Street v. Mandel Event A Hoax?

You know, the event doesn’t seem so fake or anything, but that flier! Jesus it’s like it was done in Microsoft Paintbrush in Windows 1.0, if such a program existed. (At least Windows for Workgroups 3.11.) I’d guess that’s a Signe Wilkinson cartoon, but with extra word bubbles, and, uhm, what is with that font? Ooh, I need to lay down.

So, yeah, this event’s real, of course, but the flier has intrigued me so much I think I need to go just to make sure. Also it’s, like, 2 blocks away from my place, and the Atwater Kent has that awesome giant map of Philadelphia.

Hey, Brett Mandel Made A New Game

Brett Mandel, the Will Wright of tax reform, has released yet another video game. The Philadelphia Forward guy who sends out all those emails previously released a game where you drop tax reform proposals on City Council members’ heads. (Anvils would be better, but I can deal for now.)

Now comes a game where you fight the Philly Tax Monster, which has such memorable quotes as “I hit you with High Taxes” and “Say bye to jobs and neighbors.” Oh, it’s like Final Fantasy VII the dialog is so well-done.

Philly Tax Monster

Thunderbird Sums Up Feelings On Campaign Emails

Okay, just kidding. Although I’m sure we’ll be feeling scammed after the election, it won’t be because of ubiquitous-in-your-inbox Brett Mandel of Philadelphia Forward.

Who are the R.E.F.O.R.M. candidates? [Philadelphia Forward]

Green Party Candidate Wants You To Waste Energy

Brett Mandel and Philadelphia Forward released the “R.E.F.O.R.M. Ballot” today, and the results are pretty confusing, if you look at it a certain way. Dwight Evans hates SEPTA! Jesus White wants to hire his relatives! Fattah likes PGW just the way it is!

But most telling is this question, which I’ve excerpted below.

Yes, you read that correctly. The only candidate for mayor who does not want to encourage homeowners to use energy efficiently is Kerry Foster of the Green Party.

Vote Summary [R.E.F.O.R.M. Ballot]
Mayor’s Race [R.E.F.O.R.M. Ballot]

Bike Riding, No. Video Games, Yes!

In February, Philadelphia Forward’s Brett Mandel — he of the incessant emails about tax reform — won a charity auction for a bike ride with Mayor Street.

Mandel bid $400 too much on the ride (his bid: $400), but for a chance to ride with John Street himself and discuss tax reform, Mandel clearly thought it was worth it. Only, well, he’s not going to get to do it:

Now — after months of cancellations — Street has put a kibosh on the ride altogether.

“What concerns me is our highest elected official in the city of Philadelphia won’t keep his word,” Mandel said. “I’m sure the idea must have crossed his mind that it wouldn’t be someone who was going to come and just tell him how wonderful things are in the city of Philadelphia.”

According to Loree D. Jones, Street’s secretary for external affairs, the mayor proposed dates that didn’t work for Mandel and vice versa.

“The mayor had to cancel not because of the nature of the outing or the person that it was with but mainly because it’s the mayor of the fifth-largest city [in the country] and having other things to do,” Jones said.

And what more important things is John Street doing? If you answered “Declaring Tuesday an official Madden holiday i Philadelphia,” you win!

No dice on bike ride [Metro]
Monday: Boom! An End To Gun Violence!