PhillyChimp

Just in case anyone read this

noreply@blogger.com (SuburbanLemur) — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 04:48:00 +0000

The Democrats, like, cleaned house.

Or something.

What? A blog? Impossible!

noreply@blogger.com (SuburbanLemur) — Sat, 20 May 2006 14:41:00 +0000

So this space has mostly been used for now and then political comments by Will. It occurs to me, perhaps the time is right to increase the sports content of the space?

Becuase, y'know, the American Cancer Society is Evil

noreply@blogger.com (PhillyChimp) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 15:30:00 +0000

I was reading the Letters section in the DN today and I came across this 'gem':

YOUR editorial, "Smoke in our eye," asks: "Is there any excuse for Philadelphia not finally joining the 21st century on this health issue?"

Yes, there is an excuse, and a very good one. Smoking bans have usually passed in other areas not on the basis of sound science but on the basis of massive spending by special interests. For example, in Washington State last year, the American Cancer Society invested over a quarter-million dollars to "buy" ban-petition signatures through paid gatherers.

Here in Philadelphia, it's more subtle, but just think about how many expensive TV commercials you've seen with cute little children coughing from thick clouds of smoke. The fact that by far the main venues to be affected by a ban will be bars and strip clubs doesn't slow the use of the "Save the children!" propaganda card.

Smoking ban laws are bad laws not just because they eat away at our social structure and freedoms or because they cause economic damage, but because they are based on lies. If you're an American who cares about the integrity of our government and our system of laws you should take the time this week to let your councilfolks know that you don't want Philadelphia to follow the misguided path laid by some of our neighbors.

Michael J. McFadden, Philadelphia

So, let me get this straight, McFly...I mean McFadden, smoking bans pass becuase 'special interests' like the American Cancer Society invest money in getting them passed? That is to say that the American Cancer Society works to get smoking bans passed becuase they have an interest in the ban.

Why could that be? Perhaps the ACS thinks the bans might, I dunno, fight cancer.

But maybe you're right, McFly...I mean McFadden, the big, evil anti-cancer lobby can't be allowed to keep influencing government like this. After all, somebody needs to stand up for the little guy - somebody needs to stand up for cancer.

Check it out....

noreply@blogger.com (PhillyChimp) — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 15:55:00 +0000

Above average Jane has been profiling the Democratic contenders for the 8th congressional district. While I'm supporting Patrick Murphy, I urge you all to check out her profiles just to get more information.

dubyawhat??

noreply@blogger.com (PhillyChimp) — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 18:14:00 +0000

Wondering why the president is digging in such as he is on the issue of the port transfer?

Here's a hint:

Last month, Bush nominated David Sanborn, who heads DP World's European and Latin American operations, to head the U.S. Maritime Administration. Trent Duffy, a White House spokesman, said Sanborn did work for the company, but "we're told he had nothing to do with the transaction."

Gee....when the Prez's top advisor works for the company buying the ports it sure looks like our port security is getting sold out for some old good fashoined nepotism.

Bringin home the bacon

noreply@blogger.com (PhillyChimp) — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 16:56:00 +0000

Sooooo, a bunch of meatplant workers won the powerball jackpot.... talk about bringing home the bacon!.....badumching!

John Baer on Bob Casey

noreply@blogger.com (PhillyChimp) — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 19:11:00 +0000

Casey? With polls showing a double-digit lead over a powerful incumbent, one might puzzle over the fact Bob Casey Jr. doesn't show much aggression or, for that matter, much of a pulse. Don't.

Casey is Casey. The plan so far is rely on his name and the fact he isn't (technically) Rick Santorum. Hey, so far it's enough.

The danger is being seen as "Santorum lite," and the puzzle is why more isn't done to dodge the danger.

lol. Wow. I love John Baer.

Seriously though, I like Casey. I will most definately vote for him in november. But he needs to start acting more like a progressive. It's almost not enough technically not be Rick Santorum.....almost.

go, joe, go

noreply@blogger.com (PhillyChimp) — Sat, 18 Feb 2006 20:11:00 +0000

Sorry to not have commented on this sooner. Let me just say that I'm really, really excited that Joe is throwing his hat back in the ring. As a loyal Hoeffel supporter and former Hoeffel intern, I've been waiting for him to bring back his brand of thoughful, progressive activism. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the Country all need it. Go, Joe, go!

noreply@blogger.com (PhillyChimp) — Fri, 17 Feb 2006 22:46:00 +0000

Man shot by cheney apologizes to cheney...good god.

New leadership...same old influence peddling

noreply@blogger.com (PhillyChimp) — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 15:57:00 +0000

Well said.

Toxic mold at Fox News? Note my lack of shock...

noreply@blogger.com (PhillyChimp) — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 14:57:00 +0000

Goddamn Politicians

noreply@blogger.com (PhillyChimp) — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 16:00:00 +0000

Check out this story on what is going on with the Citywide reassement.

For those who don't know, the Board of Revision of Taxes (BRT) announced in 2002 that it would undertake a project of reassessing, for tax purposes, every residential property in Philadelphia. City Council would then eliminate a complicated system of partial assessments and tax every property at market rate. The planned shift will be revenue nuetral, but many residents will see their property taxes jump. Others will see them fall. The trouble is that most residents who will see a jump in their taxes are those who own expensive properties as these properties tend to be under assessed by the current system. Most people who own expensive property also wield a decent amount of political power and have been pushing Council to delay or eliminate the tax reform.

So, as the story suggests, Council has once again sold out Philadelphia's poor in favor of contributions from the rich. (with sarcasm) w00t :-/

noreply@blogger.com (PhillyChimp) — Tue, 10 Jan 2006 15:33:00 +0000

Hey guys,

There's a good discussion over at YPP on SEPTA. Check it out.

The winner...its you!

noreply@blogger.com (PhillyChimp) — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 02:52:00 +0000

Phillychimp: ONE

The Door of Phillychimp: ZEEERRROOOOO!

Ali G Borat =D

noreply@blogger.com (joshua b gordon) — Fri, 02 Dec 2005 17:40:00 +0000

Broadwater: I'm running for United States Congress in District 2.

Borat: He is a strong man. He will crush his opponents and he will be powerful like Stalin and not tolerate people who are bad.

Broadwater: Well, actually, I wouldn't compare myself to Stalin ...

Borat: Will you vote for my friend?

Woman: Well, I probably will, but I don't ever tell people who I vote for before I vote.

Borat: If you do not vote for him, he will take power!

Woman: Well, it depends on whether he gets enough votes or not.

Borat: I will not leave until you swear on the eyes of your child that you will vote for him

We were all monkeys there

noreply@blogger.com (SuburbanLemur) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 18:13:00 +0000

GFS reunion last night, not a lot to say.

I will say, however, that Alex has gone completely feral. There is no other way to put it. Wow.

Uk Planes

noreply@blogger.com (joshua b gordon) — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 21:20:00 +0000

Check it out.

~NYCGorilla

I'd hit it

noreply@blogger.com (joshua b gordon) — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 05:11:00 +0000

Now this, my friends, is the proper way to construct a taco.

http://www.collegehumor.com/movies/1621428/

~NYCGorilla

Where we were when we were young?

noreply@blogger.com (SuburbanLemur) — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 03:48:00 +0000

Killing pixels, of course. This site might take you back:

The sounds of Warcraft II.

Wow. Good times.

Beer ad!

noreply@blogger.com (PhillyChimp) — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 02:28:00 +0000

This ad for Carlton Draught is the greatest beer ad.... EVER!

Jobs in Philly

noreply@blogger.com (PhillyChimp) — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 18:26:00 +0000

Suburban Lemur and I were having a conversation yesterday about the largest employers in Philadelphia. He was under the impression that UPenn was the largest non-government employer in the city. I thought otherwise, maintaining that there were one or two larger according to a Planning Commission document I had seen earlier.

It turns out that Suburban Lemur was correct. Upenn is the largest non-government employer in the city.

Here is the top 10:

Federal Government: 32,000
City of Philadelphia (General Fund and Self Supporting Depts): 26,580
Philadelphia School District (including professional and support staff): 22,500
University of Pennsylvania: 14,300
Jefferson Health System: 14,300
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: 11,100
SEPTA: 8,500
UPenn Health System: 8,300
Temple university: 7,000
Tenet Health System: 7,000

Interestingly, if you consolidate UPenn with the health system, it jumps to No. 3 with 22,600. This puts it ahead of the school district, which was another one of SL's assertions.

For the full list, just log onto the PCPC website at www.philaplanning.org

Cheers,

PhillyChimp

Apes like to hit things

noreply@blogger.com (SuburbanLemur) — Sun, 20 Nov 2005 13:54:00 +0000

An interesting opportunity presented itself yesterday. On the invitation of a friend from college, I went down to a nearby park to participate in a Dagorhir battle. My friend once said that among all LARPs Dagorhir does the best job of striking a balance between realism and safety, and I see no reason to disagree. When I got to the park there were about twenty-five people milling around or trickling in, with an array of weapons ranging from all sorts of swords, cleavers, daggers, maces, and flails to more exotic items such as javelins, arrows, and rocks (a hunk of foam covered with a sock). And of course shields in all shapes and sizes. The weapons are mostly made of fiberglass cores with foam padding, and shields are made of foam or padded wood. All of the equipment is then covered with colored cloth to look neat and surprisingly like what it actually represents, and various designs are often drawn on the cloth. Armor is allowed, and there are rules for how much of an advantage it conveys, but all types of armor are equal. So while your own personal, handmade, “Godly Plate of the Whale” might look neat, it still breaks after it takes a direct hit, and it’s damn heavy. (My friend remarked that he thinks the most overpowered rig is that of a legionnaire, with a tower shield, leather armor that is light but covers everything, a sword, and a pair of javelins.) More or less all of the equipment is handmade by its owner. As a first-timer, I borrowed gear from my friend, in the form of a mace, a punch shield, a tunic, and a pair of leather bracers. (Sorry, no pictures!)

Battles are monthly gatherings when an entire chapter turns out. I was with the Taurendor chapter. There were warm-up fights, then a massive free for all in which each fighter had three lives. The order in which we died for the last time was recorded, and we were divided into two sides based on it (first to die to one team, second to the other, third to the first, etc). Then we had our teams, and began to fight out a series of scenarios, although I could only stay for the first one, which was raiding a mountaintop outpost. Once you had twenty-five guys on the field running at each other in groups, it was very impressive. Besides having various sorts of armor (including some insane helmets), each fighter put considerable effort into wearing generally “period” clothing – tunics, face paint, chain mail, leggings, etc, etc. When battle was joined, there was all of the shouting orders and roaring at each other that you would expect of American males pretending it’s 1291.

And yet the strategic elements were obvious and easy to start to pick up on. When fighting with sword and shield against a berserker, get your shield up and charge. When facing a shield wall, attempt to flank it. Do not ever allow yourself to be flanked. If the enemy is surrounding you, charge the weakest point of their line, hoping to break through before their stronger fighters or greater numbers rush in behind you. When one of your men is wounded in one leg and immobile but still able to fight, use them as a stationary defensive position – you can either push the enemy towards them or stand with them and wait for the enemy to come to you. And when circling you want to turn around so that the sun is in the enemy’s eyes, not yours.

Then there’s the culture. Oh the culture. Where to begin. The short of it is that while I’m sure LARPers are much more normal than people assume they are, when you get them all together to fight a battle, they go nuts. Nerdy teenage boy nuts, although many of them were in their twenties and some might have been thirty. (It’s fun for all ages!) At first, with the very cool looking gear, I was thinking I should get into it. Make myself some badass armor, build more upper body strength (the gear is light, but being hit again and again makes your arms tired), and become the meanest fighter Taurendor has ever seen! Then I was like….wait. No way. If I ever actually had the spare time to make myself armor, I would instead get a job, or a girlfriend, or if those were covered (at this point I must be some fabulously successful early retiree), volunteer for something really worth the time, such as the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild and Gazela.

And for all that young guys posturing and being tough and so on is funny, it’s not a culture I fit into easily. I don’t plan to go back.

But man, hitting stuff. That’s a good time.

Fwagah!

noreply@blogger.com (joshua b gordon) — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 06:28:00 +0000

Fweek? Fweek! Fwagah? Fwagah! Fweek, fweek, fwagah, fweek.

W00t.

~NYCGorilla

Chimp in training

noreply@blogger.com (joshua b gordon) — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 01:40:00 +0000

A good man:

http://www.break.com/articles/newsmonkey.html

~NYCGorilla

He said the content would improve

noreply@blogger.com (SuburbanLemur) — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 00:46:00 +0000

Who says that higher apes are more intelligent?

Hello, internet.