Category Archives: Philadelphia

Philly’s tax mess — no wonder we’re going broke

Posted on August 15, 2011 by oddmanout215

I write from Philadelphia, one of the most stupidly governed major cities in the nation. If you doubt that, take a look at the Inquirer story about our delinquent-property-tax-collection system. For years our various mayors and City Council members have … Continue reading →

Posted in casinos, City Hall, economic collapse, enviromentalism, Great Recession, mainstream media, Philadelphia, Politics, taxes | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

SugarHouse workers to bet on unionizing

Posted on August 10, 2011 by oddmanout215

Sure, the SugarHouse Casino next to the Delaware River is an eyesore and a sick solution to the scarcity of good jobs in Philadelphia. However, casino workers deserve job security and a fairer share of the loot that’s not being … Continue reading →

Posted in casinos, City Hall, City Paper, economic collapse, Great Recession, Philadelphia, Politics, taxes, The New Depression, unemployment | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Philly’s turf war against flash mobs

Posted on August 9, 2011 by oddmanout215

I had to laugh when I saw the Agence France-Presse story about the “flash mob curfew” now in effect in my obscenely humid hometown: The measure was the latest effort to secure a city famous as the site of the … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, economic collapse, Great Recession, humor, livable cities, mainstream media, Philadelphia, Politics, unemployment | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Satan sandwich, or the seitan?

Posted on August 8, 2011 by oddmanout215

I needed caffeine badly, so I stopped in a vegan coffee shop — soy milk only — and ordered a macchiato. Reading the menu board, I noticed the seitan sandwich and asked the barista if this item was inspired by … Continue reading →

Posted in Congress, economic collapse, food, Great Recession, humor, mainstream media, Philadelphia, The New Depression | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Debt bill destroys America. Who’s next for a swim?

Posted on August 4, 2011 by oddmanout215

I’m on the home stretch with my novel-in-progress Good Sal/Bad Sal, set in casino-era Atlantic City. One of the final chapters starts with Good Sal asking: Have you ever let the cold surf creep between your toes and thought what’s … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, fiction, Great Recession, livable cities, NJ, Philadelphia, The New Depression | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Just say no, in person, to Obamabots

Posted on July 31, 2011 by oddmanout215

Here’s part of an e-mail I recently received from Barack Obama’s spin doctors: David — As someone who got his start as a community organizer, President Obama’s entire career has revolved around the idea that ordinary people working together can … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, Obama, Philadelphia, Politics, The New Depression, unemployment | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Bikeless in Philadelphia — again

Posted on July 28, 2011 by oddmanout215

I rarely blog about myself. I prefer the veneer of fiction when it comes to personal matters, so when my bicycle was stolen Monday, I blogged about the thieves in business and government who prosper at the expense of the … Continue reading →

Posted in bicycling, economic collapse, fiction, Goldman Sachs, Great Recession, livable cities, Philadelphia, The New Depression | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Record heat is a hoax, Limbaugh says

Posted on July 23, 2011 by oddmanout215

My house was so hot this morning, I didn’t even have to kill any ants. They usually run across the drainboard when I try to make breakfast, but today they must have loaded up on sugar and bagel crumbs and … Continue reading →

Posted in enviromentalism, livable cities, mainstream media, Philadelphia, Politics | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Bastille Day for the well-fed

Posted on July 19, 2011 by oddmanout215

The crowd called for Marie Antoinette’s head, they bellowed for it, but in the end the only guillotine victim was a watermelon. The master of ceremonies sentenced the French queen to become Arnold Schwarzenegger’s new housekeeper, not a bad fate … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, fiction, food, Great Depression, Great Recession, mainstream media, Philadelphia, Politics, unemployment | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

By the gods, it’s Midsummer!

Posted on June 21, 2011 by oddmanout215

Skoal, as they say in the north lands. Time for wild strawberries and spiced vodka and rolling in the hay with Bibi and Liv at midnight, with the sun still shining. Of course Midsummer isn’t quite the same if you … Continue reading →

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