Can YOU Understand What This Guy Is Saying?

A Facebook Friend's Views On Gun Rights

We think it's important to share these observations (from a Facebook friend) with you:

It is possible, believe it or not, to support the Second Amendment, and also support reasonable restrictions on the availability of certain types of firearms (in particular those that serve no purpose other than mass murder), and access to firearms in general for certain types of people.  Maybe we should raise the age of firearm ownership.  I didn't own my first gun until my thirties.  That would've stopped a lot of these shootings right there.   Maybe, if we have to have these AR-style things, they can only be kept at a licensed firearms range.  They serve no home or personal defense purpose at all.  Maybe the New Jersey requirement of a waiting period while mental health and background checks are performed is not the worst thing in the world. (It's not.  I've undergone it several times.  Then I get my gun).  Maybe the solution is a combination of things.  

But for as insensitive as these self-righteous "thoughts and prayers are not good enough" statements are, it is right that the status quo is not good enough, and that we should not accept (and this country won't much longer accept) that the price of the Second Amendment is that every so often we're going to have a massacre, and that's just something we'll have to live with, because I'm telling you now that we won't. 

Rights need to be protected, and gun rights are no different.  The best way to protect rights is to use reason to prevent their abuse.  Taking an all or nothing approach eventually results in being left with nothing, especially when you're in the minority.  

And by the way, the right to life is kind of important too.

People Understand: Things Are NOT Good!

Monday, May 30, 2022

Remembering The Irrepressible Arleen Weitz

If you were ever part of a Philadelphia society soireĆ© (when there were such things) you probably knew Arleen Weitz. If ever attended an event or stayed at Philadelphia's legendary Bellevue Stratford Hotel or the center city Marriott, you may have interacted with Arleen Weitz. If you were part of a Philly based convention or a Philadelphia Bar Association event, you may remember Arleen Weitz. If you dined at The Hunt Room or later at The Palm where the walls were lined with the images of influential Philadelphians, you knew Arleen Weitz. And, of late, if you enjoyed the on/off bus that toured Philadelphia you may have bought your ticket from Arleen Weitz. 

Philly born and raised, Arleen was an intricate part of the fabric of Philadelphia for more than half a century. She was a hospitality grand dame who knew every nook and cranny of the city and all of the town's bigger-than-life personalities. She loved her work as a meetings and events guru and she made it seem easy. She was as at home in a South Philly bar and grill as she was at the Academy Ball or a night at the opera. She could quickly size up the bona fides of everything from a Wawa hoagie to a filet mignon at Butcher & Singer. And she could tell you all about the brokerage firm that give Butcher & Singer its name and the whereabouts of Wawa, Pa. itself. She knew which wines to pour when, which fork to use with what, how to properly address a formal invitation, where to seat (and how to treat) the guest of honor and how to mix the perfect martini. 

Arleen was conversant in all things Philly. She loved the Mummers and the madness and the mettlesome nature of the town. It was simply in her DNA. A center city resident forever, she was a familiar figure at every Big City Event. She was there for all the mammoth celebrations: the Pope's visit (both of them), the Phillies's World series victory (both of them), the Flyers' Stanley Cup triumph (both of them) and everything else including raucous election nights, gaudy street festivals, ritzy galas and dazzling Fourth of July pyrotechnics. 

Arleen also had a soft spot for tough Italian guys. She adored Frank Rizzo, was fascinated with the mob but was also a big fan of the Philly police many of whom she knew on a first name basis. She loved military guys, helped out every year with the annual Marine Corps Ball and corresponded with young Marines, lending them support and encouragement. She was openly and enthusiastically patriotic and delighted in being surrounded by Philly's rich history and heritage. When she sent you a birthday or Christmas card it was distinctively hand-cancelled at the nation's first post office, founded by Benjamin Franklin. And you could be sure the card was painstakingly chosen as well.

Politically active, Arleen remained a proud Republican in an overwhelmingly liberal Democrat town. Boldly unintimidated, Arleen never flinched nor hesitated in expressing her views even in an atmosphere of intolerant wokrness (which, by the way, she found unforgiveable). She valued tradition, rugged individualism and the hallowed tenets of her faith, remaining steadfast in upholding old world standards and manners. She was fastidious in her personal appearance and always looked impeccable. But she was hardly a prude. She had a great sense of humor and always welcomed a good joke or naughty tale. And she was extraordinarily well informed. 

Of course, her sense of humor served her well as she was a cancer survivor and had known her share of ups and downs. This did not discourage her and she went on to counsel others who faced the challenge and anguish of cancer. 

Arleen was devoted to her brother and his children and grandchildren. Since she never married or had children of her own, Arleen's legion of friends were also her family and she always treated them as such. We last saw Arleen a couple of weeks ago when we lunched with her here in Cherry Hill, She was great company as always. Her death was sudden and hugely unexpected as she was seemingly irrepressible and indefatigable. 

Relatives and friends are invited to Funeral Services Wednesday 11:30 AM precisely at GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS, 6410 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19126. Interment Roosevelt Memorial Park. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Colon Cancer Coalition, www.coloncancercoalition.org, Temple Sinai, www.tsinai.com, or a charity of the donor’s choice.


A Great Spot On Memorial Day, Or Any Day

If you really want to understand what the day's all about . . . 














If you go to Washington DC and you don't see the beautiful World War II memorial (between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial) you will miss one of the most majestic and inspiring places in our nation's capital.
The World War II Memorial honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S., the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort from home. Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th Century, the memorial is a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people. The Second World War is the only 20th Century event commemorated on the National Mall's central axis. 
This classically-designed memorial traces the history of the war and those who fought it with words, wreaths, columns, gold stars, fountains, ramps and a huge plaza complete with seating around the rim for moments of quiet contemplation.
And yet the World War II memorial contains not a single statue of any one person. And that's appropriate because it honors every single person who contributed to the success of the war effort.
The Atlantic and Pacific theaters of war, the D-Day Invasion, the Battle of Midway and every state and territory are all here. Nothing has been forgotten.
And yet for all it's grandeur -- and it is grand -- the World War II memorial lends itself to quiet reflection and a real sense of intimacy.
This is an exceptionally well-designed public space and it stands as one of the finest monuments in Washington.
The memorial is operated by the National Park Service and is open to visitors 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about visiting the memorial, accessibility, parking, directions, special events and other details, please visit the National Park Service Web site at www.nps.gov/nwwm or call the Park Service at (202) 619-7222. 

Sunday, May 29, 2022

Is THIS Where We're Headed? Don't Laugh!


No, it's not a real toy -- well, not yet. But we'd better be careful and pay attention to where 
we're headed or maybe it soon will be. Imagine that!

 

Please, Let's Keep Memorial Day Sacred!

 

Don't trample on Memorial Day.
Don't treat like just another three-day weekend.
Don't herald it as the beginning of summer because, well -- because it's not!
And don't ever, ever ignore what it means or stands for or who it honors.
I'm saying all this because for me, this day is personal. On this day, I remember Frank Bushey, Victor Gross and John Halladay. They all died while serving our nation in Vietnam. And they were all high school classmates of mine. Yes, I remember them and I think about them often.
THIS is what Memorial Day is all about.
It's about those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice.
I hated the Vietnam War. Hated it!
And I hated it even more after it took these three young men. 
There's nothing glamorous or adventurous about war. That's the movie version. What you see above is what happens in the real life version -- all to real, painfully real, heart-breakingly real.
Honoring those who gave their all is our way -- a very small way -- of trying to show how indebted we are to those who went to war and never came home. It's our way of remembering them and their families and friends who were left with incalculable loss. It's our way of trying to extend a measure of comfort to those who still grieve, who still miss their loved ones. These were young lives cut short in their prime -- never to blossom and reach their full potential.
Memorial Day is a personal thing -- something multiplied hundreds and thousands of times over and beyond the few faces that you see above.
Remember them. Honor them. Show gratitude for their service. Keep them in your hearts. Never, ever, ever forget!

Pelosi's Husband, 82, Arrested For DUI

 

It happened on 5/25 at 11;44 PM. Bail was apparently set at $5,000. He was charged with driving under the influence and driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher, the public booking report says. Both charges are misdemeanors.

"The Speaker will not be commenting on this private matter which occurred while she was on the East Coast," a statement from Drew Hammill, Pelosi's spokesperson, said.

Saturday, May 28, 2022

Dangerous Equivocation Robs Parents Of Rights!

WHOA! Cherry Hill Library's DRAG QUEEN Program For Preschoolers!

From the Cherry Hill Library web site (see below with highlighting added) a program for CHILDREN, ages two to five years old or lower elementary grades. Really?

And this is not the first time the Cherry Hill Library has sponsored a program like this. 

Why is the Cherry Hill Library welcoming DRAG QUEEN transvestites (or possibly transgenders, or whatever) to read storybooks to little children. Perhaps you'd like to call the phone number listed below or e-mail the person listed there and ask what's this is all about. That just might be a good idea.

Drag Queen Story Time

 
 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Cherry Hill Public Library
Conference Center, Lower Level
 Registration is open
Join Brittany Lynn, founder of the Philly Drag Mafia, as she reads some of her favorite books! The books will be geared towards ages 2-5, but the program is open to children of all ages!

This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Cherry Hill Public Library.
Event Type(s): Children
Age Group(s): Ages 2-5 years, Lower Elementary (K-2)
Beth Cackowski
(856) 903-1232

SF Giants Manager Won't Stand For N'tl Anthem

Giants manager Gabe Kapler explains himself (sorta) saying that he's not been "in my best space [or place?] mentally". Oh, OK. We guess . . . . BTW: Ddin't this guy manage the Phillies for awhile? And how did that work out?
PS: Maybe San Francisco's the best place for him, huh?

Biden & Co Telling Israel To Back Off?

Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) National President Morton A. Klein released the following statement:

Israel is having a parade to celebrate the anniversary of Jerusalem’s miraculous reunification, with music, and children and families walking through the streets of Jerusalem waving Israeli flags. Some Arabs are threatening violence if Israel proceeds. The Biden Administration has interfered with this internal Israeli matter by demanding the Israel’s Jerusalem parade take a certain route to appease the Arab terrorists. This interference by Biden with our ally Israel is unconscionable. The U.S. request is also dangerous, because the U.S. is essentially asking Israel to appease terrorist organizations. Appeasement never works, and only encourages more terror. Yale Professor Don Kagan in his book “On the Origins of Peace and the Prevention of War” wrote that history shows that appeasement always fails. In a recent example, in 2021, Israel changed the parade route to attempt to allay Hamas’ terror threats, but Hamas still fired rockets into Jerusalem. Arab terrorists will always find another excuse for killing Jews – because their goal is the annihilation of the Jewish people and state. 


U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organizations Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are again demanding changes in the Jerusalem parade this year – to try to turn a normal happy national and family event into another pretext for murdering innocent Jews. Terrorists’ threats need to be answered with strength – not appeasement. The U.S. should never push Israel to appease terrorists.


Sadly, the parade route is only the latest in a string of offensive and dangerous intrusions by the Biden administration into Israel’s internal affairs. For instance, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides has repeatedly pressured Israel to prevent Jews from building homes in strategic areas of the Jewish homeland, necessary for Israel’s security, such as the E-1 corridor. Nides even called Jews building homes “infuriating” and “stupid.” 


It’s time for the Biden administration to show a little respect for Israel as a fellow sovereign nation. The Biden administration’s unconscionable interference with Israeli internal matters needs to stop.  

Watch As NJ Dems Block Rebates For Families

During a session of the New Jersey Senate today, Democrats violated the rules of the Senate to improperly block a vote on legislation that would provide an immediate $500 rebate to most New Jersey families.

Included below are Durr’s full remarks as prepared for delivery to the Senate:

Mr. President, New Jersey families are struggling today.

Gas prices are the highest they’ve ever been, and inflation is increasing the cost of groceries and other goods and services at the fastest pace in a generation.

And while all of that is happening, the State of New Jersey has made the problem worse by collecting billions of dollars more from taxpayers than we expected or need to fund our budget.

People need help, and they need it today.

Senate Republicans have proposed a pair of “Give It Back” rebates that would return $4.5 billion of the $8 billion of tax overcollections to New Jersey families immediately.

In total, our proposals would return $1,500 back to most New Jersey families.

Today, I’m proposing that we move forward one of the “Give It Back” bills that I sponsor, the “Gas Price and Inflation Tax Credit Act.”

My bill would return $1.5 billion to New Jerseyans through immediate $500 rebates to families.

There’s absolutely no reason anyone in this chamber should oppose this proposal.

All of us, Republican and Democrat, represent families that are suffering.

All of us know, in our hearts, how much this money will help parents to feed children who are struggling with food insecurity.

All of us know that we can afford to “Give It Back,” so please join me in supporting this important.

Mr. President, pursuant to Rule 12:6 of the Rules of the Senate, I move that Senate Bill 2290 be relieved from the Senate Transportation Committee. I am the prime sponsor of the bill, and the required notifications were filed with the Secretary on May 19, 2022.

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

A Facebook Friend Posts As Follows . . .

 I call on every police department in the country....don't do your extensive paperwork at the station. Do it at the local elementary schools. I'm sure they would offer you a free desk or two. And park those cruisers right out front. Protect the Children.

Will An Investigation Finally Be Forthcoming?

New Jersey Senator Joe Pennacchio said he is hopeful more of his Democrat colleagues in the Senate have grown tired of the Murphy Administration’s reticence regarding nursing home deaths during the pandemic and will support a motion during Thursday’s session to force a vote on a bipartisan resolution to create a special Senate committee to investigate the tragedy.

Sen. Joe Pennacchio said he is hopeful more of his Democrat colleagues in the Senate have grown tired of the Murphy Administration’s reticence regarding nursing home deaths and will support a motion during Thursday’s session to force a vote on a bipartisan resolution to create a special committee to investigate the tragedy. (Pixabay)

“If New Jersey residents are going to get the answers they need, it is up to the Senate to take on the job,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “I am appreciative and thankful that Senator Gill is taking this initiative. With a little more bipartisanship, we can create the ‘New Jersey Nursing Home Pandemic Response Investigation Committee’ and start learning how mandates and rules from Trenton contributed to the tragic outcomes in our nursing and veterans’ homes.”

Senators Gill and Pennacchio sponsor the resolution (SR-48). During the Senate voting session Thursday, Gill will make a motion to relieve SR-48 from committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 12:6.

“If the Senate leadership moves to table the motion, Senator Gill and I are asking our colleagues to vote against the motion to table, which would allow the resolution to proceed to the Senate floor for a full and transparent discussion,” said Pennacchio, who is joined by 13 Republicans as sponsors of SR-48.

The measure sponsored by Gill and Pennacchio would establish a 7-member committee to investigate all aspects of the effects of state actions, executive orders and actions, legislation, regulation, and state policies on nursing homes, nursing home residents and their families, and nursing home employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pennacchio began calling for a legislative investigation into the state’s nursing home policies in May 2020 and introduced a resolution (SR-68) similar to Gill’s calling for a Senate Select committee to review the Executive Branch’s pandemic response.

“This is about people, not politics. New Jersey families should be the priority,” Pennacchio said. “I’m hopeful it is becoming more of a bipartisan effort to get to the truth. Without an investigation, state residents will never learn the truth about what could have been done to prevent the so many tragedies in long-term care facilities.”

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

GUNS: Steps We CAN Start To Take Now!

Guns. Mass murders. Schools. Kids. Again!

We've seen and heard enough over the past couple of weeks

Now, the time has come to get real and deal with the problem that faces us.

Yes, there's been enough finger-pointing and there's more than enough blame to go around.
And everybody's culpable here. The Democrats certainly aren't without blame as they had the White House and clear majorities in both houses of Congress and they actually did little to stem the tide of gun crime. 

Indeed, the assault weapons ban expired in 2004 but once Barack Obama and the Dems gained complete control in 2008, they didn't reinstitute the ban. For the record: the ban was originally signed into law by Bill Clinton but even President Reagan supported it. So, yes -- this is a problem for both parties.
Blame, blame, blame, blame and blame.

OK. Now that we've said that and have gotten that out of our system, what now?

What should we actually do?

No single action will be a panacea.
There's no easy answer here. But steps must be taken.
To any reasonably sane person the following steps would appear to be obvious priorities:

1) The assault weapons should probably be re-eneacted. There's no guarantee it will stem the tide of violence but there's no reason not to put it back into effect, either.

2) Background checks must be toughened.

3) Much tighter controls need to be put on gun ownership by persons with mental disorders. In the case of unstable or questionable persons who already possess guns, the idea of a gun ownership restraining order seems to have merit. 

4) As has previously been noted, bump stocks must be banned.

5) Hollywood and the popular culture and the media must be held accountable. The glorification of violence must be halted. This ain't no movie and it ain't no video game. This is serious now, understand?

6) The crisis of boys with absent fathers must be addressed. It's nothing less than a time bomb.

7) Social media must come to the table. They share some of the responsibility for this.

8) We must beef up security in ALL schools including the posting of armed guards. Here, we can use retired law enforcement and retired military if need be. Billions of dollars for schools as part of the COVID monies, remains unspent. That money must be used for school security. 

9) The mental health crisis in this country must be addressed. There are far too many deranged people out and about. Also, mental health counselors may be needed in more schools.

10) Respect must be restored for the sanctity of human life and that means that we must have the courage to address the abomination that is abortion on demand. Remember: respect for human life is not a selective matter. And while we're add it, respect and support for law enforcement must be restored as well.

And one more thing: parents (especially indigent parents) should be given school choice. Parents deserve the right and the financial help, through vouchers, to send their children to secure private or parochial schools. 

Our nation is facing a very, very, serious situation.
All sides must accept responsibility and all sides must be willing to cede something for the greater good. There can be no progress until and unless that happens. 

Testa: Give Parents Mask Mandate Choice

New Jersey State Senator Michael Testa will introduce legislation to allow parents to create a path to choose a different school district if their home district unilaterally adopts a mask policy for students.

Sen. Michael Testa will introduce legislation to allow parents to create a path to choose a different school district if their home district unilaterally adopts a mask policy for students. (Pixabay)

Over the weekend, the Franklin Township school district in Somerset County announced via a pop up on their website that a mandatory masking policy would be reintroduced today.

“Sadly, we expected school bureaucrats to once again push their power over students and their parents with renewed masking mandates,” said Testa (R-1). “This bill gives parents the ability to fight back and the power to ensure their children are not forced to mask up.”

Under the bill parents could create an educational savings account which could then be used to allow their schoolchildren to attend a school in a district that does not mandate masks on students. The costs of creating those accounts would be borne by the school district which imposed the mask mandate.

The effectiveness of masks in preventing the spread of COVID in schoolchildren has been questioned by scientists around the globe since the very beginning of the pandemic.  A 2021 study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) covered more than 90,000 elementary-school students in 169 Georgia schools and found that forcing students to wear masks “lacks a well-grounded scientific justification.”

More recently, researchers in Spain conducted a study of 600,000 children ages 3 to 11. They found that children ages 3 to 4 had lower rates of transmission and infection compared to kids between the ages of 6 and 11. In addition, the number of COVID cases – even with mask mandates in place – was found to be higher in 6-year-olds compared to 5-year-olds.

“Masks don’t seem to affect medical outcomes and serve only to make some adults feel they are doing something to protect students. Kids shouldn’t suffer to make adults feel better. My bill restores parental control to local education,” Testa concluded.

Philly Archdiocese To Honor Local TV Anchorman

Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary will host its Annual John Cardinal Foley Symposium celebrating the 56th World Communications Day on Thursday, May 26. The symposium is named for the late Cardinal John Patrick Foley, a Delaware County native, in recognition of his instrumental contributions in advancing the work of communications in the Catholic Church.


Thursday, May 26, 2022
College Seminary Auditorium from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Eakins Room from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
100 East Wynnewood Road
Wynnewood, PA 19096

The free public symposium will begin with a dialogue centered on this year’s papal message for World Communications Day: “Listening with the ear of the heart.” CatholicPhilly.com Editor Matt Gambino; Widener University Associate Professor of Communications Dr. Angela Corbo; and 6ABC Action News Anchor Jim Gardner will serve as featured panelists during the discussion.

A luncheon for invited journalists and other guests will follow in the Seminary’s Eakins Room at 12:00 p.m. This year’s John Cardinal Foley Award for Excellence in Communications will be presented at 1:30 p.m. by Seminary Rector Bishop Timothy Senior to 6ABC’s Jim Gardner for his lifelong commitment to excellence in communications.

The Award for Excellence recognizes a communications professional who works in any of the realms of mass media, including journalism, publications, productions and oral communications. The Advisory Committee of the John Cardinal Foley Chair makes nominations, and the Archbishop of Philadelphia selects the recipient. Previous award recipients include ABC News Correspondent John QuiƱones, NFL Hall of Fame Sportswriter Ray Didinger, and Wall Street Journal Columnist William McGurn.

Background Regarding Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
Founded in 1832, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary has been forming men for priestly service in the Catholic Church for 190 years. In August 2021, the seminary expected an overall enrollment of 149 seminarians.  Saint Charles’ seminarian population is becoming increasingly diverse with approximately 38% of its students now coming from Asian, Latino, or African countries. Of the 27 new seminarians, 12 are seminarians studying for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and there are 66 new or returning seminarians for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia studying at St. Charles. With the generosity of many, these young seminarians are able to successfully transform into the compassionate and loyal priests and inspiring leaders of tomorrow’s Church. For more information on Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, please call 610-667-3394 or visit www.scs.edu.

NJ School District 'Defends' The Indefensible!

Check out this statement from the Cherry Hill Public Schools about New Jersey's controversial new sex education program. This would all be laughable if it wasn't so absurdly woke, defensive and misguided.

This is all bureaucratic gobbledygook -- typical of the district. Why should parents have to "opt out" (and practically sign a legal document) thus leaving their children to be signaled out and possibly stigmatized? The giveaway to the district's statement is this thin-skinned and gratuitous sentence: "The unfounded attacks aimed at our staff members are inappropriate and unwarranted." This is needlessly antagonistic and reflects the administration's inability to accept, let alone welcome, criticism. 

Shame on 'em!




Sunday, May 22, 2022

Dr. Oz: Do NOT Count Legally Rejected Ballots!

Dr. Mehmet Oz’s campaign manager, Casey Contres, today released the following statement regarding challenges to legally rejected ballots:


“David McCormick has been a formidable opponent, but it is becoming obvious that he is likely going to come up short to Dr. Mehmet Oz. Unfortunately, the McCormick legal team is following the Democrats’ playbook, a tactic that could have long-term harmful consequences for elections in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is a clear contrast between Dr. Mehmet Oz’s efforts to secure America’s democratic process and John Fetterman, the Democratic nominee, who doesn’t even want to require Pennsylvanians to show ID to vote. As a party, and as a people, Dr. Mehmet Oz believes we must restore faith in our government institutions. 

“Dr. Mehmet Oz continues to respectfully allow Pennsylvania’s vote-counting process to take place and puts his faith in the Republican voters who we believe have chosen him as their nominee. That is why our campaign will oppose the McCormick legal team’s request that election boards ignore both Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court and state election law and accept legally rejected ballots. If Dr. Mehmet Oz is the nominee, he would appreciate David McCormick’s support, and every other Pennsylvanian, in defeating extreme liberal socialist John Fetterman who would prove nothing more than a rubber-stamp for Joe Biden’s failed policies.”