Two Ton Galento

In an era of tough men, Tony "Two Ton" Galento was a standout. Although he would never win a Mr. America contest, his left hook could knock down any man, including the legendary Joe Louis. Tony owned a bar in Orange, New Jersey, didn't train, drank beer and ate large meals before he fought. Between 1928 and 1944 he fought 110 times, knocking out 56 of his opponents.

He met the Baer brothers in back to back fights later in his career, losing both bouts, but not before knocking 6'7'' Buddy Baer down. The famous fight with Louis occurred at Yankee Stadium in June of 1939, before Galente beat Lou Nova in the infamous dirty fight. Tony was king of the world in the third round as Louis lay on the canvas, but he got up at the eight count, and knocked Galante out in the next round. Louis would later say that Tony Galante was one of the toughest men he ever fought.
Galento with press after the Lou Nova fight

reprinted from May 2011

Fans of the Joe Louis era might want to use the archive feature on the sidebar. They will find over 26 boxing posts in December of 2012. In the meanwhile, I hope to present one of those posts every Monday.

Should Allentown City Council Consider Cease-Fire Resolution

Palestinians and other members of the Arab-American communities in Allentown have asked city council to pass a symbolic cease-fire resolution, The loss of life in Gaza has been enormous. This tragedy is a  result of Hamas intentionally embedding their military infrastructure in civilian locations, including schools, Mosques, and hospitals. This strategy of using civilians as shields in Gaza isn't a new development, but in place since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. The construction of those military installations and tunnels was done with the full cooperation and knowledge of the population.

The Hamas attack in Israel on October 7 intentionally slaughtered civilians, that was their objective. There was no call for a resolution from the same community at that time. Other groups also want a cease-fire, including many Israelis and Jews. However, it should not be the purview of city council to resolve on international conflicts.

On a less sensitive note, Mayor Tuerk has expanded the flag raisings of different countries, including two excursions. While we respect and appreciate all our diversity, I think that we should resolve to concentrate on improvements in Allentown Pennsylvania.

Love Letter To Allentown

Tuesday evening, at the same time the leadership of Promise Neighborhoods was having an event* at 19th and Allen Streets, across the fairgrounds at 18th and Turner Streets several people were being shot.

Among others in attendance and in denial of reality at the Promise event were mayor Matt Tuerk and Dan Bosket from Community Action, along with other assorted virtue signalers.

Hasshan Batts meanwhile has been organizing a new leadership clinic** against white supremacy, on our  funding no less.

Although Joe Biden thinks that I'm too young at 77, I have relocated into municipal Allentown as a prerequisite for a mayoral run.

*Love Letters To Allentown

**Leadership Without Limits

Israel's Dilemma Fighting Martyrdom

Rockets fired from inside Gaza City

During the second world War, the United States had trouble wrapping it's head around the kamikaze attacks. There is a similar situation occurring in Gaza. Israel is not targeting civilians; Hamas has placed their rocket launchers in civilian sites, with public approval. The rockets are fired from playgrounds and rooftops. As of Sunday, Israel aborted twenty five air strikes because their pilots reported seeing civilians near the targets. The leadership of Hamas has spoken in the past of jihad and martyrdom. They stated that they form human shields of women and children. Although urban rocket launchers and civilian causalities serve the purpose of Israel's enemies and distracters, Israel must protect its citizens. 

above reprinted from November of 2012 

ADDENDUM FEBRUARY 21, 2024:When Hamas attacked on October 7, 2023, butchering Israeli children and girls at a music festival, they knew full well that the Israeli response would be ferocious. As always, Hamas fired their weapons in Gaza from civilian locations, themselves placing their civilians in harm's way. Palestinian causalities have been enormous. Although world opinion quickly turned against Israel, they remain determined to destroy an enemy which will accept no co-existence. Many uninformed about the history of the conflict consider Israel an oppressor, some even accusing Israel of genocide. Some are predisposed to think the worse, others don't understand that some realities in this world leave few options.

Culture And Reality In New Allentown

The juxtaposition of the headlines pretty much says it all about the New Allentown. Although I'm low information on the symphony,  I'm forced to be more up to date on the shootings.  Although we learned that this is first homicide of 2024, we're not informed as to the number of shootings. It is that number, the shootings, that has gutted New Allentown's quality of life. 

In my day, before Allentown became what I now will call New Allentown, a man from Alburtis usually meant that his family lived there for multiple generations. Now it may well mean that he moved there three weeks ago.

In the old times we never had or needed a Lehigh Valley Homicide Task Force.

$100 A Week

In 1935, a Jewish boy earning $35 a week carrying 300 pound blocks of ice, was offered three times more to fight; win, lose or draw. For one hundred dollars a week, Jock Whitney, British aristocrat and sportsman, owned Abe Simon. Abe won his first 14 fights, 12 by knockout. On his climb to fight Louis in 1941 he would knock out 27 opponents, including Jersey Joe Walcott.

reprinted from September 2009