[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] wandering dog (shar-pei) back in west philly !!
Running Dogs! Happy New Year! from Wikipedia Bearcoat Shar Pei were actually the elite part of the breed owned mostly by wealthy aristocrats in China prior to Mao's cultural revolution and the first to be exterminated by the regime for being considered bourgeois. During the Communist Revolution, when the Shar Pei population dwindled dramatically, dogs were rescued by a Hong Kong businessman named Matgo Law, who appealed to Americans in 1973 through a dog magazine to save the breed. Around 200 Shar-Peis were smuggled into America. The current American Shar Pei population stems mainly from these original 200. On Sat, Jan 28, 2012 at 11:01 AM, Linda l...@verizon.net wrote: We just followed this dog (on foot in car) from 43rd Osage to 52nd Cedar, where we lost sight of him. We'd hoped to corner him in an alleyway and offer food, but he kept moving westward. He moves quickly! He's all tan, about 45 lbs. He's probably a mix. Never got closer than 1/2 a block distance. :( Sightings can be reported on westphillylocal.com in the Pets section. linda -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the UCNeighbors group. To post to this group, send email to u...@ucneighbors.org To unsubscribe from this group, send email to ucneighbors+unsubscribe@**googlegroups.comucneighbors%2bunsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/**group/ucneighbors?hl=enhttp://groups.google.com/group/ucneighbors?hl=en -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] Lost: Black Brown Wolverine
Hmmm. Strange. Oddly enough, I just dropped in for dinner at the Gold Standard the other night and they were featuring Poached Wolverine au gratin, avec poutine and jello salad. On Fri, Nov 11, 2011 at 9:10 AM, Joe Clarke philly.jo...@gmail.com wrote: Goes by the name of Fluffy. If you see him don't worry, he has been de-fanged and clawed, and can only gum your hand, arm or throat (he hates turtlenecks!). Even without teeth, they have very strong jaws that can snap bone, so don't let him play - or gnaw - on any part of your torsoe that is less thick than your femur. They love to play fetch, but usually devour bones whole so try to find something else if you want him to return it to you. Excellent sense of smell, they can detect a long-horned sheep carcass from about a quarter mile. So hiding his snack is not going to be as much fun, and might get him ill-tempered, which is not Fluffy's best side. If you spot him, you might want to call the airborne division of animal control, who have the proper equipment and tranquilizing darts to bring him in. They say Sarah Palin got her start in wolverine rescue as a young girl scout in Alaska (beats selling cookies). If you find him, please don't call me. It took me long enough to get him out from under the front porch with rotting fish and hamburger. Thanks, Joe (forward to new address) C. -- *If I help the poor, they call me a Saint. If I ask why they are poor, they call me a Communist! **Bishop Hamara of Brazil* -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the UCNeighbors group. To post to this group, send email to u...@ucneighbors.org To unsubscribe from this group, send email to ucneighbors+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/ucneighbors?hl=en -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] Curio Theatre's Twelfth Night now on Youtube
Excellent work, Mr. Siano! Even better than those extreme City Council hearings! -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org On Sat, Oct 9, 2010 at 8:19 PM, Brian Siano briansi...@gmail.com wrote: This past Spring, Curio Theatre presented a steampunk-themed version of William Shakespeare's _Twelfth Night. Well, they got someone to videotape it, and the whole thing's on Youtube in twelve segments. http://www.youtube.com/user/BrianSiano -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the UCNeighbors group. To post to this group, send email to u...@ucneighbors.org To unsubscribe from this group, send email to ucneighbors+unsubscr...@googlegroups.comucneighbors%2bunsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/ucneighbors?hl=en
[UC] Re: [Ucneighbors] shipping
Also, a lot depends on whether you plan to ship the high chair with or without toddler. On Wed, Dec 3, 2008 at 6:35 PM, missthin [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Muriel USPS will not take packages over a certain size - i.e., if it won't fit in the plexiglass box at 40th St or through the window at 30th, it's too big. Been there, tried with a 40x40x3 wide box. No go. You could try Campus Copy, they use both UPS and Fedex Ground - Fedex Ground being a little cheaper. I don't know what they charge for packing, but I have seen lots of packing materials and they do advertise that they will package and ship for you. Of course, there's also a small surcharge on whichever delivery service you use. You could ask at Campus if THEY can send something USPS parcel post, don't know if it'd be possible there or if it truly is an official USPS rule re: package size, but I know they can't insure, register or delivery confirmation. Wendy On Wed, Dec 3, 2008 at 11:08 AM, Mario Giorno [EMAIL PROTECTED]wrote: Muriel, If the the high chair isn't disassembled then your best bet is probably USPS Parcel Post. If you can figure out the rough dimensions of a box in which the chair would be packed (ex. 18in x 24in x 48in.) you can use the USPS postage calculator at http://postcalc.usps.gov/. Mario Giorno On Mon, Dec 1, 2008 at 7:47 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I am seeking suggestions for having a high chair packed and shipped. Thanks, Muriel -- Life should be easier. So should your homepage. Try the NEW AOL.comhttp://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dpicid=aolcom40vanityncid=emlcntaolcom0002 . ___ ucneighbors mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.asc.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/ucneighbors ___ ucneighbors mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.asc.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/ucneighbors ___ ucneighbors mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.asc.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/ucneighbors -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] Re: [Ucneighbors] Die cast models of cars?
On Dec 17, 2007 7:03 PM, Dan Widyono [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: BJ's. I beg your pardon? -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] Re: [Ucneighbors] Re: LOUD rock concert IN 43rd St.
Does Amy Gutmann know about this??? I hear she made some reference recently to a Joni Mitchell song, saying that inside of paving over paradise, Penn is going to turn a parking lot into a Paradise -- about the new postal lands. Boy, is she cute or what? Meanwhile, here on 48th St I've been looking down at a massive traffic jam all day with LOUD HONKING, all because Hardy Boy Williams thinks it's cool to block off Baltimore from 48th to 51st every year to hold some dumb party. He doesn't even LIVE here, the jerk. And while the schadenfreude of watching frustrated motorists grind out their lives in a traffic jam provides a little comfort, I'd rather that he hold his party in a vacant lot somewhere. Also he's messing up public transit, as the 34 trolley can't go through. Don't know what advice to offer you, Ms. Mayer, other than to call Amy. Don't you have some pull at the President's office? You could threaten to camp on the sidewalk in front of her mansion and play loud Joni Mitchell records or bebop jazz till all hours of the night. Indignantly, Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/scarypeople.html On 9/1/07, Ann Mayer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It seems some kids (about the age of Penn or Univ. of the Sciences undergrads) have decided to block off 43rd St. between Osage and Pine to hold a LOUD rock concert in the middle of the street. Yes, kids are completely blocking 43rd -- instead of going over to Clark Park to party. They have been at it for 5 hours, and they are getting louder. I did call the police (the music is unpleasantly loud even though I my place does not front on 43rd) , but apparently all they did was to remove the rope blocking 43rd St. The partying goes on -- as if the street were Locust Walk by the Penn fraternities that have similar outdoor parties with rock music blasting at maximum volume. If this happened ONLY one Saturday a year, it would be no big deal, but since we have just had move in, I worry that this could be the start of a new trend by students who have recently arrived. We just got rid of a nearby group of very wild party animals who had raucous drinking parties on the front porch till all hours. I'd hate to see this pattern spread. Any advice? Thanks, Ann
[UC] Tales of the University City Village: Scary People
Nasty Ghetto Productions presents the Second Annual Abbraccio Reading by Ross Bender: TALES OF THE UNIVERSITY CITY VILLAGE: THE SCARY PEOPLE TOUR http://rossbender.org/scarypeople.html -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
[UC] Scary People: The Mennonite Godfather
His name is Enrique Harms. There's an excellent video and slide show about these Mennonites at: http://www.knbc.com/news/4232205/detail.html Keep in mind that us local Mennonites who meet at 9:00am Sunday mornings in the Calvary Center are much, much nicer. At least, most of us. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org attachment: mennogodfather.jpg
Re: [UC] Request for Electrician Recommendation
rossbender.org/electrician.html On 8/3/07, Drexel Guy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I am moving into a new apartment in August. I need to ask my landlord to upgrade an outlet so I can use my power supply for my computer. Can anyone recommend a good electrician who can install a 220-volt outlet? Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on Yahoo! TV. http://tv.yahoo.com/ You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] True nature of UC-list
On 7/30/07, Frank [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It's called purple because it's a separate domain, Villanova is only hosting it. But you already know that, don't you? My domain is hosted cruisingforsex.com servers which, in turn, sit in a server farm owned by yet another domain. Neither of them is responsible for my content but, if I were doing something interesting to law enforcement, you can bet they'd both be contacted and my domain could easily be removed. Frankus Sleek. Edgy. Infinitely flexible Holy crap, Frankus. You are the people my parents warned me against. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] Fuck UCD and Shakespeare in the Park
As crazy as Glenn may be, I think that one valid point he has been making (and making and making and making) is that Commercial entities ( like UCD try to claim true artistic content as their own, and market it to the masses for the sole purpose of making money (MAMMON). That's why I'm royally pissed to see the big banner in Clark Park advertising Shakespeare in the Park as another lame UCD product. Shakespeare in Clark Park was totally the brain flash of Marla Burkholder, a REAL actress, and friends. Marla will be playing Juliet. But UCD has to insert itself as the sponsor. If Wendell Lewis gets up to make a speech on opening night about how UCD brings you Shakespeare in Clark Park, I will be the first to hurl a tomato and holde up FUCK UCD signs. Lewis Wendell is a crass middleman, seeking to gain PROFIT for himself and his organization, by sponging off and parasiting the artistic talents of the Shakespearean artists who really bring you Shakespeare in Clark Park. Fuck the Middleman, commercial geeks and profit seekers, and ALL HAIL to the ARTISTS of our HOOD, performing because they can't help themselves. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Fuck UCD and Shakespeare in the Park
Well, UCD has provided SOME monetary support, but the PEOPLE (who UNITED, SHALL NEVER BE DEFEATED) have provided a whole lot in addition. To contribute: http://www.shakespeareinclarkpark.org/support.html On 7/30/07, B Andersen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From their website: http://www.shakespeareinclarkpark.org/2007.html The University City District is the Production Sponsor of Romeo and Juliet. On 7/30/07, Ross Bender [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: As crazy as Glenn may be, I think that one valid point he has been making (and making and making and making) is that Commercial entities ( like UCD try to claim true artistic content as their own, and market it to the masses for the sole purpose of making money (MAMMON). That's why I'm royally pissed to see the big banner in Clark Park advertising Shakespeare in the Park as another lame UCD product. Shakespeare in Clark Park was totally the brain flash of Marla Burkholder, a REAL actress, and friends. Marla will be playing Juliet. But UCD has to insert itself as the sponsor. If Wendell Lewis gets up to make a speech on opening night about how UCD brings you Shakespeare in Clark Park, I will be the first to hurl a tomato and holde up FUCK UCD signs. Lewis Wendell is a crass middleman, seeking to gain PROFIT for himself and his organization, by sponging off and parasiting the artistic talents of the Shakespearean artists who really bring you Shakespeare in Clark Park. Fuck the Middleman, commercial geeks and profit seekers, and ALL HAIL to the ARTISTS of our HOOD, performing because they can't help themselves. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] True nature of UC-list
I only actually met the dude once. He seemed more like a Jesuit than a Franciscan to me. And before you donate a whole lot of money to him, ask yourself what he's gonna use all the dough for. On 7/29/07, Anthony West [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: A fellow journalist reports: From a mechanical point of view, UC-list is under the thumb of the Franciscan Order, as it is hosted by Villanova Univ. But tell us more of Jeff Abrahamson. Was he a patient Franciscan monk who came to plant independent internet access in the shadow of Penn? -- Tony You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] True nature of UC-list
Personally, I have a domain name which I rent from some characters in Bulgaria, and I strongly suspect their server to be under the control of some segment of the Eastern Orthodox Church. In fact, I have the capacity, as part of my rental agreement, to host up to 25 email lists at the drop of a thurible. In fact, the more I think about it the more I think this might be the perfect solution to the UC Listserv Woes. Then we as an online community would be neither subservient to nor under the sinister control of either Fransciscans, Jesuits, Villanova or Penn. The downside of course is that the domain would bear my name, viz. rossbender.org. But I would moderate with perhaps not so heavy a hand as friend Cassidy. Just a suggestion, of course, but say the word and I'd be able to set up a list in a jiffy. We could call it The Wacko List @rossbender.org. On 7/29/07, Wilma de Soto [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I am aware of this. I have organized a listserv for my colleagues in the School District of Philadelphia. My question was with regard to how one gets Penn to host one's server and lend one an IP address. Thanks. On 7/29/07 8:08 PM, Andrew Diller [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: You can pretty much do it yourself, for free at Google. Google calls listservs groups. http://groups.google.com/ -andy diller Wilma de Soto wrote: I see. How much is Kyle having to pay Penn to get them to host his server and lend him an IP address? Would I be able to do the same if I pay them to host a server for me and loan me an IP address? Who gets to do this? Must one be directly affiliated with the University or have someone who IS affiliated do it for you? On 7/29/07 7:32 PM, Anthony West [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thanks, Andy. Nice to read hard facts on UC-list this evening. Based on your experience, what sort of control do you think the Pope, or the Franciscan Order, or Villanova Univ. exercises over the content of this unmoderated UC-list, based on the mere fact of its mechanical address? Suppose the list became moderated instead -- how would that change the influence that Main Line Roman Catholicism now wields over UC-list as we know it? -- Tony West Andrew Diller wrote: If I may Actually, there is institutional affiliation: Villanova! For some context, there are two things you need to know about any computer on the Internet: 1. who hold the DNS records for that domain 2. where is the IP address of the server located? (what ISP?) Only large institutions (penn, apple, comcast) 'own' the blocks of IP addresses that each computer must have to participate on the Internet. When you pay one of these people to host your server, they lend you an IP address. You then map a name (list.purple.com) to that particular ip address, and then people can use your server. People don't find it easy to type in numbers like 153.104.63.228 all the time, so other smart people invented DNS (the Domain Name system). Almost every IP address has a DNS name mapped to it to make it easy for people to use. So using DNS, we can address things like email to list.purple.com (which is a particular computer) instead of it's IP address, which is 153.104.63.228. Both those point to the same thing. So, to answer #1, it looks like Villanova holds the DNS records for purple. So it is safe to say that there _is_ an institutional affiliation for purple. Here is the record for it's DNS: ;; QUESTION SECTION: ;purple.com.IN A ;; AUTHORITY SECTION: purple.com. 6716IN SOA ftp.ece.villanova.edu . root.ftp.ece.villanova.edu. 2006061100 43200 14400 360 259200 ;; Query time: 10 msec ;; SERVER: 207.245.82.2#53(207.245.82.2) ;; WHEN: Sun Jul 29 19:08:36 2007 And here is a GEO lookup for the actual list.purple.com computer: The IP 153.104.63.228 is located in: Country:United States (US) Region:PA City:Villanova Latitude:40.0369 Longitude:-75.3486 (http://www.websitegoodies.com/tools/geoip.php) So, there you are. -andy diller You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] True nature of UC-list
True that. I googled them and so they do: In comparison, when a group of Irish Augustinians founded Villanova in 1842, they instilled in it Augustine's unity of mind and heart with priority to the heart. They built a learning community based on friendship. One hundred sixty years later, the formula endures. Villanova, so often described as a community of scholars, is also a community of lay and religious, of students, faculty and staff. It educates its students to use the knowledge and skills they gain for the benefit of the world community, whether it is in downtown Philadelphia, in the mountains of Latin America, in the towns of Northern Ireland, or in Bryn Mawr, Pa. They are expected to take the ethics they have learned and apply them in financial centers, courts of law, engineering firms, technology centers, classrooms, healthcare, and educational institutions. http://heritage.villanova.edu/vu/heritage/allthings/2002SU.htm Odd thing is though, I've always thought of Villanova as one of those party schools where drunken frat boys run wild. How can they square their public image with the stern, Austere philosophy of St Augustine? On 7/29/07, Cindy Miller [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The Augustinians run Villanova U. -cm `·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸º On Sunday, July 29, 2007, at 07:13 PM, Anthony West wrote: A fellow journalist reports: From a mechanical point of view, UC-list is under the thumb of the Franciscan Order, as it is hosted by Villanova Univ. But tell us more of Jeff Abrahamson. Was he a patient Franciscan monk who came to plant independent internet access in the shadow of Penn? -- Tony You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] True nature of UC-list
On 7/29/07, Anthony West [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Oops, Cindy. I think I knew that, I just didn't write that! Villanova is actually rare in being Augustinian-run, as I recall. It is not an order that invested heavily in higher education, compared to other religious, in Catholic parlance. Can any UC-list subscriber explain the Augustinian philosophy or mission, as opposed to that of other Catholic groups? I'd be fascinated to hear what it is, and it might give us a clue as to how to conduct ourselves in a more Augustinian manner while we are posting on the internet. Which might not be such a bad thing. -- Tony West You could start by reading through the website at the link I just posted: http://heritage.villanova.edu/vu/heritage/allthings/2002SU.htm Actually, maybe I was wrong to diss Nova for having a drunken frat boy image. But that business about applying their skills in the towns of Northern Ireland gives me pause. Surely and hopefully this is not some sort of code language for an IRA connection? Cindy Miller wrote: The Augustinians run Villanova U. -cm `·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸º You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Diddy's Amish Roots
, the new owner, it blossomed into a cross-cultural potpourri and showcase of diversity, featuring a Korean greengrocer, Liberian fishmonger, Cambodian flower merchant, Polish butcher, Japanese masseuse, and Amish Dan the Barbecue Man. Upstairs was the Anarchist Bike Works. Thus from the Green Line at 43rd and Baltimore to the Firehouse Market at 50th and Baltimore, the Corridor was becoming recognized as Mennonite turf. The Mennonite church rented space in the Methodist cathedral at 48th St., preferring to let the Methodists handle the immense maintenance problems of the sprawling old stone church building, rather than to own property themselves. The Mennonites kept a low profile. Millions of dollars from wealthy Mennonite businessmen in Lancaster and Montgomery Counties poured into the hood, and it was rumored that the Mennos owned perhaps 25% of the real estate outright. Another quarter was held through an intricate series of front organizations, hair-braiding salons, pizza shops and lingerie boutiques. But unlike the colorful Amish, with their black hats and white coverings, the Mennonites were indistinguishable from other Village people to the naked eye. Hence the term Stealth Mennonites. The curious neighbors didn't know what went on in the unspeakable Anabaptist rites in the chapel of Calvary church, since services began at 6:30am Sunday mornings, directly after milking time, but it was rumored to have to do with lots of food and four-part a capella singing. But the Mennonites were newcomers to the big cities in North America, and one element in their stealth was the natural innocent bashfulness of simple farm folk emigrating into the decadence of Sodom and Gomorrah. Like the Amish boy in the movie Witness, young Mennonites were fascinated by the glamour of the majestic Thirtieth Street Station, but freaked out by what went on in the men's room. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/stealth.html
Re: [UC] Break My Routine and Smack Me Upside the Head
On 7/27/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I asked for and was given a big cup of diet coke, which was checked by the ucd guards as I exited the place, to be sure I wasn't taking beer with me. -- The picture of the ucd guards checking Ms. Tilley's cup to make sure she wasn't taking beer with her is the most potent image one could possibly imagine about this little soiree. Did they sniff it? Dip a finger in and taste it? Give her a breathalyzer? Make her walk a straight line? Will the ucd guards be on regular duty once Das Deutschmann Essenhaus und Brau Pub opens to perform similar checks? As usual in this neighborhood, the mind boggles over with possibilities. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] The Gordon letter and Brook book
Dude, here's where I draw the line with you -- insulting Cassidy. I'm aware that he can speak for himself, but he's got more creativity, artistry, and intellect in his little finger than you have in your whole body. You know, Ray, it would really help if you got out more, met the people you diss on the list, etc etc. While you're obviously a talented gallery show producer and recorder-player (and I'm sure have many other talents) on this list you're coming across more and more as a demented Gollum. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/cassidy.html On 7/27/07, UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Kyle Cassidy wrote: I'm part of this pre-existing creative, artistic, and intellectual capitol and I certainly don't feel that UCD's tried to destroy me or my funky creative vibe. don't kid yourself kyle! we all saw that photo of you in ucd's latest newsletter, and -- well, not for nothing, but you do appear as the epitome of a middle-aged bürgermeister, a tame play-along shill toasting ucd's dock street brewpub! if you ever were creative, artistic, or intellectual, that photo shows just what glenn's talking about! :-D .. UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN [aka laserbeam(r)] [aka ray] SERIAL LIAR. CALL FOR RATES. It is very clear on this listserve who these people are. Ray has admitted being connected to this forger. -- Tony West You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Diddy's Amish Roots
Thanks, Tony, but I just need to point out that Mennonites are no longer a single ethnic group. Historically, we have been Swiss-German, Dutch, Frisian and Prussian -- The Mennonites being showcased at the Arthur Ross Gallery are some of the latter who were invited to the Ukraine and are known among Mennonites as Russian Mennonites, even though they were ethnically German. But if you look in the Philly telephone book or Verizon Yellow Pages you will find two Chinese, one Vietnamese, one Hispanic and several African-American churches (which are not identified as such). We also have a new Indonesian church in Philly. Just one more reason not to stereotype The Mennonites. On 7/27/07, Anthony West [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: No, it's really Ray's turn to answer questions, since he has reentered politics. Ray, you just posted some pictures on UC-list, as a responsible party to an exhibit at your employer Penn's Arthur Ross Gallery. While undeniably pretty, we have read testimony some members of the ethnic group you targeted may find your depiction offensive and demeaning. Your title THE MENNONITES clearly makes a statement about Mennonites as a whole. If you ran a lush photo exhibit of pimps and hos entitled THE AFRICAN AMERICANS, you wouldn't be allowed to get away with it. Why is this case different? -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Diddy's Amish Roots
OK, dude, I'll be picketing that reception, and handing out literature about the REAL Mennonites. The title is just ridiculous. It would be as if some jerk had a gallery show called The Jews and showed photos of Lubavitcher Hassidim from Brooklyn. That is to say: Hassidim:Jews :: Old Colony Mennonites: Mennonites If you have anything to do with this show, I strongly advise you to retitle it, because I'm gonna be there telling the artist and anybody else who's listening that this is a ridiculous insult to Mennonites, and maybe breaking some heads. Just for your information, I can count off on the top of my head half a dozen Mennonites who have received Ph.D.'s from Penn within the last 20 years, and another dozen who have doctorates from REAL Ivy League schools. Ahem. Although Mennonites are related to these bizarre backward splinter groups and even the Amish, who seem to be fodder for every dorky late night comedian, or so my TV-watching sister informs me, we mainstream Mennonites are BAD. The Dean of the Harvard Medical School is one, jist for instance, although I don't like to advertise that place a whole lot. Damn, the more I think about this, the upsetter I get. As everybody on this list should know, we have a real Mennonite church right here in West Philly -- meets at the Calvary Center at 9:00am Sunday mornings, right after milking time and chores. We're so advanced that we're installing a lady pastor next month. Admittedly, we're not as up to date as yer Presbyterians, Methodists and Lutherans -- for example, some of us don't have cars and TVs, and we're downright backward when it comes to being suave and debonair about any kind of sex outside marriage - but we plan to have a seminar this fall on whether the Bible teaches that masturbation is godly or not. For more information, check out The Anabaptist Vision on the Columbia University alumni website, while I go and slop the hogs. http://www.columbia.edu/cu/alumni/connection/connect/mycu/2666.html UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN wrote: well, ross, I got to put the finishing touches on today: http://tinyurl.com/2679lp exhibit opens july 31, but the opening reception to meet the artist is on sept 11. the photos look amazing, as do the people in them. good explanatory text, too. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
Re: [UC] Break My Routine and Smack Me Upside the Head
Layout is pretty swank all right, but the production values, if that's the phrase I want, are quite uneven. The portrait of Our Leader on p 2 looks swanky, as if Kyle Cassidy himself might have shot it, but the head shots of the Employees of the Month on p. 7 are truly disgraceful -- if I were one of these lackeys I might be inspired to burn down the massa house, simply on the basis of how I was portrayed publicly. But the photo of the atrocious brand new planters comes through loud and clear. BTW who ordered those montrosities? They look like the scat of the 800-pound gorilla, up and down the avenue. Presumably the logic is like that of the US bases in Iraq -- if we put em on the ground, it will be very hard for the natives to get rid of them. Not only are they extremely ugly and already becoming garbage magnets, but as others on this list have observed they are very high maintenance -- which presumably is the point. I don't know if I should be grateful that I am now receiving my very own copy of theQuest in the US mail -- does that make me one of the anointed? -- but as I mentioned before, I didn't even subscribe. I didn't ask for the planters either. Or any of the rest of this yuppie swill. Much more of this junk and I'm gonna turn into Glenn Moyer, only a violent edition, and it won't be purty. My only consolation is that the real estate boom is rapidly going bust, and hopefully the resulting dive in inflated house prices is going to bring the neighbors to their senses and get em moving on out to Narberth, like in the good old days. On 7/25/07, Kyle Cassidy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The newsletter won a graphic design award from Inhouse too I read a couple weeks ago. The layout is pretty swank. I hope they did my beer-swilling photo justice. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Break My Routine and Smack Me Upside the Head
On 7/25/07, Frank [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I was also shocked to see the planters. Here I was thinking they were public urinals. Oh. Maybe you're right. If so, then they're certainly serving a useful public function. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] Break My Routine and Smack Me Upside the Head
Today I was thrilled to receive my very first copy of UCD's theQuest in the mail. Don't know how they got my address because as far as I know I have not subscribed. Anyhow, there's a photo of a leering Kyle Cassidy hoisting a brew on page 9. Don't know if he's gonna sue, but if I were he I would seriously consider it. But what caught my attention the most was the UCD's very own online forum -- www.BreakMyRoutine.com where villagers like us can blog about our experiences consuming the funky dining and entertainment product that UCD has to offer. Remarkably enough, it boasts that the people are real and the forum on the site will provide people with the chance to post un-moderated comments about their experiences in University City. Get that -- UN-MODERATED COMMENTS. Be the first one on your block to sock it to UCD in an unmoderated fashion. We've heard it all 10,000 times here on ye olde UC Listserve -- now tell it to an audience of real people. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/amos.html
Re: [UC] not true public
Yes, thanks Ray. Very interesting indeed. I remember hanging out in Bryant Park at the age of 16 -- summer of 1968, so this dates me. Also exploring Central Park -- all its wide open spaces like Sheep Meadow and nooks and crannies like the Ramble. Oddly enough, none of these places seemed sleazy and/or dangerous back then, although I'm sure they're much more civilized now. One of my favorite parks was Tompkins Square in the East Village. That same summer it was still full of aging East European immigrants reading their Bibles in Cyrillic text. Also hippie poets. Impromptu concerts. It went through a phase (in the late 90s? - I wasn't there) when it became a huge encampment for the homeless, who were subsequently purged in a major bust. When I visited a couple of years ago, it seemed much like it had back in the day. Public parks, to wax poetic, are the living, breathing hearts of cities. But all of them are artificial creations. How can any of them be in fact true public? I suddenly have a vision of Robin Williams lying naked in Sheep Meadow and screaming at the top of his lungs in Fisher King. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/amos.html On 7/23/07, Anthony West [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Fascinating, Ray. Truly thought-provoking. Thank you very much. Fond though I am of park planning, and eager though I am to suck up to landscape architects in public if it'll shave 3% off their final bill ... still I suspect one reason Needle Park is no longer a crime-ridden vortex is not because it has been renewed as Bryant Park, but because the entire island of Manhattan has been relentlessly gentrified by overwhelming market forces over the past 15 years, if I read correctly between the lines of my New Yorkers. So it may be a case of planning following, rather than preceding, demographic changes in the neighborhood. Still fasinating, though. -- Tony West the latest issue of penn's alumni magazine (the pennsylvania gazette) has a fascinating cover story on laurie olin, penn's renowned landscape architect, and the field of landscape architecture -- its place in the public sphere. and then I read this passage, which I thought captured what so many of us have been talking about wrt ucd, ucd's nid, clark park, the vision of the anointed, citizenship as consumerism, etc.: [Olin:] Part of our social obligation is to make places that are safe and supportive of human activity, and in many cases are background for other things. Sometimes the people should be the flowers. There is no better example of this essentially sociological approach to design than the renewal of Bryant Park. Situated in midtown Manhattan behind the New York Public Library, the four-block courtyard had by 1980 become a crime-ridden vortex of urban abandonment popularly known as Needle Park. It was dangerous, Olin remembers. It was run-down. People weren't putting money into it. People were afraid to go into it. It was deteriorating. People were killed there. It is not often that society turns to a landscape architect in hopes of preventing the murder of its citizens, but Hanna/Olin's final design helped to turn one of the city's most frightening places into one of the safest and most popular. Their approach struck some as paradoxical. By stripping away the barriers that protected the park from the bustle of traffic on its edges, they aimed to turn what had been conceived as a peaceful respite from urban life into a busy focal point of it. Forsaking grand gestures and concentrating instead on tiny details like balustrades and folding chairs, they refashioned Bryant Park stitch by stitch. At first glance, the park looks almost the same, just a cleaner, fresher version of the old, architecture critic Paul Goldberger wrote in The New York Times. But the cumulative effect of small changes is to render it a dramatically different place, vastly more open than before, more tied to the street and the city around it. Here there was another level of paradox, for Hanna/Olin's success in restoring the urban qualities of Bryant Park stemmed from the partial commercialization of what had previously been purely public space. The redevelopment had been underwritten by the privately funded Bryant Park Restoration Corporation, one of the first examples of what are now commonly known as Business Improvement Districts. By effectively taking over the municipal government's responsibility for managing the park, the BPRC won the privilege to use it as a venue for entertainment programming, restaurant concessions, and the like. Hanna/Olin's disciplined design was a critical piece of this new vision. In a sense, it tells you that it's controlled, that it's not 'true public,' says George Thomas. It's sort of like a mall, or the mall as a public space but under private control. And as a result, people are expected to behave in a certain way. You could almost make the case that Bryant Park is a highly
[UC] Streakers Strike Philly Orch in da Bowl
Pandemonium ensued amid a near-riot at tonight's performance of the Philadelphia Orchestra in Le Bowl at Ye Olde Clarke Parke. The trouble began when the Orchestra launched into a rendering of the startlingly modernistic Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky, a provocative work guaranteed to provoke a reaction from the staunchly Victorian residents of Ye Olde University City Village. From the outset, grumblings, hisses, and stark intakes of breath were heard form members of the Old Ladies Sewing Circle and Gentrification Society, village matriachs, and female real estate brokers. Well, I DO declare, have you ever heard such a thing? I'm shocked -- shocked! What is this - some of that hippety-hop that I have heard about? But while the Old Ladies expressed their revulsion in a genteel manner, things turned ugly as the Volleyball Culture streaked naked across the front of the stage, followed by the Dog Culture, the Drum Circle, the Urban Anarchists, and the Amish Druids. Finally, a naked bearded hippie mounted the stage, grabbed a microphone, and began to narrate his entire psychiatric history. Dude, remarked Cassidy, is that Abbie Hoffman? Nah, I replied, Abbie killed himself twenty years ago. After a few tomatoes and eggplants freshly purchased from Ye Olde Farmer's Market hit the stage, and choruses of Toss the dude some Thorazine! broke out, a burly and irate bassoonist booted the interloper off the stage. Dude, remarked Cassidy, just like Woodstock. Yeah, I replied, only without Hendrix and the Airplane. As the orchestra bravely plodded through the Rite, a giant rat popped out of an uncovered manhole cover and began to tug at the conductor's tails. Mr. Stokowski! Mr Stokowski! the rat screeched in a high-pitched inhuman wail. Dude, remarked Cassidy, is this Fantasia? Don't think so, man. Must be that high-grade hibiscus we were smoking. After the UCD Tasmanian Pig Fever broke a few heads and restored order, the evening ended with patriotic anthems, and a welcome from the Wachovia Lady. Wendell Lewis announced that Coca-Cola was now the Official Soft Drink of the hood, and that bartenders and deli owners when asked for a Pepsi were now officially ordered to respond No Pepsi -- Coke. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
Re: [UC] 46th St Crime Alert
Harvard sucks. On 7/18/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Reminds me of the Harvard Fight Song by Tom Lehrer: Fight fiercely, Harvard, fight, fight, fight! Demonstrate to them our skill. Albeit they possess the might, Nonetheless we have the will. How we shall celebrate our victory, We shall invite the whole team up for tea (How jolly!) Hurl that spheroid down the field, and Fight, fight, fight! Fight fiercely, Harvard, fight, fight, fight! Impress them with our prowess, do! Oh, fellows, do not let the crimson down, Be of stout heart and true. Come on, chaps, fight for Harvard's glorious name, Won't it be peachy if we win the game? (Oh, goody!) Let's try not to injure them, but Fight, fight, fight! And do fight fiercely! Fight, fight, fight! Al Krigman Left of Ivan Grozny -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Diddy's Amish Roots
On 7/18/07, UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: here, have another: http://www.upenn.edu/ARG/archive/mennonites/index.html [at the arthur ross gallery, penn campus] Thanks for the heads up, Ray. Looks like these are photos of a branch called the Old Colony Mennonites. Since Amish and Mennonites don't have anything better to do for excitement, they indulge themselves in a game called Church Split. The OC Mennos are a very tiny splinter group found in Canada and especially Mexico, where they have fallen on hard times and where some at least engage in smuggling marijuana to Canada. There was a sensational cover article in the Canadian magazine Saturday Night back in April 2004 titled The Mennonite Mob. They even have a godfather. http://www.caj.ca/mediamag/awards2005/(Andrew%20Mitrovica)%20Saturday%20Night%20Magazine.htm For a scholarly article on their background from The Mennonite Encyclopedia: http://www.gameo.org/index.asp?content=http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/O533ME.html [this has been a Mennonite History Moment] -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] Diddy's Amish Roots
On the Letterman Late show on July 11, Diddy reminisced about his summers as a Fresh-Air Kid on an Amish farm. Yet another instance of the Amish/Mennonite contribution to American culture. [this has been a Mennonite history moment] http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/wahoo/index/php/20070711.phtml [Act 3] -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Diddy's Amish Roots
This is indeed P. Diddy, formerly known as Puff Daddy, now simply Diddy. On 7/16/07, Anthony West [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: We are talking about P. Diddy here, Ross, or is this some other Diddy? -- Tony Ross Bender wrote: On the Letterman Late show on July 11, Diddy reminisced about his summers as a Fresh-Air Kid on an Amish farm. Yet another instance of the Amish/Mennonite contribution to American culture. [this has been a Mennonite history moment] http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/wahoo/index/php/20070711.phtml [Act 3] You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] Banana Boat Lyrics
(offered as a public service per Wilma's suggestion. BTW there was a fine performance of the song in Beetlejuice if I recall correctly) Day-o, day-o Daylight come and me wan' go home Day, me say day, me say day, me say day Me say day, me say day-o Daylight come and me wan' go home Work all night on a drink of rum Daylight come and me wan' go home Stack banana till de mornin' come Daylight come and me wan' go home Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana Daylight come and me wan' go home Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana Daylight come and me wan' go home Lift six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch Daylight come and me wan' go home Six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch Daylight come and me wan' go home Day, me say day-o Daylight come and me wan' go home Day, me say day, me say day, me say day... Daylight come and me wan' go home A beautiful bunch o' ripe banana Daylight come and me wan' go home Hide the deadly black tarantula Daylight come and me wan' go home Lift six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch Daylight come and me wan' go home Six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch Daylight come and me wan' go home Day, me say day-o Daylight come and me wan' go home Day, me say day, me say day, me say day... Daylight come and me wan' go home Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana Daylight come and me wan' go home Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana Daylight come and me wan' go home Day-o, day-o Daylight come and me wan' go home Day, me say day, me say day, me say day Me say day, me say day-o Daylight come and me wan' go home --Harry Belafonte -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] update: squatters released, others sought/muggings ... not funny
Ya know, what truly burns my britches is that all you talentless wankers out there get to enjoy the matchless comic talents of Bender Cassidy totally FREE. For nyet, rien, zippo, not even fitty cents. And all we get is bitch bitch bitch from the lame old aunties who lurk on this list and only pipe up to whine and complain and threaten to cancel their 100% free subscriptions. Look, I won't speak for Cassidy, but personally I put a lot of energy out to entertain you creeps who are so totally and utterly bereft of writing skills, sophistication and a decent sense of humor. It's hard work, because I have to write *down* to the audience, if you get my drift. Seems to me that the appropriate response would be to just say Hey, thank you man! every once in a blue moon, or buy me a vanilla chai down at the Green Line when you see me. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
Re: [UC] update: squatters released, others sought
On 6/19/07, Kyle Cassidy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The three anarchists apprehended yesterday in connection with the murder at 49th and locust have been released after questioning. KYW reports that police are looking for two upper middle class educated young-adults The male goes by Connor or Icon the female has a mowahk and goes by Echo. They're travelling with a large white dog with brown spots. upper middle class educated young-adults -- that's about as helpful a description in this neighborhood as African-American male, about 5' 8, wearing a hoodie -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] update: squatters released, others sought
On 6/19/07, Kyle Cassidy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: They may catch them at the liquor store purchasing a bottle of Pernod with a Slurpee cup full of change. I'm trying to imagine the interrogation down at the Roundhouse: Cop 1: Where'd ya go to college, kid? Suspect: College? What college? I'm a high school dropout. Cop 1: Look kid, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. I'm gonna ask you one more time, Where'd ya go to college? Suspect: snarls School of hard knocks, my good gendarme. Cop 1: Oh, you speaks French, does ya? Where'd ya learn yer French?? Suspect: spits I seen it in a movie. Cop 1: Don't suppose you learned it at Oberlin, maybe? Or Cornell? Suspect: Never heard of 'em. Cop 1: Like I said, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. enter Cop 2. Loud smacking noises Cop 2: Never went to college, huh? What's this dirty old diploma we found in yer ditty bag? Says Harvard, Ph.D, 1997. Wanna explain that? Suspect: I was awarded an honorary doctorate. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] Finally, Some Good News From The Drug War Front
South Carolina State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel (R-Whitey) has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of cocaine distribution. Dude is also Rudy Giuliani's South Carolina campaign manager, and he WHITE. http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=50785 -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] No Troops Left Behind
Bill Richardson -- the only candidate who wants all the troops out, none left behind, now. http://notroopsleftbehind.com -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] University City Gets Rave Review (from UCD)
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/business/20070618_University_City_Gets_Rave_Review.html I'm amazed nobody has picked up on today's Inky article reporting that, according to UCD's report card, we so suave, debonair, and urbane. And all thanks to you know who. Cmon, dudes, isn't this HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS?? A puff piece in the MAINSTREAM MEDIA just at the particular moment UCD is in so much hot water Tear it apart, dudes. Deconstruct!! Expatiate!! -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Stars of West Philly
West Philly G is obvious homage to Amy Gutmann. From the Block to the Yacht is a heartrending testimonial as to how Penn and UCD have made da Hood cleaner and safer. It presents Amy in a cameo, dishing on how she found Freck Billionaire selling crack on 56th and Thompson and turned that boy into a star. The rap I Cook It testifies as to how Freck left a life of crime to cook hamburgers in the local Mickey D. Very tear-jerking stuff. Favorite line: [deleted] -- That's a metaphor for when she get her dope on Dude went to Overbrook High, same joint as Will Smith. Why he knows words like metaphor. On 6/18/07, Kyle Cassidy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I was trolling around youtube this weekend and found a video by our very own Frek Billionare called West Philly G -- I'd print the lyrics, but Bender would have a heart attack. It's the number one hit for west philly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLsW3cxlqNI There's also a little bio/doccumentary/promo that has scenes of west philly for Freck called From the Block to the Yacht: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0m8RuB14A8mode=relatedsearch= Meanwhile searching for university city comes back with what IMHO, is actually a more impressive musical offering: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX7f3LbARac In any event -- there's creativity bubbling up all around us. kc You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] 49th Locust event
On 6/18/07, Mike V. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Oh Kyle, why let facts and realities get in the way of good ol' fashioned sensationalism? Look, chowderhead, don't you find it just a *teensy* bit suspicious that on the EXACT SAME DAY the Inky publishes its glowing UCD Report Card, some dude gets tossed off the roof (or beaten to death, whatever the internal inquiry will show) right WITHIN the boundaries of the new Cleaner and Safer UCD??? Coincidence, synchronicity, or conspiracy, take your choice, but as far as I'm concerned it was NO ACCIDENT. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Press release or Wendell statement?
On 6/15/07, Elizabeth F Campion [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Dear Ray, While my conversation with Tony was an unscheduled convergence of neighbors at the busy intersection of 43rd and Baltimore, I know him as a writer and editor. As a grownup, I was forewarned and chatted anyway. Just as my good friend Angelina Jolie always does, before I *ever* agree to talk to a reporter I make them sign a statement promising that they will only interview me about my latest movie and WILL NOT ask any questions about my personal life. The agreement stipulates that if they get off track and wanna know what deodorant I use, or if I could be a tree, what tree would I be, or what is my favorite color, I am entitled simply to clam up and walk away. Some paranoid dingbats who shall remain nameless, although many of them are employed by Faux News, see this as an infringement of their First Amendment rights. To them I simply respond: Get stuffed, chuckleheads. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] A second press release from UCD
On 6/14/07, Glenn [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Melani, But wait Melani, you refused to answer any questions about this UCD matter. Now, you have the previously unknown, June 8, press release. You and UCD are getting me very confused and a bit suspicious. A *bit* suspicious? -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] Correcting Tony's Article in the Philadelphia Record
Tony's article was almost accurate, and he quoted Liz and Melani, but he neglected to even mention the MOST IMPORTANT local stakeholder, namely ME. I have been typing frantically to this list ever since the proverbial granola hit the fan, questioning facts, challenging evidence, pointing out the evildoers, spouting wild but articulate theories about what exactly happened, offering my years and years' worth of experience in this neighborhood, and what do I get for all my efforts to sincerely serve my beloved University City Village??? EXACTLY NOTHING, that's what!! Or as Hegel put it GAR NICHTS!! What the heck is wrong with Tony? Can't he see the facts that are, or should be, directly under his eyes -- namely, the importance of ME? Is he a dumb jerk or simply misled, or fundamentally evil, or what??? Just to get the facts out and the citizens involved, I am beginning a PROCESS tonight, at the Green Line, or possibly the Abbraccio, beginning at 8:00 pm so that the Mayor and Police Commissioner can be present IF THEY CHOOSE!!! If they don't show up, then it will be baldly and starkly revealed just exactly what they think about the importance of us, ME, the stakeholders and the little children yet unborn. My PROCESS will be clear, transparent, transcendent and NOT UP FOR GRABS. Absolutely ANYBODY is welcome to attend -- whores, wankers, lunatics, druggies -- but PUH-LEAZE, no damn Yuppies. On the other hand I want to be inclusive, so Yuppies are welcome to attend IF THEY ARE READY TO FACE THE WRATH OF THE PEOPLE and risk getting a pizza in the face. Due to schedule conflicts, I may or may not be attending the PROCESS, but the media will be there, and I know from past experience that they will distort the hell out of this event and not even mention ME, and the IMPORTANCE of ME. Sincerely, ME -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Correcting Tony's Article in the Philadelphia Record
Get stuffed, chucklehead. On 6/14/07, Glenn [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I don't think we've been paying enough attention to you, Rossman. You were a good fellow this time around. Not sending 100 one line e-mails was a more effective call. I'm sending our buddy, Cassidy, over with a big hug and Shirley Temple. You are a very important person to me. I care, Glenn - Original Message - *From:* Ross Bender [EMAIL PROTECTED] *To:* University City List UnivCity@list.purple.com *Sent:* Thursday, June 14, 2007 3:06 PM *Subject:* [UC] Correcting Tony's Article in the Philadelphia Record Tony's article was almost accurate, and he quoted Liz and Melani, but he neglected to even mention the MOST IMPORTANT local stakeholder, namely ME. I have been typing frantically to this list ever since the proverbial granola hit the fan, questioning facts, challenging evidence, pointing out the evildoers, spouting wild but articulate theories about what exactly happened, offering my years and years' worth of experience in this neighborhood, and what do I get for all my efforts to sincerely serve my beloved University City Village??? EXACTLY NOTHING, that's what!! Or as Hegel put it GAR NICHTS!! What the heck is wrong with Tony? Can't he see the facts that are, or should be, directly under his eyes -- namely, the importance of ME? Is he a dumb jerk or simply misled, or fundamentally evil, or what??? Just to get the facts out and the citizens involved, I am beginning a PROCESS tonight, at the Green Line, or possibly the Abbraccio, beginning at 8:00 pm so that the Mayor and Police Commissioner can be present IF THEY CHOOSE!!! If they don't show up, then it will be baldly and starkly revealed just exactly what they think about the importance of us, ME, the stakeholders and the little children yet unborn. My PROCESS will be clear, transparent, transcendent and NOT UP FOR GRABS. Absolutely ANYBODY is welcome to attend -- whores, wankers, lunatics, druggies -- but PUH-LEAZE, no damn Yuppies. On the other hand I want to be inclusive, so Yuppies are welcome to attend IF THEY ARE READY TO FACE THE WRATH OF THE PEOPLE and risk getting a pizza in the face. Due to schedule conflicts, I may or may not be attending the PROCESS, but the media will be there, and I know from past experience that they will distort the hell out of this event and not even mention ME, and the IMPORTANCE of ME. Sincerely, ME -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.15/848 - Release Date: 6/13/2007 12:50 PM -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Notes from Planning Committee Meeting Re: UCD 6-13-07
On 6/14/07, Kyle Cassidy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: in the letter from the editor it says the article which was scheduled to run was not available at press time -- which could mean that in light of a new press release, the article was being rewritten. or it could mean something else. you could call the UC review and ask them. Well personally *I* think it means something else. But I tried calling the UC Review and for some reason they keep hanging up on me. Which makes me a bit suspicious. Probably they too have something to hide. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] REALITY CHECK CHECK CHECK
The sushi community DEMANDS a new radioactive sushi bar in Clark Park! -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Out of the Ivory Tower and Into the Streets
On 6/12/07, Glenn [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ask Tony and Melani if I captured the basic idea. Those are the types of community leaders Penn looks to use because of their personality issues and limited intelligence. Penn would not deal with the real leaders among the people but sought to replace these folks with the cranks. Glenn, I was following you most of the way until you had to toss in the gratuitous insults of Tony and Melani. Dude, there's really no need for it. We all have our unique personality issues, including me, and intelligence is a relative thing. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] FS: Casablanca ceiling fan
in Philadelphia, composing, writing and arranging. Elliot Levin (flutes, saxophones, words) was born and raised in Philadelphia, pursuing early studies with Michael Guerra (legendary saxist/ clarinetist of Phila. Orchestra under Stokowski); and composer/ flutist Claire Polin (collaborator with flute innovater William Kincaid). For Elliothttp://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=dztbbacab.0.coundacab.fxvcllbab.2593ts=S0252p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.radical3over2.com%2Felliott%2Flevin.html, studies with masters- pianist/improvisor/ composer Cecil Taylor; and later with saxophonist/improviser/ composer Odean Pope- led to long time relationships of performing and recording with their ensembles. A member of many groups in Phila/NYC area over the past 30 years, he has continued to work with his own ensembles as well. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Out of the Ivory Tower and Into the Streets
On 6/12/07, Kyle Cassidy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ross, I think the obvious way to settle this is a Cut-Throat Quizzo Tournament at Abbraccio. Glenn, vs, Melani, vs, Tony West in a battle of the minds. After that, there will be a crank contest that will allow the spectators vote on who has the most crank like answers to a series of questions from Who killed JFK? to List the five most salient down-sides of the building of the Panama Canal -- at the end the person with the highest quizzo score and lowest crank score will be voted off the island. The winner (with the highest intelligence and least crank-like) will be appointed real community leader. A part of the profits from spectator food and drink sales could be donated to a local charity; once we all agree on a worthy one. Well.OK. As long as the local charity is not one which is receiving secret funding from Amy Gutmann's dark budget. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Out of the Ivory Tower and Into the Streets
On 6/12/07, KAREN ALLEN [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Penn/UCD badmouths this neighborhood to this day. Penn still markets itself by exaggerating how they singlehandedly waived their magic wand and turned this post industrial wasteland of ten years ago into the heaven-on-earth we see now. And now, as Ross pointed out, they've even wrote a book about it. UCD still implies that without them, all that we now see is a mere mirage that will disappear as if someone pulled the plug on the TV. Ahem. This gives me a chance to point out that in fact *I* wrote the book about it several years before Judy. Or at least the movie treatment. It can be found, free, at: http://rossbender.org/gentrification.html My lawyers are just waiting to get a look at Judy's book to see how much she plagiarized, and what we can get in damages. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Out of the Ivory Tower and Into the Streets
When I arrived in Ye Olde UC Village in 1985, there were SE Asian refugees warehoused in buildings up and down 48th St. I taught English in Admiral Court, which at the time was half abandoned. The other wing was full of some Vietnamese but primarily Cambodians. A few years later, after I had moved on to other things, the building was totally rehabbed, as were similar buildings which had been refugee holding tanks, like the one at the NE corner of 48th and Osage. The story I heard, which may not be accurate, was that Willard Rouse had purchased some of these properties and was responsible for the upgrading. I can't remember when this was, but it was certainly long before Judy's advent at Penn. Do any of you old real estate heads remember the facts about this? To be fair, I suppose one must admit that Penn and Judy made a difference in the hood, but to give her all the credit seems a little unrealistic and mythic, to say the least. On 6/11/07, KAREN ALLEN [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Back when the John Fenton mess hit the fan, I had an offlist conversation with someone in which I said that I opposed UCD obtaining the power of taxation because it would make UCD an unelected government answerable only to the University of Pennsylvania. The other person roundly criticised my opinion, stating that it wasn't true and that they could not see where I was getting that from. This is where I'm getting that from: -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] FS: Casablanca ceiling fan
On 6/10/07, Jeff Abrahamson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have a Casablanca ceiling fan I need to pass on to someone else. I was sitting in the Green Line Mennonite Coffee Shop and Gin Joint the other night drowning my sorrows in a double Vanilla Chai Latte Con Molto Passionato, with a cigarette glued to my lower lip. Unfortunately the Green Line has adopted a no-smoking policy, so my Gaulois wasn't even lit, which deepened my depression even more, which was already pretty deep after observing the funky Village specimens drifting in and out, or, more frequently, plopping themselves down at a table and busily pecking away at their laptops. Don't know how those nice Goshen kids can turn a profit, with all of these writers taking up table space for the price of a 3-buck fairtrade cocktail or a hemp power bar. At any rate, I was wallowing in gloomy thoughts of times past and feeling pretty darn cynical when in walked this skinny blonde chick, must have been all of 60 years old, but still there was something smart and stylish about her. Despite the fact that she looked like just another wealthy real estate agent or university president slumming it in the Village, there was something familiar about her. Then it hit me. Of all the Mennonite coffee shops in all the towns in all the world, you had to walk into mine, I remarked with an aching heart, but with all the brio I could muster. She pulled up a chair at my fake-marble topped table. Rosso, you've gotta help me. My son's bar mitzvah is scheduled for next week, and the rebbe has just cancelled due to a leg which he broke skiing in Aspen. Amy, do I look like a rabbi to you? You know I converted to Mennonitism in sorrow after you left me for that schlemiel. I pointed my cigarette meaningfully at the putz she had dragged in with her who was hovering uncertainly at the bar. She tried to gaze meaningfully into my eyes. I looked out the window at the whores and drug addicts across the street in the park. I sipped at my chai. Time went by. Finally, Amy got up and went to the bar and spoke to the barrista, Sam. Play it Sam. Play As Time Goes By. The atrocious coffee shop muzak ground to a halt, and the old familiar strains filled the air: You must remember this, a bris is just a bris Disconcerted and considerably less than soigne, I abruptly knocked over my table and carefronted the crusty barrista. Dammit, Sam, you know I told you never to play As Time Goes By again! Just then a bunch of Conservative Mennonites marched in, stood on the tables, and began singing Gott ist Die Liebe in excruciating four-part harmony. I hustled Amy out onto the sidewalk and lit my Gaulois. OK kid. There's a new synagogue in town called Kol Tzedek. Can't vouch for their theology, and they've got a lady rabbi, but maybe she can do the job for you. Just then a west-bound 34 trolley came looming out of the fog. I gave Amy a token, and one for her schlemiel. 48th and Baltimore. Tell em Rosso sent you. She gave me that soulful gaze, and my heart broke into little pieces again. I drained my chai. Here's lookin at you, kid. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] It's Legal to Say the F- Word Now, Thanks to Bush and Cheney
President George W. Bush has not exactly been a hero to civil libertarians, what with the data mining, wiretapping and library snooping. But he may just have redeemed himself. Thanks in part to the efforts of Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, it is now safe for Nicole Richie to drop the F bomb on broadcast TV. Related How Bush Became the Curser in Chiefhttp://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1630538,00.html A court strikes down FCC fines, citing Administration vulgarities. Thank you, President Pottymouth! On June 4, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of broadcasters in a challenge against Federal Communications Commission sanctions for indecent and profane language. Among the penalized quotes was Richie's discussing her Simple Life experience on a live Fox awards show in 2003: Have you ever tried to get cow s___ out of a Prada purse? It's not so f___ing simple. The court argued, among other things, that the FCC's enforcement was arbitrary and capricious. But the reason that stood out most was the court's assessment of the national indecency climate: In recent times, even the top leaders of our government have used variants of these expletives in a manner that no reasonable person would believe referenced 'sexual or excretory organs or activities'--the definition of indecency that the FCC and the courts have used. The decision cited Bush's remark to British Prime Minister Tony Blair last summer, in front of a live mike, that Syria needed to get Hizballah to stop doing this s___, as well as Cheney's hearty invitation to Senator Patrick Leahy, Go f___ yourself. (The court could have cited Bush's remark, later reported by TIME, from March 2002 when war in Iraq was allegedly still a last resort: F___ Saddam. We're taking him out.) -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
Re: [UC] Lost cat -- 42ND AND SPRUCE
Who's Kate Spade? On 6/11/07, Mike V. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Forwarded for a friend, because she's having trouble sending listmail. A picture of the cat in question can be found at http://flickr.com/photos/addien/281490969/ - Mike V. -Original Message- *From:* Jessica Haralson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi UC Listserv Just wanted to report a missing pet -- a gray, Russian-blue colored kitty wearing a flea collar who responds to the name Orchard. She was lost around 42nd and Spruce and should stay pretty close to the area. She escaped from 322 S 42nd around 4 PM and we are desperate to find her, so if you spot her please let me know! You can reach me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or 956.433.9985. Thank you. -- --- -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] Pentagon Confirms It Sought To Build A 'Gay Bomb'
Pentagon Confirms It Sought To Build A 'Gay Bomb' [image: Image] Hank Plante http://cbs5.com/bios/local_bio_287155916.html Reporting *(CBS 5)* *BERKELEY* A Berkeley watchdog organization that tracks military spending said it uncovered a strange U.S. military proposal to create a hormone bomb that could purportedly turn enemy soldiers into homosexuals and make them more interested in sex than fighting. Pentagon officials on Friday confirmed to CBS 5 that military leaders had considered, and then subsquently rejected, building the so-called Gay Bomb. ** Edward Hammond, of Berkeley's Sunshine Project, had used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain a copy of the proposal from the Air Force's Wright Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio. As part of a military effort to develop non-lethal weapons, the proposal suggested, One distasteful but completely non-lethal example would be strong aphrodisiacs, especially if the chemical also caused homosexual behavior. The documents show the Air Force lab asked for $7.5 million to develop such a chemical weapon. The Ohio Air Force lab proposed that a bomb be developed that contained a chemical that would cause enemy soliders to become gay, and to have their units break down because all their soldiers became irresistably attractive to one another, Hammond said after reviwing the documents. The notion was that a chemical that would probably be pleasant in the human body in low quantities could be identified, and by virtue of either breathing or having their skin exposed to this chemical, the notion was that soliders would become gay, explained Hammond. The Pentagon told CBS 5 that the proposal was made by the Air Force in 1994. The Department of Defense is committed to identifying, researching and developing non-lethal weapons that will support our men and women in uniform, said a DOD spokesperson, who indicated that the gay bomb idea was quickly dismissed. http://cbs5.com/topstories/local_story_159222541.html -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Out of the Ivory Tower and Into the Streets
On 6/11/07, Anthony West [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Which of course it was. Parents who used the playground during the 1990s often told of picking up crack vials from the playground in the mornings. One local artist even made sculptures out of recovered crack paraphernalia. On Town Watch patrols 1996-99, we did ample surveillance on the occupied vans that parked beside the park into the wee hours. There was coordinated activity between Town Watch, the 18th Police Dist. and UCD patrols for a long time to encourage them to move on. Judy's full florid quote re the park is below: This, in turn, led to greening projects--such as the planting of 450 trees and 10,000 spring bulbs and the creation of four public and three children's gardens--which set the stage for the dramatic transformation of Clark Park from a dangerous drug-infested space into a thriving recreational venue for children and the locale for a weekly farmer's market. Funny. Maybe my memory is giving out, but I'm almost positive that my son, born in 1987, spent a good portion of his tender years in that dangerous drug-infested space, and as I recall, really enjoyed it. Not the drugs, but the old low-rent playground in the north park, which, while certainly not as fancy as the new playgrounds they've got in the south park these days, provided lots of fun for a wee toddler. There was a low wall which he enjoyed learning to walk on, an old fashioned slide, a couple of crude dinosaurs, and the turtle. I spent about a year with him as a stay-at-home dad, and remember meeting lots of other (friendly) parents and their toddlers in Clark Park. Don't remember running into any whores, but maybe I was just too naive to recognize them. I do recall the crack vials, with their multicolored lids, but basically I remember finding them on the 4700 block of Cedar, which was almost as tony then as it is now. Crack, if y'all can think back through that cocaine haze, was not a peculiar affliction of nasty ghetto West Philly, but a national urban curse. Of course at the same time, powder cocaine was extraordinarily popular with the white upper classes (and future presidents), although they never seemed to go to jail for it. So Judy's claim to fame as the Good White Fairy or Goddess or whatever she believes herself to have been, is quite overblown on the face of it. I'm not saying she didn't do some good things in cooperation with Fast Eddie, but puh-lease!! OK, she was the first lady Ivy League prexy, and of course she was a Columbia Ph.D., which speaks volumes in her favor. But she was also the first million dollar a year Ivy League president, and thus more of a corporate CEO than an old-style academic. Her salary was umpteen bazillion times that of the humblest Penn employee; if you think that's a good trend, well, that's your opinion. IMHO it's part of the Banana Republicization of the USA. What really bugs me about her razzamatazz is the fact that while I've lived here 22 years as of June 2, I didn't notice any sudden magical transformation when she blew into town. As other long and longer-term residents have been witnessing on this list, this has always been a pretty fine place to live, and lots of people have made it that way. A million-dollar flackette waving her wand and puffing herself apparently has made a big impression on some gullible folks, but I just don't see it that way. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] Out of the Ivory Tower and Into the Streets
I was just reading an article in the New York Review of Books titled The Women and the Gods, a review of Portrait of a Priestess: Women and Ritual in Ancient Greece when an ad for books on Urban Studies from Penn Press caught my eye. First item on the list was a book by our own Judy Rodin titled The University and Urban Revival: Out of the Ivory Tower and Into the Streets. I hurried to Amazon.com and found this synopsis: In the last quarter of the twentieth century, urban colleges and universities found themselves enveloped by the poverty, crime, and physical decline that afflicted American cities. Some institutions turned inward, trying to insulate themselves rather than address the problems in their own backyards. Others attempted to develop better community relations, though changes were hard to sustain. Spurred by an unprecedented crime wave in 1996, University of Pennsylvania President Judith Rodin knew that the time for urgent action had arrived, and she set a new course of proactive community engagement for her university. Her dedication to the revitalization of West Philadelphia was guided by her role not only as president but also as a woman and a mother with a deep affection for her hometown. The goal was to build capacity back into a severely distressed inner-city neighborhood - educational capacity, retail capacity, quality-of-life capacity, and especially economic capacity - guided by the belief that town and gown could unite as one richly diverse community. Cities rely on their academic institutions as stable places of employment, cultural centers, civic partners, and concentrated populations of consumers for local business and services. And a competitive university demands a vibrant neighborhood to meet the needs of its faculty, staff, and students. In keeping with their mission, urban universities are uniquely positioned to lead their communities in revitalization efforts, yet this effort requires resolute persistence. During Rodin's administration (1994-2004), the Chronicle of Higher Education referred to Penn's progress as a national model of constructive town-gown interaction and partnership. This book narrates the challenges, frustrations, and successes of Penn's campaign, and its prospects for long-term change. Apart from the fact that Judy blatantly ripped off the slogan Out of the closet and into the streets, I was shocked and appalled that the myth of Judy as the savior of West Philly has now been packaged in a 224 page, cloth-bound book, only $34.95. Anybody want to go in with me to buy the book so we can have a public burning at the Turtle in Clark Park? If ten of us chip in, that'll only be about 3 and a half bucks apiece. If twenty of us chip in, even less. So now Judy is enshrined as a goddess, who rode the winged horse Market Forces into our nasty ghetto hood and and built capacity back into a severely distressed inner-city neighborhood. Makes me wanna hurl chunks. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/gentrification.html
Re: [UC] Funding special services (Was: which bad thing?)
On 6/11/07, UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: C F Em Dm | CF Em Dm U C D! GET OUT ON THE STREET C F Em Dm | CF EmDm U C D! WE NEED A CLEAN SWEEP G C GET OUT OF OUR STORES AND OUR PARKS G C GET OUT OF OUR HOUSES AND YARDS G GET OUT OF OUR GARDENS C AND OUT OF OUR MARKETS F G C C GET BACK ON THE STREET AND GO SWEEP Ray, those are some truly earthshatteringly lousy lyrics. How about: GET OFF YOUR COMPUTER AND GO BACK TO SLEEP -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Official Correspondence To FOMPBLA (Friends of Martian Polar Bears Ladies' Auxilary)
On 6/9/07, SKnight [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In tone, this could well be a satire of posts from Krigman Al or Glenn. Does anyone else see the similarity? No. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Auntie Ruth's Hemp Bar
On 6/7/07, Mike V. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: We did? Take it to the Hakka Forum: http://www.asiawind.com/hakka/forum.htm -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] Moon Bounce Catching on at Political Rallies
It is not every day that the words moon bounce and Madeleine Albright appear in the same press release, but Hillary Clinton achieved just such a feat in her promotion of last night's block party in a parking lot in downtown Washington. ... The elements for a youthful event were all there: a juggler, face-painting (a custom Hillary heart design was available), blow-up Uncle Sam dolls, the vendor selling Red Bull and, of course, the United We Stand moon bounce. The campaign even handed out a Hillary crossword puzzle and word-search game (quick, kids: Find Strategic Energy Fund, Modern Progressive and Universal Pre-K). http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/06/AR2007060602520.html -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
Re: [UC] Moon Bounce Catching on at Political Rallies
On 6/7/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 6/7/2007 3:46:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: It is not every day that the words moon bounce and Madeleine Albright appear in the same press release, but Hillary Clinton achieved just such a feat in her promotion of last night's block party in a parking lot in downtown Washington. Don't tell me that UCD set up the moon bounce and the Hillary for Queen posters with indentured servant labor from West Philadelphia. Melani... say it isn't so. Actually, what stunned me about the whole event were the blow-up Uncle Sam dolls. Article doesn't specify their size and whether they were um anatomically accurate. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: So, who is Committeeman7? [was: Re: [UC] Blackwell calls to save Fenton's job]
On 6/7/07, Elizabeth F Campion [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I prefer attribution, but I understand why someone might not want to expose themselves to the rampant paranoia, profligate speculation and general nastiness that began to swirl around the 'offending' post, long before a beginner might have twigged to list etiquette (or not) or a more adept sender might have discovered an address oversight. Many of our senders are known by insider nicknames. Some of us include to much in our signatures, others too little, some assume the E-address says it all. Liz, I fail to understand why you're putting so much energy into defending the practice of anonymous posting, which even the most hopeless newbie realizes is a vile and scummy practice. There is absolutely no excuse for sending messages under false names to a public email list. In fact, it is technically illegal, although I can't cite the statute at the moment. WTF is wrong with you today??? -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html Ph.D. in Love, Columbia University D.Hon. Bob Jones University Certificate in Cognitive Science, Institute of Glottopsychiatry, University of Waterloo Chevalier, Legion d'Honneur Lt., (Ret.) Queen's African Rifles Voted Most Likely to Succeed, Goshen High School, 1967
Re: So, who is Committeeman? [was: Re: [UC] Blackwell calls to save Fenton's job]
On 6/7/07, Elizabeth F Campion [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ross, The only posts with inarguable intent to annoy were those who demand the right to 'out' or badger C-7. I still consider the original post and accurate and timely invitation to a community meeting that was more lively than most. Sorry, your need to know inability to let go do not alter my original opinion or my interpretation of the regulation. Let's agree to disagree. I am beginning to find this thread boring and I am one of the participants. OK. I'll buy you a beer sometime. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Real People on the list
On 6/6/07, Hilary Bonta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Along those lines, Karen Whiteman Jones is a real person as well. Just because you think her name is odd, doesn't make her some sort of made-up stalker. My bad. In my diseased imagination, I thought maybe it was an alias for a Karen who had a jones for whitemen. I suppose I would qualify as one of the lurkers on the list, Ross. But I certainly don't have time to write an introduction because I still need to clear out my inbox before running off to pick up my kid at school. Maybe I would contribute more if I had time to sit in front of my computer. I might even feel compelled to contribute if I felt as though the discussion wouldn't devolve into a nasty argument. Well, Hills, you certainly had time to write these 3 paragraphs. And if more nice, gracious, polite folks like yourself would get off their butts and contribute to the list, maybe it wouldn't be as nasty as it is. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
Re: [UC] Wall on Baltimore Ave (was Headers..).
Mr. UCD, tear down this wall!! On 6/6/07, Fred Wolfe [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Yes. The wall makes a nice casual meeting spot-for a community of loud, inconsiderate folks who don't care about the community that lives there and carry on until 3 or 4 inthe morning. Neighbors who live on the 4700 block of Baltimore and the 4700 block of Warrington have been trying to get the wall taken down for years. Benny has wanted the wall down because people dump garbage on the parking lot side of it, and he then has to clean it up. The hookers and druggies want it to stay, cause it helps them conduct business. Down with the wall! Fred Wolfe (btw, the new mural is going to be great) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It has been brought to my attention that the reason Tim ( [EMAIL PROTECTED]) joined the list was to alert the community to an issue that concerns him and to find out what to do about it. Apparently, the short wall fronting the parking lot on the 4700 block of Baltimore Ave is heading for demolition to make way for some shrubs. He feels that the wall provides a nice casual meeting spot for the community and that it would be a shame to lose it. Any thoughts? Margie On 6/5/07, *UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN* [EMAIL PROTECTED][EMAIL PROTECTED]wrote: also, I just checked and found that [EMAIL PROTECTED] is subscribed to the list. Of course, doofus. Otherwise he/she/it couldn't send mail to the list. What's your point? There are a whole lot of dubious characters subscribed to the list, like frintstance: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED][EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Who knows if these are real people or just whimsical handles somebody made up when they were bored? There are 369 addresses subscribed to this list and I'd be willing to wager that up to a third of them are dead, another third are dogs pretending to be people, and maybe one-tenth are actual real-life subscribers. That's why it would be nice to see some introductions from the lurkers. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] Auntie Ruth's Hemp Bar
I dropped by the Green Line Mennonite Coffee Shop and Gin Joint this evening for my customary Vanilla Chai Grande Con Molto Abbraccissimo and was brought up short by the sight of a friendly familiar-looking green leaf waving over a display of Auntie Ruth's Hemp Bars. Fearing that I was hallucinating again, I wiped my glasses on a Kleenex and peered closely at the display. Yep, there they were -- Auntie Ruth's Hemp Bars in multiple flavors: mocha java, panama red, thai stick, and tutti-frutti, two bucks apiece. Whoa, I thought, ye olde UC Village gets more and more like Amsterdam everyday. I picked up one of the mocha java bars and waved it at the young lady behind the counter with a broad smile. No way! I enthused. Way! she replied with a wink. Sweet! I countered. Sweet! she replied. So I sat down at my table on the corner, watching the Penn bicycle cops, who would come rushing up to the Failsafe Line in formation, then screech to a stop, pop some wheelies, and scream north on 43rd Street. Every now and then they would get tangled up with some hapless UCD newbie Safety Ambassador, whom the Penn fuzz seem to regard as hopeless amateurs, and a skirmish would ensue, with the predictable result that the UCD guy would get left in the dirt with some bent spokes. As anybody who's been in this neighborhood more than 20 seconds knows, that intersection is one of the liveliest in the hood. If it's not the Penn's Angels and the Ambassadors mixing it up, there are the Explosively Formed Dudes, or EFD's, raging anarchists who rush out of the bushes at irregular intervals and whack the bejesus out of the UC Review box with baseball bats. Sort of a West Philly version of the old Chinese Fire Drill, although I know Uyehara is gonna cite me for derogatory orientalist slander for using that phrase. Anyhow, the Hemp Bar proved to be a major disappointment. First of all, it was composed of bird seed pasted together with soybean juice and a couple of carob chips. Secondly, it didn't do anything. I sat there for a full half hour and nothing happened. Reminded me of the old Fugs' song: I waited thirty minutes for my body to sing I waited and I waited but I couldn't feel a thing, you know I couldn't get high. Oh oh no! Don't know why! Oh yeah yeah! More in sorrow than in anger, I went back and carefronted the chick at the counter. Look, I don't know how to say this, but what you advertize as 'hemp power bars' have absolutely no discernible psychedelic effect. May I inquire about your refund policy? She looked up at me, smiled gently, reached out and stroked my cheek. Brother, you just gotta wait for it to kick in, know what I mean? I looked again at her, and this time a faint scent of patchouli wafted its way toward me. She was staring deep into my eyes, and her eyeballs were pulsating like a lava lamp. The coffee shop muzak was playing If you go to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair... Strobe lights flickered, and the traffic on Baltimore slowed down to a lazy crawl. Whoa! Duddetttetttette I stammered. Feel the buzz? she crooned. Clutching my chai, I staggered back to my table. A yellow submarine floated tranquilly into the Park, no doubt on its way to the Bowl. Then a curious convoy made its way east along the Avenue -- three luminescent green Hummers preceded a whacking great long Penn Transit bus, carrying all of three passengers, then a Penn Escort minivan, followed by a float decorated with bright red poppies topped by Amy Gutmann in a bikini waving enthusiastically to the throng. Then the Penn marching band playing Louie, Louie. Just then Siano rolled up with a camera glued to his eye. Dude! I exclaimed. Did you see that? Better yet, did you get that all on video? Man, this sure beats 15 minutes of the deer in the cemetery! See what? he replied. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
Re: [UC] Auntie Ruth's Hemp Bar
On 6/6/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: OK, I'm game. You I give credit to for genuinely creative writing. That, and you are capable of spelling my name correctly, unlike my buddy. But the real problem is that the Orientals left town soon after the Negroes. Got it? Sincerely, pmuyehara Dude, you can spell your name any way you want to, but just so you know, the correct transliteration is Uehara. That ye represents a vowel that disappeared from the Japanese language over a millennium ago. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] First Thursday Meeting will have an update on the UCD investigation
On 6/5/07, Elizabeth F Campion [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Bill, I still think you are stretching to assign emotion and (small a) agenda to a post that was in my opinion a helpful reminder of a meeting and otherwise harmless. Stuff it, Liz. Anonymous letters are anonymous letters and only assholes write anonymous letters. Helpful reminder my Aunt Fanny. In the beginning Jeff created this list and in his wisdom saw fit not to moderate it, sort of like the God of the Deists. That means we are a self-regulating mechanism. We can't evict jerks, we can't ban flaming trolls, and we can't have a divine moderator screen out the anonymous crap. But we can, in overt and subtle ways, tell them to go shtup themselves. Certainly the lowest form of pond scum, lower even than the trolls, are those who refuse to sign their posts, and you, Liz, should know better and excoriate them with the rest of us. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
[UC] Lurker Introductions
It is the practice on some email listserves for new subscribers to briefly introduce themselves. FWIW it seems like a healthy practice to me, and would possibly be helpful in nurturing the quality of discourse on this list. Obviously this list has a very small ratio of participants to lurkers, and that may be an inevitable pattern for listserves. However, I for one would be curious to know the identity of all you lurkers who are listening in, what you hope to gain from reading this list, what you like or dislike etc. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] the anonymous post
On 6/5/07, Glenn [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This anonymous posting and then FRAUD bullshit is the work of a seriously deranged asshole Yup. No question about it. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Headers from the original First Thursday post
On 6/5/07, UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: also, I just checked and found that [EMAIL PROTECTED] is subscribed to the list. Of course, doofus. Otherwise he/she/it couldn't send mail to the list. What's your point? There are a whole lot of dubious characters subscribed to the list, like frintstance: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Who knows if these are real people or just whimsical handles somebody made up when they were bored? There are 369 addresses subscribed to this list and I'd be willing to wager that up to a third of them are dead, another third are dogs pretending to be people, and maybe one-tenth are actual real-life subscribers. That's why it would be nice to see some introductions from the lurkers. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
Re: [UC] Headers from the original First Thursday post
On 6/5/07, UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ross Bender wrote: UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: also, I just checked and found that [EMAIL PROTECTED] is subscribed to the list. Of course, doofus. Otherwise he/she/it couldn't send mail to the list. What's your point? it was an fyi. the point is that it adds to the picture, all the extra steps that glenn would have to go through in order to post as someone else. don't be mad at me! Nonsense, Ray. It doesn't add an iota to the picture -- it would take anybody about 2 seconds to create a false address and subscribe it to the list. You should know better than that. Why are you deliberately obfuscating? What do you have to hide? -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Headers from the original First Thursday post
On 6/5/07, Freda Egnal [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Claudia Christian is NOT a dubious character! (a lovely person, yes) Then why in the Sam Hill doesn't she introduce herself? Another lurker sitting on the list, listening in, hoping to find grist for her satanic mills. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: Debunking the hysteria RE: [UC] Question for tech people
On 6/5/07, Mike V. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I hate to be the one to have to defend Glenn, but I can't find any evidence directly linking him to the anonymous email, or even any evidence that shows that someone tried to frame him. Bill just misinterpreted the email header info. Calm down, Glenn. The fix isn't in. It certainly is odd that committeeman7 tried to mislead the people of this listserv about what was going to be discussed at Thursday's meeting, though, isn't it? Committeeman7 is someone local -- I think I've managed to track them down to within a few blocks, but certainly to Philly -- so I wonder what motive they might have to promulgate false information like that -- assuming, of course, that Tony West was right and no such information is forthcoming. If in fact you can track them down to within a few blocks I certainly hope you will share that information with the list. This shit's gotta stop. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] the anonymous post
On 6/5/07, Greg Smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The anonymous post didn't come from Mr. Moyer. The person replied to a message, deleted the reply text, and renamed the post. Likely because they forgot the email address to post to the list - as many folk often do. Many emails that went out today have @glennsdesktop in the string of references . That part was probably accidental. More importantly, the list has always had a troll or two and you guys should come up with a way of dealing with them. ** Any ideas, Mr. Helpful?? Aren't you the one that Melani said is always polite, well-mannered and kind to children? -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: Community reps on the UCD board [was: Re: [UC] The UCD answer
On 6/5/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I think a better quote from Mao would be no investigation, no right to speak. Very interesting. This one went into my kill-file, but now that you bring it up, why is this guy on aol.com quoting Chairman Mao and copying it to Lewis Wendell? -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: univcity@list.purple.com Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tue, 5 Jun 2007 5:42 pm Subject: Re: Community reps on the UCD board [was: Re: [UC] The UCD answer] In a message dated 6/5/2007 5:17:01 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: how we can continue a direct conversation where you've asked us to accept ucd's role wrt dock street but not provided details about that role While UCD is a not for profit corporation, such a corporate structure does not preclude UCD from operating as a private entity, unless you *start shaking the Walls of Ivy On Campus*. What would ever make you believe UCD is interested in your input? While I may regularly quote Sun Tzu, apparently others read and practice the ways of Chairman Mao. Mao wrote: I do not agree with the view that to be moral, the motive of one's actions has to be benefiting others. Morality does not have to be defined in relation to others. … People like me want to … satisfy our hearts to the full, and in doing so we automatically have the most valuable moral codes. Of course there are people and objects in the world, but they are all there only for me. And, you all were wondering about *the man John Fenton* and *the well being of his family?* UCD the intersection of selfserving Humanities and Niche Real Estate Development. Ciao, Craig -- See what's free at AOL.com http://www.aol.com?ncid=AOLAOF0002000503. -- AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at *AOL.com* http://www.aol.com?ncid=AOLAOF0002000437. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: Debunking the hysteria RE: [UC] Question for tech people
On 6/5/07, Mike VanHelder [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thing is, Ross, the tools I was using to track the email aren't 100% effective, and decrease in reliability the more I try to narrow down the search. I'm certain it's Philly. I'm about 90% certain it's southwest Philly -- but it gets a lot less exact from there. If you put a gun to my head, I'd guess that it was somewhere to the west and south of Bartram Park, and if you put a gun to my cat's head I'd tell you to start your search pattern at +39° 55' 48.72 lat, -75° 12' 57.60 lon, spiraling outward and kicking in doors. But those are just educated guesses, as I haven't done anything but the most cursory digging. Can't be *southwest* Philly, dude -- this is the University City email list, remember? -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: Debunking the hysteria RE: [UC] Question for tech people
On 6/5/07, Mike VanHelder [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Yes, and sometimes I send my emails from behind a desk in Old City. What's your point? Oh, I see what you mean. Come to think of it, I've sent emails to this list from Honolulu. But I'm intrigued by your methodology. Hope you have time to pursue it. Would it be possible that the sender is broadcasting from a laptop in a Humvee somewhere in Southwest Philly? -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: Debunking the hysteria RE: [UC] Question for tech people
On 6/5/07, Mike VanHelder [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Sure. Or they've got a line tap. Or they're using a proxy. But the simplest explanation is most likely the truth, right? Right. And the message itself was clumsy enough that it doesn't seem that much sophistication was involved -- how hard is it to prank an AOL account these days? Or to home in on one, for that matter. Hope you nail the miscreant. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: Debunking the hysteria RE: [UC] Question for tech people
On 6/5/07, Mike VanHelder [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Honestly, digging any deeper would be a big fat sack of work, and I don't have the time or motivation. If anyone's interested, they can cross-reference the header info in this post with the other header info in the list and see if they come up with anything -- that would be my next step, were I to take a next step -- but I just don't want to put in the effort. Probably not worth it. But thanks. BTW I just checked www.aol.com and it would take about 2 seconds to create a fraudulent account. Of course it's against AOL policy, but what the heck: 1. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES. You may use AOL.COM for lawful purposes only. You may not submit or transmit through AOL.COM any material, or otherwise engage in any conduct that: 1. violates or infringes the rights of others including, without limitation, patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, publicity or other proprietary rights; 2. is unlawful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, libelous, deceptive, fraudulent, invasive of another's privacy, tortious, or contains explicit or graphic descriptions, or accounts of, sexual acts; 3. victimizes, harasses, degrades, or intimidates an individual or group of individuals on the basis of religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, or disability; 4. impersonates any person, business or entity, including AOL and its employees and agents; 5. contains viruses or any other computer code, files or programs that interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment, or otherwise permit the unauthorized use of a computer or computer network; 6. encourages conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, or that gives rise to civil liability; 7. violates these Terms of Use, guidelines or any policy posted on AOL.COM, or 8. interferes with the use of AOL.COM by others. You may not use AOL.COM in any manner that could damage, disable, overburden, or impair our servers or networks, or interfere with any other party's use and enjoyment of AOL.COM. You may not attempt to gain unauthorized access to any services, user accounts, computer systems or networks, through hacking, password mining or any other means. We may take any legal and technical remedies to prevent the violation of this provision and to enforce these Terms of Use. 2. NO SPAM. You may not use AOL.COM or any of our communication tools to transmit, directly or indirectly, any unsolicited bulk communications (including e-mails and instant messages). You may not harvest information about our users for the purpose of sending, or to facilitate the sending, of unsolicited bulk communications. You may not induce or allow others to use AOL.COM to violate the terms of this section. We may terminate your access or use of AOL.COM immediately and take any other legal action if you, or anyone using your access to AOL.COM, violates these provisions. We may take any technical remedies to prevent unsolicited bulk communications from entering, utilizing, or remaining with in our computer or communications networks. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] towing cars on 46th street
On 6/4/07, Margie Politzer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: My block was done last week. I thought that the continuous honking was the tow truck coming through warning everyone (twice). I only heard the honking when they started (6 am). I thought the continuous honking was the wankers flying south for the summer. If anyone wants a pleasant break from the rigors of reading this list and finding a parking spot, let me suggest going down to Ritz at the Bourse to see Paris, Je T'aime. It begins with a little vignette where the dude is driving around and around Montmartre trying to find a parking space. The other wouldbe parkers are remarkably polite - surprising they don't just haul out the heavy artillery and say it with shotguns like they do in New York. Anyway the dude finally finds a parking spot and is sitting there pondering his unhappy middleaged life when a mysterious woman faints beside his car. It goes on from there. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
Re: [UC] Feel free to delete this message
On 6/4/07, Vincent/Roger [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Wow, I just deleted 11,366 messages! I wonder how they all got on my computer? Roger Oh man, how unfortunate! You deleted them by accident, right? I was savvy enough to back up my computer, so if you want this valuable material back, I can send them to you. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
[UC] Urgent -- How to say Thank You in a Classy Fashion
I need to say Thanks for the mad props in a classy fashion on another list, but can't think of a better way to say thanks. Any help? -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Urgent -- How to say Thank You in a Classy Fashion
Well, no thanks to the readers of this list, but I found the phrase Thanks for rolling with a brother! in the Urban Dictionary, and it fitted my purpose almost to the T. On 6/4/07, John Ellingsworth [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Take it to culture - you won't find 'classy fashion' here... Regards, John Ellingsworth Ross Bender wrote: I need to say Thanks for the mad props in a classy fashion on another list, but can't think of a better way to say thanks. Any help? -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: Al Krigman's plan [was: Re: [UC] goodbye, John Fenton]
On 6/4/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: * * That's Philadelphia politics - doesn't it just make you sick? Oh my goodness, yes!! In fact, it made me so sick that I was overcome with the vapors, and had to retire to my cork-lined room where I have been indisposed all afternoon, holding a perfumed handkerchief to my temples! -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
Re: Al Krigman's plan [was: Re: [UC] goodbye, John Fenton]
On 6/4/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: * * That's Philadelphia politics - doesn't it just make you sick? Oh my goodness, yes!! In fact, it made me so sick that I was overcome with the vapors, and had to retire to my cork-lined room where I have been indisposed all afternoon, holding a perfumed handkerchief to my temples! -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
Re: [UC] Urgent -- How to say Thank You in a Classy Fashion
On 6/4/07, Brian Siano [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ross Bender wrote: I need to say Thanks for the mad props in a classy fashion on another list, but can't think of a better way to say thanks. Any help? -- Merci bien? Hmm. Well, I suppose it's a trifle classier than Thanks, bitch. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
Re: [UC] IRS Treatment of third-party information relating to tax-exempt organizations
Yo, who needs lawyers? Create your own 501(c)(3) today, with LEGALZOOM.com: Form a non-profit corporation today. As someone involved with a charitable cause, you understand the importance of conserving every dollar. A non-profit corporation allows individuals to donate money to you tax-free, while shielding you and your personal assets from liability. Most importantly, a non-profit corporation is the only way to get tax-exempt status from the IRS. Below is our simple 3-step formation process: Complete the Non-Profit Questionnaire: Complete our easy-to-follow questionnaire, which was created by experienced attorneys. If you need help, we have an extensive help guide, as well as general non-profit background information in our Law Library. We Create and File Your Articles: We review the answers you provide for completeness and other common mistakes, prepare your organizational documents, and file the Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State. We can even prepare your 501(c)(3) application for tax exemption. Final Wrap-Up: When we receive the filed Articles of Incorporation, we will send them to you with your other legal documents. We even include a complimentary copy of a Nolo press book to help you on running a non-profit. Thereafter, simply follow our final instructions to wrap up the incorporation process. * Filling out the Questionnaire is free. There is no time limit. At the end, you may decide whether or not you wish to purchase.* I'm thinking of starting one called Huffs for Puggies. Don't know yet what the focus will be, but part of it will be bringing pate de foie gras to starving teenagers in West Philly. On 6/3/07, Kyle Cassidy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of Glenn Why on earth would you be asking for this requirement if you are a lawyer? Probably because _as_ a lawyer he knows that the burden of proof is on the accuser. That would be you. If you think there is such a law, please cite it. You can't walk into a debate and say obviously, we all know the color yellow is illegal and walk out and expect people to respect your argument. Where's your citation? You don't think that Al or anyone suggested that the current UCD cover-up was the legal issue? You yourself suggested that _Penn's_ illegal use of prisoner labor in violation of the 13th Amendment was the legal issue, yet you have offered NO evidence on this. Where's your evidence? Or are you just banging around releasing gas in random directions because you got uncorked somehow? -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] Strangest Protest Tactic Yet
*ROSTOCK, Germany* (AP) -- Masked demonstrators showered police with grapefruit-sized rocks and beer bottles, then were driven back with water cannon and tear gas during a protest march Saturday against the upcoming Group of Eight summit in Germany. The clashes left smoke from burning cars and the sting of tear gas drifting through the harborfront area in the north German port of Rostock. Some 146 police were hurt, 25 of them seriously. Radicals are smashing everything in their way to pieces, said Karsten Wolff, a police spokesman. The officially permitted march preceded a three-day summit beginning Wednesday in the seaside resort of Heiligendamm, where German Chancellor Angela Merkel hosts the leaders of the other G8 nations -- Britain, France, Japan, Italy, Russia, Canada and the United States. The leaders are expected to discuss measures against global warming, the fight against AIDS and poverty in Africa, and the world economy. As in previous years, the summit drew protesters of various stripes opposed to globalization, capitalism and the G8 itself. Most marchers were peaceful, but others pried up paving stones and broke them into chunks before charging police. Officers in helmets and full body armor fell back, then charged the demonstrators. Five large green police trucks with twin water cannons mounted on top blasted groups of rioters. A police car was destroyed and several parked cars burned, spreading black smoke over the area. Protesters torched a large blue recycling bin. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Seeking house-selling tips
On 6/1/07, Elizabeth F Campion [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The Owner paid extra to have a portion of the basement excavated Just a word to the wise -- if you're considering purchasing a property in West Philly, you might want to have a little extra home inspection done to ensure that there are no skeletons in the basement or at the bottom of the endless pool. Property is theft. --Pierre-Joseph Proudhon -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] Delay and old news tactic
On 6/1/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: ** So I won't be responding to any more of your emails on this topic, and the fact that I won't respond doesn't prove any of the things you want it to prove, and doesn't make any of the points you want to make. So THERE, Kriggers, you old whackjob. Assail *that* logic if you dare. Also, no more cucumber sandwiches and buttered scones in the gazebo for YOU, you snotty-faced heap of parrot droppings. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] The great UC list
On 6/1/07, Vincent/Roger [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Amidst all of the blather and my tired finger from hitting the delete key... my two recent requests (for a wheelchair, for locating Adam's car) yielded everything we could have asked for. Yes, I had to put up with the usual Ross comments about the evils of internal combustion engines and why does any young person need a car in this neighborhood, bla, bla bla, but working my way through all of the junk, I came up with a few nuggets of gold. THANKS to everyone on the list (even Ross). Roger Just for the record, I may or may not be responding to any more of Roger's scabrous and opprobrious emails on this topic, but the fact that I do not respond, or do, in some cases, doesn't prove any of the things Roger wants it to prove, or doesn't as the case may be, and CERTAINLY doesn't make any of the points Roger wants it to make bla bla bla. Is that clear? So Roger -- nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah, nah, you silly git. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
Re: [UC] Delay and old news tactic
On 6/1/07, John Ellingsworth [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It was bizarre, Walker told us. All of a sudden I found myself working for the Tom Knox campaign and wondering, 'How did I get here?' And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack And you may find yourself in another part of the world And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife And you may ask yourself-well...how did I get here? -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
Re: [UC] Help us find Adam's car!
On 5/31/07, Vincent/Roger [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: A free beer (or Shirley Temple, Ross) for the first person who can locate his car. Plus our undying gratitude! Dude. As you know, I would go to great lengths to earn a free Shirley Temple at your fine ristorante, but surely by now you are cognizant of my attitude toward infernal combustion engine vehicles. Suffice it to say that I last drove a car in 1984 and shortly thereafter burned my driver's license for reasons of conscience. Thus, as great as the misery of your cook may be, I find it impossible to sympathize with his plight. How could I, when deep down inside I'd rather that his 2005 Chevy Malibu were sleeping with the fishes (and Fat Eric) down in the bottom of the Bowl? It would be hypocritical of me, to say the least. Furthermore, even were I sympathetic, which I'm not, you should know by now that I can no more distinguish a Chevy Malibu from a Golden Retriever than I can a Lamborghini from a Labradoodle. It just does not compute. The only thing I notice about cars these days is that they seem to be getting tinnier and boxier. The only vehicle which even remotely arouses my interest is the one with the Union Jack painted on its roof, which is sometimes parked under my penthouse suite. You should understand that I was trained from childhood to stand up and salute the Union Jack whenever it passes by, which makes it difficult for me to get to sleep some nights. If you or your cook should lose a clawfoot bathtub, I might be more motivated to put important things aside and join in the hunt. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
Re: [UC] The UCD answer
On 5/30/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Wed, 30 May 2007, Kyle Cassidy wrote: Jannie's comment on channel six seems to be a _direct_ denial of their testiments that they were working for a partisan campaign: This was not a Knox rally. This was a community rally. I asked nobody to do anything for a Knox rally. I asked them to do it for a community fair in the park where we had a church rally, said Blackwell. Now this is indeed interesting. A church rally? Endorsing candidates? Aren't a number of churches being badgered by the IRS, threatened with loss of their tax-emempt status for doing that? HM. Blackwell's response was more than a little disingenuous considering that the website video, broadcast on ABC, showed her promenading Tom Knox around the park. Cut the crap, everybody. I say it's time for the SUBPOENAS -- and then the oral sex. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] The UCD answer
On 5/29/07, Kyle Cassidy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This is my favorite of Glenn's questions: Windhole Lewis, yo dude, I don't know nothin', I don't see nothing, and I don't give a damn 'cause I'm the UCD man. Sort of reminds me of the old Fugs' classic, CIA Man. Give me some time to look up the lyrics and I'll rewrite it -- UCD Man: Who can squash republics like bananas / If they do not like their social manners? / Who can train guerillas by the dozen / Send them out to kill their untrained cousins? / Fuckin' A, man / C.I.A. man. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
Re: [UC] The UCD answer
On 5/29/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: As I stated before, you're determining facts based on double hearsay - you read what the reporter wrote about what someone may have told her. If there were a good investigation, one thing it would do is have people interviewed and actually asked the questions directly about what happened. People with lots of experience actually asking questions of witnesses will tell you that what people really know often doesn't align with what other people think the witnesses know, or what the reporter said. It happens all the time. If I were in charge of the SuperSecret Internal Investigation, I would torture the dudes, like Jack Bauer, or maybe give them the old prostate exam to make sure they weren't hiding something. That way I bet we'd already have gotten to the truth by last Tuesday. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] Spring 2007. University City Village lay in ruins.
Spring 2007. University City Village lay in ruins. Violent thunderstorms and torrential downpours of apocalyptic intensity had released the vengeful waters of the subterranean Mill Creek, unleashing a roaring rushing tsunami that filled Clark Park Bowl to the brim, sweeping away 27 unleashed dogs and their heretofore unwashed owners, drowning the entire volleyball culture, and deepsixing the Voodoo Drum Circle. Survivors clung to fragments of conga drums and bongos, tossed about in the roiling choppy muddy waters. The 117th Annual Party for the Park, whose theme this year was Celebrate the Greed, had perforce to be cancelled. An emergency meeting of the Head Druids and Ph.Ds of FOCP resulted in the hasty announcement of Plan B. Since it seemed unlikely that the waters would recede in time to permit the two upscale cultural events of the summer -- a concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra and a performance of Romeo and Juliet -- to go forward, the Druids made a virtue of necessity and decreed that this summer THE hotsy-totsy event of the season would be a fancy regatta, followed by an evening cotillion in the parking lot of USP, fair trade cocktails to be supplied by the Green Line Mennonite Coffee House, Gin Joint, and Massage Parlor. Meanwhile the SuperDuper Top Secret Trilateral Internal Investigation into possible political corruption within the UCD, conducted by the UCD, dragged into its third week. The SuperDuper Top Secret Internal Commission, headed by UCD head Wendell Lewis and his $74,000 Flackette, announced that it would probably conclude its inquiry and publish its findings in the UC Review by May 2010. Rabid UC citizens, however, couldn't wait, and established their own Truth and Soul Commission to look into the matter. A symposium was convened at the A-Space, titled How Evil Exactly Is the UCD? Distinguished local scholars presented erudite papers on such topics as: UCD -- Evil from Conception or a Bad Idea Gone Wrong? Teleology and Tracheotomy of Evil -- Genesis and Devolution Sex and The City -- Did Fast Eddie Sell Philly to Penn for Sexual Favors of Dubious Value and a Few Trinkets? The Banality of UCD and How to Drive a Stakeholder Through Its Many-Headed Hydra Meanwhile the Phillies got edged out by the Diamondbacks 5-4 in a cliffhanger amid a riot by drunken frat boys on vacation for the summer. A summer which looked to be a very long hot summer indeed, not to mention tedious. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
[UC] Fabulous Green Bird Tribute Page
OK, it's at: http://rossbender.org/greenbird.html I stole Cassidy's photos and some of his inane commentary and added a bit of my own. BTW, Krigman Al, you old Bolshevik, you might consider putting some of your ill-gotten billions into this budding company. I know you've got it, because we ripped off the Romanoff's family jewels together and I know you've got em stashed somewhere, so pull it out of the old mattress, comrade, and support a worthy cause. Felix Edmundovich -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/mqrtoc.html
Re: [UC] Smashed car window alert!
DUDE! You OWN a parking lot?? For higher-end vehicles?? And here I thought you were one of us, a comrade and member in good standing of the revolutionary underground. What else do you OWN, dude? Care to come clean? If not, as you well know, we have ways of discovering and eliminating dirty traitors in our midst. Meet me at the Lubyanka for lattes at midnight. Felix Edmundovich Dzerzhinsky On 5/26/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On the heels of a smashed car window rampage across the whole area a few weeks ago, two were busted out in my fenced-in-and-gated (well-lit, too, but we know how much good that does ... it may be a good example of lights helping the perps) parking lot last night (45th just south of Walnut). Several cars were parked overnight. Only two were touched -- both higher-end vehicles. I don't know if there's any precautions anyone can take -- other than to be sure there's nothing even hinting being worth taking left in view. (Whether this applied here, I don't know). Semper vigilans Al Krigman -- See what's free at AOL.com http://www.aol.com?ncid=AOLAOF0002000503. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
