Category Archives: livable cities

The hole where Borders was, and the dummies who dug it

Posted on May 17, 2011 by oddmanout215

Writers hate the idea of slush piles, where agents and editors dump unpublished works. On the last weekend of business at Borders in Philadelphia, I saw the equivalent of a slush pile for published works. It wasn’t a pretty sight. … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, Great Recession, livable cities, Philadelphia, unemployment, Wall Street | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Python-esque rite in South Philly

Posted on April 28, 2011 by oddmanout215

Ah, the rites of spring in the `hood! You know — palm weaving, the Easter Parade on South Street, race riots in Grays Ferry. Here’s one that was new to me — the Good Friday re-enactment of the crucifixion of … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, globalization, Great Recession, immigration, livable cities, mainstream media, NJ, Philadelphia, Politics, Wall Street, world-wide economy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In the neighborhood, in spring

Posted on April 15, 2011 by oddmanout215

What’s he building in there?/What the hell is he building/In there?/He has subscriptions to those/Magazines… He never/Waves when he goes by/He’s hiding something from/The rest of us… He’s all/To himself… I think I know/Why… — Tom Waits Overheard while running … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, bicycling, livable cities, Philadelphia | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Correction, DN — Corbett wields the chainsaw

Posted on April 1, 2011 by oddmanout215

Here’s Josh Cornfield of the Philadelphia Daily News following up on reaction to the newspaper’s cheesy, Photoshopped front page photo on March 31: The Philadelphia School District apparently loved the Daily News’ cover yesterday as much as district parents and … Continue reading →

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The end is near, Philly! For you too, NYC.

Posted on March 16, 2011 by oddmanout215

From The Raw Story: In the documentary Urban Danger, 84-year-old Republican Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, who is serving his tenth term as the representative of Maryland’s Sixth District, explains why US citizens should avoid living in cities. “There are a number … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, enviromentalism, livable cities, Philadelphia, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

To D.C. Dems, compromise means capitulate

Posted on March 7, 2011 by oddmanout215

Unfortunately, the efficacy of slashing spending and taxes on the wealthy will become conventional wisdom now that Democrats have signed on to the program and the disaster capitalists will have won their war against egalitarianism and redistribution. The Democrats didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Congress, economic collapse, globalization, Great Recession, livable cities, mainstream media, Politics, taxes, world-wide economy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Consumer confidence & the price of Cheez Whiz

Posted on March 4, 2011 by oddmanout215

Pat’s Steaks, in South Philadelphia, which raised the price of its cheesesteak from a tourist-targeted $8 last year to $8.50, is getting by with a bit less profit to keep from raising prices again, said spokesman Tommy Francano. “Last year … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, enviromentalism, Great Recession, Gulf, health care, immigration, livable cities, mainstream media, Philadelphia, Politics, unemployment, world-wide economy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Coming soon to a town near you — Camden-ization

Posted on January 21, 2011 by oddmanout215

Somebody send out the cadaver dogs to search for my midwinter optimism. In the fall, at least, I was able to bike across the Ben Franklin  from Philly to take care of business. But after the first dusting of snow, … Continue reading →

Posted in Camden, Delaware River Port Authority, economic collapse, globalization, Great Recession, livable cities, mainstream media, NJ, Philadelphia, Politics, taxes, Wall Street, world-wide economy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

MLK honored, Tucson-style

Posted on January 17, 2011 by oddmanout215

All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem. — Martin Luther King Jr., 1963 Take a look at the truly fine citizens who lined up Saturday in irony-free Tucson for … Continue reading →

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Fast Eddie’s casino freakout on 60 Minutes

Posted on January 10, 2011 by oddmanout215

I’m Fast Eddie Rendell, and I’m smarter than the rest of you guys, always have been. It took me years to make you understand that casino gambling is the solution to shuttered factories and tens of thousands of lost jobs. … Continue reading →

Posted in casinos, economic collapse, livable cities, mainstream media, Philadelphia, Politics, sports, taxes, unemployment | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment