Calling Out SEPTA On Diesel Buses

An enterprising Philadelphian sent an email to my boss late last week remarking on a trip to Toronto. It seems in the city is known for more than just being clean; it also has electric trolleys. SEPTA, meanwhile, recently purchased 400 new hybrid buses, which run on diesel fuel.

Our traveler went upon himself to inform Philadelphians of this situation in the best way possible (click to enlarge):

The text reads:

SEPTA’s new “hybrid” buses burn diesel fuel. Thousands of gallons, each and every day.

If we cared, we would buy new clean zero-emissions electric trolley cars, instead.

But we don’t care. And you can’t make us.

We’re SEPTA. Third-rate in every way.

Mocking SEPTA is kind of an official Philadelphia Will Do pastime, and I have to say this is simply a fantastic effort — especially the placement of the ad. Five stars.

Want to make your own fun? Here’s the flier as a .pdf. But you better print it out on recycled paper!!

News Media Can’t Resist Being Pigheaded

On Sunday, Alene Ammond got a pig’s head on her porch, presumably in retaliation for nothing. And yesterday, the media pounced, as all three local TV stations reported on her and she was linked on Drudge Report. (Why is this a big deal, anyway? It’s not like they’re going: “Ooh, she was mentioned on Drudge! Let’s write about it in the Inquirer!” Wait.)

This is all recapped in an Inquirer article today about the subject, quoting Ammond: “When I want to make national news about important things, I can’t. But a pig’s head is left at my house and I get it.” Well, now she knows how to get attention when she wants to stop Cherry Hill’s new porn shop or make fun of the mayor or something.

Ammond is playing this as retaliation to her career of complaining, citing that it could be any number of the people in the community furious at her criticism! She also says it could be a hate crime. Erhm.

But why a pig’s head? What does it mean? Inquirer reporter Edward Colimore attempts to explain the mystery:

In the meantime, the decapitation has been the talk of the town. Ammond and others wondered about possible motives and symbolism behind it. One theory was offered by J.T. Barbarese, an assistant professor of English at Rutgers University-Camden, who thought it might refer to William Golding’s Lord of the Flies - “a novel many read when they’re eighth or ninth grade. There, you have boys who degenerate over time [on an isolated island]. A pig is killed and its head - placed on a stake - represents the authority of evil.”

Man, that’s some deep symbolism. Let’s hope whoever did the prank hasn’t read The Spanish Tragedy. Not that I buy the Lord of the Flies comparison. More likely it’s an elaborate promotion for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Pig’s head brings on a media frenzy [Inquirer]
Pig’s Head Thrown On Local Activist’s Porch [NBC 10]
Yesterday: And You Know A Horse Head In The Bed Is Next

Home Sweet Home Ec

If there’s one thing in this city that needs, it’s improved public schools. (And a waterpark in Fairmount.)

Making the schools better will, obviously, be a slow process. The most deficient areas should be addressed first. And if there’s one thing that the schools are lacking, it’s classes teaching kids how to cook:

A South Philadelphia community activist, author, and grandmother of five says she wants home economics classes back in school.

Shahrazad Ali arrived in South Philadelphia in 1985 from Atlanta and has been working tirelessly for her adopted home ever since. Her latest campaign is to reinstate home economics classes in the Philadelphia school district.

According to Ali, the classes not only help kids (many of whom are raising kids themselves) take care of a home, but also teach life-management skills to survive in the real world:

“Put them in the kitchen. Let them bake and sew and cook. And learn how to do consumer shopping, work appliances, and use a measuring cup and a measuring spoon. And I thought it would just be so wonderful for our girls — and our boys. Some of the best chefs in the world are men.”

Mrs. Ali is circulating petitions and gathering signatures to present to the School Reform Commission.

Like with the laptops at the Microsoft School, the schools should also be sure to instruct that if someone attempts to steal your measuring cup and spoon, you should just give it up.

Philadelphia Activist Fights for Return of Home Economics Classes [KYW 1060]

Blogicized: The truth about blogging

• Oh, you people and your attempts at activism via blogs! (This one’s about Philly lawyers trying to stop Haitian deportation.) We all know that real bloggers are the ones that spend 90 percent of the time making stupid jokes. Right? Right? [Philly Future]

• Speaking of activism, the National Organization of Women is taking on a new cause: Save the Lifetime network! [TinaPoPo and Friends]

• Some dramatic box-blocking by some Philadelphia cars has been captured. [Fables of the Reconstruction]

• Pennsylvania’s anti-gay marriage bill is set to be introduced very soon! I mean, okay, I’m totally against an anti-gay marriage bill, but at least in the meantime I’ll have some totally easy targets to rip into. So, like, if the bill fails, everybody wins! Erhm, maybe not. [Speeking Freely]