http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/philly/ en-us Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:43:44 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031723/posts Beau Zabel, 23, came to Philadelphia from Minnesota six weeks ago, eager to experience urban East Coast living and to become a math teacher in the city school system. He found a place to live through roommates.com in South Philadelphia near the Italian Market, and took a temporary job at the Starbucks at Fourth and South Streets. He recently updated his page on MySpace.com, which proclaims his optimism: "Just waiting for life to begin." But his life ended about 1:30 a.m. yesterday, when police said Zabel was ambushed as he walked home from the midnight shift at the coffee shop.... Philadelphia Inquirer http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031723/posts#comment Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:43:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031512/posts Hillary Clinton's mention of RFK's assassination was the final nail in the coffin of her candidacy. Along similar lines, can you imagine the howls of MSM outrage if John McCain were to suggest that he might "bring a gun" to his campaign against Barack Obama? Yet Obama has made just such a statement. Expect the liberal media to . . . yawn. Newsbusters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031512/posts#comment Sun, 15 Jun 2008 19:48:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031256/posts Hillary Clinton's mention of RFK's assassination was the final nail in the coffin of her candidacy. Along similar lines, can you imagine the howls of MSM outrage if John McCain were to suggest that he might "bring a gun" to his campaign against Barack Obama? Yet Obama has made just such a statement. Expect the liberal media to . . . yawn. Said the Dem candidate at a Philly fundraiser on Friday night, anticipating Republican attacks: "If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun." NewsBusters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031256/posts#comment Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:25:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031172/posts Barack Obama is warning supporters that the general election fight between him and John McCain may get ugly, but the Illinois senator is vowing not to back down. "If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun," Obama said at a fundraiser in Philadelphia Friday, according to pool reports. "We don't have a choice but to win," Obama said, joking that he has heard "folks in Philly like a good brawl. I've seen Eagles games." Obama again said that the GOP will make try to make him look "scary" to voters. Obama pledging to swing back at... The Hill http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031172/posts#comment Sat, 14 Jun 2008 21:38:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031108/posts He [Obama] warned that the general election campaign could get ugly. “They’re going to try to scare people. They’re going to try to say that ‘that Obama is a scary guy,’” he said. A donor yelled out a deep accented “Don’t give in!” “I won’t but that sounded pretty scary. You’re a tough guy,” Obama said. “If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun,” Obama said. “Because from what I understand folks in Philly like a good brawl. I’ve seen Eagles fans.” Time http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031108/posts#comment Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:33:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030217/posts PHILADELPHIA — Five teenagers fatally beat a man on a subway platform after a friend dared them to hit someone, saying "next person we see we're going to hit," one of the defendants allegedly told police. "We all didn't want to seem like no punk," Ameer Best, 17, told police in a written statement read at a preliminary hearing Wednesday for Best and four co-defendants. Best and the other teens, Kinta Stanton, Arthur Alston, Rasheem Bell and Nashir Fisher, all 16, will be tried as adults on charges of third-degree murder and conspiracy for the March 26 beating, Municipal Court... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030217/posts#comment Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:55:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2021997/posts The Boy Scouts of America's Philadelphia chapter has sued the City of Philadelphia in federal court to block the city's May 31 deadline for the scouts to open membership to gays and atheists, or vacate their historic 1928 headquarters off Logan Square. The civil rights lawsuit, filed Friday in federal court in Center City, contends that the city's ultimatum violates the scouts' rights under the U.S. and Pennsylvania Constitutions. "The City has imposed an unconstitutional condition upon Cradle of Liberty's receipt of a benefit that Cradle of Liberty has enjoyed for nearly eight decades, and that many other organizations that... The Philadelphia Inquirer http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2021997/posts#comment Tue, 27 May 2008 18:00:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2013654/posts Days after a Philadelphia police sergeant was killed with a semi-automatic rifle, Mayor Nutter and Gov. Rendell called upon Congress to enact a new federal assault-weapons ban that would remove such weapons from the streets."The time has come for politicians to decide," said Rendell at the City Hall news conference attended by top police brass and state elected officials. "You have to decide whether you're on their side - the men and women who wear blue - or whether you're on the side of the gun lobby."The federal assault-weapons ban, which lasted from 1994 through 2004, outlawed an array of... Philadelphia Daily News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2013654/posts#comment Fri, 9 May 2008 17:34:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2012882/posts PHILADELPHIA (May 7) - Fifteen police officers were taken off the street as authorities investigate a video showing three suspects being kicked, punched and beaten after they were pulled out of a car during a traffic stop. "At a glance it does appear to be a bit beyond the pale," Doug Oliver, a spokesman for Mayor Michael Nutter, said Wednesday. "Officers are not allowed to operate outside of the law." The police department identified the 15 officers who were involved in Monday night's arrests in the city's Hunting Park section, where police had been investigating a triple shooting, Oliver said.... Aol/AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2012882/posts#comment Thu, 8 May 2008 07:21:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2003196/posts PHILADELPHIA, April 17, 2008 – The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia honored U.S. troops and veterans of service in Iraq and Afghanistan during a dinner here yesterday. U.S. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, hands a commemorative coin to a soldier before the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia dinner in Philadelphia, April 16, 2008. The council presented its Atlas Award to U.S. troops and veterans of Iraq and Afghanistanin to recognize their service. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam M. Stump   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2003196/posts#comment Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:42:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1999180/posts Philadelphia - While the Commission on Human Relations may think the fight against cheesesteak tycoon Joey Vento is out for the count, the steak slinger himself said he's got one more round in him. Advertisement From the brick walkway honoring fallen Philadelphia police officers outside Geno's Steak in South Philadelphia, Mr. Vento, flanked by his attorneys, said he is giving the Commission on Human Relations 30 days to decide whether or not to change a vital piece of its policy - or else they will sue. On March 19, the commission, in spite of pressure from City Council to press... The Bulletin http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1999180/posts#comment Wed, 9 Apr 2008 21:45:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1998796/posts A Philly Tax Cutter Can Mayor Nutter cure the city’s cancer? With 380 homicides recorded already this year, a spate of recent cop shootings, and one particularly gruesome cop killing that led to a nationwide manhunt, Philadelphia is among America’s most dangerous big cities. The crime issue dominated this year’s mayoral race, which Michael Nutter, a blunt and sometimes histrionic former councilman, eventually won. But while crime gets the most attention, Nutter’s success as mayor will ultimately rest on improving the city’s dysfunctional economy. Notwithstanding the glitzy renaissance taking place in its center, Philadelphia is an economic basket case. The... City Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1998796/posts#comment Wed, 9 Apr 2008 02:58:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1992763/posts Last Edited: Thursday, 27 Mar 2008, 6:06 PM EDT Created: Thursday, 27 Mar 2008, 4:43 PM EDT An armed man continues to keep authorities at bay on the Walt Whitman Bridge. The Walt Whitman Bridge between South Philadelphia and Gloucester City, N.J., has been closed since about 4:30 p.m. New Jersey State Police Capt. Al Della Fave says troopers tried to stop a vehicle for a minor speeding violation, but the driver wouldn't pull over. He says troopers stopped the pursuit after a few minutes because the man was driving erratically and police feared someone would get hurt. After that,... MyFox Philadelphia http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1992763/posts#comment Thu, 27 Mar 2008 22:35:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1988435/posts PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia agency has ruled that English-only signs at a famous cheesesteak shop are not discriminatory. Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1988435/posts#comment Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:26:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1985676/posts Prime beef is the highest-quality, tenderest, most richly marbled meat from a small percentage of cattle. Ultimately, about 2 percent of American beef makes the cut and is stamped USDA Prime. Most prime meat goes to high-end restaurants. Only a few retail sources, mostly in major cities - Philadelphia included - and online/mail-order sources sell prime beef to the public. Many butchers will custom-order it. Prime beef and branded products of near-prime quality are available at Wegmans and Whole Foods markets. Branded beef is typically at the high end of its designated grade level. Unless labeled prime, that's Choice or,... philly.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1985676/posts#comment Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:46:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1976168/posts NEW YORK - A former Philadelphia TV news anchor accused of hitting a New York police officer left court a free woman Monday after a judge said she will dismiss newly reduced charges if the defendant behaves for six months. Charges against Alycia Lane, 35, were downgraded to misdemeanors after prosecutors said scratches on the female officer's face weren't serious enough to warrant felony assault charges. Lane's lawyer David S. Smith denied she hit the officer early Dec. 16. A police complaint said she put a video camera in the face of another officer as he tried to put a... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1976168/posts#comment Mon, 25 Feb 2008 23:53:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1975878/posts A Philadelphia teenager celebrating his 16th birthday is fighting for his life after a shooting over a snowball fight. Authorities said the Feltonville teen, identified as Tavin Rutledge, was shot in the head at point-blank range while playing with neighborhood friends in the 4800 block of D Street. Witnesses say the shooting was sparked from a casual snowball fight amongst children. "Everyone was playing and throwing snowballs and one little boy ran and got his dad. His dad came around with a gun and shot him," said Renay Reeves, Tavin's aunt. Police said an adult male used a gun to... CBS 3 NEWS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1975878/posts#comment Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:04:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1959511/posts FOLSOM, Pennsylvania (AP) -- The skies won't seem especially friendly to anyone taking off from Philadelphia International Airport if they notice what a suburban couple wrote on the roof of their home. "(Expletive) U FAA," the message reads, though one letter of the profane word is substituted with an underline. Below that it is a picture of a plane with a slash through it and the words "no fly zone." Homeowner Michael Hall and his girlfriend, Michaelene Buddy, are angry that jets have been flying over their house since last month, when the Federal Aviation Administration altered departures heading out... CNN.com (AP) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1959511/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:02:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1949788/posts The Philadelphia School District says they will launch an investigation into a disturbing video posted on Myspace. The video shows two girls fighting as other kids and adults egg the fight on. ---snip--- In the background of the video, you can hear a man's voice saying "uppercut her, uppercut her." At some point, Shaquia says "I can't breathe." Another voice, a woman's says "I'll give you five seconds Fox News (Philadelphia) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1949788/posts#comment Mon, 7 Jan 2008 20:13:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1948483/posts PHILADELPHIA - For the second year in a row, city officials are being asked how police officers responding to celebratory New Year's Eve gunfire ended up shooting innocent bystanders. This year, police chasing an armed reveler shot into a house filled with partygoers, leaving one man in a coma, a second wounded and a 9-year-old boy with a graze wound to the chest. A year ago, police fatally shot a man in the back of the head as he tried to flee when neighbors started shooting guns into the air. The latest shootings came as Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson ends... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1948483/posts#comment Fri, 4 Jan 2008 23:26:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1947696/posts SO I'M lying on a sunshiny beach in Florida earlier this week, enjoying 84 degrees of warmth, and find that I'm thinking about Joey Vento. No, I wasn't yearning for a "cheeze-wit." I was reading about a language dispute even more insane than the decision by the Philadelphia Human Relations Commission to haul Vento into court. As we all know, Vento is charged with discrimination for asking his customers to speak English. (The sign at Geno's reads, "This is America. When ordering, please speak English.") Philadephia Daily News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1947696/posts#comment Thu, 3 Jan 2008 15:10:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1946601/posts Despite progress, the city's murder rate is No. 1 among big cities. Figures tell the story, but don't nail the solution. AS Philadelphia approaches the new year and a new mayor, the murder rate remains an appalling blight on the city's reputation and a threat to our quality of life. While shootings and other violent crimes are down from last year, there's only slight improvement from the 406 homicides recorded in 2006. As of last night, the city had suffered 391 murders in 2007, the highest rate per 100,000 residents among the nation's 10 largest cities. It hasn't always been... Philadelphia Daily News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1946601/posts#comment Tue, 1 Jan 2008 04:17:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1939882/posts A hearing was expected to continue into the evening on whether Geno's Steaks owner Joey Vento discriminated against non-English speaking patrons by posting an "Speak English" sign at his South Philadelphia shop. The Rev. James Allen, the chairperson of Commision on Human Relations, was the first witness to testify late this afternoon, followed by University of Pennsylvania professor Camille Charles. Charles, a professor of sociology, said the number of foreign-born residents living in the South Philadelphia neighborhood near Geno's grew more than 200 percent between 1980 and 2000. When shown historical signs from the Jim Crow era in the South... philly.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1939882/posts#comment Sat, 15 Dec 2007 14:28:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1936405/posts The Urban League of Philadelphia's 2007 State of Black Philadelphia report paints a grim picture on the issue of race and inequality. It's a pretty dismal report. But it reflects the level of poverty in Philadelphia," Elijah Anderson, Yale University sociology professor, said yesterday. Anderson, formerly with the University of Pennsylvania, is among several experts invited to an Urban League symposium on the report at the Loews Hotel at 9 a.m. today. Crafting its findings as the "Philadelphia Equality Index," the Urban League's report says that black Philadelphians' quality of life ranks as just 72 percent of that of their... Philadephia Daily News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1936405/posts#comment Fri, 7 Dec 2007 23:51:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1927730/posts PHILADELPHIA -- This may be the last free Thanksgiving dinner for the Boy Scouts of Philadelphia. Citing a local 1982 "fair practices" law, the city solicitor has given the Scouts until Dec. 3 to renounce its policy of excluding homosexuals or forfeit the grand, Beaux-Arts building it has rented from the city for $1 a year since 1928. "While we respect the right of the Boy Scouts to prohibit participation in its activities by homosexuals," the solicitor, Romulo Diaz, said last week in an interview, "we will not subsidize that discrimination by passing on the costs to the people of... Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1927730/posts#comment Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:14:56 GMT