Blinq

Archive: November, 2005

Loving The Gridlock

POSTED: Wednesday, November 2, 2005, 9:33 AM

Filed Under: City Life

Ok, 8 minutes before the parking authority tags the minivan. I'm at a Starbucks in Manayunk, and was heading for work, but I bailed after dropping off the kids at school. It's Day 3 of the SEPTA strike. Despite the nice police officers goosing the traffic signals, Midvale Avenue was moving as fast as a car wash, and I thought I would get a haircut and wait out rush hour.

So now I'm drinking a latte out of a mug in the sun, listening to a Rolling Stones rarities sampler ! and stealing someone's wi-fi network. People, you gotta use protection.

"It's bad drivers and gridlock," the chatty Starbuck barista in a bandana is telling a customer, describing the parking lot on Main that we've viewing. "Have a lovely Wednesday," another chirps at a regular, heading out into battle.

Daniel Rubin @ 9:33 AM Permalink | Post a comment

Meet The New Boss

POSTED: Tuesday, November 1, 2005, 10:09 PM

Filed Under: Sports

With the Inquirer and others reporting that the Phillies have ignored Blinq's counsel, and gone ahead and found a new general manager in Pat Gillick, who made winners in Toronto, Baltimore and Seattle. ...

Brian Michael at Phillies Nation rolls out a timely profile of the man named by Baseball America in 2001 as the top executive of the past 20 years.

Some promising facts from his analysis:

Daniel Rubin @ 10:09 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Meet The New Boss, II

POSTED: Tuesday, November 1, 2005, 4:28 PM

Filed Under: Media

This would be news. Pictured at left, Bruce S. Sherman, CEO of Private Capital Management LP.

PCM is Knight Ridder's largest shareholder. Sherman wants our newspaper chain sold.

Can't be profitable enough, he contends. Among his beefs:

Daniel Rubin @ 4:28 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Vouch For It

POSTED: Tuesday, November 1, 2005, 4:03 PM

Filed Under: Poli Sci

The Inquirer and PoliticsPA are reporting that Pennsylvania legislative leaders are planning to repeal the law allowing unvouchered expenses. That's the way they give themselves a little extra money as soon as a bill is enacted to raise pay, and get around rules that state they must win re-election before prospering.

That's nice. So's this line from PoliticsPA:

Some are speculating that the entire pay raise will be repealed.

Daniel Rubin @ 4:03 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Garden Variety Smarts

POSTED: Tuesday, November 1, 2005, 2:33 PM

Filed Under: Education

That crowing your hear is New Jerseyans reading how they scored in a ranking of the nation's smartest states.

Fourth.

Out of 50, for you who didn't pay attention in civics.

Daniel Rubin @ 2:33 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Fortunes Declining

POSTED: Tuesday, November 1, 2005, 10:17 AM

Filed Under: Sports

At the news that Donovan McNabb was to ring the opening bell today at the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inqlings reader Anthony Preziosi of Mantua, N.J., made a prediction:

That means the market will open down 21 points, make a brief rally mid-day and end up a loser.

enrico

Posted 11/01/2005 11:34:12 AM

Daniel Rubin @ 10:17 AM Permalink | Post a comment

Mama Mia

POSTED: Tuesday, November 1, 2005, 8:57 AM

Filed Under: Poli Sci

The right-of-center Townhall site says it has the Democratic Party's slime sheet on federal appellate judge Sam Alito, the Philadelphia-based conservative nominated for the U.S. Supreme Court Monday.

Some highlights of the talking points headlined "Judge 'Scalito' Has a Long History of States Rights, Anti-Civil Rights, and Anti-Immigrant Rulings:"

While serving as a U.S. Attorney, Alito failed to obtain a key conviction, releasing nearly two dozen mobsters back into society. Based on his Third Circuit opinions, Alito has established himself as a potential foe to immigrants, reproductive rights, and civil liberties.

Daniel Rubin @ 8:57 AM Permalink | Post a comment