http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/kevin_ferris RSS Feed for Inq Col Kevin Ferris en-us Sun, 19 Feb 2012 08:01:00 GMT http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/kevin_ferris/20120219_Back_Channels__The_hard_truths_of_newspapering.html When it comes to the realities of life in journalism, no one prepared me more while I was an undergrad at Virginia Commonwealth University than Bill Turpin. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/kevin_ferris/20120129_Back_Channels__Despite_critics__a_message.html George Lucas, the legendary director of the Star Wars saga, should have taken a few down-to-earth meetings with master storyteller Bertram Levy before he made Red Tails, the story of the African American pilots known today as the Tuskegee Airmen. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/kevin_ferris/20120115_Back_Channels__In_Pa___Romney_has_avid_base_of_supporters.html Just how well did Mitt Romney do in New Hampshire? This is a primary-night post by Rich Lowry, editor of National Review: http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/kevin_ferris/20120108_Back_Channels__For_Santorum__the_cornerstone_of_the_nation_is_family__marriage.html It's always encouraging to see people go from newspaper work to bigger and better things, like come within eight votes of winning the Iowa caucus. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/kevin_ferris/20111211_Back_Channels__Building_strong__committed_GOP_women_to_lead_in_Pa_.html It may be the most successful public-service training ground you've never heard of. It being the Anne B. Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series. The program, now in its 10th year, is for Republican women in Pennsylvania who want to become more involved in public life, whether as party leaders, elected officials, or community activists. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/kevin_ferris/20111204_Back_Channels__Obama_should_have_embraced_Toomey_compromise.html Barack Obama could've done his reelection efforts a world of good if a certain U.S. senator from Pennsylvania had been by his side Wednesday in Scranton. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/kevin_ferris/20111106_Back_Channels__Come_on_down__campers__Pitch_a_tent_for_free_.html 'Good morning, Camp Dilworth. How can I help you? "Yes, indeed, we do still have some choice campsites available, though it is getting a little snug out there. But that helps keep everyone a little bit warmer. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/kevin_ferris/20111030_Back_Channels__Councilman_Bill_Green_discusses_city_s_challenges.html Last week's agreement to cut the business-privilege tax by about $70 million a year isn't just a win for the business community. It's a sign of the growing effectiveness of freshman Councilman Bill Green, who, along with colleagues such as Maria Quinones http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/kevin_ferris/20111023_Back_Channels__From_the_GOP__a_solid_lineup_in_at-large_race_for_City_Council.html There are plenty of reasons to criticize the Republican Party of Philadelphia, but today it deserves credit for a strong field of candidates in the at-large City Council race. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/kevin_ferris/20111016_Back_Channels__New_faces_would_be_good_for_city_panel.html Al Schmidt is counting on the "give a damn" vote on Nov. 8. Don't confuse this with what Philly candidates usually "give a damn" about: patronage, keeping factions within the Democratic machine happy, ensuring that fairness is the F-word of local elections - something just not said with a straight face.