Politics
Whatever else is said about the mayoral primary, it was a setback for Philadelphia progressives, which had recent wins with the election of D.A. Larry Krasner, state rep Elizabeth Fiedler, state senator Nikil Saval, Council member Kendra Brooks, and others. The progs were on a roll. Hoping to capture
Culture
Dear Lurch Sen. Fetterman: As someone who supported your campaign for the U.S. Senate, even with your brain sprain, I think I have the right to ask you to grow the hell up and dress appropriately for the occasion. Who is wrong in this picture? I don’t think
Politics
The progressive wave that had been sweeping big cities across America hit a sea wall in dear old Philadelphia. Democrat Cherelle Parker is likely to be Philadellphia’s 100th mayor It is with relief and gratitude that I can say Cherelle Parker will be the 100th mayor of Philadelphia, and
Culture
If you are a Mummer or a fan of the Mummers, you might want to know that a Mayor Gym would likely spell the end of the 123-year-old parade, whose roots go back two centuries before that. What makes me think so? This tweet that she shot out after the
Politics
I don’t recall a mayoral election in which I was undecided just days before Election Day. Can this Rebecca Rhynhart (left) beat that Helen Gym (right)? I usually vote for the person I like best, irrespective of their “electability” or political party. Not this year. This year we have
Politics
Philadelphia City Council is about to undergo the largest change in recent memory. Why? Council candidates Melissa Robbins (left) and Donavan W. West A raft of incumbents ran away from their offices as if they were stocked with cases of Bud Light. Philly has 17 Council people -- 10 District,
Politics
Well, this is not how I wanted my interview with Rebecca Rhynhart to go. Along with other candidates, I contacted her more than a month ago to sit down for an interview. Rebecca Rhynhart: Missing in action (Photo: NBC10) She agreed and turned it over to staff to arrange. Many
Helen Gym
Helen Gym “doesn’t play nice in the sandbox.” -- Progressive former Councilwoman Maria Quiñones Sánchez. ---- And Sanchez is a friend of Gym’s (but she endorsed Cherelle Parker for mayor). Helen Gym with her favorite fashion accessory (Photo: Philadelphia Inquirer) Another progressive admirer is Larry Platt, headman at
Immigration
As we get closer to the undeniable surge of illegals undocumented persons crashing our border, the AP put out a story that violates the norms of objectivity and fair treatment. Here’s the lede paragraph, which I will edit with italics to add missing words or note the errors: CHICAGO
Media
This is going to be shocking, at least to regular readers. I am going to defend Tucker Carlson, a little bit like Mark Antony speaking at Caesar’s graveside. Tucker Carlson: There is this much truth in what I say. (Photo: Bloomberg) The difference is I come neither to bury,
Journalism
After nearly four years of psychological trauma, legal expense, aggravation, and sleepless nights, I am free of all entanglements with my former employer, the Philadelphia Inquirer. And after nearly four years, I have removed a gag order, and I’m free to speak. But first, the background: It started on
Journalism
By Ralph Cipriano In a non-confidential settlement signed Monday, the Philadelphia Inquirer has decided to drop the vindictive lawsuit that it had filed against Stu Bykofsky, the newspaper’s own former columnist. In settling the case, the Inquirer agreed to forget about trying to recoup Bykofsky’s severance payment of