An Allentown Star's Controversy

There is probably nobody reading this who knows less about Amanda Seyfried and Charlie Kirk than me. I never saw a Amanda Seyfried movie, and I never heard a Charlie Kirk podcast. I actually never even heard of Kirk prior to his murder. 

I did however know that Seyfried grew up in Allentown, and attended William Allen High School. Although she has made it clear that she abhors anybody being the victim of violence, she has pushed back for not apologizing about saying that Kirk made hateful statements.

Kirk has been lionized by both Trump and Vance. Jimmie Kimmel was suspended from his show for not showing due reverence to the shooting. Likewise, Trump has been criticized for his reaction to the Reiner deaths. This post isn't to keep score regarding sensitivity, or lack thereof. Suffice to say that it is something which is hard to have too much of.

Amanda Seyfried at Allentown Farmers Market

Democratic Dustup In Allentown

There is a commotion in the Allentown Democratic Party over the  candidate for the special election to replace resigning Josh Siegel. Siegel is moving on to be Lehigh County Executive, having handily defeated Roger MacLean.

The above referenced commotion is that the selection process being utilized supposedly favors Julian Guridy. For the next regular election of District 22, Guridy will face Ce-Ce Gerlach in the primary.

While several other candidates, activist Lewis Shupe among them, wished to be considered for the special election appointment, there is an  irony not being discussed elsewhere. This old blogger remembers why the 22nd District was created in the first place...it was to represent the growing Hispanic Community. The first victor was the very un-Histpanic Pete Schweyer. After another redistricting, very un-Hispanic Josh Siegel won the spot.

It is assumed that the Republicans will be a no show for the special election (and the regular to follow), and that the appointee will have a heads up for the next regular primary in May.

shown above is Ce-Ce Gerlach welcoming a Buffalo Soldier Motorcycle Club member to a street fair she organized in 2013.

Warning of a "Bad President" Dominating Washington

Earlier this year when it became apparent that Trump's amateur cabinet was becoming detrimental to the nation's welfare, this blog began speaking out. As the damage added up, I felt compelled to call out our silent, local Washington representatives, first as compliant, then complicit with veering away from our nation's moral compass.

My conservative readership, Republican first and foremost, started accusing me of TDS, which is a poor excuse for deteriorating leadership. Partisans slowed down commenting in protest. When Mackenzie signed the Democratic petition, explanations mentioned that we're in a purple area.

We're in more than a purple area, we're in a condition red. I had posted that unless Mackenzie stood up, he wouldn't be re-elected. It is now becoming apparent that unless the Republicans forcibly act out, Trump  will be using our military on personal whims. Whether they can restrain him, remains to be seen.

Bill O'Reilly Drinks Trump Potion

As a blogger, I'm constantly accused of watching and listening to the wrong fake news, depending upon the persuasion of the reader I'm offending at the time.  I never reveal which news sources I read/watch, and never presume that any of those sources knows the whole story.

I hadn't heard of Bill O'Reilly in a long time. I always found his demeanor annoying. Recently, I heard him on a news type show, and it was alarming. Trump had given Bill a tour of the White House, and the old pontificator was very impressed. He raved about Trump's decorations, and said that it would give Trump an advantage with any visiting world leader.

Trump showed him his new presidential gallery, where he has replaced history with his uninformed opinions about previous presidents. O'Reilly should be restricted to hosting bingo parties in senior living faculties.

Molovinsky Christmas Tour

Recently I posted about Bill White's recommended Christmas Light tours.  I hope that caravans of  new SUV's are taking White's tours, because he publishes his recommendations every year.  Bill, after all these years,  has his job down almost on autopilot;  Christmas light tours,  Eating his way through Musikfest,  Cake contest at fair, Grammar columns,  Hall of Shame, Worst sentence writer. etc., etc.

Anyway, I recommend that nobody take my light tour,  it's in the hood in center city Allentown. Actually, the block shown has had its share of crime in recent years. The alley is narrow,  so there is no passing another car.  The double parkers get very annoyed if you beep your horn.  Best to stick with White's tours out in suburbia, with the inflated decorations that are flaccid during the day.  Personally,  I prefer the center city house decorations.  There is something so much more inspiring about decorating a low income house, many of which are rentals.  It makes me feel better and more hopeful about downtown.

reprinted from December of 2017

This blog has been published every weekday, including holidays, since 2007.

The American Dictatorship

With 60 Minutes killing its exposé on Venezuelans in the El Salvador prison, we have effectively entered an era of censorship. Between Trump privately filing lawsuits, and government approval needed for mergers, the price of speaking up is currently very expensive for corporate America.

A small time pizza blogger like myself can still speak the truth, but for how long? We have turned the Navy into pirates, and are going to build new Trump Class battleships. Trump campaigned against forever wars, but now we throw threats around the Western Hemisphere.

I do sense an awaking. I believe that the incumbent Republicans facing midterms are beginning to appreciate how out of control Trump has become. MAGA itself is starting to splinter on several issues. Between his ego and truth bending, each speech strains his credibility more and more.