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As the Old Year Ends

Tom Cardella

I’m not sure whether a new Sixers arena on Market Street is the answer to the city’s economic woes. What I do know is that the current situation is not acceptable. I can understand why the residents of Chinatown don’t give a damn right now about anything but saving their own community. But the rest of us in this city have to care. And right now, the controversy surrounding the building of a new arena has been decidedly one-sided. The media have dwelt on the Chinatown residents‘ battle for survival — a David and Goliath story. But the area adjacent to Chinatown is currently one of high crime and economic failure. So — let’s say that Chinatown wins its fight. Plans for a new arena are shelved. What’s next?  Because there HAS to be a next. Can Chinatown survive indefinitely as a viable community when it is surrounded by a deteriorating area? These questions must be asked regardless of how you feel about the proposed arena …

Charlie Gracie was a son of South Philadelphia who should get his due. Gracie (born Charles Graci) was known for his hit song BUTTERFLY, but even some of his fans did not appreciate his extraordinary ability to play the guitar. In my mind, he will always be linked through his guitar playing with the great Les Paul. Gracie’s locker was next to mine for a couple of years when we both went to Southern High. Ironically, I never got to meet him. Gracie died at the age of 86. He was not just a one-hit wonder …

As 2022 ends, we’re witnessing the beginning of the end for former president Donald J. Trump. Trump’s latest legal problem is the referral for criminal charges by the January 6th committee to the Department of Justice. Will Trump wind up going to prison? It’s anybody’s guess. The subject of Richard Nixon’s pardon always comes up when Trump’s fate is being discussed. But the situation involving Trump and Nixon are very different. When President Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon, he believed his decision would end the long shadow of Watergate that hung over the nation. He was right. Nixon no longer had any appreciable support.  He had been driven from office with bipartisan efforts. There were no protests in the streets of America. Trump still has an appreciable base of support, though it is dwindling as a political force. The riot on last January 6th is still fresh in the minds of Americans. Trump in prison will make him a martyr and rip us apart. But there’s the question of whether pardoning him would send the message that presidents are above the law. If after a fair trial, Trump is found guilty, then I think you send him away and damn the consequences …

Ilhan Omar is at it again. She is a Democratic congressional representative from Minnesota.  Omar is often in the news. And it always seems to involve whether her latest remark can be construed as evidence of anti-Semitism. She is a Muslim. Her religion in this case is important to some folks who believe it drives her attitudes toward Israel. Omar is critical of Israel’s treatment of its Palestinian settlers. So are many Israelis and American Jews. She’s been defended by some notable Jewish organizations. Her defenders say that criticizing the Israeli government is not the same as being anti-Jewish. And, of course, they’re right. And yet … Omar has been quoted in the past on her belief that American Jews have too much influence — “it’s all about the Benjamins.” If anyone else had used that trope they would be justly accused of speaking the language of anti-Semites. Too many of today’s liberals are unable to see bias because Omar is a progressive woman and a Muslim. If she talks like a duck and quacks like a duck, we should call her what she is …

I finished watching Netflix’s six-part documentary HARRY AND MEGHAN. Frankly, I don’t understand the vitriol against Meghan Markle (Harry is stereotyped by the Meghan-haters as a dupe). Wait — maybe I do understand it. Markle herself explains why she’s the target during one of the scenes. In every public controversy involving couples, the public always seems to blame — the woman. When Clinton had his fling with Monica, it was Hilary’s fault for standing by her man. Who gets attacked politically, Chuck Schumer or Nancy Pelosi? Vice President Kamala Harris gets more blame for perceived administration failures than President Joe Biden. During the acrimonious court battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, it was Heard who got most of the public scorn. Notice a pattern here? Maybe I’m a sap, but I viewed HARRY AND MEGHAN as a love story. Doesn’t make them the perfect couple. But the couple’s public work among the less privileged shows they have good intentions. Like Harry’s “mum” Diana. Considering what happened to his mother, it’s understandable why Harry feels the need to protect his wife and kids. Yes, Harry and Meghan got paid big bucks from Netflix for the series. And the series is a bit self-promoting. What did you or Netflix expect? If you loved Princess Di, honor her by leaving her son and his wife and kids alone …

Now that Jalen Hurts is injured, you can just shut up about all his records running the football. Running backs don’t last in the NFL because of the wear and tear. Neither do quarterbacks who run the football too much instead of handing it off to their running backs. Do you hear me coach Nick Sirianni?

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