Sunday, July 31, 2022

My 20 Most Unforgettable Lawyer/Characters

I’m not exactly sure why but I’ve always been attracted to bigger-than-life characters. And I do mean characters, as in people who cut a large swath through life, live authentically and don’t much care what others think of them. 

Fortunately, the years from 1980 to 2000 witnessed a burgeoning Philadelphia legal community populated by a cast of distinctly vivid personalities that would have been the envy of any Hollywood movie mogul. And I had a front row seat for all of it. 

Here then, on the Philadelphia Bar Association’s 220th anniversary are my 20 most unforgettable characters from that era.

Click here to read more, beginning with M. Mark Mendel (shown above) from the current issue of The Philadelphia Lawyer magazine.

It Doesn't Take A Rocket Scientist . . .


 

This Woman Is HATED On Her Home Turf!

The Polls Now Mostly Agree On This . . .


 

A Munumental Sports Giant Has Passed On







'Take Care To Guard Against Greed . . .'

Today's Holy Gospel:

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus,

“Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.”
He replied to him,
“Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?”
Then he said to the crowd,
“Take care to guard against all greed,
for though one may be rich,
one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

Then he told them a parable.
“There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest.
He asked himself, ‘What shall I do,
for I do not have space to store my harvest?’
And he said, ‘This is what I shall do:
I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones.
There I shall store all my grain and other goods
and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you,
you have so many good things stored up for many years,
rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’
But God said to him,
‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you;
and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’
Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves
but are not rich in what matters to God.”

Saturday, July 30, 2022

So, What Happening At YOUR Child's School?

Makes Little Sense, But Seems True . . .


 

How 'Holier-Than-Thou' Harvard Sold Out!

If This Is True, We're In BIG Trouble!







 

Ten Wonderful Reasons To LOVE Summer!



You may think that summer is nearing an end.
You're wrong, wrong, wrong! We've got the entire month of August ahead of us and much more.
But more on that later.
For now, let's continue to savor summer and dwell on the great reasons to cultivate our love for this wonderful season:

1) Summer clothing. It's minimalist, to say the least. Shorts, a tee, sandals and you're ready to go. Hooray!

2) Hot dogs. They just taste better in the summer, don't they? And burgers, too -- and just about anything on the grill.

3) The seashore. Philly calls it "downashore" (all one word). No matter what you call it, this is the time of the year for catching the waves and enjoying ocean breezes.

4) Outdoor entertainment. Concerts, comedy, theater -- you name it. It's great fun outdoors and/or under the stars.

5) Baseball. Whether you're a fan or not, it's intertwined with summer. From sandlot to stadium, it spells America!

7) Fireworks. They're not just for the 4th or July. They're part of lighting up any summer night.

8) Road trips. Summer is the season for adventures on wheels. Head out there!

9) The mountains. Refreshing breezes. Cooler nights. Open skies and fresh air. Delightful!

10) Doin nothin! Resting in a hammock, under a tree. Gazing across a pond. Gone fishin! THAT'S what summer is all about!

Do YOU have a special reason why you love summer? Let's hear about it! 

Friday, July 29, 2022

Hiding, Hiding, Hiding . . . For HUNTER!

Global Warming: So, You Think It's HOT Now?


Every now and then, the facts get in the way. 

 

Coming To Broadway Soon . . . Maybe . . .

The new musical adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada is in Chicago this summer. Here, composer Elton John talks about putting the show together and offers a preview of his brand new score, with lyrics by Shaina Taub.

PUBLISHED: Goodnight Fairytales For Liberals!


 

NJ Dems Ignore Deaths, Fret Over Springsteen

New Jersey State Senator Joe Pennacchio, Senator Kristin Corrado  and Senator Steven Oroho today blasted Democrat leadership in Trenton for their response to the price of concert tickets.

Sens. Oroho, Pennacchio and Corrado said the Legislature should be focused on more important issues than concert ticket prices. (Pixabay)

“The priorities in Trenton are off the rails,” said Oroho (R-24). “There is more interest in investigating the price of admission to a Bruce Springsteen concert than there has ever been for unraveling the bureaucratic confusion that led to the deaths of almost 10,000 people in nursing homes.”

The New Jersey-native rocker and his band aren’t going on tour until next year, but tickets went on sale today for the Newark and New York shows scheduled for April. Tour sales have been marred by a new demand-based process that has skyrocketed the cost of some tickets to more than $4,000.

This week, the press reported Democrat leadership said it’s “our responsibility to investigate current pricing practices” and the Assembly will hold a hearing to “ensure fairness and affordability in the process.”

“There is a slew of more important issues for New Jersey residents. These ticket prices are ridiculous. I don’t know who would pay them,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “But that’s a choice. Nobody is forced to go to the concerts.

“It wasn’t an option when elderly residents were trapped in nursing homes filled with COVID. They had no option, and they had no voice. The Legislature should be investigating these silent tragedies. Instead, the focus in on placating the TMZ audience with an investigation into Ticketmaster,” Pennacchio noted.

“The residents of New Jersey had bigger things in mind when they sent us to Trenton on their behalf,” said Corrado (R-40). “We have families who lost loved ones and they deserve answers. We are on the brink of a health care insurance crisis. And the majority party is prioritizing concert prices.

“This cannot continue.”

Is THIS What Feminism Did To Women?


 

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Do You Bank At TD Bank? . . . DON'T!

Drag Queen Story Time was chosen by TD Bank as their small business of the month for June Pride! This commerical ran on NBC in June and July of 2022, and aired during the Today Show! The segment features the ceator of Philadelphgia's Drag Queen Story Time-drag artist Brittany Lynn!

The Present State Of Affairs . . .


 

Oh, WOW! Watch Out For This One . . .

Discover a life both known and unknown in this boldly imaginative film from Director Andrew Dominik that explores the complicated life of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. Based on the novel of the same name by Joyce Carol Oates, Blonde, starring Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe, Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale, Xavier Samuel, and Julianne Nicholson premieres on Netflix, 28 September.

Funny Thing Is It Actually Sounds Plausible . . .


 

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Trump Will Sue CNN, Other Media Outlets

- July 27, 2022 - 

Statement by Donald J. Trump, 45th President of 

the United States of America

I have notified CNN of my intent to file a lawsuit over their repeated defamatory statements against me. I will also be commencing actions against other media outlets who have defamed me and defrauded the public regarding the overwhelming evidence of fraud throughout the 2020 Election. I will never stop fighting for the truth and for the future of our Country!

 

Read the letter here

What The Hell Happened To OUR Schools?


 

NJ Congressman's Troubling Stock Trades . . .

New Jersey Republican Congressional Candidate Frank Pallotta called for Representative Josh Gottheimer to step down from the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services amid revelations he joined Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband in stock trades of chip maker NVIDIA ahead of a multi-billion-dollar spending bill intended to buoy the company.

Congressman Gottheimer is one of the most prolific stock traders in Congress. executing more than 1,200 trades totaling more than $100 million. He has also switched to a much riskier options strategy, trading an additional $120 million last year alone. What’s more disturbing is the timing of his trading activity. This spring, Congressman Gottheimer and Paul Pelosi, husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, purchased shares of NVIDIA within days of each other, as the Senate was poised to vote on a chip manufacturing bill favorable to the company.

“It’s nearly impossible to believe that these trades and others were made without insider knowledge,” said Mr. Pallotta. “Anyone else in the financial services industry would be fired from their job or face prosecution for insider trading. These members of Congress are not only in possession of material non-public information, but are in a position to influence the price of nearly every stock they own. Congressman Gottheimer should step down from the House Financial Services Committee immediately. He should not be involved in creating policy or writing legislation while this cloud is over him.”

Pallotta added: “Josh Gottheimer is an unethical member of Congress. It’s unconscionable that he is using his position to make millions of dollars and it must stop.”

Earlier this year, Frank Pallotta released a plan to combat Congressional insider trading, known as the T.R.U.S.T Act.

Elements of the T.R.U.S.T. Act include:
  • The financial holdings of all members of Congress immediately be placed in a qualified “blind trust.”An independent oversight panel comprised of professionals with relevant and related skillsets will oversee the Blind Trust administrators.
  • Limitations and restrictions be placed on holdings and certain sectors where committee and subcommittee conflicts exist.
  • Immediate and close family members will not be required to place their holdings in a blind trust, but must request and receive written approval from the oversight panel before executing any transaction.
  • Penalties for rule violation will be immediate and severe, including censure, expungement of profits, and removal from committees.
“New Jersey voters have had enough of corruption. It’s time for Congressman Gottheimer to come clean. He needs to resign immediately from the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services and once and for all, face the music about his questionable trading patterns and strategies,” Pallotta concluded.
 



Clinate Change? THIS Speaks Volumes . . .


 

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Once Upon A Time There Was A PRESIDENT . . .






The Four Phases Of Feminism?




 

VIDEO: The Folly Of Deranged, Identity Politics!

Consumer Confidence DOWN; Third Straight Month!

The Conference Board is reporting that its  Consumer Confidence Index® decreased in July, following a larger decline in June. 

As reported by The Conference Board: "The Index now stands at 95.7 (1985=100), down 2.7 points from 98.4 in June. The Present Situation Index—based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions—fell to 141.3 from 147.2 last month. The Expectations Index—based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—ticked down to 65.3 from 65.8."

The Conference Board adds the following:
“Consumer confidence fell for a third consecutive month in July,” said Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. “The decrease was driven primarily by a decline in the Present Situation Index—a sign growth has slowed at the start of Q3. The Expectations Index held relatively steady, but remained well below a reading of 80, suggesting recession risks persist. Concerns about inflation—rising gas and food prices, in particular—continued to weigh on consumers.”

“As the Fed raises interest rates to rein in inflation, purchasing intentions for cars, homes, and major appliances all pulled back further in July. Looking ahead, inflation and additional rate hikes are likely to continue posing strong headwinds for consumer spending and economic growth over the next six months.”

Click here for the full report from The Conference Board.

Oh No, WE Certainly Haven't Forgotten; Have YOU?

 


Monday, July 25, 2022

So, What's Going On In YOUR Kid's School?

PA: Is THIS What You Want As Your Senator?


 

Bad Things Happen In Philly? So It Seems . . .

Oh, The Absolute Folly Of It All!




 

US Headed In Right Direction? Only 23% Say Yes

Twenty-three percent (23%) of likely U.S. voters think the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey for the week ending July 21, 2022. That's an absolutely dismal number and it's been that way for quite some time under the reign of Joe Biden.

This figure does not bode well for incumbent Democrats in the upcoming fall elections.

Plus, this week’s finding is once again .down two points from a week ago 

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in Rasmussen polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

Sunday, July 24, 2022

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Turns Out Cruise Was Probably Right . . .

And we all know what happened to that "oh-so-smart" Lauer . . .

Long Before EVERYONE Became Offended . . .







 

Attack On Zeldin Proves His Point!

Friday, July 22, 2022

'Public' Schools? We're Really Not So Sure . . .




 

Double Digit GOP Lead Looms Over Fall Races!

The 2022 midterm elections are now 109 days away, and Republicans have 10-point lead in their bid to recapture control of Congress.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that, if the elections for Congress were held today, 49% of likely U.S. voters would vote for the Republican candidate, while 39% would vote for the Democrat. Just four percent (4%) would vote for some other candidate, but another eight percent (8%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The Republican lead is up two points from last week, when they led 48%-40%. The GOP has led the Generic Congressional Ballot all year.

In July 2018, before voters handed Democrats their first House majority in eight years, Democrats held a seven-point advantage (47% to 40%) in the generic ballot question. As the November 2018 midterms neared, the margin was a statistical dead heat – Republicans 46%, Democrats 45% – in the final poll before Democrats won a slim House majority while Republicans gained Senate seats to maintain control of that chamber.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it’s in the news, it’s in Rasmussen polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 2,500 U.S. likely voters was conducted on July 17-21, 2022 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/-2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

The Republican lead on the congressional ballot is due both to greater GOP partisan intensity and a 17-point advantage among independents. While 89% of Republican voters say they would vote for their own party’s congressional candidate, just 79% of Democrats would vote for the Democratic candidate. Among voters not affiliated with either major party, however, 44% would vote Republican and 27% would vote Democrat, while 10% would vote for some other candidate and 20% are undecided.

Fifty-five percent (55%) of whites, 27% of Black voters and 41% of other minorities would vote Republican if the election were held today. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Black voters, 34% of whites and 44% of other minorities would vote Democrat.

The so-called “gender gap” has widened in the latest findings, with men (53%) now eight points more likely than women voters (45%) to prefer Republican congressional candidates. The gap was five points last week.

Voters under 40 favor Democrats by a 13-point margin, 48% to 35%, but 55% of voters ages 40-64 and 54% of those 65 and older would vote Republican if the election were held today.Republican support is highest among retirees, while Democrats do best among government employees.

Republicans lead 52%-37% among voters with incomes between $30,000 and $50,000 a year, while Democrats have the same 15-point advantage, 52% to 37%, among voters with annual incomes over $200,000.

Wise Words Indeed, From A Great Man . . .




 

Thursday, July 21, 2022

OMG! Watch As GOP Gov Candidate Is Assaulted!

When One Photo Says It All . . .




 

Poll: Biden Scores LOWEST Approval EVER!

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll, for today shows that 36% of likely U.S. voters approve of Biden’s job performance. Sixty-one percent (61%) disapprove. This is the LOWEST that Biden has ever scored on this well-respected poll.

The latest figures include only 18% who strongly approve of the job Biden is doing and 49% who strongly disapprove. This gives him a Presidential Approval Index rating of -31. (see trends). 

Well, Lookin' Back On It All . . .


 

Please, Do NOT Call Yourself A Republican!

Get this: Maryland Governor Larry Hogan will not endorse the Republican nominee for governor of Maryland. Can you believe this?

There was a free and open election. The Republicans of Maryland voted. They selected their candidate for Governor. 

But all that doesn't seem to matter to Hogan. Because, ya see, Hogan's guy didn't win. And Hogan is still peeved about Trump. Yes, Trump. STILL!

Now, look: those who call themselves Republicans but do not support the freely and fairly elected nominee of the party are NOT Republicans -- and that includes Larry Hogan!



Well, It USED To Be America's Pastime . . .

 


NJ: Massive Added State Costs Looming!

Republican leadership in the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly called for the formation of a special legislative committee to investigate massive health care premium increases that will be paid by active and retired public employees and taxpayers.



Republican leadership in the N.J. Legislature called for the formation of a special legislative committee to investigate massive health care premium increases that will be paid by active and retired public employees and taxpayers. (©iStock.com)

“Governor Murphy has completely failed to control health care premiums paid by the state, local governments, and active and retired public employees,” said Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho (R-Sussex). “The 24% premium increase proposed for most active employees will take thousands more out of their paychecks annually and lead to huge costs for local governments that will translate into higher property tax bills for struggling families. We must investigate the failures that led to these catastrophic premium increases to develop an effective plan going forward.”

Premiums for active employees covered by the State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP) are set to increase by 24%, while those for school employees and teachers covered by the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) are set to rise by 15.6%

Similarly, SHBP retirees are set to pay an additional 15.6% for health care, while SEHBP retirees will pay 13.6% more.

“Taxpayers, employees and retirees living on fixed incomes cannot afford the anticipated cost increases for state health benefits on top of what they are paying just to live, eat and work in New Jersey. Much of the blame rests with the Democrats who failed to address the record-high inflation in this year’s massive $50.6 billion spending plan and the Murphy administration for making New Jersey less affordable,” said Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio (R-Warren). “It’s time we peel back the onion to find out exactly how we got to where we are with the health care premiums so we can hold those responsible accountable.”

The legislators said an investigative committee with subpoena power should be established to investigate the increases, including allegations published by Bloomberg that the Murphy administration squashed an attempt to recover $34 million paid to Horizon for a failed program to lower costs. Outside consultants confirmed that “the program yielded no apparent savings,” also according to Bloomberg.

Horizon administers the health care plans for hundreds of thousands of state and local government employees and retirees in New Jersey.

“It’s distressing that the massive health care premium increases are coming on the heels of the shocking report that the Governor’s Office pressured state officials to stop an attempt to claw back tens of millions of dollars from Horizon after they failed to deliver on a contract to lower costs,” said Senate Republican Budget Officer Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth). “It’s absolutely scandalous that high-level administration officials would intercede to prevent Horizon from being held accountable as premiums are set to skyrocket. Employees, retirees, and taxpayers deserve to know why.”

The legislators also pointed to a failed 2020 health benefit reform that Governor Murphy said would lead to massive savings for school districts but has backfired and is driving up costs for many districts and property taxpayers.

These are some of the failures they say a special legislative committee should investigate.

“Raising costs for the hardworking people of New Jersey has been the Murphy administration’s modus operandi. It’s all gimmicks and when it comes time to deliver any real relief, they fail miserably,” added Assembly Republican Budget Officer Hal Wirths (R-Sussex). “Now our local governments, seniors, and taxpayers are on the hook for their broken promises to deliver savings and major missteps with Horizon. We can’t and won’t let them get away with it.”

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

If THIS Is Really Happening, OMG!




 

Let's Talk About The Weather, OK?

 
We hate talking about the weather. We really do. Still . . . 

For the record: The three hottest days in Philly history (measured by temperature) were 1918 (106), 1966 (104) and 1936 (104). These are not heat indexes. These are actual temperatures, Fahrenheit. I distinctly remember 1966. It was so hot that some streets in the city buckled under the heat. Of the top six hottest days, none occurred in the last ten years. So much for global warming and/or climate change. Stop whining, everybody!

And one more thing: We LIVED through the summer of '66 and quite a few other summers long since past that were scorchers with continuing heat waves. Philly's always been obsessed with the weather and much of this seems to be fueled by the local media. But never in our lifetime have we witnessed the media being so invested in "extreme" weather stories, much of it seemingly concocted.

THIS Is How Far We've Fallen . . .


 

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

The Cost Of Bidenflation? Just Check The List!

Fuel oil +98%

Gas at the pump +61%

Used cars +40%

Air fares +34%

Margarine +34%

Eggs +33%

Men's suits +25%

Public transportation +24%

Butter +21%

Chicken +19%

Lunch meat +18%

Soups +16%

Milk +16%

Cookies +15%

Electricity +14%

Baby food +14%

New cars +13%

Bacon +11%

Pet food +10%

Ham +10%

Limousine Liberalism On Steroids . . .

Loony Leftist Logic Defies Common Sense




 

Monday, July 18, 2022

NOBODY Tells It Like This Guy, HOORAY!

As Good A Time As Ever To Remember This Guy




 

This Is Very Revealing -- And Frightening!