More names on mass-shooting carnage list
A look at the week that was, the issues and people who made headlines, and a few darts and laurels for those who deserve them.
DART: To another mass shooting in a U.S. school, and still no talk of meaningful changes in our gun laws. It almost defies belief at this point, if it weren’t so damn sad.
DART: To word that came out yesterday that the FBI did not properly handle a tip they received on the suspected teen shooter. “See something, say something.” And then hope that someone does something about it.
LAUREL: To the families of Parkland, Fla., the latest to live this distinctly American tragedy.
DART: To one more reason to understand why Pennsylvania politics is routinely harpooned as the Land of Giants. This time it’s redistricting. The state Supreme Court threw out the state’s congressional maps, ruling they were a classic case of partisan gerrymandering. They ordered the Legislature to redraw the maps. The Republicans did. Now they’re in a tug-of-war with Gov. Tom Wolf, who rejected their new map as simply more of the same. The GOP believes Wolf is merely stalling to get the high court to make good on its threat to draw the new maps themselves if our elected leaders can’t agree on a map. The matter is now in the hands of the court.
LAUREL: The only answer to this is to get this entire process out of the hands of politicians – of both parties. That’s why we support a push by Fair DistrictsPa to set up an independent, non-partisan panel to handle the redistricting process.
DART: Let’s see. State budget? Check. Sale of alcohol? Check. Pension crisis? Check. Shale tax? Check. Yep, now it’s redistricting. Why is it that nothing ever gets accomplished in Harrisburg?
DART: And to that extent, a big thumb’s down to another missed opportunity to cut down the bloated, overprices state Legislature. That push is dying a slow death in the state Capitol. Anyone surprised?
LAUREL: To state Rep. Nick Miccarelli. The Republican who represents the 162nd District is putting the capper on his Valentine’s week by walking down the aisle today to marry Rachel Schwalm. She’s a legislative assistant with state Rep. Steve Barrar, R-160 of Upper Chichester. Best wishes to the happy couple.
DART: To state Rep. Margo Davidson. The Democrat was cited by state police twice in the last couple of weeks for driving with a suspended license, and in one instance for leaving the scene of an accident. Ever hear of Uber?
LAUREL: To the return of the famous LOVE statue to its rightly spot in Love Park in Philadelphia. Love was in the air this Valentine week. It also was on a huge flatbed truck, which transported the famous Robert Indiana structure back to its old, refurbished home. LAUREL: To the supervisors out in Uwchlan Township in Chester County. They are doing something a lot of residents in both counties have been begging for – but seeing little in the way of results. The
township this week indicated they will enforce their local zoning to prevent construction of the Mariner East 2 pipeline project. You can bet this one is likely headed to court.
LAUREL: To Delaware County Council, for their vote this week to seek bids to have an independent risk assessment study done on Sunoco Pipeline’s Mariner East 2 project. It is something citizens have been asking for now for months. It was the right call.
LAUREL: To the effect of two-party representation in Delaware County government. And to Republican Council Vice Chair Colleen Morrone. She joined Democrats Kevin Madden and Brian Zidek in approving the study.
LAUREL: To what is shaping up as one of the hottest – and likely most expensive – Congressional races in the nation. A slew of both Democrats and Republicans – including women candidates from both parties - are lining up to replace Rep. Pat Meehan, who opted not to seek re-election after he became mired in controversy tied to using taxpayer funds to settle a sexual harassment complaint from a former staffer. Now all we need to know is just what the reconfigured 7th District is going to look like. Just about anything will be an improvement over the “Goofy Kicking Donald Duck” abomination that was the handiwork of Republicans in the state Legislature back in 2011.
LAUREL: To Chester Eastside Inc. and their partners at Food Matters! They are teaming to bring a new, important healthy food initiative to city residents. Access to quality, healthy food offerings has been a pressing issue in the city for years. This push should make that task easier and make for a healthier city as well.
LAUREL: To Super Business. From bars and restaurants, to sporting goods stores and T-shirt makers, everyone was on Cloud 9 after the Eagles’ huge Super Bowl win. Bars and restaurants were packed. Lines went out the door as fans lined up to get their mitts on Super Bowl Champion mementoes. How long ‘til Training Camp? LAUREL: To Jason Kelce. The hero of the Eagles Super Bowl Parade and championship celebration had barely hung up his Mummers outfit then he was meeting his adoring public at Carl’s Cards in Havertown. As you might expect, a huge crowd showed up to thank him.
DART: Also to Jason Kelce. OK, we’re going against the grain. We could have done fine with all of Jason’s sentiments – minus the profanity. Yes, the Eagles embraced their underdog status. Yes, the team was dissed by a lot of the so-called experts. Kelce was hailed for defining the city’s gritty nature. All of which completely ignores the context of the event. There is a time and place for everything. This was not the venue for that kind of profane verbal barrage. LAUREL: To the two most beautiful words in the English language: Pitchers and catchers. Yep, the Phillies have returned to Clearwater. Spring is not far off.
DART: To Mother Nature. She’s apparently going to remind us this weekend that winter is not over, with several inches of snow in the forecast for Saturday night into Sunday morning. But there also is a forecast for temperatures in the 70s next week.
LAUREL: And a final salute to the Eagles. You gave us a respite from one of the worst months of the year. January blew by as we reveled in the Birds’ run to the Super Bowl. Thanks for the memories – and the perfect way to survive one of the bleakest months of the year.