A View From Inside ‘Occupy CPAC’ in Washington, D.C.
The last time I took a ride with local community organizing group Fight For Philly for a story, we’d ridden a school bus around North Philadelphia, then headed back to Center City as members pushed their opposition to Wells Fargo’s school-swap deals and Sen. Pat Toomey’s indebtedness to corporate interests. On Friday, the trip would take us south—on a...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: $1.9 Million in State Budget to Honor Standup Comedian
After making the Philadelphia University “Arlen Specter Library” earmark a sticking point of his campaign against Pennsylvania Democratic uber spending and corruption in 2010, Gov. Tom Corbett recently signed off on $1.9 million for the very same library, claiming he had no choice! That building at PU will hold some of former Senator Specter’s papers...
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Election 2012: Will Contraceptives be a Winning Campaign Issue?
Here’s something: The newest attack on the Obama Administration is his health plan’s requirement that companies and organizations cover contraceptives for their employees. It began with the Catholic Church (which we covered here), wiggled its way through the Republican National Committee and its affiliates, and is now in full attack mode in the mainstream...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: On Rick Santorum and Tom Corbett
Yesterday was is a big day for Pennsylvania conservatives—I guess! The state’s governor gave another treacherous budget address, in which he stood his ground against raising taxes on millionaires while taking money away from the poor and educational institutions (that’ll teach ‘em for spending all that money on book learnin! Scumbagz!). Later on, Rick...
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Election 2012: New Poll Shows Rick Santorum OVER Obama—But is it Trustworthy?
To hear the Rick Santorum campaign tell it, you’re just a donation away from their guy becoming president. It’s not the general they’re worried about if you want a Republican leading the next four years—it’s the primary. Because if the former Pennsylvania senator can get passed past Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, he’s set to beat President Barack...
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Election 2012: Explaining Rick Santorum’s Odd new ‘Doomsday’ Tone
"I should have listened to Rick Santorum!" The Associated Press has a story up this morning all about presidential candidate Rick Santorum’s new campaign tone, and the quotes to prove it. If you’re to believe his between-the-lines predictions, President Barack Obama’s policies and inner demons will—at some point soon—result in some twisted...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: Cardinal Bevilacqua Dead
One day after being deemed competent to serve as a witness in a priest abuse trial, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua is dead. He served as Archbishop of Philadelphia from 1988 to 2003, and was made a cardinal in 1991, though will likely be remembered for his potential role in the scandal. City Controller Alan Butkovitz has reaffirmed the financial viability (or lack...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: Corbett Declares ‘Obamacare for All’?
Looks like Pennsylvania may get its Obamacare after all. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has filed its application for $33 million to begin the development and design of a health insurance exchange in the state. When asked about the whole ordeal—especially since Corbett sued to block health care reform while Attorney General—State Insurance Commissioner...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: Best Quotes from Last Night’s Occupy Philly Rally
Occupy Philly got together last night to, they said, stand in solidarity with Occupy Oakland, who were sprayed with rubber bullets, bean bags and tear gas on Saturday, when they tried to occupy some vacant property. Four-hundred people were arrested in that city. So, in response, Occupy Philly and other groups in cities around the country marched against police...
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