Opinion
Submitted by amy.wilson on September 15, 2009 - 12:07am.
Philadelphia, PA – As the Senate gears up to debate climate legislation this fall, paid lobbyists with the American Petroleum Institute are organizing a new type of event – invitation only “Energy Citizens” rallies. These rallies are one of the latest attempts to spread fear that the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) will raise energy prices and ‘kill jobs’.
Recently, one such rally, organized by registered lobbyist Rolf Hanson, came within 30 minutes of Philadelphia, where I live. The event took place at Turbine Hall in the heavily industrialized City of Chester, Pennsylvania. I uncovered a few details before event planners became suspicious and I snuck in undetected.
Inside Turbine Hall, I was handed a bright yellow “Energy Citizens” T-shirt, offered hotdogs, hamburgers and chips, and found myself listening to country music. The scene was all-American. Free stuff, meat, and southern twang. Soon small business owners, farmers, and a video of country music star Trace Atkins took the stage as the main event. Each spoke in succession and attempted to generate a buzz around the threats of the climate legislation. Unfortunately for the “Energy Citizens” fanclub, the messages were contradictory, incongruous, and misleading. For instance, ‘expert’ John Brinson, who contended that he read the science journals, spent much of his allotted speaking time denouncing climate change as a hoax. His speech contrasted significantly from later speakers who claimed that the climate bill could be more industry-friendly and still address climate change by investing in technologies to lower greenhouse gas emissions. So, does the “Energy Citizens” group believe in climate change or not?
The event continued with bizarre speeches and misleading statements. Next I heard comments that “Waxman-Markey is bad for the Delaware River port community.” Strange though, that neither the speakers, nor the audience had a connection to the Delaware River port community. Despite the event taking place on the Chester waterfront, attendees were bused in from Allentown and New Jersey. Then, after emphasizing the importance of oil to industrial development and holocaust (attributing the downfall of Nazi Germany to a lack of oil), the last speaker concluded his statements by asking the audience to mull over the rhetorical questions, “Do you want to protect America? Do you believe in God?” I’m not sure where that was going.
Most seriously, the Energy Citizens rally mislead attendees, media, and political targets by predicting that energy prices will rise and jobs opportunities fall with investments in alternative energy. To the contrary, recent reports predict that a just transition to a clean energy economy can lift approximately 78 million people out of poverty. The September 2008 Apollo Report explains that wind energy is already cost competitive with building new coal plants and investments in renewable energy generate 50% more jobs per dollar invested than coal. Since September 2008 many reports have indicated that investments in energy conservation, efficiency, and renewables are all cost competitive with traditional fossil fuel-based energy. The “Green Prosperity” report, published in June 2009, even describes new Green Jobs as offering individuals opportunities for advancement, while being accessible to individuals across education levels.
I agree with the three main tenets of the “Energy Citizens” group. 1. The United States should be more energy self-sufficient. 2. Energy must be affordable for working class Americans and 3. We cannot forget workers in the towns and cities such as Chester, Pennsylvania – places with energy intensive industries. It is because I believe in these tenets that I also believe in local, renewable energy sources, Green Jobs, adaptation aid, and attention, investment, and planning for a just transition to healthy, sustainable industries in manufacturing cities and places that host polluting energy and waste technologies.
While “Energy Citizens”, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the American Conservative Union, and Dick Armey's FreedomWorks has sought to misinform politicians and the media, public opinion polls show that Americans want clean, renewable energy.
For instance, a Zogby International poll reported that only 28% of likely voters believe Congress is doing too much to address climate change. By contrast 45% stated they believe Congress should act more aggressively to address the problems connected to climate change. Almost no environmental groups have expressed satisfaction with the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) and more than 300 environmental groups have asked the Senate for a stronger bill. Many environmental justice groups, including Philadelphia-based Energy Justice Network, oppose the ACES legislation because current drafts may do more to incentivize polluting fuels than renewable ones, locking Americans into modern polluting and unsustainable fuel systems.
Criticism of ACES is coming from all sides – from groups and individuals who believe legislation must have stronger emissions reduction targets and more focus on environmental justice, and from the “Energy Citizens” groups of the world – groups that mislead and obstruct progress on climate change with claims that renewable energy is too expensive for American workers. In the coming months, while the legislation becomes ever more confusing and confused, and while fossil fuel lobbies fabricate more myths, the voices of voters and community members, need to be louder and more specific than ever.
Let’s demand regulating carbon based on scientific targets, eliminating mountaintop removal mining, demand that dirty energy money is separated from political systems and leaders, and work for a just transition to a clean energy economy.
Submitted by Karl on August 14, 2009 - 6:32am.
Poor Richard's Scorecard: Poor Richard's Scorecard: If Michael Vick Played Like Doug Pederson, Do You Think the Eagles Would Be Giving Him a Second Chance? Me, Neither
The700Level: The700Level (featured blog 1/8 - 1/22/06): On Michael Vick, Andy Reid, the Eagles, and Second Chances
Inside The Eagles: Inside the Iggles: Recapping the Michael Vick Signing
A Rubber Door: A Rubber Door: Eagles sign Vick. Fans revolt.
SteveSilver.net: SteveSilver.net: Vick to Eagles?!?!
Support Your Local Gunfighter: Support Your Local Gunfighter (featured 1/9/07-2/23/07): Philadelphia Eagles Sign Michael Vick
Balls, Sticks, and Stuff: Balls, Stick, and Stuff (featured 5/1-5/14/06): Its As if the Eagles Want to Make it as Hard as Possible to Root for Them.
Fables of Reconstruction: WHAT?
The Recliner GM Sports Blog: The Recliner GM Sports Blog: Michael Vick an Eagle – Seriously?
Philebrity: Philebrity (featured blog Jan 23-Jan 29): Breaking: Eagles Sign Michael Vick
Eagles Gab: Eagles Gab: Eagles Take on the PR Nightmare - Sign Michael Vick!
For related tweets, check out Happn.in.
Submitted by douganderson on May 29, 2009 - 6:09pm.
Has anyone here seen these "She's coming home, Philly" advertisements that are floating around the Internet and Chicago? I have no idea who's coming, but it is definitely interesting. Something is coming up and it looks big. It's viral marketing at its finest. Here's what Philebrity.com had to say about it:
"This Moment In Viral Marketing: “She” Is Coming Back To Philly, Whoever The Hell “She” Is
If you’ve been on The Book of Faces or The Google or elsewhere on the web lately — and obviously, you have — you may have seen links for shescominghome.com, with the tagline, “Hey Philadelphia! She’s back… Can you guess who it is?” Go to the site, and it’s a woman’s silhouette against the Philly skyline with a countdown clock to the reveal of who “She” is. (As of this writing, 2 days, 19 hours.) Well, we’ve done a little snooping around, and we’ve got two theories on who “She” might be:
First, the real one: The shescominghome.com domain is registered to concert promoters AEG, so we can safely assume whoever “She” is, she is a musical performer of some kind. We called the AEG Philly office — full disclosure, they’re an advertiser on Philebs — and found that either they really did not know who “She” was, or were feigning ignorance. Fair enough. Without the “viral,” it’s just “marketing” and what fun is that? But upon further Internet snooping, we have developed a hunch, and we think that the “She” in question, could be, maybe, Celine Dion. The weird miniature Jennifer Aniston silhouette would seem to back that up, as would this link, which purports that Dion is “back” in 2010 with a series of concerts booked by - natch - AEG. So, yeah, Celine Dion. Who cares.
Second, the better one: That the “She” in question is the long-standing mysterious subject of every “That’s What She Said” joke, ever. Which would be AMAZING. For years, we have been amazed by both the candor with which the infamous “She” reportedly jokes about her sexual exploits, as well as the fact that, after all that nasty stuff, “She” is even actually still in possession of a working vagina. The identity of “She” has been a mystery through the ages, and the idea that she would be coming “back” to Philly opens up a, pardon the expression, Pandora’s box of other questions. It makes the mind wobble. And then reach for penicillin.
And, if perchance “She” would turn out to be Celine Dion and the woman Who Said That, well, that would work out pretty awesome, too."
Well, what do you guys think? Who do you think this mysterious girl coming home to Philly is???
Submitted by Karl on May 21, 2009 - 6:16am.
Young Philly Politics: Why was turnout so low?:
..one reason turnout was low that we all have some control over: Our voting system sucks.
. Read the whole piece for some ideas to move things forward.
Submitted by Karl on January 1, 2009 - 9:17pm.
Inquirer: True melting pot helped save libraries:
Stirred by Mayor Nutter's proposal to close 11 branch libraries, the opponents came tumbling off the shelves of Philadelphia society - rich, poor, black, white, homeschoolers from the Northeast, young anarchists from West Philly.
With President-elect Barack Obama's campaign as both inspiration and field guide, they organized, demonstrated and sued, then packed the courtroom for hearings and showered the mayor with boos at his own news conference.
Then, astoundingly, they won. At least for now.
A judge's ruling Tuesday forced Nutter to get City Council approval or a court order to implement his plan to save $36 million by 2013 through closing the branches. Nutter called the ruling an assault on the City Charter's strong-mayor form of government and said he would appeal.
Others called it a crucial victory for communities, even a model for civic participation in public policy.
Tom Ferrick at It's Our City wonders if the outrage Mayor Nutter has earned over this issue is worth it and offers an alternative:
Here’s an alternative: Back off on the library issue, Develop a comprehensive plan for meet the economic crisis that involves sacrifice by everyone –taxpayers, vendors, city employees, the mayor and his top staff — and use the upcoming budget address (for fiscal 2010) to begin the process of selling it to the public.
If people feel that everyone is feeling some pain, they won’t resent as much swallowing their piece of it. If people think the administration has really, actually listened to them and their concerns – and taken them into account – then maybe they will go along with the plan.
In other words, admit you made a mistake and go back to the drawing board.
Submitted by phillygrrl on December 31, 2008 - 7:44pm.
I understand anger. I understand protests. Don’t always agree with the causes, but I respect the First Amendment right that allows Americans to gather peacefully and protest whatever they see fit - be it puppies or people. What I don’t understand is the video of yesterday’s footage of the pro-Palestinian protestors.
Read more at www.phillygrrl.com
Submitted by Karl on December 31, 2008 - 6:30pm.
Submitted by Karl on December 30, 2008 - 3:46pm.
Submitted by cococo on December 18, 2008 - 11:43pm.
My life has been like a general, can not be good, the bad of it, so much in love once, after the end of the no longer, nor is no one to pursue, he also came close to being moved, I still can not forget The playground-body center of the candle, Rose pile, but I can not forget how the whole front of the company's side of the injured boy's heart, to make his next morning's news has become. The boy also will be the night to escape the city. I think the feeling is very important, I can not fool ourselves into feeling. Do not want any injuries, do not want to hurt anyone. Now do not hold any hope that everything you Suiyuan. In the eyes of others, that I should be more independent, more strong, but also a bit ambitious woman, but in fact, I feel this is not the case, it seems that I will not be able to Dudangyimian, but the crying woman, A tragic drama, I always like a peach-like eyes became swollen. Happy and unhappy will be written on his face. Luluwuwei really do not want to go on this way, both sides have ideas, or the ups and downs of Health or the calm, do not know the idea is good or bad, or so calm now, after what would happen?
My life is how will it end? The end is not the best of both worlds, is not it?
There are many views have not changed, until his mother was sick, have a new idea, only living person to know the most important thing is what do they know that what I can not be lost. His mother was sick all of a sudden, I was not psychologically prepared for any family there are a few family members are doctors, called the aunt, the aunt said: because the county has not advanced equipment, can not be a comprehensive inspection, suspected to be problematic The disease, but for the time being not to tell anyone, but as the eldest daughter should have a psychological preparation. This time I realized that I was no longer a child, I have to go to the face, but also courage to bear this responsibility.
We had a good sleep, but the strange thing is I did not cry, is full of how I want to do, or the mother will not let me go back, go back and say that a return would have to spend a lot of money, but I know she wanted me to go back The daughter should be at this point in time to accompany his mother, daughter, after all, close to a lot, I go back, and I help her with her hair every day, hair, the mother has a lot of long hair, I help her with her hair, she Said to me: I would like such a good hair should not fall ill, but I knew I had an incurable disease may be a. I deny the busy side, but not confirmed, no one can do under the brutal conclusion that for us there is hope, we pray: so kind-hearted mother, God would not be so hard-hearted, and her three Children do not get married, she can not do without it. The father said: If this is so unfortunate, I really do not know the future of life how to live longer. Feelings of the parents has been very good, in the face of his mother's sudden illness, the father suddenly has a lot of the old. I really can not wait, so to accompany his mother went to Guilin
Submitted by phillygrrl on December 16, 2008 - 1:34am.
It started at the Ivy League level. So my high school friend at Harvard asked me to be his friend. Naturally I said yes. (How can a Harvard friend lead you wrong?) And before I knew it, I had 300+ Temple classmates who were ‘facebook friends,’ and hundreds more from high school. No problem. We all shared (relatively) the same taste for poking, posting updates and posing for scandalous pictures. Facebook was privy to fond college memories, triumphs and extreme failures. It helped me get my homework done. Learn about jobs. Interview men. It made my world inexorably smaller and easier to navigate. That was college.
To continue reading, visit: www.phillygrrl.com
Submitted by phillygrrl on December 12, 2008 - 2:29am.
Hey business majors! Listen up! Have I got a pitch for you…
Okay, here’s the deal. I like Indian/Pakistani food. To eat this food on a daily basis requires buying from an Indian/Pakistani grocer. I’m imagining aisles upon aisles of basmati rice, fresh produce, pickled mango. Where is such a grocery located? Not here in Philly.
That’s a lie.
We do have a couple of “Indo-Pak” stores, as they were once called. (Until the late 90’s when all of a sudden Philly had enough of each population that there was no need to draw customers from the other side.)
International Foods and Spices, 4203 Walnut St, 215-222-4480
I grew up going to this store. Owned by a family of Sikhs, it is truly one of the great Indian stores of our time. After his father retired, the son (who got his degree in business from nearby Drexel), took over the place, tearing down walls and transforming it into a large, airy mecca for Indian cooks in University City. Unfortunately, with that business acumen came a sharp increase in prices. So all of us Northeastish kids can’t really afford this place anymore.
Subzi Mandi, 3300 State Rd,Bensalem, PA 19020, (215) 244-7824
Subzi Mandi is well known to anyone who shops in the Indianized towns of Edison, NJ or Jackson Heights, NY. Subzi Mandi is the Walmart of all Indian stores. This store is massive and usually has 3-4 shops inside as well, generally a jewelry store (24 carat gold!), a music store and of course the sweets shop. After Subzi Mandi recently relocated their store to a giant warehouse, however, prices have gone up (most likely reflecting their new lease payment). Also, the store is about half an hour outside of PA, inconvenient for those who need their rasgullahs right now, right here.
Patel’s Grocery Store 2825 Tyson Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19149, (215) 335-4974
The Northeast often has a slew of ethnic stores that open, then close on a regular basis. Patel’s Grocery has managed to stay open for the past few years. They have killer produce and killer prices. The store is (like most Indo-Pak stores) divided into a video store/grocery store. The only problem with Patel’s is their small selection of items. They have yet to order my favorite pickled mango brand.
So. Can someone please do me a favor? Gather a couple of investors. Pool some community money. Open up a nice, sprawling Indian store. And keep it neat. I hate me a dirty grocery store. ‘K, thanks.
Submitted by phillygrrl on December 8, 2008 - 10:25pm.
What exactly is the city of Philadephia doing when they talk about cutting the budget and closing libraries yet they host holiday shenanigans like the one I saw at Dilworth Plaza tonight?
Time: 7PM
Place: Dilworth Plaza
Temperature: 25 Degrees F and freezing!
Audience: Myself (on the way to the Broad Street subway) and like 10 homeless people
Setting: City Hall is apparently host to a so-called ‘Christmas Village’ which features stands, bands, etc. At this particular time, a group of (terrible) karaoke singers were belting out a tone-deaf version of Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman.” I swear, even the homeless were wincing. And it takes a lot to make a homeless man cry. Now let me ask you, what does this have to do with Christmas/Hanukah/Eid/X-Mas? Nothing. How does this celebrate the holiday season at all? It’s just another case of gross misappropriation of funds. Apparently these festivities go on till 8PM (sometimes 9) every night till the 24th. The city even has a website that explains it all. I’m not a Scrooge. Let a historic, beautiful city like Philly have its wreaths and lights. But sound equipment, security, etc being used till late in the evening when any normal soul is tucked in flannel sheets somewhere with a hot water bottle? Ridiculous. Okay, so it’s sponsored by Lufthansa, the East German airline. And the German American Society of Pennsylvania is involved. But couldn’t they buy a couple of books? Or librarians or something? Hello, Toys for Tots anyone? A recession-ridden city should be tightening its belt, not throwing away dollars on spectacles nobody in their right mind would attend.
Submitted by phillygrrl on December 8, 2008 - 2:03am.
As if we didn’t already know:
A coalition of community groups led by the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP strongly criticized CVS Pharmacies yesterday, accusing the chain of failing to provide customers equal access to stores and services in Philadelphia.
No doubt after this lawsuit, the NAACP will also be filing a lawsuit against Target, Sears, Rite Aid, IHOP, Denny’s, Neiman Marcus, Wawa and every other store they can possibly think of.
Asked why CVS was selected for the study, Mondesire said other pharmacy chains had not drawn as many complaints.
This is surprising. Although Walgreens and Rite Aid are definitely everywhere, which explains why they weren’t targeted. Hmmm, CVS conspiracy.
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