To the Editor:
Since Packer Park made a case for Holy Spirit Catholic School (“Spirited debate, May 13) I feel I must speak up for Epiphany of Our Lord School.
I graduated from Epiphany many years ago and am very proud to say my six grandchildren attend or have graduated from there. Epiphany of Our Lord also has many honor students at a high school level. That is credited to the great teachers and dedicated Principal Patricia Cody, who I would put against any in the Catholic, charter or public schools.
We also have Father John Pidgeon, the most dedicated pastor, who has worked especially hard to keep our school open without an endowment. Epiphany is flourishing and will go on for many, many years. Epiphany will welcome you with open arms and will be an experience your children will never forget.
Theresa Messina
South Philadelphia
To the Editor:
In researching the unremarkable origins of the South Ninth Street, or the Italian Market, which is not even 100 years old, I also visited and contacted other, more historic markets in the United States to compare those with South Ninth Street. There are many older outdoor markets in cities such as in New Orleans (whose outdoor market has been in continuous use since the 1790s), Lancaster (early 1700s), Alexandria, Va. (1760), Boston and Baltimore — both since the early 1700s — and perhaps others in the Carolinas, Texas and California whose markets date prior to 1900.
The South Ninth Street Market is not the “nation’s oldest outdoor market” if no one from that market or its association can give a specific year to its beginnings to verify how the market is the “nation’s oldest outdoor market.”
I published the Ninth Street Market’s history in the Philadelphia Italian Market Cookbook. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the Historical Commission of Philadelphia also have not recognized the Ninth Street Market as the “nation’s oldest outdoor market” based upon the work I submitted and the documentation on record.
Celeste A. Morello
South Philadelphia
To the Editor:
I had thought that about all that could be said about the Philadelphia Parking Authority had been said. They continue to be the most self-serving agency around, making the rules up as they go along.
What is still a mystery is how they decide to whom those rules apply. Recently, after unloading groceries in from of my house, I was issued a ticket and told I should have parked across the street. It is a school zone near South Philly High. It is certainly a wide enough street that cars were not obstructed from passing.
When I then drove one block west and crossed Broad Street, I saw blocks of cars — all double parked with no hazard lights on, of course — and not a single car boasted a blue violation ticket. From Jackson to Porter street, west of Broad Street, PPA workers apparently have a deal worked out. Fill us in, how do you avoid the tickets?
T. Doorhy
South Philadelphia
To the Editor:
Article:
Right angle
Article:
A crippling situation
Article:
The corner hangers’ club
Article:
Cheers to The Capistrano
Article:
Sentencing education
Article:
A quick fix
Article:
A week for the meek
Article:
An important investment
1. chaloots said... on May 20, 2010 at 09:37AM
“For the most part, Mexicans are a proud peaceful people looking for a better life for their families (much like the European Immigrants who came here 100 years ago). Out of the thousands upon thousands of Mexicans living in this area, Mr.Dio presents one case of crime, and it is Mexican on Mexican crime that he addresses. Seems Mr. Dio wants to paint the thousands of peaceful, hard working, proud, Mexicans with the same brush and that's not fair. There are somewhere between 6 and 10 million Mexicans living peacefully in the U.S. without the proper papers. And from what I see they aren't going anywhere soon. So either we treat them as "Neighbors" like Jesus commands us, or we treat them like Arizona, Mr. Dio, or Joey Vento. I prefer "The Way" of Jesus.”
2. Rob said... on May 20, 2010 at 11:26AM
“I agree with Mr Dio, I only wish every state would enact a similar law. It's about time we clean up this mess of illegal immigration. I'm would guess 75% of the Mexicans in South Philly are illegal.”
3. Milo said... on May 21, 2010 at 01:19AM
““There are somewhere between 6 and 10 million Mexicans living peacefully in the U.S. without the proper papers”. Do you hear yourself? What is it about the word illegal (without proper papers) that you don’t get? We are a nation of laws and laws need to be respected. That said. I love immigrants. Immigrants are the people who come here because they love this country so much that they're fine with leaving their own countries, which can't be an easy decision. They build businesses here; add their arts and traditions and cuisines to our life.
Americans are not "anti-immigrant". Most Americans are against the people who stick their thumbs in the eyes of our friends and neighbors, you know the people who took the time to do it the right way. I actually love immigrants. I was adopted by legal immigrants. And I love the Constitution that they swear allegiance to when they become citizens, legally.
”
4. chaloots said... on May 21, 2010 at 08:37AM
“When my Sicilian grandfather came here 98 years ago, him and all of the European Immigrants were without papers. Hence the word WOP.They came here looking for a better life for their families much like the Mexicans of today.
For years the America's borders have been porous, allowing Mexicans open access to the United States.The Mexicans that are here today that are without proper papers were allowed in by the Bush administration to help Big Business make more money, with cheaper labor,and to keep America's middle class from decent wages.
I see Mexicans as fellow human beings looking for that better life.And if they live here in peace and don't commit any crimes, I say welcome my brothers and sisters,because Jesus Commands me to love my neighbor. And from what I can gather, they ain't going anywhere, anytime soon and they are my neighbors.”
5. Milo said... on May 21, 2010 at 11:18PM
“And Obama is doing how much more than zero to make the issue any better? He is actually hurting us and encouraging the problem with his petty and immature criticism of the Governor of Arizona for protecting the people of her state. All she did is just sign a law that mirrors current federal immigration law. Why should he have a problem with that? Oh, I see he didn’t read it and neither did Holder or Napolitano. Look; 98 years ago your grandfather was wanted here. America needed him and many others to help grow the country. A man of his time understood that there was great opportunity and he knew that it was also all up to him to either succeeded or fail. One of my grandfathers came over very young and very alone. I know we can agree that our grandparents were cut from some very special cloth. Anyway, he went through Ellis Island or another facility that processed immigrants and he was issued papers! He was allowed to remain and become a citizen in accordance with the laws of the time. A lot of us just want the “legally” part enforced. And Jesus said; “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's. And they marveled greatly at him”. Mark 12:17. Sounds to me like he was telling people to obey the law of the land in which they dwell. I don’t care where they are from as long as they do it correctly; temp worker or path to citizenship, their choice. Yes, Americans understood that people traveling across the southern border only wanted to have a better life. Many of them returned home with a pocket full of dollars after the working season was finished and many others stayed and did all the right things to achieved citizenship. It seemed to work well for years. But many of us think it’s now grown too out of control and a different type of individual is also crossing the border along with the honest people seeking the dream. It’s causing big problems. Drug trafficking and other types of crimes are steadily on the rise and taking their toll on Border State communities. Phoenix has a horrendously high kidnapping rate, which is directly related Mexican drug cartel activity. The strain on the social programs in these economically turbulent times is devastating many of the Border States budgets. Many illegals are taken advantage of by unscrupulous employers due to their undocumented status. And it’s against the law to enter the country illegally no matter how well the intentions are. For more than a few years now people not from Central and South America (Radical Islamist, I’ll say it even though Eric Holder doesn’t have the minerals to do so) are also crossing over the border and they have much darker objective in mind for us. For our own security we need to send the undocumented home and secure the border. Let them then apply for entry. We already have the immigration laws in place so let’s fix the immigration “process” and help the people who want to achieve citizenship or those that just want to work here for awhile.”
6. chaloots said... on May 22, 2010 at 01:19PM
“Hi Milo, I appreciate your civilized debate, it is refreshing. What shall we do with the children of these "illegals" who were born here? Are they American citizens? Do they have rights? When it comes to our fellow human beings, devastating budgets seem to outweigh our compassion.
And you only hinted at what caused the problem and it is GREED!
But when it comes to the greed of Big Business, which seems to be the source of many travesties now a days. Like the failure of the unregulated banks, AIG, BP, Enron, starting a war for Halliburton, Blackwater all devastating LIVES and budgets, strangely there is no outrage by some, like Rand Paul and those on the Right, just "accidents happen".
The "illegals" are not the enemy of the American people and the people of the world, Big Business and GREED are, and those that support it.”
7. Milo said... on May 23, 2010 at 03:05AM
“You are welcome. I also appreciate it. It’s also way easier on the blood pressure. You know my position from my last post. This is the last one for awhile. The movers are packing up the rest of the house on Monday. Tomorrow I disconnect the computer. So, I think the issues we now face in this country are like gigantic crazy knot. Lots and lots of complex issues that are all tangled together. We need to untangle this knot little by little and not just hack through it with a big knife. We have to take the time to do it right. I also believe that compassion often requires some temperance. Americans are the most compassionate and generous people on earth, but I don’t think we can survive the illegal onslaught for much longer. Maybe when they apply legally and the process is fixed something can be done about the kids? Cheers”
8. Janice said... on May 25, 2010 at 03:24AM
“Kudos to Milo for making a lot of sense. I wish the world could be all about "compassion" and love thy neighbor". Unfortunately that is not the case. There are real threats involved here. Economic threats due to the high number of illegal immigrants the U.S. is required to offer medical services, education from K-12th grade, and other government assisted programs. Violent gang threats to those people who live on the border. Terrorist threats to those crossing the border with intent to harm the U.S. I could go on. Sure, maybe the illegal neighbors living in Philly just want a better life. That is not the case for citizens living on the border and those living in border states. If we all live in the fantasy world of some, we put ourselves at risk. It is a very naive way of thinking.”
9. chaloots said... on May 26, 2010 at 08:23AM
“Wishing the world could be all about compassion and love thy neighbor is laughable. YOU have to feel it and live it. Leaving it up to others is not going to make it happen. Those apposed to the Mexicans seem to want to paint them in with the worse of the worse. These people are not drug lords or terrorist, they are just FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS looking for a good life for themselves and their families. Whenever I have a moral question that doesn't have any good answer, I ask myself one question, WWJD? Besides the Mexicans are not going anywhere anytime soon, or anywhere at all for that matter. Seems we are stuck with them, why not make the best of it, and live in peace.”
10. chaloots said... on May 26, 2010 at 08:28AM
“Spelled opposed wrong, oops sorry!”
11. Janice said... on May 26, 2010 at 04:54PM
“I don't believe Jesus would follow the path of breaking the law. There is a system in place and many people follow the law and enter this country legally. To assume all these people are just "fellow human beings" is laughable. A large majority of these people are hard working, honest, ethical people who do want a better life. Many of them are not. My cousin was a victim of a violent crime perpetrated by an illegal immigrant. He is no longer with us today because our federal government refuses to enforce and uphold the law. This guy had been deported 3 times prior and had a criminal record. So go tell my aunt and uncle how all the illegal immigrants are good people. They may disagree. Chaloots, my issue with many of your statements is that they are not based on facts. They are based on emotions and in my opinion that can be very dangerous.”
12. rob said... on May 27, 2010 at 09:13AM
“When my ancestors came back in the day and there was too many(italians) they put a quota on them. That is what needs to be done today. Otherwise we will just get flooded and over-run.”
13. chaloots said... on May 27, 2010 at 10:22AM
“First and foremost, FACT#1 Jesus gave us one commandment, Love Thy Neighbor.
FACT#2 The Mexicans are now our neighbors.
FACT #3 The Mexicans aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
FACT#4 99% of them ARE FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS looking for a better life.
FACT#5 Bush allowed the Mexicans into the United States to help Big Business with cheap labor and to keep the wages of the middle class down.
FACT#6 The GREED in Big Business is what is wrong with the world, such as AIG, BP, Enron, Halliburton, Blackwater, and the banks all unregulated or under regulated , which devastated LIVES and budgets and now devastating the world because BP cut back on the quality of the products it used erecting this faulty drill putting greed over this disaster in the Gulf and the Oceans.
New Fact#7 Obama has deported more illegals than any other Administration.
Please be more specific on which of my statements are not based on facts.”
14. Janice said... on May 27, 2010 at 05:19PM
“Yes, I could be more specific. Please show me your research on these so called facts. These are not facts, they are emotional rants from a person who prefers to live in a world of fantasy, rather then a world of logic. Here are some actual facts:
1)7.7 million illegal aliens were employed in U.S. jobs in 2008(Number USA)
2)A 1997 study by the American Acadamy of Sciences found that the cheap labor of illegal aliens and poor immigrants caused a 44% decrease in wages among the poorest Amercians from 1980-1994(Center for Immigration Studies)
3)Illegal immigrants collectively represent a group that is a significant menace to the public-80% have commited serious crimes in addition to immigration violations and 40% have violent crime histories(Center for Immigration Studies)
4)In fiscal year 1999, expenses for incarcerating illegal aliens in state and local jails in Pa. cost taxpayers 13.3 million. Nationwide cost for housing illegal immigrants cost 2 billion a year. (CIS)”
15. Janice said... on May 27, 2010 at 05:25PM
“5)In 2004, Immigration and Naturalization Service repored that an estimated 78,000 potential terrorists were on U.S. soil, most having passed across our southern border illegally.
6)In 2004, 65,814 non-mexicans were arrested along the southwest border(CIS).
So, as you can see Chaloots, these are actual researched facts with a reference provided. Your writings are just based on how you feel. With a situation as serious as this, the people of the United States don't have time to deal with emotional nutcases such as yourself.”
16. chaloots said... on May 27, 2010 at 07:05PM
“Janice, you are resorting to name calling, (NUTCASE). Calling people names that you don't agree with does nothing to support your point, it only weakens it. And shows what kind of person you are. We have a choice we can fall into the hatred fear mongering that you want people to believe or we can believe in and live in Peace, and Love Our Neighbor like Jesus wants, however "dangerous" you think my and Jesus' Way to be.
Aren't your "FACTS" a little outdated? 1980? 1997? We are in the 21st Century and you are presenting statistics or facts decades old. Most of which are laughable, And don't address any of my FACTS directly. My facts don't need research, they speak for themselves, Jesus gave 1 Commandment, Mexicans are now our neighbors, Mexicans aren't going anywhere soon.Mexicans are proud good people looking for a better life.Reagan and Bush allowed the Mexicans in to give Big Business cheap labor and to keep American's wages low.If you can't debate w/o name calling do me the favor.”
17. Janice said... on May 27, 2010 at 10:38PM
“Yea, I probably shouldn't name call but you drove me to it. You should follow your own advice on that as I have read other posts from you (i.e.-Tea Klux Klan Party ). I support "hatered fear mongering" because I expect people should follow the law? A law that our federal government refuses to enforce. Chaloots, I would love to address your facts directly but once again you haven't stated any facts. You have just continued your irrational rant. I presented you with facts from a study that included the years 1980-1994 and was presented in 1997. I presented facts from a wide variety of years. I could present a myriad of other facts but I believe I would be wasting my time on you. These facts are laughable to you because you choose to ignore them and hide your head in the emotional sand. And yes, you and people who think as you do are dangerous to our country and society. The ideology you subscribe to is responsible for the death of my cousin. Sleep well!”
18. chaloots said... on May 28, 2010 at 06:55AM
“WWJD? The Tea Party is a bunch of bigots, who's uniting force is because they hate this President because he is black. And the dangerous ideology I subscribe to is Peace! Watch out Peace is a novel idea, rejected by those who hate.”
19. Janice said... on May 28, 2010 at 07:58AM
“Wow, pretty strong accusations towards the The Tea Party. Could you give me some facts to support that arguement. No, I didn't think so. The Tea Party movement is about less government intrusion into the lives of the citizens of the United States. They are about putting an end to out of control spending. Another liberal playing the race card again. No, you subscribe to entitlements! Greece is in the position its in today because of the entitlements the government promised it's people, and can't deliver. No, the dangerous ideology you subscribe to is stupidity! You really have no idea what you are talking about, and the WWJD thingy is getting old and worn out. Jesus would educate himself before making unjustified, ignorant (in the uneducated sense) statements.”
20. chaloots said... on May 28, 2010 at 09:02AM
“Love Thy Neighbor, don't persecute them.”
21. chaloots said... on May 28, 2010 at 09:34AM
“Don't know about anyone else, but that WWJD "thingy" will NEVER get old with me.
And I gave 6 facts and you continue to say my facts are not researched facts. Which one is not true, unjustified and ignorant?
Did Jesus not give us 1 Commandment?
Are the Mexican's not are neighbors?
Are the Mexicans going anywhere anytime soon?
Are the Mexicans not a proud good people looking for a better life,OR SHALL WE EQUATE THEM WITH THE ISLAMIC EXTREMIST like some would like us to do?
Did or didn't Reagan and Bush allow the flow of Mexicans to help Big Business with cheap labor and to keep Americans wages low?
Are the Mexican not FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS?
Which of these so called, ignorant uneducated statements are not true, please be specific?”
22. vipes said... on May 31, 2010 at 10:45AM
“You should come out here to Cali and see all of the illegal growing and drug selling. They grow in State and National Parks, then fire on the park workers and police. Lovely ILLEGALS.”
23. Billy the Penn said... on May 31, 2010 at 12:36PM
“When people start quoting Jesus (or any verse from the bible for that matter) all logic and reason has left the room. I don't normally agree with right wing philosophy but I would put my life in the hands a a tea party member before someone quoting Jesus as "fact". Blind faith kills, and in my opinion that is the most dangerous rhetoric of all.”
24. Janice said... on May 31, 2010 at 02:48PM
“1)Are the Mexicans going anywhere anytime soon?
(That has yet to be determined, so not a fact. Just your belief)
2)Are the Mexicans not a proud good people looking for a better life,OR SHALL WE EQUATE THEM WITH THE ISLAMIC EXTREMIST like some would like us to do?
(No, not all Mexicans are a proud good people and I think I gave you
some research on that in the earlier post. Nobody is equating
Mexicans with islamic extremists. The porous border gives way for
islamic extremists to enter our country illegally and make plans to harm
the citizens of the U.S.)
3.Did or didn't Reagan and Bush allow the flow of Mexicans to help Big Business with cheap labor and to keep Americans wages low?
(I've yet to see your source on this topic. No liberal blog sources
please, but actual sources)”
25. Janice said... on May 31, 2010 at 02:56PM
“Charloots, nobody is looking to deport millions of illegal Mexicans. Its not a viable solution. What we are looking for is to have the law followed, have our borders secured, and then some comprehensive immigration reform that may include worker visa's, and documentation of those people that have entered our country illegally. There are people who have waited years to become citizens of our country and who have proceeded properly through the immigration system. Billy the Penn is right in his statement that blind faith is the most dangerous rhetoric of all, and you are a perfect example of that. Its possible that you have not been directly affected by illegal immigration, but others have and your point of view is based on emotion and scripture, rather than logic and reason.”
26. chaloots said... on May 31, 2010 at 11:58PM
“This is amazing to me, quoting or following the logic of the most logical Man the world has ever known is now the reason for calling a debate illogical. But then again, He was crucified for His beliefs.
”
27. Janice said... on Jun 2, 2010 at 06:58AM
“Here is a new headline for ya chaloots;
(ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CRIME SPREE IN WASHINGTON;
One woman is dead and two others were raped recently and police say each crime was committed by a different illegal immigrant. )
So, you were saying what about all Mexicans just being good people looking for a better life? Better get back to some reality!”
28. chaloots said... on Jun 2, 2010 at 08:11AM
“LOL talking about getting their news from a bias source (FOX). Well the woman who is dead was killed by her boyfriend who ha”
29. chaloots said... on Jun 2, 2010 at 08:21AM
“Who has a history of domestic violence against her. The other incident is about a criminal who was deported many times but keeps coming back, he is a rapist.”
30. chaloots said... on Jun 2, 2010 at 08:26AM
“Trying to paint ALL MEXICANS in the light of all the crime committed by a few illegal criminal, is like saying that ALL ITALIANS are in the Mafia.”
31. Janice said... on Jun 2, 2010 at 06:31PM
“I'm sorry, but did FOX news make that story up. Was it a right wing article? Its not a few illegal criminals Chaloots. I have already given you those facts previously. I am not painting ALL MEXICANS. You are painting all Mexicans as "good people looking for a better life". I believe the exact number you used was 99% (a made up number of course). I am debating that statement with actual statistics. You are making up numbers in you head and trying to pass them off as facts.”