City Controller Candidates Weigh in on Council’s Alternative Budget.

City Controller Candidates Weigh in on Council’s Alternative Budget.

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Manny being.....Manny?

I am really surprised by the revelation that Manny Ramirez was using steroids. After A-Fraud got busted, I thought he was going to be the biggest star to get caught and that baseball could back to normal. Instead, we have learned that literally the only player from the 90's/early 2000's who was clean was Ken Griffey Jr. I was always a big Griffey fan, but its interesting to look back and realize that he was the best player of his era.

I think Matt Stairs had the best comment on the latest steroid revelation:

"People are going to have to stop taking this health bull (bleep) and go back to being chubby and having fun."

Werth....less?

Sorry for the lack of posts....been busy. Of course I didnt make time to write during the Phils winning streak in St. Louis, which featured a great start from Joe Blanton, and a scary moment with Rick Ankiel. Like a true Philly fan, I did make time to write to complain about last night.....

First comment is that we saw, finally, the Chan Ho Park from spring training. He was aggressive, he was around the plate, and he had great movement on his cutter. All of that added up to a no-hitter through 5 and a shut-out into the 7th. Sadly, we were facing Johan Santana, who was his typical excellent self.

The play of the game, however, was the boneheaded play of the Phillies defense, most notably Jason Werth. The sole Mets run was scored by Carlos Delgado, who was able to waltz home while Werth held the ball in rightfield and didnt throw home until Carlos had time to get in there.

Asked after the game why he stopped for a snack and a nap before throwing the ball, Werth said he was "confused" by all the activity during the play and didnt pick up home plate until it was too late. I'm sorry...confused? Really? That is the best you can do? Yes, its really confusing to be an outfielder who need to throw home. You know what would have been less confusing, Jason? Throw. The. Ball!

Yet another Nutter moment......

Yesterday Mayer Nutter signed a citywide cell phone ban designed to prevent drivers in Philadelphia from operating a car and talking on their cell phone at the same time. I have a number of problems with this law:

1. Personally, I have been driving while talking on my phone for 15 years. I have never had a cell phone related accident, I have never had a cell phone related "close call" and I have never been pulled over by the police for anything remotely related to driving while talking. To me, driving and talking on the phone is roughly the same as walking and chewing gum at the same time. As a result, I look at cell phone bans as an invasion of my right to privacy. I know the argument for the ban is that the risk of public harm and the general social utility of the ban outweighs the restriction on personal freedoms. However, until society takes protecting drivers seriously (meaning actual, meaningful penalties for drunk driving, etc), then I think that the restriction on my right to drive and talk is unfair.

2. From a city-wide perspective, this bill is yet another in a continuing series of stupid moves by Mayor Nutter. It seems that Nutter wants to do everything in his power to worsen Philadelphia's financial situation. He tries to close libraries and fire houses. He threatens massive cuts in police officers when the city is under siege. And now, for the cheap political points gained with a cell phone ban, he will cost the city $90 million in state funding. Yes, thats right. In Harrisburg plans are under way to pass legislation stating, simply, that if Philadelphia proceed with this cell phone ban the city will lose that amount of state funding. So just oto recap, to Mayor Nutter, during the worse financial crisis in recent memory, a cell phone ban is more important than $90 million in state funding. Thanks Mayor!!