Northeast Philadelphian Will Apparently Never Make It Into Space

Another day, spaceship delay.

Ex-Northeast Philadelphian Chris Ferguson was originally scheduled to go into space Aug. 27, but Hurricane Ernesto delayed the launch. Since then, there have been about four days prepared for launches, but various problems with fuel sensors have delayed the mission.

Today was the latest fuel sensor to delay the mission, and NASA said they’ll likely try again tomorrow. But, really, don’t expect the shuttle to launch tomorrow, either: It’s clear that space doesn’t want a Northeast Philadelphian, and is doing everything it can to stop it. Alas.

NASA manager: 24-hour launch delay likely [CNN]
Shuttle Has Another Glitch, Faces Possible Launch Delay [KYW 1060]
Aug. 18: Northeast Philly Renaissance Continues: Ex-NEstie To Go Into Space

Miracle on Frankford Street

Remember Miracle, the eight-month old kitty who traveled 30-miles clinging to a car on a New Jersey highway? (He’s at left.)

Well, after his ordeal he was renamed Miracle (obviously) and ended up at a South Jersey animal shelter.

And now, he’s been adopted by a family in Northeast Philadelphia — which means today he’s sitting in his rowhome right now wondering if he should have let go of that car in Jersey.

Miracle Moves to Northeast Philadelphia [NBC 10]

Things that make you go “WHAT??!!”

Today’s Northeast Times letters page continues to astound. You know how this works: Crazy Northeast Philly residents sent in letters, and this paper prints ‘em all. A sampling from this week:

Don’t discriminate against Christians

Christmas is an important Christian celebration, but there seems to be a movement in this country to remove the spirit of Christmas as well as its name from society.

Several large retailers, who benefit greatly from sales during this time of year, have taken anti-Christmas steps. They have refused/decided not to use the words Merry Christmas in their advertisements or in their stores. [...]

The Christmas tree is a European tradition brought to America by immigrants and symbolizes everlasting life (ties to Jesus Christ), since it stays green even in the darkest winter.

There would be no Christmas without Christ. In my humble opinion, those who wrote the Constitution never intended the “establishment clause” to be interpreted to ban the meaning of Christmas.

Woah woah woah. There would be no Christmas without Christ?

What is troubling, however, is his exposé of the anti-Christmas stance of many major retailers, especially in light of the next letter:

The retailers that stole Hanukkah

Why is it that major retail chains Wal-Mart, Kmart and Target have decided not to sell one thing for the holiday of Hanukkah? Aisles and aisles of Christmas stuff are all around, but not even a dreidel can be found at these retail stores. At each store I asked, I was told that they had no Hanukkah items and would not be getting any in.

WHAT??!! So you mean to tell me that they feel that Hanukkah is not a holiday worth selling items for?

Jesus. (No pun intended.) So these stores hate both Hanukkah and Christmas? There really is a conspiracy!

Letters 12.8 [Northeast Times]