The jinx continues to haunt Wentz, Iggles fans
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: Maybe we are cursed, Eagles fans. Or maybe we should have seen it coming. Everything was going too well. Not anymore. Carson Wentz tore the ACL in his left knee in that thrilling win over the Rams last Sunday. He’s out for the season. And the postseason. Maybe think twice about booking that trip to Minneapolis and the Super Bowl.
LAUREL: To Nick Foles. Hey, why can’t we win a Super Bowl with Nick Foles. Remember, the guy once put together a season with the Eagles where he threw 27 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. He’s very likely the best backup QB in the NFL. Now it’s his team. Is he Wentz? No, but that doesn’t mean the Eagles can’t win with him. Foles Speed Ahead!
LAUREL: To HEADStrong, and their new home in Swarthmore. Nick Colleluori may not have been there, but his spirit was very much alive this week as they cut the ribbon for Nick’s House, which will serve as a home for cancer patients, loved ones and caregivers who are in the region to get treatment. It is one less concern during a most trying time. Kudos to all involved in making this happen. LAUREL: To Mario Civera and Dave White: The outgoing Republican members of Delaware County Council
presided over their last meeting this week. For Civera, it means the end of more than four decades of public service. Civera served on Upper Darby Council, then three decades in the state House representing the 164th District, and finally two terms on County Council. Kudos to both.
LAUREL: To Dave White. Defeated in his bid for re-election, the Republican started his final council meeting by warmly greeting the two victorious Democrats who were in attendance and urging them to reach out should they need anything. Class act.
LAUREL: And if all that was not enough, council also delivered a nice Christmas gift to the county. For the fourth straight year, they will not raise taxes.
DART: To the latest online scam meant to separate you from your hard-earned money. This one has a decidedly mean theme. Radnor police this week warned of an email scheme in which the sender informs you that he has a contract for a “hit” on you, but would be willing to forego “whacking” you for money. Police say it’s a ruse, but still want anyone on the receiving end of such a ruse to contact them. Ain’t technology great?
LAUREL: To state Reps. Leanne Krueger-Braneky, D-161 of Swarthmore, and Margo Davidson, D-164 of Upper Darby. They are among a group of women legislators who are bringing the #meetoo movement to the state Capitol, pushing a series of bills meant to offer more protection to victims of sexual harassment.
DART: To the Pennsylvania Legislature. This week the House passed Senate Bill 3, a restrictive anti-abortion bill that would ban nearly all abortions after 20 weeks, instead of the current 24. It would become one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation. Our legislators
simply can’t resist the idea of playing doctor. And they don’t even play one on TV. LAUREL: To Gov. Tom Wolf. The governor has stated he will use his veto to reject this bill, which does not contain any exceptions for rape, incest, or fetal abnormalities.
LAUREL: To Alabama. For the first time in more than a quarter century, voters in ‘Bama are sending a Democrat to the U.S. Senate. They chose Democrat Doug Jones over Republican Roy Moore, who has been dogged by allegations of inappropriate contact with young teen girls. Good for them.
DART: To President Trump, for his tawdry Tweet suggesting Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., “would do anything” for campaign contributions. Gillibrand backed women seeking an ethics probe of the president in regards to allegations of sexual harassment. Trump used Twitter to fire back in his normal lowclass way. Put down the phone, Mr. President.
LAUREL: To the city of Chester. This week they swore in seven new police officers, who will immediately hit the streets to beef up city patrols. Welcome aboard. The need is great. Be safe out there.
LAUREL: To the efforts rolled out in Darby Borough last week to combat the gun violence that continues to plague towns like Darby Borough. Ministers, elected officials and citizens who have experienced gun violence gathered to seek solutions.
DART: To Jillian Tate. She is the mom of little “Scotty” McMillan, the Chester County tot who was brutally beaten to death by Tate and her boyfriend, Gary Lee Fellenbaum. Little Scotty is at rest now. Tait will have the next 42-94 years to sit in prison and think about
her actions. LAUREL: To the Schoolhouse Center. This facility continues to provide crucial services for senior citizens in the county. They recently held a holiday party for members and their guests. Well deserved.
LAUREL: To Valley Point Church in Concord. They recently opened their new facility, literally parading down Bethel Road to their new house of worship. The parade included the Garnet Valley High School Band and local fire companies. That’s something to celebrate!
DART: To an ugly anniversary. This year marks five years since a crazed gunman walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut and opened fire. Before he was done, Adam Lanza killed 20 children and another six adults. Truly the slaughter of the innocents.
DART: And yet not even this atrocity could push our elected officials to make any meaningful changes in gun laws. Even the most common sense proposals have been shot down. Years later, after one incident of carnage after another, including mass shootings in Las Vegas and a church in Texas, we still wait for elected officials to take action.
LAUREL: To the Eagles. Yes, we’ve already covered the injury to Carson Wentz. That does not mean we will stop watching. And cheering. We’re in the playoffs. Let’s make it count. Go Birds.