Northeast Times Letter Of The Week

I don’t know, guys. I think I’m calling BS on this one:

What’s happening to Somerton?

There are about four shopping centers in Somerton that have really turned around, but you could only appreciate that if you were Russian.

It seems to me that all the American stores have been shut down and taken over by Russian business owners who don’t seem to realize that they are in America and that American people need to understand what they are selling in their stores.

I even heard if you aren’t Russian, you aren’t able to work there. Plus, I don’t think any American people could stand to go in these stores. Something has got to give.

Yes, it’s possible people in Northeast Philly are going to start hating on Russian immigrants now, too. But I don’t know. This just seems a little over-the-top. Thoughts?

Letters to the editor Feb. 5, 2009 [Northeast Times]

‘Northeast Times’ Celebrates Obama Election The Only Way It Knows How

Some news: The Northeast Times‘ website is now part of Philly.com’s MyCommunity section! Obviously! And for some reason all the stories are in Courier New.

That being said, let’s cut to the quick: This week’s editorial, about the inauguration of Barack Obama.

OK, racists of all colors, you can drop the hatred act now. Your gig is up. You can shut your filthy mouths now, for is officially colorblind. Barack Obama, ’s [sic] “first black president,” is now just “President Barack Obama.”

This of course means the time has come to disband groups and causes that are reserved for one race or another. No more “black colleges.” No more “United Negro College Fund.” No more “Black Journalists Association.”

What better way to celebrate the inauguration of the nation’s first black president than by calling for the end of all black colleges! I honestly can’t tell. Is it being tongue-in-cheek? It really doesn’t seem so, but it’s so absolutely insane that I’m wavering. (I’ve heard this argument before, though, too.)

Who knew that the point of the United Negro College Fund was to one day elect a mixed race man as president? The only private organization that should be demolished with the election of Barack Obama is the Group To Elect One — And Only One — Hawaiian President.

The editorial goes on to talk about how Obama’s race is irrelevant, and that he shouldn’t really deal with race at all. That it begins by calling for the end of the Black Journalists Association proves, I think, that Obama will be addressing race issues throughout his presidency.

Editorial: Hail to the chief [Northeast Times]

Northeast Times Letters Bonanza!

Thanks to the holiday the Northeast Times is already out this week. Best part of Thanksgiving! Let’s take a look at the letters page, which opens with the headline above.

Dismayed by behavior of our city officials

I agree 100 percent with your editorial A city in crisis that was in the Nov. 13 edition of the Northeast Times.

I am very disappointed in Mayor Nutter and the way

I guarantee this will not be the closing of libraries or pools or whatever. It will be something stupid.

he had turned his back on the situation with Councilman Wilson Goode Jr. and his aide, Latrice Bryant.

Ding ding ding! I want you to know that I didn’t look ahead.

Pin thief deserves a lot of misery

I hate thieves! Recently, we found the perfect Charlie Brown pumpkin to place out front of our house. It was only there a few hours before it disappeared. Shortly after, someone stole the ghost ornament out front, also. How pathetic for someone to have to steal such things.

Recently, I attended a 100th birthday party for my dear neighbor at a lovely country club in Upper Dublin for my dear neighbor. It was a lovely affair with a small gathering of friends, neighbors and family.

My coat was placed in the coatroom there. I’ve had a beautiful heart pin on my coat that belonged to my sister Anna when she was alive. She passed away nine years ago after spending many years in St. John Neumann Nursing Home, where her husband had visited her every day.

At that time, their home in Port Richmond was broken into twice by dope fiends in the area. They stole everything of value, including my sister’s jewelry. A few mementos were left undiscovered, and that pin was one of them. I treasured it because I loved my sister so much.

At first I didn’t realize the pin was gone, but soon missed it. Someone took it off my coat in the coatroom, and that broke my heart. I hope that miserable vulture has nothing but misery because of their thievery of that treasure and anything else they may have stolen!

This is historic, people: Someone in the Northeast Times complaining about the suburbs! I’m way past the stage where I question why the NE Times prints any letter, but if you’re still there, this might be a good one to noodle on.

Let them eat at home

I’m in agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture’s ruling about restrictions on food programs to our schools.

For the life of me, I can’t understand why parents can’t be responsible for providing food for their children. Isn’t it basically a parent’s responsibility to provide clothing, nourishment and house for their kids?

I realize that some families have problems and require help, but this shouldn’t be a massive problem. But to charge taxpayers, especially in this economy, to pay en masse for these programs is ridiculous.

If people can’t provide breakfast, lunch and dinner for their children and they show proof of financial difficulties, then by all means we will feed your kids, but no one should have carte blanche to these giveaway programs.

Like our letter writer here, of all the government spending and waste, I believe “feeding children” is the one we really need to cut first.

How to solve parking problem

Rather than just increasing the parking fees at Center City parking meters, why not start enforcing parking violations on non-metered streets in residential areas throughout the city?

On any given day or night on my block, there are at least 10 or more cars parked on the wrong side of the street facing opposing traffic; two parked trucks when NO TRUCK PARKING ANYTIME is clearly posted; one car parked directly in front of the fire hydrant down the corner; another car parked beyond the stop sign up the corner; and sometimes, a car or two double-parked with no flashers on for hours at a time.

Why not have two police officers for an hour or two on each shift in each police district start ticketing these illegally parked vehicles? It’s a no-brainer — end the free-for-all illegal parking epidemic on our residential streets while increasing much-needed revenue.

I predict “ongoing free-for-all illegal parking epidemic” is number 86 in Phillymag’s December issue.

NE Times: Repeal 8th Amendment

Oh, I just knew there’d be something good in there this week! From the Northeast Times editorial this week:

After Congress and the president finally find a way to avert another Great Depression, they should turn to approving a constitutional amendment that would lift the ban on cruel and unusual punishment and allow states to torture repeat hard-core criminals and vicious, cold-blooded murderers.

Um, guys, I’m pretty sure we already torture people, just not on the books. (Gitmo, prison rape, etc.) However, I do appreciate your choice of an appropriate headline for your editorial.

More madness [Northeast Times]