‘Metro’ Debate Style: Of Goggles And V-Necks

Yes, it’s time for another edition of Metro Debate Style, where I poke fun at the people interviewed for the Metro debate section, then they Google themselves and write me angry letters. It’s fun for the whole family!

Today’s topic is a, uh, topical one, with everyone obsessed with shopping as the holiday season quickly approaches. (Or, as some stores would like you to believe, is almost over, since they’ve had decorations up since Halloween.)

Let’s get to today’s contestants:

• Margarite Showers: Love the shirt, but not a big fan of the v-neck sweater. If it were a normal sweater, it’d be perfect. The glove-sweater matching is also very impressive. Nice attention to detail. But brown boots with black pants? Even I know not to do that. Er, wait, lemme check. No, nevermind.

• Antonio Harris: Our man Antonio — a very young-looking 47, might I add — is wearing the classic hotel employee outfit, complete with nametag and finely-pressed shirt. But, man, those glasses are hot. They’re like swim goggles, but, uh, glasses. Awesome. Now we all just have to figure out why he wants all the stores to be closing their doors forever.

• Tara Newman: Ah, the classic layered brown coat-over-white hoodie look. Fantastic.

‘Inquirer’ Fails To Attract Dot-Com Superheroes

If you’re interested in the possible strike at the Inquirer and Daily News, you should definitely read Steve Volk’s piece in PW today about the whole shebang. It’s chock full of info, etc., etc. In it, the hiring of Bill Marimow as the Inquirer’s new editor is discussed by various parties.

But the key part of the piece is this quote from Attytood blogger Will Bunch:

“There should’ve been somebody else announced with [Marimow],” he says. “Let’s call him ‘Joe Google,’ or ‘Joe Yahoo.’ Somebody who’d have real power, who’d work with both newspapers to say, ‘Let’s really use the Internet and adapt everything we’re doing to this new medium because that’s our future.’ Marimow could’ve been the guy to make sure we adapt to the new technology in the right way, to keep our values and our mission as journalists intact.”

I believe the man Will Bunch is looking for is Jeeves. Hey, he’s retired now, I bet he’d take a cushy job as Internet Superhero at the Inky.

Looks Good on Paper [PW]
Ask Jeeves [Wikipedia]

Mayor Street: Not Illiterate, Just Bumbling

A correction from Friday’s Daily News:

In a Wednesday story about Ryan Howard being honored in City Hall, the Daily News erred in saying Mayor Street was unable to read a statement describing the words to be displayed in honor of Howard atop the Peco building. It was Peco President Dennis O’Brien who became confused.

So the mayor can read. But he still isn’t sure what our superstar slugger’s name is.

Corrections [Daily News]
Nov. 22: Ron–Er, Ryan–Howard Is Everywhere

Newspapers Prep For Strike

Another day, another memo from the Newspaper Guild. To recap: The contract between the Newspaper Guild, which represents nearly all the editorial employees of the Daily News and Inquirer, expires tomorrow at midnight. Although negotiations are going on now, it seems the Guild is preparing for a strike, after yesterday’s message to take home your personal belongings and this last night:

Your negotiators met through the recent holiday, Monday and yesterday with the mediator. The Company did not have time to meet with us Monday. They did not have time to meet with us Tuesday. As of this writing, we’re hoping to have face-to-face talks tomorrow.

Soon, you will be hearing from the strike team about your picket shifts.

If you have not sent in your strike benefits form, please do so.

Yep. It’s strike time. Full memo after the jump.

More »

‘Action News’: Supporting The Terrorists Since 2006

The image at right is currently on the front page of 6 ABC’s website. Yes, what a fun game! Boy, what are the area’s three most likely places to get blown up? (I also like how it specifies “the area.” Yes, none of the targets are likely to be in Philly, that’s for sure. Then again, Hitler did plan to attack Andalusia, so who knows.)

But you’re probably wondering what the city’s — sorry, area’s — top three targets are. That’s easy: The Rocky Statue, Geno’s — see, he’s for a wall on the border! — and Franklin Mills.

Tell Action News What You Think [6 ABC]
April 4: Hitler Planned Attack On Bucks County

Milton Street Is Funnier Without Sound, Somehow

Just the first of what is sure to be a ton of Milton Street posts over the next few months. Ahh, lovely.

Archives: Milton Street

Abridged ‘Daily News’ Columnists

Jill Porter: Arrrrrgh, I’m so angry! Angry at everything! Urban Outfitters, Michael Richards, Borat, protesters, gun violence, squirrels, the letter ‘E’ and murder! So angry!

John Baer: Just like you, when I think John Perzel, I think of the 1931 film Little Caesar. What?

Traffic On I-76 Somehow Gets Worse

Hey, are you just getting in? Then you didn’t take the Schuylkill this morning, or else you’d probably still be in Bala Cynywd right now. A crash between a tractor-trailer and (what else) and SUV snarled traffic on the Schuylkill, forcing everyone to get off at Route 202 and then into the King of Prussia Mall parking lot (probably).

Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Also fortunately, you weren’t on that road. Or you’re reading this via Blackberry.

Fiery Crash Slams Traffic On Schuylkill [NBC 10]
Traffic Alert: Overturned Truck, Car Fire on Schuylkill near Valley Forge Tolls [KYW 1060]

Reason #9 To Love Philadelphia: Our Kindness

And, yet, as far as I know, not one of the people in this ad have been tracked down and murdered by a mob of angry Philadelphians.

We are too kind, people.

Leftovers: Best, Philadelphia Will Do

• Apparently, if you sign your email with the sign-off “Best” you are uh, being rude to the person. Me, I like to stick to my normal sign-off: “To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar.” [NYT]

• While a third woman of the four found outside Atlantic City was identified, police are investigating if these homicides are connected to another attack on prostitutes earlier this year. Gee, it’s good that prostitution is illegal and all, because it really works out for everyone involved, doesn’t it? [Inquirer]

• More Western Pennsylvania news: In New Castle, a house explosion injured three. Damn, it’s a mile a minute out there! [AP/Philly.com]

• Quakertown’s council is flooded with complaints that kids are smoking on a street corner that’s been dubbed the “cancer corner.” Minors may be banned from smoking throughout the township. Huzzah. [Doylestown Intelligencer]

• Just in time — well, okay, in advance — of the Franklin Institute’s King Tut exhibit, we learn that the boy king was not bludgeoned to death. Well. That clears that one up. [HealthDayNews/Yahoo!]