Remembering The Worthiest

People have been moving this idea around through e-mail and it's certainly worth passing along:
When filling out your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to
Recovering American Soldier
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20307-5001
If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get.
If you approve of the idea, please pass it on to your e-mail list.

Christmas Gift?

I've been watching the holiday gift commercials on TV (there are an awful lot of them) and I've noticed that many of these spots are pushing new cars. Since when did a new car become a Christmas gift? Even if the gift turns out to be a three-year lease of a new car, that's still a significant amount of money -- probably more than $15,000 to lease a decent car for three years. So, if the economy is really tanking, why are automakers running these commercials and who's buying or leasing a new car as a Christmas gift? Beats me.
By the way, my favorite holiday gift campaign so far is the one from Sears: "Don't just give a gift, Grant a wish." What a great slogan!

Picture Perfect

Picture perfect Princeton is all decked out in holiday finery. We visited today and enjoyed the many shops around Palmer Square and Nassau Street. Of course we stopped by PJ's Pancake House. All of the decorations in Princeton are fresh. You can smell the pine cones and evergreens with fresh wreaths and garland adorning entryways and arches -- all festooned with bright red velvet ribbon. Street carolers and brass trios entertain shoppers with Christmas melodies and Santa is there as well. And he doesn't hesitate to call out "Merry Christmas" to all. The shops are filled with wonderful goodies and now the Princeton University Shop and bookstore are right there on Nassau Street for everyone to enjoy. The town was bustling, though nonetheless intimate and welcoming. Be sure to put Princeton on your list!

More from Romney

Some passages from Mitt Romney's recent speech on faith that continue to stay with me:
"I'm not sure that we fully appreciate the profound implications of our tradition of religious liberty. I have visited many of the magnificent cathedrals in Europe. They are so inspired … so grand … so empty. Raised up over generations, long ago, so many of the cathedrals now stand as the postcard backdrop to societies just too busy or too 'enlightened' to venture inside and kneel in prayer. The establishment of state religions in Europe did no favor to Europe's churches. And though you will find many people of strong faith there, the churches themselves seem to be withering away."
And this, too:
"Recall the early days of the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia, during the fall of 1774. With Boston occupied by British troops, there were rumors of imminent hostilities and fears of an impending war. In this time of peril, someone suggested that they pray. But there were objections. 'They were too divided in religious sentiments', what with Episcopalians and Quakers, Anabaptists and Congregationalists, Presbyterians and Catholics.
"Then Sam Adams rose, and said he would hear a prayer from anyone of piety and good character, as long as they were a patriot.
"And so together they prayed, and together they fought, and together, by the grace of God ... they founded this great nation."

'Tis The Season

Tonight I attended the big White and Williams law firm holiday party in Philadelphia and, as always, this was one of the best parties of the season with plenty of cheer flowing and lots to eat. But everyone was very well behaved. We had a chance to chat with the retired Common Pleas Court Judge Marvin Halbert and his wife, Marcia. It's great to see Judge Halbert and Marcia Halbert remaining so active and involved in the life of the city. Our friends at White and Williams include Merrit Cole, Pennsylvania Bar Association President Andy Susko and the inimitable Joe Foster. W&W is a firm with huge talent and big personalities.
On the way out of the hotel we dropped in at the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association party where we saw the group's new executive director, Tony Green, Philly TLA executive director Pat Patterson, Pennsylvania State Senator Kathy Manderino, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Ron Castille, former Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellors Abe Reich and Alan Feldman and the guy who will seek the Chancellorship next year, the great Rudy Garcia. Much fun and laughter all around.
Then it was back out into the shivering (and Christmas-like) cold.

Romney Rises

I have just watched, read and listened to Mitt Romney's speech on faith and religious liberty at the George Bush Library in Houston.
By any measurement, this must be considered a very significant address. The speech is substantive, enlightening and thought-provoking. And, the delivery presented us with a Romney who seemed more three-dimensional: more human, more passionate, more real. It's been reported that Romney wrote the address himself. Here are some of the most memorable - and most effective - passages:
"Freedom requires religion just as religion requires freedom. Freedom opens the windows of the soul so that man can discover his most profound beliefs and commune with God. Freedom and religion endure together, or perish alone."
"Some believe that such a confession of my faith will sink my candidacy. If they are right, so be it. But I think they underestimate the American people. Americans do not respect believers of convenience. Americans tire of those who would jettison their beliefs, even to gain the world."
"No candidate should become the spokesman for his faith. For if he becomes President he will need the prayers of the people of all faiths."
". . . in recent years, the notion of the separation of church and state has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning. They seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgment of God. Religion is seen as merely a private affair with no place in public life. It is as if they are intent on establishing a new religion in America – the religion of secularism. They are wrong."
"I will take care to separate the affairs of government from any religion, but I will not separate us from 'the God who gave us liberty.'"
And here's my personal favorite:
"Americans acknowledge that liberty is a gift of God, not an indulgence of government."

Long, Lean and Luxe

I braved tonight's blustery weather and freezing rain to attend the preview opening of "g" -- Philadelphia's chic new club for "after work, after dinner, after midnight."
Located on 17th between Chestnut and Sansom, g is long, lean, luxe and linear.
Comfortable Barcelona chairs line one side of the club in intimate groupings with clear glass partitions and an endless floor-lit runway that seperates this side from the opposite side which is defined by white molded seating and stark black sofas and love seats.
The minimalist black and white environment plays against a huge light wall showcasing a grid of constantly changing backlit color. The entire effect seems to act as both a catalyst and a tranquilizer. Two large bars beckon at opposite ends and the drinks are great. A smaller vault room welcomes only invited guests.
g bills itself as a restaurant, bar and lounge. Though it's decidedly upscale, there's nothing elitist about it. The people are friendly and the environment is scintillating.

Edie's A Sweetie

Yesterday I sat next to legendary Philadelphia broadcaster Edie Huggins at the Philadelphia Bar Association's Annual Meeting luncheon. As always, it was a joy being with this consummate TV newscaster.

Edie is not only one of Philadelphia's most accomplished news journalists but she's also one of the nicest people I've ever known. Of course, she's been inducted into the Philadelphia Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame. But did you know that the Urban League designated Edie Huggins as one of the Outstanding African-American Philadelphians of the 20th Century?

Edie is a trailblazer. She has opened the door for so many others. And she continues to live her life and pursue her profession with grace, care and a genuine concern for all.

In a business where personalities come and go and authenticity is often in short supply, Edie Huggins is the real deal.

Huckadaptability

The other day I used the word "Huckaboom" to characterize the seemingly sudden surge in support for Mike Huckabee. Now I notice that Drudge is using "Huckaboom" on his site today.
It could be that he may have used it before. It could be that we've both been using (or hearing or thinking about) the word all along.
And after all, Huckabee's name does lend itself to these types of adaptations. If he ever becomes the GOP candidate you can just imagine the headlines and the different ways in which the media will play with his name.
I'm not going to flatter myself into thinking that Matt Drudge has visited here and borrowed "Huckaboom" but hey . . . it's a tempting notion!

From Dan To Dan

Dan Gross' new Philly Gossip blog is a must-read.
When it comes to breaking the hot, juicy stories in town, Dan is the man! Dan's daily column in the Philadelphia Daily News "Yo" section is one of the first things I read every morning. And now you can get frequent gossip updates on Dan's blog. And since both of our blogs link you can move back and forth from Dan to Dan.
If you pay any attention at all to philly.com you will see that Dan's stories are often the most viewed or most e-mailed of the day or week. When you read him regularly you will begin to understand why.
Welcome to the blog world, Dan!