Allentown's favorite conservative, Scott Armstrong, publishes The Allentown Commentator and is a contributor at Lehigh Valley Conservative Voice. His latest essay about The Queen City ties in nicely with the observations of an Allentown business owner, which you can read above.Isn't Allentown a strange place? What sane person could understand or comprehend the day to day insanity of both the governed and the governors of this once splendid city? For instance, isn't it curious how the mayor perceives a mandate from his re-election last November even though he had no real opposition? Who or what did Ed Pawlowski defeat in that "great" victory? What message of mandate can be drawn from the dismal few who showed up to vote? The real truth is that the election served only to demonstrated a truly sad state of the city. The acquiescence to the corruption of one party rule is Ed`s crowning achievement.
There was a time not so long ago when Allentown's society was vibrant, involved and filled with discourse and debate. Then Allentown was in a state of "being". It was alive, it had a future, it was going somewhere. Along the way, certain agents and controllers who thought they knew best decided civic disagreement and debate was against the city's best interests. They took the steps they believed necessary to spare Allentown of any and all alternative points of views. The result is what it is. What sane person can deny the obvious: that instead of speeding the city towards improvement Ed has brought it to total and utter ruin.
Clearly the city is now moribund and yet the mayor expects his ridiculous rhetoric to rally the corpse. If the former divinity student should pull off this miracle it would be an amazing feat. However I think we all recognize that removing the life from something is the far simpler act. Ed and his cohorts have so far managed only the facile acts of ruination and in so doing have taken the city far from promise. They have instead plunged the city into its current state of nothingness. It will be difficult to get residents fired up over that.
17 comments:
Ever seen this "essay" over at the Allentown Commentator klan? Regular "members" there include ASD board members Bob Smith and Dave Zimmerman. Imperial Wizard is the 5'1" Scott Armstrong.
I read this. It is the musings of a blowhard who likes to hear himself talk.
Anon 5:00 is crazy Bill Villa, who is 5'2".
I love how my Republican friends are always advocating "nuking places" to solve a problem: Iraq, Afghanistan, Russia in the 80s, Lebanon, Israel...."Just nuke 'em and start over" they tell me. But when it comes to their own run-down derelict city, they whine and cry like an Irish banshee outside a Kennedy funeral. Ethnocentrism. I'm sure if we showed videos of Allentown to the Afghans and Iraqis, they'd suggest to us we just nuke Allentown and start over too.
The bottom line: the situation in Allentown is bleak and dismal for the business owners and residents but Ed Pawlowski's economic and political future is bright and prosperous. Pawlowski knows this very well, heck he lined up the raise of his own salary to $120,000 a year, at the smae time the City has had to lay off employees. He is so bold as to continually use outside political donations to augment his income. Where did that $8,000 of election day cash handouts go to?
Anon 720am, I' going to guess that you don't have any Republican friends. The hate in your post is staggering, and blanket comments like that are meaningless.
The Banker
Danke schoen, Herr Banker
Christ, Bernie. Read that essay. Armstrong brushes it of as an expression of frustration. When did racism become okay in the event that somebody becomes frustrated.
Armstrong constantly talks about failed leadership. He failed as a leader in what was an opportunity to point out racist comments and at a minimum call them out for being inappropriate. FAIL!
What Scott and Co. forget to remember is that the city has a HUGE Democratic advantage. If you want to win in a Democratic strong hold like allentown, filled with diverse populations and groups, it might be wise to talk to people as if you really do care about them and not allow the vile commentary offer at that forum to stand anywhere near their agenda. Scott isn't racist. But he sure hasn't acted like a leader in trying to promote an agenda that articulates a compelling vision of Allentown without attracting the racist crowd. AS a leader, sometimes it helps to look at who is following you.
Let's assume that the essay in question is racist(I would not allow it to stand because it is insensitive, not racist) and that Scott condoned it (tolerated is a more likely explanation).
That has NOTHING to do with his points here. His decision to allow that comment is being used to try to diminish everything that he himself says. That's illogical.
As far as branding Scott because some racists may read or comment at The Commentator, that would be like branding Pawlowski bc crazy elitists like the Villas are his cheerleaders. That's equally illogical.
What you are really trying to do is divert attention away from the very legitimate points raised by Scott.
what I am trying to do is point out that if Scott was truly interested in creating the Allentown he says he wants to create, he would realize that he is currently doing a very poor job in turning that vision into a reality. I am highlighting a point: doing the same things, shouting the same things and making the same accusations, over and over and over again has managed to move Scott and others further from their vision. Perhaps, maybe it is time to actually reconsider the strategy.
Just a thought. I like the vision in general (accountable government, community driven process, etc), but I think it needs a leader that hasn't demonstrated time and again an interest in his ideology over all else. Heck, just a couple weeks ago he said his new mission is to defeat all Dems in 2010 and beyond. Allentown is a Democratic City. Why should anybody who is inclined to be receptive to his message listen if his full-blown agenda is to beat Democrats? He framed the battle as a losing battle from the very beginning and that is his fault, not Pawlowski or the D machine in the city.
Point taken.
When the current morass enjoys almost 80% voter approval and the situation continues to decline, there is little a loyal opposition can do but stand athwart history and yell, "stop." Any of his suggestions are summarily dismissed, as one would expect of the voice of a very small minority. But there's always hope. Nobody could fathom Ted Kennedy's old seat being up for grabs and potentially in danger. Scott gets credit for continuing to fight the good fight where many others have done the math and left the mess to those who made it and support its continuation.
Anon 933, I'll accept your thanks in the spirit it was intended, which no doubt is pure.
The Banker
The problem is that Pawlowski is using "ridiculous rhetoric" to improve his economic and political stature. All Pawlowski has to do is project a positive image, collect his $120,000 per year and prepare for his new gig in 2014 (likely a cushy state job or DRJTBC job like Julio got). Just like his old pal Roy, Pawlowski can just fill his suitcase with cash and move out in 2014.
FYI,
For anyone's information I am not trying to do anything in Allentown. I am merely commenting on the reality of the situation. For that effort insult and slander such seen into today’s postings is the routine response. This has merely served to affirm one of the central points of the essay. Thanks for cooperating.
Scott Armstrong
This is the 2nd time the $120,000 mayor's salary was claimed erroneously.
For the sake of accuracy, let's get the number right. It's $95,000
Page #15
LVCI said...
This is the 2nd time the $120,000 mayor's salary was claimed erroneously.
For the sake of accuracy, let's get the number right. It's $95,000
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What about $95000 + 35% benefits? What does that come to?
VOR
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