Over the years, I've owned a few cats and dogs. In my opinion, dogs taste better, but that's a matter of personal opinion. One man's meat is another poison. My cats were, like me, miserable bastards. One of them actually gave me blood poisoning and nearly killed me. He was cool. Shortly before these nasty critters died, they suddenly would became very nice. They'd leap on my lap, start purring and then die, but not before pissing on me.
From the posts below, you might get the impression that I've suddenly turned nice and am gonna' jump on your lap. Don't worry. I'm not dying. But I might piss on you.
Bernie
ReplyDeleteWould you like a shopper's review of the first Bottom Dollar store grand opening? Of course you would. Here's goes.
Lehigh Street's Bottom Dollar opened this past week. It is located in the former cavernous Food4Less store and next door to the Brass Rail.
The first thing shoppers notice is the store is bright and clean
and with 10 degree outside temperatures, warm and cozy.
It is easily 1/5th the size of the former Food4Less which means owners have ample space to sell something else in the future.
The store offers item selections that number perhaps two or so per item. All are attractively displayed and there are many name brands available.
As to the prices being lower, we'll leave that to others to decide. We could not do a week's shopping there, but it is very pleasant and the check out staff outstanding. Wish them well.
Totally off topic . . . why does the Mcall shut off the comments section whenever it runs a story about latinos in the LV? The story might generate 10-12 comments, the majority of which may be insensitive or offensive, but it's hardly a reason to shut down a public forum. Other news outlets seem to have no problem w/ allowing comments to all news stories.
ReplyDeleteThe Mcall continues to lose readers and I'm one of them.
Bernie... you are still the best old TomCat out there. Henry Schaadt
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteTotally off topic . . . why does the Mcall shut off the comments section whenever it runs a story about latinos in the LV? The story might generate 10-12 comments, the majority of which may be insensitive or offensive, but it's hardly a reason to shut down a public forum. Other news outlets seem to have no problem w/ allowing comments to all news stories.
The Mcall continues to lose readers and I'm one of them.
7:34 AM
Absolutely true. Glad you said it. For Call reporters and that high and mighty Muhlenberg professor who thinks she knows it all to bring up Emma's name 15 years after she passed away, give it a break. Did these reporters even mention that hundreds of communities across the country have also adopted English First legislation? Disgustingly biased.
"The story might generate 10-12 comments, the majority of which may be insensitive or offensive"
ReplyDeleteWho are you fooling? There would have been hundres of comments and 75% of them would have been comments about how horrible Latinos are for the Lehigh Valley. What's worse is that there would be no real names attached to the comments. The morning call is under no obligation to provide bigots a forum to express their racism.
Anon 7:20, Sounds like a favorable review. I've seen one on Cata Rd and it does look bright and cheery from the outside. i was tempted to go in but my grandson was with me and we were on our way to see Yogi Bear.
ReplyDeleteI believe the MC account is biased, from its very first sentence.
ReplyDelete"In 1994, Allentown leaders were so threatened by the number of Latinos moving into the city that council made national headlines by declaring English the city's official language."
I could think of many reasons for wanting English as the official language, and it is both unfair and biased to assert, as a matter of fact, that it is some irrational fear of Latinos. Some of those leaders, like Lou Hershman, are still here. I am friendly with him and have never once heard him use a disparaging remark towards any ethnic group. It is unfair and inaccurate to make this claim about A-town's leadership in the '90s.
"I could think of many reasons for wanting English as the official language, and it is both unfair and biased to assert, as a matter of fact, that it is some irrational fear of Latinos. Some of those leaders, like Lou Hershman, are still here. I am friendly with him and have never once heard him use a disparaging remark towards any ethnic group. It is unfair and inaccurate to make this claim about A-town's leadership in the '90s."
ReplyDeleteI don't read an irration fear into the section you quote. You can call into question whether the leadership motives match with the account offered by the MCall, but I don't know I can find irrational fear in that account.
Re: Herschman, it would be nice if you recognized that he is no longer relevant in Allentown. He is long out of leadership. Sure he's around and makes a lot of noise, but he has as much leadership responsibility now as a paper weight. I has altered the course of almost no city policies that I can think of over the last 5 years.
"In 1994, Allentown leaders were so threatened by the number of Latinos moving into the city"
ReplyDeleteIf A-town leaders felt threatened, what is that if not an irrational fear? I believe the very first sentence of this news account reveals a bias against A-town's leadership at that time. I mention Hershman bc, whether you like it or not, he was part of that leadership. Was he contacted to determine if there is any basis in fact for the assertion that A-town leaders felt threatened? It is unfortunately a slanted piece that assumes a bigotry that certainly did not exist with Hershman. I never knew Tropiano, but believe there are two sides to her story as well.
Hey look, I have nothing against bias. I'm biased all the time. But that is no "objective" piece and i doubt an objective piece can be written when it comes to bias in Allentown.
"If A-town leaders felt threatened, what is that if not an irrational fear?"
ReplyDeleteYou presume that a threat is an irrational fear. Logically, that requires a few additional steps to be possible.
I read that section to say that leaders were once threatened. Now, the reality is that Allentown has more minorities than non-minorities.
What is really funny is that the article is way off in the origins of the english as official language history. That language was tucked into the charter ratified by voters with a well funded Pat Toomey (yes, he was responsible for that section in the proposal and for the funding) using that as a way to enact the charter proposal. Too bad the charter is a disaster of a charter. But the origins had nothing to do with leaders at the time with the exception of it being used as a political tool to get the charter enacted. I'm sure some people will disagree, but they weren't subject to Toomey's calculations.
"You presume that a threat is an irrational fear. Logically, that requires a few additional steps to be possible."
ReplyDeleteTrue, but in this context, what other logical conclusion is possible?
Now you are saying it is Toomey? Haven't heard that before, but you may well be right. It is either biased or factually inaccurate, or both.
How did this start as a cat and get turned into grocery stores? Bernie and me are ol' tom cats, we find our own prey river
ReplyDelete"I could think of many reasons for wanting English as the official language, and it is both unfair and biased to assert, as a matter of fact, that it is some irrational fear of Latinos...It is unfair and inaccurate to make this claim about A-town's leadership in the '90s."
ReplyDeleteWell said. There's a strong argument that a necessity to learn English enhances Latinos' and others' chances of more fully realizing their potential as Americans. It may be a more compassionate approach than enabling native languages that ultimately keep its speakers socially and economically stunted.
It also creates divisions. Just ask an English speaking Canadian what he thinks of a Francophile Quebecois, and vice-versa.
We always knew you were a big old pussy O'Hare!
ReplyDelete