Swamp Musings

I failed to post a link in the previous post. Beat me. Whip me. Make me eat peeps! (talk dirty to me, I'll tell you everything! (Don't need the peeps. ~shudder~)

It's doubtful if the following is enjoyable. Idiocy and politics plus radical racism at it's worst.


Philly on trial: John Street's "brothers and sisters" and the law of unintended consequences

It's been almost three years since Mayor John Street uttered these words:

"Let me tell you: The brothers and sisters are running this city! Oh yes, running it! Don't let nobody fool you; we are in charge of the City of Brotherly Love. We are in charge!"

Since then, the politics and political correctness of those words -- uttered at a local NAACP meeting -- have been debated here in Philly with a passion that's rarely seen anywhere that's not within a two-block radius of Broad and Pattison. But now it's clear that those words hurt the city in a very tangible way, and it may be one of the stranger stories in the long strange trip of Philadelphia politics.

It seems that John Street's "brothers and sisters" comment may have triggered Philly's biggest corruption scandal in the last 25 years. Because Street's poorly thought-out outbust led directly to the hiring of treasurer Corey Kemp, the key figure in the selling of City Hall.

Here's the mindboggling story:

Another of [Corey] Kemp's former supervisors in Philadelphia, ex-city finance director Janice Davis, testified last month that she thought Kemp was talented, but not quite ready for such a big job.

Davis said Kemp lacked polish. During an important presentation to Philadelphia's city council, she said, Kemp came off sounding like "a North Philly thug."

At the time, Kemp was still a low-ranking deputy, and Davis said she all but ruled him out for a promotion.

A strange series of events in 2002 changed her mind.

During a speech to the NAACP, Mayor Street boasted that the city had a black mayor, a black police commissioner, a black fire commissioner and a black treasurer.

"The brothers and sisters are running the city!" Street said - a comment that made headlines.

Davis testified last month that the mayor's declaration was inaccurate in one respect: The treasurer's spot was then occupied on an interim basis by a white man.

To keep the mayor from being embarrassed, Davis said, she quickly drafted a letter appointing Kemp, who is black, as treasurer and had Street sign it.

Prosecutors said that as Kemp moved up in stature, he began to accept lavish gifts that included a trip to the Super Bowl in San Diego, a $10,000 deck for his house, pricey meals and a cash payment of $10,000.

This should keep them yapping on WIP and the Big Talker for a few days -- and we have to say that it should. After all, Philadelphians are increasingly showing they can overcome race in chosing a mayor, as shown by the white support that gave Street a landslide in 2003. Shouldn't we expect better when that mayor is choosing his key staff?

In 1999, Ed Rendell generated some controversy when he said that Philadelphia "needs a successful black mayor." He should have just said that Philadelphia "needs a successful mayor, period."

We still do.

Posted on February 23, 2005 10:15 PM
Comments

Any white Mayor would have been crucified and forced to resign for the 'brothers and sisters'remark. If Rizzo for instance, had told a all-white audience that 'we whites are now running everything', black and Hispanic Philadelphians would tar and feather him and run him out of town. There's no way in hell they'd vote for a racist. In Philly however, white voters overwhelmingly vote this racist back in. Either they're the dumbest people in the USA, or they're die-hard Democrats and don't care that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutly--which is exactly what Philly has become! A second-rate town that's run by a clique of Democratic Party mobsters in suits, Union goons who rob the taxpayers with exorbitant costs, black racists on par with the KKK, and old-fashioned mobsters and Mafia types that would make Al Capone cringe.
Posted by: Pat at March 1, 2005 09:25 PM

Isn't that wonderful? Way back when, 37 years ago, I had a part-time roommate that went to Drexel and another that attended Temple. Best not own a car as it would be stripped if it was parked on the street. First gen welfare society. Wonder how many years the NE libs will continue to back the "Great Society". It is impossible to re-teach several generations what we lived by 40-50 years ago. They have no reference and no desire to listen to some truly wonderful black folk, hell, not many could even understand the words of Sowell or Williams. Dr. Cosby is a ridiculed Uncle Tom if he even appears on the rap radar.

Lots of observations from this location in what was once most rural Florida. Close to 30 years worth and from a benign but opinionated source. I like people. I'm biased that way. However, having been burgled too many times, I don't talk before holes (triple shot) appear centered with uninvited 3 AM visitors. Just pulled the .38 snub out of rust storage 5 days ago, cleaned it, fits my poor vision just fine. First shot dead center at 25 feet. The following three were in the black. Don't have Dina(saur) and Tep to run interference with the "undocumented guest workers" (read: drug importation, home invasion specialists) anymore. Someday I must post a few of the notes. Right now I'm just recalling Claude Stringfellow, my first full-time employer outside of family at the ripe old-age of 16 and 3 of the delightful jobs he sent me on in the company van. ...actually 4 but that one needs special 'treatment'! Key words if you read this and want me to abuse the sanctity of cyberspace are "Catholic" and "unwed mothers" and "abbot". "Nurse" works as well.

It's really late and I haven't had my martini yet. Do everything I won't and I'll absolve you from all sin. You'll still go to Hell but I will need company!