Latino Super Sunday

Back in older days, before the Latinization of the city, Allentown celebrated Super Sunday, from 1974 to 1999. An oldster like me coming back to town wouldn't recognize Hamilton Street. None of the department stores, 5 & 10's or small independents remain. NONE as in NONE. 

None of the eateries of the older era remain. While the Brass Rail has been recently reincarnated at the Farmer's Market, its Hamilton Street location closed decades ago. Even the center city Yocco's is just a memory. 

Many of the people celebrating Fiesta on Hamilton yesterday have no memory of the places mentioned above. New memories are being formed. Perhaps a blogger down the road, perhaps writing in Spanish, will recall yesterday's event as back in the older days.

Stacy, Thanks, But No Thanks

It seems that I overpaid my 2025 state taxes by $92 dollars. Stacy Garrity gave me a credit for $89 for next tax year, and sent me a check for $3 dollars. Needless to say, the check is rather inconvenient. Driving to the bank to deposit it with my gas guzzler might cost me more than 3 bucks.

It occurs to a cynic like myself that perhaps she considers her signature on the check sort of a campaign mailer for her governor race. If so, she lost my vote. However, if it's any consolation to her, I won't be voting for Shapiro either.

At any rate, a check for $3 dollars in 2026 is taxpayer abuse. If she made the check for $89 dollars and gave me a $3 credit that would make sense, or should I say more cents.

As Allentown Turns, It Seems

It seems that there is commotion at the Allentown School District. The school board of color hired a superintendent of color who hired a rasher of administrators of color. Some of those administrators who failed to properly perform and were let go are now suing the district for discrimination!?!

It seems that the queen city bees are buzzing about the mayor jogging in Madrid. I suspect that future running selfies will be limited to the Allentown Park System.

It seems that there are those in Lehigh County, such as Mark Pinsley and Josh Siegel, who think that a Wealth Tax on county residents could help balance the budget and finance more affordable housing.

Is Trump's Moron Cabinet Intentional?

With Hegseth again threatening Mark Kelly with charges about revealing publicly know information about weapon stockpiles, I wonder if Trump's mediocre appointments are intentional? In term one he started off with highly qualified help, only to have them reveal how impulsive and uninformed their boss was.

Nobody could accuse Trump of tapping expertise for this second round. Some of the appointments, like Kennedy, are tragically comical. Although two novices have been ousted, we're in a war with a Fox News host leading a Department of War. 

Trump's ego has progressed into a clinical stage. Perhaps the amateur cabinet was a subconscious attempt to make sure that he looks informed compared to his advisors. I feel sorry for the Republicans having to defend this administration. Here on the blog the best they can cite is the day one border closing, and that their daughters aren't confronted with transgenders in the gym class.

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