Ce-Ce And The Mailer

Yesterday, one week before the primary election, Democratic voters in the 22nd District received a mailer about an incident years ago, when Ce-Ce dropped a minor off at a homeless camp. She didn't know that he was a minor at the time. The mailer was sent with a disclaimer that it is not associated with any candidate, but obviously it is intended to impact the election against Ce-Ce.

I'm not condoning the homeless camp incident, and I'm sure neither would Ce-Ce. I am, however, criticizing the mailer. Although the 22nd is limited in size, never-the-less, the printing and mailing cost thousands of dollars. The mailer was sent by a group which was previously identified with Charlie Thiel.

Despite the mailer, I believe that Ce-Ce will prevail next Tuesday. I doubt that there is a door she hasn't knocked on. I doubt that there is a potential voter that she hasn't approached. The 22nd is a hardscrabble district, the residents appreciate gumption. Ce-Ce has gumption.

A Bus To The Left

Long term subscribers to this blog have noticed a shift toward the center, I still have difficulty saying a shift to the left. Truth be told, both Trump and Netanyahu are to blame for my migration. 

As an independent, besides for taking Trump and his unqualified cabinet to task, my shift has been mostly quiet. I have been most audible concerning the 7th Congressional, where I'm supporting Ryan Crosswell. While I won't be casting a primary vote, I'm hoping that he's on the ticket for November.

Up to the aftermath of  October 7th (2023), I was a supporter of Netanyahu. With that horrendous October attack the Palestinians undermined most of the support for a two state solution, both in Israel and Washington. I understand that reaction, but cannot accept the domicide in Gaza, and the settler aggression in the West Bank.

A two state solution remains the only long term alternative for the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. I find myself looking for a group to support which still adheres to that principle. Although most have some language still too progressive for my self image, I'll have to hitch a ride on some such bus.

Tomb of Aaron, Jordan

Molovinsky World Report

Saudi Arabia pushed back against Trump's Project Freedom, closing its airspace until Trump postponed the plan. We have also strained relations with former European allies going back to WW2.  Who could have imagined with such experienced diplomats as Trump, Witkoff and Kushner, that anything could have gone wrong?

With Israel still attacking in Lebanon and allowing the settlers to run amok in the West Bank, aspirations of the Abraham accords are no longer. Just as Trump disrupted NATO, Trump and Netanyahu have hurt Israel's long term future status with Washington, after this administration passes.

Although Republican diehards were encouraged by the primary in Indiana, the general in November will be telling. The coming Blue Wave may well make Trump's juvenile decisions harder to implement.

ADDENDUM: Later Thursday the Saudis regranted airspace, and Trump resumed Project (Operation) Freedom.

Molovinsky On Allentown will be opening its international bureau in Canakkale. Türkiye continues to position itself as the safe place for investment in the Middle East.

The Martinez Factor

Yesterday I introduced you to Victor Martinez, Spanish radio entrepreneur.  With Hispanics being a majority in Allentown, he is an influential man. As a supporter of Ryan Crosswell for the 7th District, I questioned Martinez about his support for Carol Obando. He insisted that it wasn't because Obando was Latina, but because the other candidates ignored the demographic, even though they are a substantial portion of the population.

With Martinez's support of Ana Tiburcio, I again reached out for comment. Victor this time complained that Ce-Ce Gerlach is too much of a Socialist for mainstream Democrats like himself. He insists that Tiburcio being Latina is a bonus for him, but not the reason for his support.

The meme shown above is from Martinez's Facebook page. Although he maintains that ethnicity is not the basis of his support, if I ever run for office again, I will change my name to Miguel.

Spanish Radio In The Lehigh Valley

Victor Martinez has an amplified voice in the Valley, it actually comes over the radio! Martinez is owner and host of MEGA 101.7FM Spanish Radio. I tuned in to Victor recently over his support for Carol Obando for the 7th Congressional District.

Martinez is now behind Ana Tiburcio for the 22nd state district. While being Latino scores some points with him, he finds Ce-Ce too far to the left.

Ce-Ce is a tough candidate, who knocks on many more doors than any of her competitors. However, Tiburcio having Martinez's voice behind her is BIG. I believe it will be a contest.

ADDENDUM: News broke Tuesday afternoon that the Voter Registration office sent out incorrect mail ballots for the primary. With tightly contested races in the 7th and 22nd, we now have another wrinkle!

Allentown's Orange Car

While the Orange Car, on Union St. near the Lehigh River, went out of business over twenty years ago, the building sat there vacant, fading away.  Although recently demolished, there's a story behind the slow demise.

When the Lehigh Valley Railroad went bankrupt in 1976, its rolling stock and track went to Conrail. However its other assets, such as real estate, were tied up in bankruptcy.  The Orange Car building was owned by LVRR.  Many years ago there was a small six track rail yard between the Orange Car and the meat packing business to its east.  Carloads of fresh citrus fruit would arrive weekly from Florida. After the rail service ended, the lessee continued operating the fruit stand for another twenty years. 

I labeled this post Allentown's Orange Car, because there was an identical looking sister store in Reading.  That location also had a major event in 1976,  a flood from which it never recovered. 

photocredit:molovinsky

above reprinted from April of 2021