Uncategorized
With her appointment of a Philadelphia Police Department deputy commissioner, with on-the-ground experience to tame hellish Kensington, Cherelle Parker has made a move to establish herself as Philadelphia’s first “law and order” mayor since Frank Rizzo. That sound you just heard was progressives plotzing. Even if you don’t
Politics
Is it true that on Wednesday former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said, “This is the skinny — I am suspending my campaign for president of the United States.” It is not true he said “skinny,” but it is true he is quitting, like the 2023 Eagles. Too soon? This was
Education
There it was, on Page One of the Inquirer’s local section, the unsurprising headline: “Philly tops in cities that saw beverage sales drop with soda tax.” Other soda-tax cities reported similar results. Not surprising because anyone who has mastered Economics 101 knows that the more heavily an item is
Culture
UPDATE: National Park Service has dropped its ridiculous plan to “rehabilitate” Welcome Park. —- Well, I thought maybe the Woke fever was breaking, but it seems I was wrong. That’s the feeling I got when reading that the National Park Service is floating an insulting proposal to “rehabilitate” the
Entertainment
Someone from around these parts develops a taste for country music, moves to Nashville to follow a dream, and after doing the hard work, ultimately develops into a global superstar. That’s Taylor Swift. Following that same path? Dan Connors, who I have known (slightly) since childhood. Dan’s in
Cherelle Parker
It was Cherelle Parker’s first day as mayor — had you heard she was Philadelphia's first female mayor? — and she was leading with her left foot, feeding into two unfortunate stereotypes. Based on reporting on her first day in office, which is a traditional assignment, the Philadelphia Inquirer
Mummers
I wake up this morning to two predictable items — the Mummers Parade, and the Inquirer throwing shade. Does the “paper of record” celebrate the nation's oldest folk parade, and the #1 winter festival, according to USA Today this year? It does not mention either. Demonstrating its menstrual cramps,
Culture
By Johnathan Zimmerman Earlier this month, I read the single sharpest criticism of the American university I’ve encountered in many years. And it wasn’t even about the American university. It’s an essay that appeared in the Economist by former The New York Times opinion editor James Bennet,
Culture
Stereotypes are usually wrong, including this one, but what the hell is going on with American young people? Does this seem like I am standing on the lawn and yelling at the clouds? I’ll ask you again later, but if so, I’ve earned it, as opposed to the
Humor
Continuing a conversation that has been going on for more than two decades between Your Favorite Columnist and the Almighty. YFC: Yo, God! Where you at? The Heavenly Hall seems to be empty. God: Stop shouting, Sonny. I hear you. I’m in the crapper. This irritable bowel syndrome is
Politics
It’s a jolly time of the year and the holiday spirit infuses the Philadelphia Inquirer’s series evaluating Jim Kenney, Philadelphia’s 99th mayor. Cherelle Parker thinks she’s Philadelphia’s first female mayor. Some think Kenney, that oft-blubbering mass of emotion, beat her to it. The Friday Inquirer
Mark Squilla
Benjamin Franklin is credited with saying nothing is certain except death and taxes. (He was talking about the viability of the new Constitution.) He overlooked the government's ability to give loyal citizens a not-so-royal hemorrhoid. It was not so long ago our august City Council — along with other