Philly Heat: PHILADELPHIA FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

lcd24 — Wed, 13 May 2009 04:23:59 +0000

The Album Series

lcd24 — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:24:58 +0000

Since the so called “Boss” released another album of the same songs just different titles, I feel the need to put up a list of albums by bands that well have talent. One rule though each album listed was sold in vinyl at time of original release so if you want to add an album suggestion then it must have been originally released on vinyl. Albums with ( ) around them were released on cd not vinyl but deserve recognition due to content and impact. I will make a master list with any input. Now if a Bruce Album is suggested you will be made fun of and feel shame but I will consider it.

#1 Revolver-The Beatles
#2 Dark Side of the Moon- Pink Floyd
#3 Who’s Next- The Who
#4 Blond on Blond- Bob Dylan
#5 Exile on Main Street- Rolling Stones/ Led Zeppelin IV- Led Zeppelin
#6 Pet Sounds- The Beach Boys
#7 Disraeli Gears- Cream
#8 Quadrophenia- The Who
#9 London Calling- The Clash
#10 Abbey Road- The Beatles
#11 Lola vs The Powerman- The Kinks
#12 The Velvet Underground- The Velvet Underground/The Piper at the Gates of Dawn-Pink Floyd
#13 The White Album- The Beatles
#14 Let it Bleed/Beggars Banquet- The Rolling Stones
#15 Houses of the Holy- Led Zeppelin (Nevermind- Nirvana)
#16 The Rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust- David Bowie
#17 Bookends- Simon and Garfunkel
#18 Rumors- Fleetwood Mac
#20 The Wall- Pink Flyod
#21 Wish You Were Here- Pink Floyd
#22 Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band- The Beatles (Vitalogy- Pearl Jam)
#23 L.A. Women- The Doors
#24 Elvis Costello- My Aim is True/ Outlandos d’Amour- The Police
#25 Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirty Cowboy- Elton John
#26 Blood on the Tracks- Bob Dylan
#27 Bridge Over Troubled Water- Simon and Garfunkel
#28 Synchronicity- The Police
#29 Electric Ladyland- Jimi Hendrix
#30 Remain in the Light- Talking Heads

Now this list is just my personal list and I will explain each album and why in future posts, the last 15 will get a blog entry a piece.

FINALLY WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!!!!

lcd24 — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:34:29 +0000

I do not think I have the emotional range to describe how I feel about all of this. I mean October baseball is so special it makes men out of boys and turns them back into boys when you win it all. I have waited 27 years to witness this and what was cool is I got to enjoy it with my dad and thats what baseball is all about. This last 12 months has been months a great earth moving change first of my confidante and the person I went to when I had a huge decision to make about life my grandother died this exact time last year. Also my two best friends got married and are starting families of their own, also another close friend had a baby named Gabriel who now is the youngest and biggest Phillies fan. I guess my grandfather needed my grandmom with him to make this happen I mean he tought me everything about baseball and sports in general and I did shed a few tears that he was not here with us in person to see this because I saw all the games he watched in frustraton and to finally win with this group who he would have loved is special.

October baseball fuels people in two ways through the winter the winners are kept warm by the joy of being champions and the loosers fueled by what could have been and the fire that now burns through the winter to get to spring training. I have to admit the echos of October are the most unique and haunting sounds in all of sports and man they are sweet as candy when you win!!!

Keep Your Eye On the Ball

lcd24 — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:05:56 +0000

I have been hard on Obama and certain sections of his supporters and unfortunately, this post will be no different. Do not get me wrong I am still going to vote for him, but this world wind tour of the Middle East and Europe is in my opinion arrogant. First he is not the President yet and really since he is not running uncontested he should be at home going after McCain and his policies. Yes, I know this trip shows he can bring America’s image around the world back into good standing, since he has no real power yet the Europeans put on a very good dog and pony show. Kennedy fell victim to this in 1961 and the first Berlin Crisis of his administration almost sank him at home. (with the hawks it did) Plus nothing was really on the line in terms of policy, just hollow political capital from the leaders of Europe and the Middle East in the attempt to gain swing votes in the US. I am not impressed. That is what McCain is going to say. While Obama won the photo op and popularity test of Europe that may not fly well in America when the economy keeps sliding into a recession and the financial crisis continues to grow. Tell me how Senator Obama; will Europe help our falling dollar and financial crisis? That is the issue that will decide who will win the election, not national security. Most Americans have a mature opinion on the subject that is neither conservative nor liberal, or falls under party lines. The economy well that is more divisive and falls along party lines, this Senator Obama will always be true and will lead to the keys of the White House for four years. Just ask George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

Greenies Know Best

lcd24 — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:22:53 +0000

Trying not to sound like a populist, this whole global environmentalism has really rubbed me the wrong way of sorts. Sure, it is noble to want to protect the earth and be more eco friendly, but now the greenies are seem to be going one step to far and banging for lack of a better word the average American. Walk into home depot and look at the green or earth friendly products and sticker shock will ensue. For the most part these products can be two to five dollars more than regular items, and thus makes it difficult to budget considering the current economy. Now you might ask well then just buy what you can afford and that’s true but, when your kid is constantly bombarded by school and television about how where he/she lives is killing planet earth, you then have a kid saying how mommy and daddy are killing the polar bears and giving them cancer. The greenies are brain washing everyone and pulling the guilt strings of the American public. People in Europe are more earth friendly or willing to change because they are trained over time and not beaten over the head; also they see the change and thus do not feel taken advantage. It is rubbish. I feel that the left leaning elements of the Democratic Party are trying to prove Orwell right in controlling everything other than the Patriot Act. That is right I said it the only time the democrats cry 1984 is when it comes to anything dealing with big brother national security, with government listening on you and knowing everything about you.

The point of this rant is if you want people to change, you cannot hit them over the head with Gallagher’s hammer, the better way would be to tie it into national security. I would give a tax holiday but with the promise that this country would invest totally into alternative means of power and geographical planning that would totally cut our dependence on foreign oil. That is the national security challenge for the 21st century. In addition, a great by product is reduced emissions and money in the average Americans pocket, not to mention the fact that we can deal with Iran, North Korea, China and Russia on our terms and at our choosing.

A Mess Up….Do Not Call Me The Ugly American

lcd24 — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:54:43 +0000

I am starting out by saying this I still support Barrack Obama, but Mr. Obama do not say I am a backward American because I do not speak French, German, Russian, Italian, Hungarian and Spanish. Yes do I get mad when I answer the phone and the person on the other end speaks broken English, and when I have to read a sign where English seems to be a secondary language in my own country. But when I do travel to Europe I understand not everyone won’t speak English and I really do not expect them to either. Then again Formula 1, International business, and I believe NATO require English as the primary language. Also Mr Obama I think you need a geography lesson, look at the map of Europe and see how easily one can travel to France from Germany, Spain, Netherlands and Italy. What do you get? Four completely different languages so the immediacy to learn at least two of them is a vital priority. If we are so idiotic then answer me this how much American food is in Europe, oh wait thats right none because we love the food of Europe and Asia since everyone in this country is an immigrant. That leads me to why we do not learn a different language, when my great grand parents came to America they wanted little to do with where they came from. The kids (my grandparents) were forced to speak, read, and write in English. Now some have said this ruined cultural identity but I grew up on stories and traditions of the old ways. They never died but were taken as a point of personal pride and helped them to become American, and now they are celebrated as they were for generations. Oh and just remember those sophisticated Europeans drove out the immigrants through discrimination and war. Only to have their children and grand children come a save their butts from twice and give them what they have today. So Barrack and Europe get off your high horse you might learn something about us Americans.

Beatles Thoughts

lcd24 — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:34:08 +0000

Since writing about politics and other civic minded causes tends to grind in the summer months I figured to do something fun. While listening to local classic rock radio they were discussing favorite Beatles songs, or should I say the ones that changed things in the world of music. All the standards were there but I want to start the discussion over again with your input.

My favorite Beatles song is “Ticket to Ride” in my opinion this song shows the potential that the Beatles would live up too. The song starts out with a slight twinge that the Bryds would make famous, also the content in the song is not the boy meets girl falls in love or she breaks his heart. The song was a realistic look at a relationship with a guy and a “sexually liberated women” and the guy who is has to come to grips with her leaving him on her terms “I don’t know why she is riding so high” is the line that puts the song in perspective. The sound in the song is very different than what the Beatles had been putting out it was a cool sound almost an angry sound when combined with the lyrics. After this the Beatles would go on to make a group of albums that as a whole may never be equaled by any group ever again.

Now its up to you the readers what say you?

Could it be….Progress

lcd24 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:11:08 +0000

Looks like Mayor Nutter has taken the first step plans to develop Pier 11 by the Ben Franklin Bridge. Here is the Daily News link to the article. Apparently this could be a collaboration between Penn Praxis, The Penns Land Corp, and the City Planning commission. Lets hope they can all get along and come to some sort of consensus on planning and funding for the project. This could be the first step to joining the city and the water front and creating a green scape on the water front that future Philadelphians can visit relax and play.

Speaking of “new” Philadelphians I would like to congratulate my good friends Scott and Julia on the birth of their son Gabriel Everett!! (Ladies he is a real looker!! Cute little man) Hopefully one day he could play in a park on the water front thats full of green stuff like trees, grass, and plants. But hey he will soon learn about the Phillies and Flyers! Congratulations again!!!

Crossed?

lcd24 — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 06:35:36 +0000

This article by John Avlon on Politico tries to explain the idea that swing voters from both parties will have a strong say in the up coming general election. Two groups according Avlon appear to have the majority of people, Obamacans and McCainocrats. The Obamacans are the more interesting group; they tend to be former Regan democrats and IKE supporters according to Avlon. This is interesting considering that McCain want to give the impression that he is a Regan republican that wants to cut the size of government especially the spending that has been going on the last dozen years. In fact the Obamacans have a web site republicans for obama that go into detail the reasons that they support Obama. When I visited the site, the one thing that strikes you right away is that the site is not that different from the regular Obama For America site. The talking points are the same and even the reasons why they are for Obama section gives very little detail other than the fact that the Republican Party has failed them or better yet betrayed their old conservative ways with neo-con rubbish. Now you may assume that I am spelling out a conspiracy when I say this site could be a ploy by Obama but many Goldwater and Regan republicans have expressed distress with the current incarnation of the party (me included) and feel Obama will address the needs better than McCain.
Now on to the McCain end of this and well the organization of the site for McCain cross over is terrible. The other site professing allegiance to McCain is a pro Israel web site that shows Obama dressed like a terrorists. This is pure neo-con nonsense; the idea that Obama would sell out Israel is as bad as WMD’s in Iraq. By far the best site for McCain in the article was the Leftist Lesbian Atheist for McCain who according to Avlon call any Obama supporter an Obamabot. Funny how the neo cons who hate anyone who has no place for God would align them selves with lesbian atheists or even lesbians for that matter. Finally, you get the bland mccainocrat.com that has nothing on it, which really shows the generational gap between the two campaigns that really leads to why Obama will win. Simply because Obama can do what McCain currently does but better; reach across the aisle and get key votes on issues to move the country forward. That is the leader you want in office someone who will not toe a party line or a singular form of policy and ride it into the gutter. When you have true republicans calling the opposition the new Regan or Goldwater of politics you are in trouble in fact when the two people mentioned are political heroes to McCain then you are in big trouble.

Time to Become a Great City Again

lcd24 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:00:54 +0000

Philadelphia is primed for great things to happen, and the ball is already rolling we finally got rid of John Street and replaced him with a Mayor who seems to want revitalization. We could have in the near future the tallest skyscraper out side of Chicago and New York that could really tie our skyline together. In addition, it seems that new areas of the city are finally coming back such as brewery town in North Philadelphia. This is excellent but we are far from being out of the woods, we have gun laws that are not enforced or do not exist, a public transportation system that well not user friendly and extremely lacking for a city equipped to handle 2.5 million people. Also we have a great waterfront that is cut off from the city by a highway and is about as appealing as a mausoleum, and smells like a bathroom after an Eagles game (at the Vet). While reading South Jersey Magazine, I came across an article that spotlighted PATCO, the regional rail service that allows people from South Jersey to get to center city. The service it self is great always on time (SEPTA take note) and you can buy tickets that give you up to ten rides or the new trans pass car that you can reload. The only problem with PATCO is that the furthest south the line goes is Lindenwold and most people still need to drive to get to a station since bus service from NJ transit is spotty at best. Then of course after 8pm service gets cut down and weekend service is very spotty. From a personal stand point I wish PATCO had better weekend service it would allow me to see my friend Scott more frequently and go to more events in the city.

But never fear PATCO has a plan, John Matheussen, PATCO president, and CEO of the Delaware River Port Authority has around 180-200 million dollars for improvements to the rail cars, station and to develop the existing sites around the train stations making them into cultural and shopping centers. Also in the works are plans to expand the service into greater South Jersey such as Gloucester County and lower Camden County, also to expand service into South Philly, Penn Treaty Park and the waterfront. Expansion to the stadium and into the Philadelphia suburbs are also on the table, this would be a great thing considering rider ship has jumped to 36,000 up from 33,000 last year. This is needed badly with gas prices going up and traffic a nightmare this is the solution.

As stated earlier in this post our water from is a cement nightmare that smells of urine and has vagrants’ walking through. Philadelphia Green, the urban revitalization program of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society wants to change this by making the water front more appealing by removing old buildings and cement blocks for trees and plants and more friendly atmosphere. The ultimate goal being the unification of the waterfront with the city as it use to be fifty years ago. This is a good idea because we need a waterfront that someone would go to just to hang out and walk drink coffee and beers on a summer night. Who honestly goes to the waterfront for anything but some few select places? That’s right nothing else period and that is sad. I know none of these ideas will help lower the crime rate but we need to start somewhere if we cant get this right how the hell can we fix our crime ridden neighborhoods??