I just got an anonymous tip that supposedly, a major motion picture will be filming extensively on Penn's campus this summer.

Click to find out which film!

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Tiffany glow with the design of the exquisite dazzling or calm restrained, so that you can feel the culture of Tiffany brand, so the classification is very particular about brands, we can be grading on the main distinction between them and, according to our own demand to choose tiffany jewelry.

Grade introduced: the hierarchy generally consists TIFFANY: real goods, Genuine; A+, a level; b level; other.

Real Goods is legitimate tiffany store with the sale of the real goods TIFFANY single laboratory;

Genuine refers to the original manufacturer TIFFANY store Availability production mode, and compared the lack of real goods single laboratory report, which is mainly used to export; and real goods Comparatively speaking, the general lack of laboratory report only single, with silver in 92.5 percent above.

A+ international best-selling refers to the TIFFANY products, the price is not high, but production steps, as well as the appearance of the final product are close to authentic.Not necessarily amount of silver up to standard, for the worship of Silver friends not too high, the proposed buy this. Fact to the high volume of silver really unnecessary and people could not see. Suggest that you buy this just general .

A level: bits is a poor place, with an average volume of silver lower number, such as: Will many of the "bread silver" ornaments (this does not ring for the beautiful, But long-time will not change color), in the process of making requests not stringent enough, such as polishing, laser logo, but it is not enough stringent checks, there defective rate is relatively high, the surface may not be entirely smooth, Cheaper prices .

B level refers to some small factories or workshops own family production of the so-called TIFFANY, of course, due to various reasons, the overall quality and quantity of silver have caught up with the front, and some quality really is not bad, but the majority are very difficult to say. If you are luck ,you can and may buy a similar, but in most cases can only feel a loss:)

Genuine: It is now the international market is the most commodity-like tiffany goods, TIFFANY Genuine can buy only a few major cities where the franchise, if scores can buy authentic pieces are deceptive, because not a few hundred pieces of authentic .

A+ goods: This is the best imitation goods, as Tiffany processing requirements for the silver decoration very high, so do the grading here a total of only 30 companies (That we are selling is the one), even as some tiffany earrings real goods sold. With its quality is Commodities without distinction, in full accordance with tiffany shape 1:1 manufacturing, materials identical polishing beautifully TIFFANY Lettering, 925 silver signs Fine.

Check out Keystone Duct Cleaning Keystone Duct Cleaning the proffesionals who did the work at our house were both thorough and polite. My husband and I both agreed that the difference was completely unexpected and dramatic; there was a large decrease in dust throughout the house and all of our allergies too. My spend thrift mom got her ducts cleaned and told me she wished she had done it years ago. That's unherd of for her. I have since decided to make it my mission to tell every one about Keystone Duct Cleaning. They also cleaned my dryer vents and sanitized all my ducts. Their number is on their site, www.KeystoneAirCleaners.com, so check'em out.

Packed bags in hands, Mom, Dad, and Roxy on either side of me. They smile and say, "We're taking a trip to Philly, except for when we get there, we're dropping you off." One-way flight to Philadelphia...wow! This is it.

I've always had a bug in me to live in the East Coast, and was never really sure why. Something intrigued me about this place - the weather, the people, the trendy-fashion, the fast-paced lifestyle - I don't know, I couldn't put my finger on it because I've never been until I stepped foot in the City of Philadelphia on February 18, 2006. (I've visited Lancaster, PA and New York City in 2004, but does an 11-day trip count?) I've read stories, watched the news, and kind of got an idea of what Philly was about before I moved here, but never did I imagine how I perceive it now.

Moving across the country from South San Francisco to the Port Richmond area in Philly, and working as an After School Counselor in an inner-city school changed my life instantly. I, for once, was the minority. I would look around and notice that I was the only "Asian" person. It was quite strange. I've even had people people drive by with their windows open and blurt out something like, "Ching, ching, chong" and laugh. To clear things up, I'm pretty sure that doesn't mean anything in any language AND I'm of Filipino decent. To those idiots that blurt stuff out like that, learn the difference.

Originally, I came to Philly to go to school at Temple University because I truly admired Bill Cosby and in some weird sense, I hoped to be like him. Yes, I realize that I'd never be...as funny as he, but I would try. ;) Realizing how dangerous the city really is, I decided to wait off for school and figure something else out. Luckily, I got a full-time position as a teacher in an inner-city school who will help me get my Master's in Education at St. Joseph's University.

Back home, I started to get bored with the same old pattern - Clear skies, 70 degrees, sunny - chance of rain - clear skies, 70 degrees, sunny - rain - fog. There wasn't much of difference in seasons, winter couldn't made you believe it was summer, and fall and spring were interchangable. I might be exaggerating to make a point, so don't take me too literally. The point is, I was bored and needed change. Philly provided such change - FOUR SEASONS, yay! We had three "snow storms" my first winter, and I loved the looks of it, but did not appreciate driving or walking in it. I spent 2 hours shoveling my front steps and sidewalk in West Philly (my second place in Philly), took me about half an hour to get my car out of the slush and ice that it was burried in, and I learned to drive like an East Coaster, better yet a Philadelphian. I just love it!

The fact that Philadelphians don't use (or most times, don't know) the term "jay-walking" is unusal to me! People here cross the street like their life is at risk, and for the most part...it is! Drivers will not stop for the love of them! Which is how IT SHOULD BE...none of this "Pedestrians have the right of way." Do you know how much more difficult it is to stop a 2-ton car? A lot more than a person crossing the street. It's law to stop for them, so I do, but I've seen some risky business out there. Drivers running red lights even before the lights turn green, barely stopping or not stopping at all at stop signs - it's ridiculous. Drivers speeding on, what you call, the Turn-Pikes. Back home, I've been pulled over for going 60 MPH on a 45 MPH, roll-stopping at a stop sign, and for NOT running over a possum. You heard me right, NOT running it over. I learned that it was law to hit all animals in Cali except for deer. I still second-guess it. So when I see these drivers speed up as a pedestrian steps onto the street, all I can do is scoff. I crack up even more when I see huge guys with bling, a do-rag, and baggy pants try to cross the street, not so hardcore running.

In San Francisco, people use the crosswalks like it's a protector of all harm, no car would dare hit them, and for the most part, they're right. Californian drivers will wait, even if someone hasn't set foot on the street yet...they'll just wait, and this is extremely annoying to me.

In high school, I had a friend who used the crosswalk, but didn't press the crosswalk button to cross, got hit by a car, broke his arm, and got fined for "jay-walking." Not in Philly, nope!

Sports fans here are absolutely CRAZY! I thought it was extreme back home, but I was completely off. I keep my SF-tendencies to myself just so that I won't get hurt in the mix of things. Phillies, Flyers, Sixers, and the E-A-G-L-E-S, I'll root for them, but you can't let my brothers know. I wouldn't be caught in their gear though, I promise you that, it'd be wrong of me. I love the dedication of the fans, win or lose. I've learned to stay indoors if there is a lose, people get rowdy and MEAN!

Before I end this, I have to give props to the most delicious food I've ever had, other than my grandma's cooking, of course. No wonder this place is so fatty, fat, fat. No offense, but if you're one of them, you know what I'm talking about when I say cheesesteaks, soft-pretzels, pizza, 'wooter' ice, hoagies, and the TastyKakes. This might be one of the reasons why I wouldn't go back to the west.

One fault though, that I've learned to live with - the potholes Philly just can't get enough of. Drive around them or bust.

Philly...best decision ever!

I love Philadelphia. I also love Italy and am interested in meeting people who share my passion for the old country.

Grazie !!

http://villacasale.wordpress.com

Friday, November 9, 2007
8am-5pm
PA Convention Center

The time has come for us to stop talking about the problems in our neighborhoods and start acting. This year’s conference is inspired by the community activists and youth leaders who work hard to make our neighborhoods places of opportunities where people excel, ideas grow and dreams are realized. By bringing together young people ages 14-21 and adults from around the region, we will begin to create real solutions to the many challenges in our communities. Workshops and interactive sessions will empower youth to effectively address the challenges they face everyday and enhance adults’ capacity to nurture the potential of every youth. We invite everyone, both youth and adults, interested in making a positive and lasting impact in their community to “Step Up!” and “Be the Change”.

**This year’s conference will feature an exciting keynote speech by Ephren W. Taylor, CEO of City Capital Corporation and the youngest African-American CEO of a publicly traded company ever!**

*The conference will also feature a lunchtime comedy performance by Philadelphia’s own Keith from Up Da Block!*

For more information, or to register, visit us online at www.greatsettlements.org or call Amanda at 215-925-7875.

Well, here I am, back in Philadelphia... Actually, I've been in Philly since September 24th and was swept up in Phillies Phever, so this is a delayed "Hello World". I figured that since I've got some time on my side, I'd try my hand at blogging for a bit... [For those ellipse-haters, you can tune out since I use them... frequently... Oh, and bracket-haters? Yeah, I use brackets, not parenthesis. They just look nicer.]

I'm Twenty-something male Penn State grad who hasn't lived in Philly full time since graduating high school [LaSalle College High School proud]. Spent most of my time up in University Park while there... even an extra year of "super senioring" just to eek out more of that college experience. Love the place, wouldn't mind living there in State College until, of course, I started loathing the fact that I wouldn't be a student there anymore. Anyway, from there I went to be a part of the working masses...

Except, instead of being a corporate cog, I was one of those loafing government workers. I won't say what area of the government I worked in since, well, I probably shouldn't. The important thing is that I enjoyed it, even if I did have to live in the soulless vacuum known as the DC Metro Area. So transient, so lifeless - the people, you could just see it their eyes. Nothing there. But I did enjoy it and felt like I wasn't just chasing a buck like many of my peers. So what did I do?

Well, I joined those dollar-chasers and took a job back in Philly this past September for one of the big corporations still in the city [that narrows it down a large bit]. Why did I do that? Am I masochist for moving back to Philly? I mean, DC's got one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation! It's got a nice, young crowd! Even it's nightlife rivals that of Philly! Well, I don't know, I had an itch and felt I needed to scratch it, you know?

I don't have any dependents, still all liquid assets, and I had that pang to move back to my birthplace... at least for a trial period. I needed to see what was it like to live in Philly, experience it, and then decide in a year whether or not to go back to my ol' sweet govvy job [which I can get back rather readily for reasons I won't go into here].

So, all in all, that's the story. My first steps were to start my job [which I did already - I'll post on that coming up] and find an apartment [currently living with the folks, which is why this is labeled "Bustleton" and not some swank CC location - no, I do not want to live in the Great Northeast for this trial run!]. Finding an apartment... heh, that's been an adventure...

Anyway, I'm out...

blibblab

Category: Life

I am not proud to be an American. Before you send out for ropes and tar, let me say that I am certainly not ashamed of it, either. What I am, is lucky. Very, very lucky. I was born here, and thus aquired all the rights, priviliges, and responsibilities included through no effort of my own. And that, folks, is why I'm not proud. You are familiar with the saying "pride goeth before a fall" and the fact that pride is one of the seven deadly sins? Tht's because such pride is often misplaced. Pride is something that is earned. I can no more be proud of my happy accident of birth than I could be ashamed of another. You can't be proud of being born rich, or white, or smart, or good-looking any more than you should be ashamed of being born poor, minority, average, or homely. It's nothing you've done, it was given to or thrust upon you.

I'm proud that I graduated college with honors while working 60-some hours a week the last two years of school. I'm proud that my little garden looks nice and the plants didn't die (tho truth be told, that's not all my doing either. Nature leant a big hand with the weather). I'm proud when I get a good checkup at the dentist or when the vet says my puddy-tats look great. I'm proud of some of the pictures I've drawn, songs I've sung, and things I've said. I'm ashamed of very little, actually. Maybe that I gained too much weight when I know better, have not answered some letters/phone calls soon enough, probably should have a better job by now. But I'm working on those, and after all, it's myself I have to answer to.

I'm proud that I vote, but sometimes ashamed of my government. I'm proud to uphold the principles of democracy, even though I'm not proud to live in one.

Being an American was something that was given to me. For what ever reason, my ancestors came here seeking something better, or more, or just different. Or maybe running from their own shame. I don't know. I do know that I'm not responsible for their actions, but I am thankful. I didn't have to pass a citizenship test. Noone makes fun of my accent. I didn't come here in the cargo hold of a boat, or through a tunnel in the desert. I didn't have to climb a fence, jump ship and swim for shore, or "overstay" my VISA. I didn't have to escape the persecution of an unjust government, and wade through miles of red tape and years of bureaucractic fumbling and indecision. I didn't have to learn a new language and a new culture under pressured circumstances in a place where many of the "natives" don't want me. I am lucky, not proud.

For me, as for most of us, America was a fortuitous accident. I'm only 3rd generation on my mother's side, so new that I can go back and visit relatives in the "old country" and we may actually know some of the same people. Some siblings stayed, and some went. Some eventually did both. They speak English, thank heavens. Because, insulated as we are, I speak nothing else. Maybe I should be ashamed of that.

The point is that both pride and shame are earned, not given. I refuse for the fathers' sins OR virtues to be manifest upon the children. If you want to be a proud American, do something that's worthwhile. Build a house with Habitat for Humanity, pick up litter off the street, VOTE, teach someone to read, BE A CITIZEN, NOT JUST AN INHABITANT. Then you'll have something to be proud of.

What Do You Do After You Pray:
The Church's Response to Gun-Violence in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, PA – With more than 250 murders after the first half of 2007, the city once known as the City of Brotherly Love has instead quickly become known as Kill-a-delphia, forcing many residents to live and operate in fear as a result of the gun-violence inflicting the city.

On Saturday, August 25, 2007, Philly Koinonia Ministries (pronounced koy-no-NEE-yah) will organize its initial effort dealing with this problem, the "2007 Gun-drive and City Fellowship". This will be an outdoor effort beginning at 10 a.m. taking place at the Dorothy Emmanuel Recreation Center, located in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia. To effectuate a change in our culture, we must not solely rely on the power of prayer, but also take responsibility with our actions to address the stronghold embattling our city; for our actions speak louder than our words. The organization identifies fear as the stronghold that simultaneously creates gun-violence, and results from gun-violence, and therefore will focus using this effort to present an understanding of God’s love to combat the stronghold of fear dwelling in this city as a result of gun violence; for God is love (1John 4:16) and in love there is no fear (1John 4:18).

In addition to the gun-drive (individuals will receive a gift card in exchange for their gun), this effort will also include an appearance by Mayoral Candidate Michael Nutter; messages given by local Pastors, such as: Bishop Keith W. Reed, Pastor Kevin M. Aiken, Pastor Chandra I. Williams, Pastor Daniel Sutton, Pastor Larry Anderson, Pastor Eric Mason, among others; performances by local choirs and other guest artists; and also a nonprofit/vendor area featuring more than 30 tables of advocates, businesses, and non-profit organizations that offer programs and services related to the focus of this effort.

For more information, please visit www.PhillyKoinonia.org.

We are pleased to announce the Big Bang Film Festival, a celebration of exciting and inventive films in the Action, Adventure, Suspense and Asian Action Cinema genres. We’re also looking for exciting documentaries of sports and athletic events and activities. Extreme sports enthusiasts have contributed some of the most entertaining video of death defying speed, skill and daring. BBFF will showcase amazing films, some classics, some classics in the making. Every submission is featured as a rotating highlight on the front page of the BBFF website and on our 2007 Submissions page so that all of our filmmakers can link to their listing.

We are calling for submissions. Visit our website for more information on the festival, our submission process, special events, and opportunities to join our team!

Big Bang Film Festival
Philadelphia, PA
October 17-21 2007
Action, Adventure, Suspense and Asian Action Cinema.
contact@bigbangfilmfestival.com
www.BigBangFilmFestival.com
www.myspace.com/bigbangfilmfestival

One often hears debates over the merits of buying a cow versus getting free milk. Well, I'd like to give a little perspective to some of you would-be farmers and dairy consumers.
Free milk is, of course, wonderful, but be aware that you, as a consumer, do not have any exclusive rights to the product, which may be distributed publicly or not as the before mentioned cow sees fit. So,if you are offended by the potential of others sharing your dairy delights, you may want to look into investing in your own private cow. (And, BTW, it's not really free.)
Even if you do "buy the cow", however, you do not actually own it. You are merely contracting for distribution rights. That is, the cow agrees not to supply dairy products to any other other party for the duration of the contract. (This also means that you agree not to receive said products from any other source.) You retain the rights to any milk produced, but you can not force production. Therefor, please be aware that you are not entitled to any specific amount of milk, merely that you are entitled to any milk that is produced (much as if you had bought the mineral rights to a piece of land that may or may not contain such resources). Violations of the contract by either party may lead to renegotiation or severance.
In either case, the cow may increase or decrease milk production dependant on factors that may or may not be within the scope of your (or her) control. The cow, being an independant producer, at all times (in perpetuity) retains the right to limit and/or halt milk production, at any time, with or without prior notice.
And a tip for potential hog farmers: There is really no need to buy a whole pig just to get a little sausage.

My friend Mike always says "I have a question. What happened? Just tell me what happened!" Well, I'll tell you what happened:

There was this tree, see, with apples on it. Adam wanted an apple. Eve specifically told him NOT to eat it beacuse God would be mad, and anyway it would spoil his dinner. But Adam, he gets to hollerin' "Woman! I have dominion over the earth! I got to name all the animals! I can eat a @#$% apple if I want to." And, being the proto-stereo-typical male, did what he wanted to anyway, 'cause that's what they do. Then, when he gets caught, he has the nerve to come up with this cockamamie story about "talking snakes", and how he tried to fight off the snake and the woman, but they MADE him do it. No nookie unless he eats the apple. Uh-huh. Can't admit that he was wrong. Not from day one. Gotta blame someone else. No wonder Cain and Able turned into hoodlums. (And people wonder what's wrong with kids today, why noone takes responsibility for anything. It's fairly obvious, isn't it?)
Next thing you know a few millenia go by, people learn to read and write, now all of a sudden this "pre-urban" legend is being circulated as fact. Well, guess what, fellows? You're not actually fooling anyone but youselves. Any thinking person knows the real story. That's why you still won't stop and ask dirctions. That's why the apple is still stuck in your throat, why you'll never get back to the garden.
Just be a man. Stand up and say "I did it. I wanted the apple, and I ate it. It was juicy, crunchy. It was good. I kind of like the yellow ones better, but it was still pretty good." Admit that you were wrong. Apologize to the snake for getting him in trouble for no reason. God will forgive you. (Eve may require a little more work. And proof of your sincerity. That can be negotiated later.)

Previously , in this space, we discussed what to do if arrested (i.e., shut up) however, recent events have made me consider that more needs to be added to those words of advice. For instance, don't hire an attorney just because you've seen his name in the paper. Try to remember what it was he was in the paper for. This could be important. If he's under indictment himself, not only does it reflect poorly on you, you won't get your money back either. So, if for example, he hasn't paid his taxes for ten years, pissed off somebody in the mafia, or was found butt-naked in the courthouse with a teenage girl, he might not be the one you want representing you.

Let's not misunderstand, I'm not advocating that anyone lead a life of crime, merely asking that, if you do, you give it a little thought, and attempt to apply a little skill, much as you would with any other profession. There was a recent case where a middle aged gentleman robbed a bank, then handed the money to the guard and waited for the cops to show up. It turned out he was broke, and was hoping he could be incarcerated until his social security kicked in in. Just trying to get "3 hots and a cot" as they say, (although in this county you get a lot of cheese sandwiches and a cold cement floor shared with a bunch of other hairy sweaty guys. But hey, a man's got to do what a man's got to do). If that's your goal, then read no further. If you are trying to make "America's Most Wanted", that's also a seperate issue. That scenario, however, does not apply to most "guests of the state". This is for the guys (and gals) just out there trying to "make a living." So, keeping that in mind, let's proceed on something we probably should have discussed long ago:

How Not to Get Arrested in the First Place.

(I know, I know, it seems obvious, but you'd be surprised. )

Don't take things for granted. There are some things that you really can not get away with. Being buck naked in the court house is one of them. Also not a good idea:

Driving down the interstate at full speed on a wheel rim (due to a blown tire) and shooting sparks all over the highway when your trunk is full of drugs and guns.

Robbing the mini-mart and leaving the sawed-off shotgun in plain view on the passenger seat of the get-away vehicle.

Robbing your neighbor across the street, your grandma, or anybody else that knows you and can identify your stupid ass, mask or not.

Robbing someone's house and stopping to: eat cookies, take a nap, watch t.v., drink a beer, or anything else that does not involve getting right the hell back out.

Robbing a bank with a demand note written on your own deposit slip or electric bill.

Stealing a pair of shoes during a robbery and leaving your old ones behind. Especially with your name grafitiied on the side.

Running red lights, making illegal u- turns, or any other dumb-ass thing that draws attention to yourself when the proceeds of your particular special crime are in the car.

Calling each other by your real names during the commission of your felonious adventure.

Going back to check out the action at the crime scene, and not even bothering to change your clothes.

Robbing a liquor store or bar. That just pisses people off.

Killing someone in a bloody manner anywhere in your house or car. (No, smarty, bleach will not get rid of all the evidence, and neither will fire. You just ruined all that stuff for nothing.)

Committing a crime in front of a police station, 7-11, funeral home or nudie bar, or any other place known to attract large crowds or use surveillance video. I mean duh.

Sometimes it seems to me that you guys just aren't even trying. Whatever happened to having a work ethic? Stop watching so much t.v., and put a little thought into it. The bad guys on t.v. nearly always get caught anyway, so clearly you aren't paying attention to that properly, either.

Another piece of advice: start small. Try spending a couple of months in the county jail before you decide to go big time. If you can't deal with the locals, chances are you're not going to like the stateies any better. If you are under, say, 5'10" and 175 lbs, you really don't want to go there. Keep it in mind.

Don't create suspicion. Despite the best efforts of the Bush administration, you do still have SOME rights. While the cops can do a "ped stop" or a traffic stop at anytime, they're not allowed to shake you down if you aren't doing anything. They have to have "reasonable suspicion" that you are up to something. So, yelling "5-0," running away, starting a car chase, and/or tossing stuff out the car window or from your pocket into the bushes is NOT a good idea. Even to a moron this is supicious behavior. Where before you'd have gotten a dirty look, a ticket, or an order to disperse, now you're getting locked up. Congratulations, dumb ass.

DO NOT point a gun at the cops. Even if it's not loaded. Even if it's not real. You won't have to worry about going jail, you'll get a one-way ticket to the morgue. What, did you think they were just gonna' say "o.k., we give up" and let you go? Uh-uh.

And pay attention to your mandatory minimums. A gram might not be a lot, but they add up. Strong-arm robbery may get you a year, gun point will get you five. And, no, your girl is not gonna wait for you. She's got babies to feed. Remember, whatever it is you're thinking, it's probably not a good idea. Hope this helps. Leave the weapons at home, and be careful out there.

I think it's time we had some new laws on the books. Specifically, laws regarding what I like to refer to as criminal stupidity. The way I see it, present laws just don't do enough to cover the specific areas that the new laws would address. Therefor, these charges would be in addition to, and carry penalties in addition to (and not to be consolidated with), any other charges in the case.

As I see it, there are basically 2 kinds of criminal stupidity:

The first, and less serious, kind (Section A) would be a misdemeanor offense, the stupidity referring to conduct during the perpetration of a crime that is so dumb by definition that it is insulting to the intelligence of the other parties involved, such as police, court employees, potential jurors, etc. Examples of this include sticking up a bank with a demand note written on your own deposit slip or electric bill; blatantly speeding or running a red light in front of a cop when you have a car full of drugs; wearing the EXACT same outfit to court that you are alleged to have worn while perpetrating the crime; "investigating" the crime scene while carrying a pillowcase full of stolen loot; and other things of this nature that make the brain of even a 5 year old hurt when contemplating how stupid they are. There is just no defense for being this dumb.

The second, and much more serious category (Section B), I would make felonies. This would cover a course of conduct that is so blatantly and obviously self centered and stupid that it rises to criminal behavior. Yes, I know we have laws against reckless endangerment, risking a catastrophe, etc. but they don't go far enough. There is some behavior that rises way above reckless, bordering on evil disregard. Again, stuff even a child would know is a bad idea. Examples: driving 90 mph down a residential street where the speed limit is 25; machine-gunning your drug rival from a moving vehicle; starting a fire in the bottom of a multi-story apartment building; tapping into your neighbor's gas line; fleeing the cops by driving the wrong way down the highway; decisions by which you have put other (innocent) people in grave danger. Yeah, speeding and drag racing are ticket-able offenses, not arrest-able ones, but do it on a residential or well travelled road, or hit 25% above the limit, you're going down under my system. And no, you shouldn't shoot or light anyone's house on fire, but when you take the whole block out to get one guy, I'd argue that you've substantially raised the stakes, and the penalty needs to be increased proportionately.

And now that I think of it, white collar crime, when committed by a public official, should also go into this category. Or maybe get it's own (Section C). After all (not that we trust them a lot), but it is the Public Trust that they've betrayed. We know they're picking our pockets, but we count on them to at least preserve a little of our dignity by being discreet about it. If they are so greedy that they have to steal even more than what they get legally, which is plenty, they deserve special consideration also. Let's see, elected to a 4 year term? Cheated all 4 years? How about a minimum of 4 years in jail? Ripped us off for 8 years? 8 years in the clink. No pension. What about your retirement and years of service? Should have thought about that before you decided to blow it playing footsie with that lobbyist.

So, anyway, I'm encouraging everyone to write, fax, or e-mail their legislators and urge them to pass new laws dealing with incompetent (or just plain ignorant) criminals. Since politicians generally like to look "tough on crime" I think we have a good chance at success. (Just, uh, leave out "Section C", we can always save it as a nice surprise for later.)

Startin' Some Shit - Oedipus and Uncle Tom

Tricky Dick; President Carter; Geraldo Rivera; Rev. Al; Oedipus Rex; Uncle Tom. Of the people on this list, who is more deserving of a good name than a bad one?

Richard Nixon, before he died, had his image rehabilitated ("He's tanned, he's rested, he's ready, Nixon in 92"). Jimmy Carter has turned from goofy lust-in-his-heart peanut farmer with alcoholic brother to elder statesman. Geraldo takes on the serious issues of the day. Even Al Sharpton got some respect during the presidential debates. It's common nowadays for notorius persons to be rehabilitated in some manner. Several people, in response to my last post, wrote to accuse someone or other of being an "Uncle Tom," which I felt was unjustified. So, my mission today is the rehabilitation and reintroduction into polite society of two people. Oedipus, and Uncle Tom.

Oedipus, if you don't know, was a character in ancient Greek mythology who married his own mother. Uncle Tom is a character in a book published in 1852 (before the end of slavery in America). Oedipus Complex is a term used by psychiatrists to denote someone's weird, unnatural obsession with "mommy" (think "Psycho" and Norman Bates). Uncle Tom is used as a disparaging remark about a black person who panders to the white man.

The case for Oedipus is pretty simple and straightforward, he DID NOT KNOW the lady was his mother. His father (the king) wished to have him killed as a baby, because the oracle predicted the father's death at the hands of the son, and the son's ascension to the throne. Some well-meaning buffoon found a way to save the kid's life, and he was adopted and raised by others, with no knowledge of his heritage, thus setting the scene for fulfillment of the prophesy. (Moral of the story: you can't outrun fate. Don't screw with the oracle.) It was totally not his fault. He was taking over a kingdom, and, after slaying the monarch, he married the beloved queen as was common practice in those days. Who knew? Sure, she was a little older, but they started young in those days, and she still looked damned good. When he found out what had really happened, he blinded himself voluntarily. Is that not enough punishment for the guy? I mean, really, what are the odds? Give him a break.

Uncle Tom is a bit trickier, but not much, to my way of thinking. Indeed, in his day he was an inspiration for abolitionists everywhere, even Abe Lincoln knew him by name. Allegedly based on a real person (Josiah Henson), the book Uncle Tom's Cabin describes the life of a slave on a large southern plantation, and the trials and tribulations he faces. Uncle Tom was a Christian, and a slave, and believed that his faith would save him. He was wrong, of course. But there are circumstances in life where hope is the only thing that keeps you going, no matter how futile, or impossible, or wrong that hope must be. What else is there? What's important to remember here is that, as I said earlier, the story was published in 1852, well before the end of slavery.

Now, granted, it was a REALLY long time ago when I read the book (no, it was not in 1853), so my memory could be faulty. But as I recall, the man was in an untenable situation. His choices were limited, to say the least. He made the best life that he could for himself under the circumstances, and was betrayed by people that he mistakenly thought he could trust. Nowadays we might say he had "Stockholm Syndrome." Regardless, he was living his life the only way he knew how. Calling someone an Uncle Tom to disparage the choices they make overlooks the fact that for the real Uncle Tom his choices were many fewer and were literally matters of life and death. No, he did not take up arms. He was not, however, a lackey, a sellout, or any of the other negative stereotypes his name presently implies.

His biggest flaw, from what I remember, was believing that the white man (as a fellow Christian) would eventually do right by him. So, if that's what you mean, go on and use the term. But if you mean otherwise, you are giving Uncle Tom a bad rap. While he himself was "sold down the river" he never did the same to anyone else. He was a pacifist, like Ghandi, or King. He respected and loved, and inspired these feelings in return, in both white and black people, encouraged other slaves to escape when he couldn't, and even saved the life of a slave dealer. You may not agree with the man's choices, but you have to respect the integrity with which they were made. He was a man of his convictions right up until his death, a position many of us would do well to emulate.