NYC Anchors Ask Philly PD Questions

Yesterday’s chat with the police brass on Action News‘ website brought out the best in everyone, from essentially ignoring a question about decriminalization of marijuana (thanks for asking, Philly NORML) to the cops subscribing to the broken windows theory (aargh!) to the brass vowing to crack down on people parking on the sidewalk in South Philly (this is going to be a nightmare!) to a deputy commish saying the cops are going to eradicate illegal drugs in Philly (ha!).

A friendly commenter also went through and noticed, um, all the ridiculous fake names that asked questions. Even stranger, all the names were people affiliated with New York City in some way! Let’s reproduce some of his comment here:

• N. Dinkins Middle initial and last name of one of the worst mayors of the City of New York ever.
• Chuck Scarborough Longtime anchorman, WNBC. [The response to his question actually mentions New York.--dmac]
• Tim Minton Reporter, WNBC.
• Jonathan Dienst Reporter, WNBC (broke Fort Dix plot story).
• Peter Mansbridge Anchor of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s flagship television news program The National. [This is my favorite one--dmac.]
• Rosanna Scotto Longtime anchor, Fox 5, also seen on the Today show for cooking segments.
• Donna Dixon Actress who has appeared in such productions as Bosom Buddies. and Spies Like Us.
• James Goldman Award winning screenwriter and playwright (deceased). Also the real name of “Jim Gardner” the worst television anchor in the known universe. [Hey! You leave Jim Gardner alone; he makes fun of Gary Papa's cancer.]
• Sue Simmons Longtime anchor, WNBC. Has co-anchored the 11 p.m. newscast with Chuck Scarborough for over 30 years… recently said the f-word on air.

Ha ha, these New York anchors and Canadians really care about Philadelphia policing. Thanks, guys!

Philadelphia Police Chat @ 6abc.com [6 ABC]
Yesterday: Police Chat on 6 ABC

Pub Team Wins Battle Of Flaming Birds

Last night, Philadelphia Public League champion Communications Tech advanced easily in the state basketball tournament, improving to 28-3 and moving on to the state quarterfinals Friday.

Comm Tech defeated my alma mater, Holy Ghost Prep, by scoring the first eight points of the game and jumping out to a 22-7 lead. The game was the nerdiest one in state tournament history, as it pitted the Phoenix (Comm Tech) against my Firebirds. Not only was this a battle of birds on fire, but it was also a game between the two previous names of Web browser Firefox.

A bunch of teams in the state basketball playoffs have oh so hilarious names, or at least ones that are hilarious when you spent 100 percent of your time online and everything seems funny at some point: Millionaires, Konkrete Kids, “Milton Hershey Spartans” (I assume this school is nicknamed the Hershey Spartans and named after Milton Street). Girard College is nicknamed the Hummers, apparently, and Math, Civics & Science Charter School is nicknamed the Mighty Elephants. There’s also a team simply labeled “Moon Tigers.”

There’s actually apparently a ton of Public League schools still left in the state tournament, proving that Philadelphia can no doubt put a ball through a little circle better than anybody else in this state.

Nutter, Whatshisname Debate The Issues

In this weekend’s CBS 3/League of Women Voters mayoral debate, host Larry Kane had a little trouble attempting to figure out just who was running against Michael Nutter.

You know, I think New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg has about as much chance of winning this election as Al Taubenberger does.