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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Tony Phillips: In Memoriam

Today's very detailed Morning Call account - Phillips' Facebook chat mate revealed - tells us that a Tony Phillips' ex-girlfriend is the culprit who set out to undermine his candidacy. A woman scorned, and not the Pawlowski camp, managed to divert everyone's attention from a an unsafe city in fiscal crisis. Had her identity been known from the onset, I doubt this would ever have been a story. Private lives should remain private.

President Judge Alfred Williams, who presided over many a custody dispute in his day, once told me there are three sides to every domestic dispute - her side, his side and the truth. We've heard her side. We may hear his side. I doubt we'll ever hear the truth.

Being human, we love all those titillating details about Tony's relationship, even if we don't know for sure exactly what happened. We're shocked, just shocked, to learn that he had a stormy relationship that ended badly. Nobody questions the temptress who created a false identity and who outright lied to put Tony in a position where she could pounce on him.

I might be Tony's sole defender here in Blogistan. I'll agree he used bad judgment, whatever that means. But he'd by no means be the first person who exercised bad judgment in a relationship. Nobody is willing to acknowledge that obvious truth. Instead, he is now being shunned by the very party that nominated him, denied an opportunity to speak at the first ever LV Republican convention this past Sunday. "With friends like these ..."

Michael Molovinsky is a former mayoral candidate who was treated pretty badly in his own run. He might be expected to have a shred of compassion. Wrong. He instead questions Phillips' intelligence in a post entitled Stupid is as Stupid Does. What is that if not mean-spirited?

Blogger LVCI incredibly condemns Tony for getting caught. "By allowing himself to be exposed he demonstrated his inability to be discrete." I see. If LVCI prefers a mayor who can hide his transgressions, King Edwin is the man for him. Would you like a mayor who claims that the city is really, really safe as bullets whizz over your head? Do you really want someone who brags about restoring fiscal stability while laying off city workers? Actually, King Edwin has been caught himself, and on matters a little more relevant to our lives.

Over at LVPoliblog, VDSM - a woman - chides men who think "with parts of their anatomy other than their brain." Gee, that's certainly true, but doesn't "Delores" play a teensy little role in this soap opera, too? Didn't Eve tempt Adam?

I can think of several local elected officials who've been involved in relationships that have ended badly. Some have been accused of cheating and other dastardly private deeds. There may even be a few pick their noses and eat it. I have some pretty hard evidence on a current candidate for public office, married with children, begging a college student to hook up with him. Should I publis that? Is it open season on private lives? You tell me.

We're very willing to examine all the lurid details of Tony's private life, putting him in a no win situation and effectively ending his candidacy. We're equally unwilling to delve into private lives of other officials. Why is that? Could it be that Tony's race enters into our thinking? Are we so willing to pronounce Tony a "horn dog" because he is, after all, black? You tell me.

I realize this defense of Tony is both unpopular and futile, but there's little point to blogging if I'm unable to express minority views.
Update: In the comments to The Morning Call story, "Delores4u2" is now claiming she is HIV positive and, like Florence Nightingale, she is simply warning other women about the danger of unprotected sex with Tony. Alrighty.

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

I stil don't understand this story. This is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard. Bernie, can you just summarize for me what he did wrong? The fact that the fake woman was married? Is that the charge?

LVCI said...

Bernie you said. "shunned by the very party that nominated him.

They did not... Correct me if I'm wrong.

On this we may disagree. I have no problem with that. But certainly King Edward is not the man for me! Any I certainly don't want him either.

Unfortunately I'm down to two choices. Dumb & Dumber.

Tony being Tony.... BLACK has nothing to do with it!

In fact I'm in agreement with Jimmy Carter and his views on this issue nationally.
I've gotten those emails from obvious bigots. I get it. I feel the conservatives need to separate themselves from the extremist loonies.

Bernie O'Hare said...

LVCI, Angle and I are a little busy right now. We've got a trucklioad of pitchforks and will be selling them in A-town this afternoon.

The party has shunned Tony. On Sunday it had its first ever convention, and Phillips was removed from the list. He's paying a heavy price for talking dirty with a fake woman who now claims she is HIV positive.

Anonymous said...

I think what is proven here is the anti-Pawlowski bias anyone who supported Tony had.

Tony was a horrible, horrible, candidate from day one. Anyone who could not see that was dangerously naive or simply blinded by their personal hate of Pawlowski.

In reality, anyone in this town with the qualifications to run recognizes our Mayor is doing a pretty good job.

Some competition would be healthy for this town but I don't see it coming. The local Rs and complainers look weaker today than they ever have.

Maria S. said...

I don't think its "right" or "excusable" for a scorned woman to "trick" her ex into saying scandalous things just so she can ruin his career - however, I don't think her wrong makes right Tony's actions.

He just shows poor judgment when it comes to women. I could make a LONG list of prominent female politicians who make very poor choices in men (starting with Hillary Clinton). I don't think having bad judgment in women is reason to be disqualified as mayor - but I never thought he was qualified to begin with.

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Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Last Wednesday, someone commented on your blog: "How did I know this blog would defend and rationalize Tony's appalling lack of judgment? Because his name is Tony, not Ed."

You responded: This blog gave you all the details and you are free to reach your own conclusions. Had it been Ed and not Tony, I would have slammed him bc he is married. I suspect Lady MacBeth would slam him harder. But if Ed were a single dude, I'd leave him alone.

So now we find out the married Tony was having an affair with Margarita.

Where's the slam?

And Margarita's elbow doesn't count.

Anonymous said...

Hell with Tony, that's old news...

Who's the married candidtae who tried to pick up the college girl... That would be a scoop. You asked if we thought you should mention it..hell yea...With the pols running this year it could be all of the above....

Anonymous said...

It's Callihan!

Anonymous said...

or Cunningham

Looking To Escape said...

In fact I'm in agreement with Jimmy Carter and his views on this issue nationally. I've gotten those emails from obvious bigots. I get it. I feel the conservatives need to separate themselves from the extremist loonies.


I think conservatives should be reminding black Democrats about what they said about George Bush. As the Lefties like to say, we have a teachable moment.

Looking To Escape said...

He just shows poor judgment when it comes to women


This could extend to people he appoints.
.
I think he could regain some face if he presents a strong platform.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Anon 2:47, I am to conclude that Tony was carrying on with this woman based on her say so? Please. If he was marred and seeing this woman, how am I to know he was not separated or that there was an open marriage arrangement? I don't think you've established any incosistency.

People's private lives should remain that way.

Dr. Smoothglove said...

Poor judgment is poor judgment. A legal-type defense that compartmentalizes the poor judgment to a specific area of one's life goes over like a fart in the church of voter opinion. Tony's gone but likely won't be forgotten.

And let's remember to wrap that thing kids!

Anonymous said...

The Republicans don't accept him because he's black. Duh.

Anonymous said...

6:46 = not racist by Obama standards!

Democrats hate uppity blacks.

monkey momma said...

I guess the question becomes: what is private and what is public?

Is it really private when you're having dirty talk on your campaign's facebook page? When you meet with a prositute in a public park? When you commit a violent crime, like elbow breaking?

I would say that even if these things ARE private, they certainly do bear witness to Tony's judgement and "character." I still say he's a complete and total idiot. Bernie, he was "had" by this gal. Who ELSE is standing in line to trick Tony?

Your implication of racism is interesting, but it makes me wonder if anyone's allowed to discuss any negative attributes, public or private, about any black candidate. If Tony were white (or whatever), his personal and private history would still lead me to believe he's a complete and total idiot.

It's OK to defend Tony, and he's not going to get a better defense than what you've offered. Still, it's not enough to convince me that Tony has what it takes to run a city. He's thin on the details of his non-existant plans, and he's been completely absent from campaigning, aside from answering some basic questions about Delores. I feel bad for the guy, but not bad enough to recommend voting for him.

Anonymous said...

At some point, people will conclude that all criticism of non-caucasion candidates and officials
will be deemed, by default, racist. At that point, voters may just stick with their racially representative candidate, in an effort to preserve their right to dissent, and to judge bad behavior and stupidity.

People have a right to form opinions about judgement and character, and that seems more the issue here. If it was really about R's not liking the black guy, he would not have been removed from the list of speakers at the convention. If it was really about race, he would not have been on the list in the first place.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Tony is scum!

Anonymous said...

Thank god we have julio guridy as the only honorable and well-qualifed man of color according to his website......NOT NOT NOT

Anonymous said...

out of all the story's about this. This link is the best. Check it out!
http://lehighvalleywithlove.com/post/189386507/woman-who-set-up-allentown-mayoral-candidate-with-sex

Anonymous said...

This is ridiculous. I'd never vote for Tony because I'm a democrat, ut what on earth did he do wrong.

It's not like he's out seeking women to hook up with regularly. A fake woman basically entrapped him online, he made one comment, albeit a funny one, about the tossing of salad, and that gets him two front page stories.

The Morning Call should stop abusing this guy for the love of Pete!!!

I'd threaten to cancel my subscription, but I did that months ago. Now I'm threatening to stop looking at it on the stand when I buy my morning coffee in WAWA too!!

Bernie O'Hare said...

Anon 9:30, You don't have to post a link for me. I read that blog every day. It's great. And I'fd have to ageree it was the best story about Tony I've read.

Bernie O'Hare said...

" If it was really about race, he would not have been on the list in the first place."

Good point.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Is it really private when you're having dirty talk on your campaign's facebook page? When you meet with a prositute in a public park? When you commit a violent crime, like elbow breaking?"

First, it was actually Tony's private F/B page and he was having a private conversation. I think he had a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Second, the meeting with a prostitute at Bucky Boyle Park is something Tony discussed with me. He's known this woman since Junior High and she is a friend. he met with her and there was no sex. She needed to talk. Police approached her three times to try and get her t say something.

Third, I'd never defend Tony if he broke a woman's elbow. But all we have is an allegation by a woman who we know was using a fake name and deceptive practices. Not the most reliable source. And since when is a doctor's bill for a broken elbow just $500? Please.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Anon, 1:09,

Yes gloat in your great victory, while I and other good citizens make plans to escape the wonders the Dem's have inflicted on the city.
Stop the BULLSH*T! Put pour kids in the schools here then write your dribble.

Scott Armstrong

Anonymous said...

Bernie,

If the Republicans had tried to excuse Tony's on line chat would they open themselves up to the criticism that they were "hypocrites? Republican voters have a record of holding their own elected officials accountable(pay raise R's, Newt,Bush Sr.,Foley...). With this in mind in made perfect sense to remove Tony from the list of speakers.
One more thing, those who make the charge of racism should consider the seriousness of this accusation beforehand. Otherwise a real loss of credibility could result.

Scott Armstrong

Bernie O'Hare said...

Scott, I did raise the possibility of some sort of latent racism w/ respect to Tony. Would he be getting this treatment if he were white. It was a question, not a charge, and a little introspection from time to time is a good thing. I think the question has been answered best by the person who notes that Tony would not have been listed at all if his race were an issue.

Anonymous said...

Hey Ohare why delete comments that give the other side of Tony. He showed incredibly poor judgement and it is now apparent the prostitue story was BS.

You have shreded good people with much less. Your irrational hatred of Pawlowski has blinded you to the obvious flaws in Phillips. Many of us are dissatisfied with Pawlowski. We however, can't overlook the troubling behavior of Philips. You may see outreach to a prostitute in a park after dark by a married man as a selfless act. Most others see it for what it was. Also I guess if you like the guy, smacking women around is OK.

Didn't we have the same problem with the domestic abuse sufferers when you defended Morganelli and attacked them.

A pattern?

You are very right, you are no journalist!

Bernie O'Hare said...

Commenting here is a privilege, not a right. I delete anonymous personal attacks and should really delete yours because it is spiced with personal attacks, but I'll address your points.

I have no reason to disbelieve Phillips. He may have exercised poor judgment, and I can respect that argument, but I will not leap from there to conclude he is a liar.

I have no idea whether he was talking to a prostitute or having sex w/ her. Neither do you. I have no idea whether he beat this woman up and broke her elbow. Neither do you.

What I do know is that I would not believe a word uttered by someone who could not even be honest enough to identify herself anmd whop, by her own admission, deseived Tony Phillips.

Anonymous said...
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Blah Society said...

"Not the most reliable source. And since when is a doctor's bill for a broken elbow just $500? Please."

A deductible?

Either way, doesn't seem right...

Anonymous said...
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Bernie O'Hare said...

Anonymous personal attacks, especially those directed at people who comment here, will be deleted. Focus on the issue, not the person. If you can't do that, don't comment.