PHILLY.COM Op-Ed: Philadelphia’s unfunded city pension obligation is enormous: Morningstar estimates that $7,000 per household is required to fill the hole. And without some urgently needed extra cash, the city’s pension fund is likely to run empty in less than five years. This is why Mayor Nutter’s recent deal to sell Philadelphia Gas Works to […]
Month: April 2014
Obama Announces New US Sanctions on Russia Over Ukraine
NEWSMAX / REUTERS: U.S. President Barack Obama announced new sanctions against some Russians on Monday to stop President Vladimir Putin from fomenting the rebellion in eastern Ukraine, but said he was holding broader measures against Russia’s economy “in reserve”… The new sanctions, to be outlined in detail later on Monday, will add more people and […]
Because the governor might die . . .
On May 20, we need to nominate a candidate for Lt. Governor based on the same reasoning applied by ‘President Bartlett’. That person might become governor without any other vetting by voters.
UNC Fake-Classes Whistleblower Resigns After Meeting With Chancellor
North Carolina has acknowledged—and apologized for—the corruption but insists that it was “academic” in nature, rather than “athletic.” That distinction has apparently held sway with the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which so far has declined to investigate the goings on in Chapel Hill.
LETTER: Press Building sold to Lancaster Press LP
It looks like the City finally sold the Press building… Lancaster City of conveyed property on a public road to Lancaster Press Partners LP for $200,000. Any ideas of the fair market value of such a building? It would be interesting to see a tally of the hand-outs to the developer. Parking garage, pocket park, […]
Schwartz makes waves in primary race for governor
With her nearly 10 years in Congress and 14 years in the state Senate, Schwartz has the most experience in government and politics among the four Democratic candidates. As the campaign heated up last year, many observers viewed her as the candidate to beat.
Philly DA Williams won’t give state Attorney General Kane a pass
“You state you will grant me access only if I am able to satisfy you that I will not engage in any evaluation of your actions in reviewing this investigation. You have no authority under the law to establish any such pre-condition,” Williams wrote in a letter to Kane, a copy of which the Tribune-Review obtained…
U.S.: Abbas told Kerry unity government will recognize Israel
Psaki said that Abbas told Kerry that the future unity government with Hamas will be his government and represent his policies – it will recognize Israel, abide by past agreements and will renounce violence. “It’s a positive thing,” she said.
Lindsey Graham’s Rival Blames Women for Cheating Husbands (There is some truth here.)
Calling it “abominable idolatry” and “unlawful worship,” Bowers said the “vast preponderance” of divorces proved that men cheat on their wives because they devote too much love and devotion towards their children…
South Korean PM Resigns Over Govt Response to Ferry Disaster
NEWSMAX /REUTERS: South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-won resigned on Sunday over the government’s response to the April 16 ferry disaster… “Keeping my post too great a burden on the administration,” a sombre Chung said in a brief announcement… Tempers have frayed over the slow pace of the recovery and frequent changes in information provided […]
Abbas calls Holocaust ‘most heinous crime’
USA TODAY / AP: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday called the Holocaust “the most heinous crime” of modern history and expressed his sympathy for the victims, a rare acknowledgment by an Arab leader of Jewish suffering during the Nazi genocide. Abbas’ comments appeared, in part, aimed at reaching out to Israeli public opinion at […]
Afghanistan presidential election headed for runoff
ALJAZEERA: Afghanistan’s presidential election is set to go to a second-round runoff between former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and ex-World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai after none of the candidates won an absolute majority, preliminary results showed on Saturday. The winner will oversee a tumultuous period, as the United States and NATO are expected to […]
A Walmart Fortune, Spreading Charter Schools
NEW YORK TIMES: WASHINGTON — DC Prep operates four charter schools here with 1,200 students in preschool through eighth grade. The schools, whose students are mostly poor and black, are among the highest performing in Washington. Last year, DC Prep’s flagship middle school earned the best test scores among local charter schools, far outperforming the […]
Crimea Today
On Friday April 25, a border was installed between Ukraine and the Republic of Crimea. Russians all over the country are still celebrating annexation of Crimea. There was a medal released in honor of Putin’s personal impact on the “historical” return of Crimea to Russia. But what is going on now in Crimea?