Progressive bloggers of Philadelphia, don't get taken in. The city and state political aparatus wants your support. Of course they do. These guys are very concerned, start asking why.
As I read in this morning's paper, it appears Fumo is concerned, concerned about his job and his legacy. And his friends in city and state government share his concern. Given what he is up against it doesn't surprise me. But bloggers have a role to play to uncover the stories, to look deeper, behind what is really happening in Philadelphia politics. One of the blogger participants in the meet and greet stated "We're fighting for the same thing. Everyone has to understand that." Hold on, did I miss something? Are progressive bloggers behind Act 71 that created the slots bill, did they support the pay raise?
If you look at who Fumo, Rendell, City Councilors and others are beholden to, it is certainly not the progressive wing of the Democratic Party or bloggers. In 2004 these Democrats pushed through, and signed, both the casino enabling legislation (Act 71) and the pay raise with no public input. Act 71 was passed in the middle of the night, July 4th weekend, 2004. And the result, if the casinos are built, will be a boondoggle enriching the associates of various politicians. And monstrous casinos that will destroy our neighborhoods and our city(read this review of last week's casino forum in Globe street). It is time for Philly bloggers to go behind the headlines and start asking our city and state polticians hard questions, to investigate given that newspaper journalists rarely do, and never go deep enough.
Tomorrow, Philadelphians are being asked to join together to rally to stop the casinos at 12 noon. A new group has formed, www.CasinoFreePhila.org to fight the casinos, repeal Act 71 and make sure that we do not get fooled again. Groups such as www.NABRhood.org are fighting for real progressive change in this city by fighting for citizen involvement in the planning of our riverfront and city. Until city and state politicians support these efforts, we are not fighting for the same thing. Everyone has to understand that.
Progressive bloggers
Hi Jethro! Great post. And on point. We fight eminent domain. And we do DO what you are discussing in your posts.
It was how we helped make a HUGE difference in our community, and helped in a small part with state legislation on eminent domain. Some of us are also on the US Congressional record with testimony on eminent domain.
Your post shares a similar vein with the above average jane post on the front page.
We are going to cross post your post and hers on our website www.saveardmorecoalition.org
thanks!
"the same thing"
Yeah, that was me. We're fighting for the same thing at the core, better government serving its constituents, or at least we're all supposed to be is what I was trying to get across. Pulling off shit like a midnight payraise of 16% - 30% is bullshit, so is resorting to casino revenues to make up for some stupid statewide tax structure. Those who support[ed] both measures, in my opinion, are not fighting for better government. Maybe they think that by giving themselves more money and screwing Philly with casinos is a good thing, I don't and never have. That's where we come in, to remind them.
Jethro, you know full well I'm against the casinos so don't go start spreading bullshit.
While it's somewhat
While it's somewhat encouraging that the pols and their cronies are increasingly aware (or perhaps scared of) the blogosphere, I agree that their intentions are very likely along the lines of "how do we combat and/or influence these people" rather than a sudden desire to actually work with progressive voices and be more responsive to their constituency.
My sense of the meeting
was more an airing of ideas and differences.
While it wasn't all shouting matches and snark, there were definitely differences from one side to the other (if it would be correct to characterize them as "sides").
I'm afraid that people who think this was just mutual backscratching are being as naive as people who believe such a meeting could have solved all (or even a handful) of the differences between the establishment and the more progressive contingent.
It would be a good thing to get more local grass-roots progressives involved next time around (sure beats jeering from the peanut gallery). It was just a start, a dialogue.
We can only hope they were really listening. If not, that's on them.
while you have a point
yes it's important to beware - it is easy to get taken advantage of here - but it sounds like what happened at the meeting was some bridge building - and that's a good thing I would think. As Howard called it - a dialog. Would have loved to have been there.
sorry
I am sorry. I posted this four hours or more before the arrests of Fumo's aides and I was concerned, then, and am more concerned now about how this can all get spun. The casinos are bad but they are a result of far worse things (hard to believe) and although I am not a blogger I still felt compelled to try to inspire folks to think of the casino issue as a progressive issue, cause it is one and to also to provide words of caution about politicians, right now they need you a lot more than you need them (when is that not true?). But I am sorry, you have been very thoughtful and helpful in getting the word out and it was not my intention to start anything. Much respect, Jethro
Post new comment