justin Timberlake, Madonna and Cameron Diaz performing and taking phone donations totalling $58 million from the public.

Meanwhile, a charity single is being organized by music mogul Simon Cowell, of American Idol fame, with a host of singers including Rod Stewart, Cheryl Cole, Mariah Carey, Kylie Minogue, and Robbie Williams recording REM's "Everybody Hurts".

A lot of times, media people and bloggers malign celebrities and make fun of their travails and personal failings... failings that we all have mind you, but aren't spotlighted in the news because most of us are not celebrities. I wanted to take this time to point out something positive that is being done by these same celebrities.

I can't speak for the people of Haiti, but as a human being and an inhabitant of this planet, let me personally say "thank you" to everybody that used your fame in a positive way to bring about aid to those people on that island in this time of need.

Pray For Haiti

By the time you read this, you all will heard about the horrific earthquake that took place in Haiti two days ago. I'm not going to go into the gory details but I'm going to pass on some information about how you can help.

The U.S. State Department Operations Center said Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti should call 1-888-407-4747. Due to heavy volume, some callers may receive a recording. "Our embassy is still in the early stages of contacting American citizens through our Warden Network", the U.S. State Department said in a statement. "Communications are very difficult within Haiti at this time."

For those interested in helping immediately, simply text "HAITI" to "90999" and a donation of $10.00 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill.

Finally, the FBI urges people who are looking for ways to help with earthquake relief to be wary of solicitations that could be from scam artists.

Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization or a good cause," the FBI said and they are passing along these tips:

1. Ignore unsolicited e-mails and do not click on links within those messages.

2. Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations via email or social networking sites.

3. Be cautious of emails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files, because the files may contain computer viruses. Open attachments only from know senders.

4. Decline to give personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions.

5. Make contributions directly to known organizations, rather than relying on others who claim in emails that they will channel the donation to established groups.

It's unfortunate that we have individuals who try to take advantage of well-meaning people during a tragedy but, that's the world we live in today. What are you gonna do but use some common sense... mix it with your compassion.

Pray for these people, pray for those in the United States who have relatives and friends trapped over there as I write this, and pray for Haiti.

Tribes

They say that the world is becoming smaller with each new technological advance. Sometimes, I wonder if that's a good thing or not. We have Facebook, Twitter, and all kinds of networking sites that are supposed to be able to connect us to a large aray of people... yet, everyday as I go on Facebook and observe how people act, it becomes more and more obvious to me, that we haven't made the world any smaller. We've only continued the isolation that was always apparent.

People are like cattle and sheep... we run and operate in our own private little herds and tribes. Take Facebook, for example. Yesterday, Facebook initiated new privacy settings that make it easier to privatize certain things on your page. You should see what people are privatizing. Photos of themselves, their "friends" list, their religious and political views, etc. It's their Facebook page and I suppose they are free to do with it as they wish, but I don't understand the concept of networking, meeting, and socializing with other people on Facebook if you're going to keep everything about yourself hidden.

There are some people on Facebook who I wonder why they are even on it. These folks are anti-social in the "real world". They don't socialize, they don't go anywhere, and they are scared to death of anyone knowing anything about them. If you look at their page, their are no photos and little to no information about them. I believe they are only on this site because it's the new fad, the new "in thing " to do.

Then, you have the folks who take themselves just a little too serious. They have "friends" but their friends are part of the clique that they were running with to begin with. They have no outside friends and no interest in meeting or socializing with anyone they didn't previously know. They make their page so private that nobody can find them. Again, what is the point? You don't need Facebook or Twitter... you need your small room or a jail cell. You also have people who are just "friending" people to be "friending" them. These folks have 3,000+ "friends" who they don't know and who they can't possibly keep up with. For them, this shows how popular they are to the world.

All of these people scare me. Just by looking at how they manage their page, I can get a good idea of how these people operate in the "real " world. I don't want to win any popularity contests... been there, done that. I don't wish to isolate myself from the world in fear either. I'm looking for a soft place in between the madness.

I know that there are bad people out there who take information, steal identities, and what have you. I wouldn't advise people to publish their social security number, home address, or place of business. But you have people who won't tell you their date of birth, who are afraid to write whether they are a Democrat or Republican, a Baptist or a Seventh Day Adventist. I find the whole thing quite strange.

Isn't this America? A democracy where you don't have to be afraid of expressing your beliefs? You would think so. Yet, some employers do look at people's Facebook pages and decide on who they will or will not hire (and, in some cases, fire) based on something they might have written on that page. Apparently, the First Amendment is fiction or bedtime reading to them, which is why people hide so much about who they really are.

What's really frightening, as well as hypocritical, is that Americans are always trying to tell some other country that they should be "free" and that they should have a democracy... while everyday, little by little, we are becoming less free ourselves and appear to be going along with it.

When did we get so scared, paranoid, and mistrustful of each other? When did we get so self-absorbed, self-important, and thus, so isolated from anybody who we don't know? How do we get to know other people or are we even interested in knowing other people who might be different from us?

The world isn't really getting smaller... some of us have just found a new way to make it more isolated.

Blue Is My City

Philadelphia is pretty funky right now and I don't mean that in a George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic sort of way. The Phillies have lost their bid for a second World Series win in a row so, there will be no parade this year. What's worse is that we are also in the middle of a transit strike right now.

There is no bus, trolley, or El train service. The streets are flooded with cars, bikers, skateboarders, and folks wearing sneakers for walking. You have to go to work... what are you to do? But, we are a resilient lot. The five-day strike by SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, for those who don't live in Philly) transit workers is apparently not over. Gov. Ed Rendell announced he is pulling out of negotiations and said... "I have a state to run." He also threatened to pull $7 million in state funding off the table. (How could these guys turn down seven mill?)

Gov. Rendell called the failure to reach an agreement "just nuts" and said that "he had never seen anything like it in 32 years of government". He said the union had made new demands Saturday after a handshake agreement yesterday with U.S. Rep. Bob Brady (D-PA). The new demands included an independent audit of the SEPTA pension plan and a clause revisiting the health-care provision if Congress approves a better national health care plan. There was no immediate response from Transit Workers Local 234.

In my heart of hearts, I want to side with the union but, this is ridiculous! It looks to me like they got a pretty good offer from management... an offer that's better than what I have at my job. I'm really tired of driving amongst all of the new drivers who usually are on the buses, trollies, and El trains, which is causing me to get home an hour later than I normally would. I really would like to ride public transportation every once in awhile.

I know... selfish isn't it? I really do wish the Phillies had beaten the Yanks and I might feel a little better... everybody here might feel a little better. Even if they had to walk over the bridge to the parade. Blue is my mood, blue is my city

Peace!

Update (Monday, November 9, 2009): As of this writing, the SEPTA transit strike appears to be over, if only temporarily... my Eagles lost to the hated Dallas Cowboys last night... and the city still appears to be blue!

Not Yet... Not Yet!

Every now and then, I read something in the newspaper or hear something on the news so ridiculous, I have to slap myself and hope that I'm not dreaming. You know, we have an African American or bi-racial president now, whichever label you want to choose. We had a lot of hopeful Americans running around saying that this was the beginning of "post-racial America" and I have to admit, for a minute I had bought it all... hook, line, and sinker. But ever so often, there comes a story in the news like this one that makes me shake my head and just sigh, "Not yet... not yet."

A white Louisiana Justice of the Peace recently refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have. I heard this and I said to myself, "Are you kidding me?" What business is it of the Justice of the Peace what happens to the (unborn) children of this couple? Since when did Americans become Gladys Kravitz (the newsy neighbor on Bewitched, who was always looking in Darren and Samantha's window?)

Keith Bardwell, Justice of the Peace in Tangipahoa Parish, (He would have to have my first name, wouldn't he?) says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long. (Oh really, he's an expert at this?)Bardwell told the Associated Press on Thursday, "I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way. (Yeah, right!) I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom,(Well gee, isn't that special. They can sit on his toilet!) and I treat them just like everyone else."

Bardwell said he asks everyone who calls about marriage if they are a mixed race couple. If they are, he does not marry them. Further, he said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept the offspring of such relationships and neither does white society.

Bardwell said, "There is a problem with both groups accepting a child from such a marriage. I think those children suffer and I won't help put them through it." If he did an interracial marriage for one couple, he must do the same for all, he said. "I try to treat everyone equally." he said. (Dude, thou dost protest a bit much!)

Bardwell estimates that he has refused to marry about four couples during his career, all in the past two-and-a-half years. Beth Humphrey, 30 years old, and Terence McKay, 32 years old, both of Hammond, say they will consult the U.S. Justice Department about filing a discrimination complaint against the Justice of the Peace.

Humphrey, an account manager for a marketing firm, said she and McKay, a welder, just returned to Louisiana. She is white and he is black. She plans to enroll in the University of New Orleans to pursue a masters degree in minority politics. She said, "That was one thing that made this so unbelievable. It's not something you would expect in this day and age." This is right, you would not expect this kind of crap in this day and age. This is supposed to be post-racial America.

Humphrey said she called Bardwell on October 6th to inquire about getting a marriage license signed. She says Bardwell's wife told her that Bardwell will not sign marriage licenses for interracial couples. Bardwell suggested the couple go to another Justice of the Peace in the parish, who agreed to marry them.

Humphrey said, "We are looking forward to having children and all our friends and co-workers have been very supportive. Except for this, we're typical happy newlyweds." It is really astonishing and disappointing to see this come up in 2009," said American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana attorney Katie Schwartzmann. She said the Supreme Court ruled in 1967 "that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry."

The ACLU sent a letter to the Louisiana Judiciary Committee, which oversees the state Justices of the Peace, asking them to investigate Bardwell and recommending "the most severe sanctions available because such blatant bigotry poses a substantial threat of serious harm to the administration of justice."

"He knew he was breaking the law but, continued to do it," Schwartzmann said. According to the Clerk of Court's office, application for a marriage license must be made three days before the ceremony because there is a 72-hour waiting period. The applicants are asked if they have previously been married. If so, they must show how the marriage ended, such as divorce.

Other than that, all they need is a birth certificate and Social Security card (and to be of the same race, apparently). The license fee is $ 35 and the license must be signed by a Louisiana minister, Justice of the Peace, or a judge. The original is returned to the clerk's office. Bardwell said, "I've been a Justice of the Peace for 34 years and I don't think I've mistreated anybody. I've made some mistakes but, you have too. I didn't tell this couple they couldn't get married. I just told them that I wouldn't do it."

Incredible! Just incredible! So, do I still think we are seeing the dawning of the post-racial America age? Yes. Do I think we are there yet? Not yet... Lord have mercy, not yet!

Throwaway Boyz!

Let me tell you a story...

When this guy was in high school, he helped burn down a federal building. He shot and killed a cow for fun. He stole. He violated his probation and one night after a bar fight. He struck a policeman and this got him a stay in the slams. And that, however, was not the end of his story.

In this guy's own words, he was a “monster”... What the old folks I knew would have called a "hellion". If he had received the fullest possible sentence for his crimes, he would have spent 20 years or more in jail. If he’d been sentenced to life in prison without parole, as some 13 and 14 year-old Americans are, he would never have gone on to college or law school. He would never have served 18 years in the U.S. Senate.

Do you wanna take a guess as to who I'm talking about? (No, it's not me!) The man in question is not some African American homeboy. His name is Alan K. Simpson... a white, Wyoming Republican. When he left the Senate in 1997, few would have recognized him as the high school horror who had so often been in trouble with the law. He credits that night spent in jail after “belting a cop” and the girlfriend who became his wife of 55 years who refused to bail him out, as the turning point that changed his life.

Okay, let me tell you about the second guy...

This man, a big hulk of a man, killed another man in a bar room brawl one night in Baltimore, not far from the very area where the popular television show "The Wire" was filmed. If he had been given a life sentence, you would have never seen his popular sitcom or the many appearances he has made in scores of motion pictures. This guy is black and he is Charles "Roc" Dutton, who began reading and studying while in prison, turned his life around, and became an award-winning actor and producer. The reason why I mention these two is because Dutton and Simpson, two strange bedfellows if ever there were, are coming together to work on keeping juveniles from being sentenced to life in prison.

Now, let me explain before everyone has a fit over what they are proposing...

Alan Simpson knows and has said that teenagers, even the toughest ones, can turn their lives around. He’s joined in an amicus brief with other accomplished men... emmy-winning actor Charles “Roc” Dutton and author R. Dwayne Betts, both of whom were convicted of crimes as juveniles and then turned their lives around. They’re asking the Supreme Court to strike down the practice of sentencing teenagers to life in prison without parole for non-homicide offenses.

This is one of the most important cases to come before the Supreme Court, which began its new term Monday. The two consolidated Florida cases that bring this issue before the court expose the practice in the Sunshine State of deciding that the lives of teenagers are over before they’ve really begun.

In the case of Graham vs. Florida, Terrance Graham was sentenced to life without parole for armed robbery... an offense he committed when he was 16 years old. Joe Sullivan was convicted of committing sexual battery when he was only 13 years old. Just five years ago, the Supreme Court decided in Roper vs. Simmons that the imposition of the death penalty on juveniles violates the 8th Amendment prohibition against “cruel and unusual punishment.”

The Graham and Sullivan cases ultimately ask the court to determine whether imposing a form of death on teenagers for non-homicide offenses is similarly unconstitutional. There are currently nine individuals serving life-without-parole terms for offenses they committed when they were 13 or 14 years old. Eight of the nine people are African Americans. This brings up the argument of disproportionate sentencing based on race (another blog post for another time).

When the Supreme Court decides later this year whether a state can constitutionally deny teenagers the kind of second chance that enabled Alan K. Simpson, R. Dwayne Betts, and Charles "Roc" Dutton to turn their lives around, it will not only decide the fate of the nine “lifers.” The court’s decision will also define its character and that of our country for years to come.

I believe in the power of redemption. As I stated in my last post, I don't think our youth are doomed or throwaways to be given up on and discarded. I am a believer in the second chance and third chance. Lord knows, I myself have benefited more than a few times from having another chance... and so can a lot of these 13, 14, 15, and 16 year old kids.

It's at least something we should think on. Have our hearts grown that cold? Have they been hardened that much?

A Simple Plan

Last week, I wrote about that horrific murder of a kid in Chicago. Afterwards, I heard people saying that our young men were lost and that there was nothing that could be done about them. I have never believed that was true. I look at a lot of these wanna-be-thugs and thugs-in-progress today and I realize something... they are just kids and, but for the grace of God, I could have been just like any one of them.

Then, I was having a discussion with someone the other night about a solution for a lot of the fatherless boys and I came up with something that seemed like a way. I think that single mothers should try to hook-up with responsible men that their sons can see and responsible men who will take some time out to play a part in or guide their young sons. There are some things that a woman just can't teach a boy about manhood. So, single mothers should do what they can to see that their sons have some positive man in his life. I think here would be a good start.

A lot of women and single mothers might get offended by that but, let's look at it from this standpoint... I couldn't teach a girl everything she needs to know about how to be a woman. There are some things that she would just have to learn from her mother or from some other woman. What I'm saying is not sexist but, just good common sense.

There are some women who have told me (and I know this to be true) that, when they have hooked-up with a guy who tried to help them with their sons, the biological father (aka the sperm donor) has suddenly showed up and declared, "This is mah son and ah don't want no other man around him. I'll see you next week." or something to that effect. My word for them is, if you're not doing anything for your son and the woman has to practically blackmail you to see him (as well as pay your child support) then, just step off and let somebody that's willing to do for him, do for him. That's the least you can do.

My plan doesn't cost the tax payers any money. These are not throw away boys and they can be saved if somebody just takes the time to spend some time with them and show them the right way. It's a cheap and workable plan. It's a beginning. If the guy is going to be around the mother for more than a night, that son (or that daughter) is going to be there too. He might as well make himself useful by being a part of their lives or else, he's just a sperm donor.

As I said, it's not much but, it's a simple plan. It's more than I hear on these television shows.