Local Government TV

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

First Amendment Still Applies in Bethlehem

I was quite intrigued by Bethlehem's proposed ordinance repealing the First Amendment. I considered going to last night's Council meeting, but was having dinner with my grandson and a friend to celebrate my 39th birthday. I did watch the video, which strangely stopped after only 13 minutes. It was enough. Mayor Bob Donchez requested Council for an indefinite postponement, and all seven members were only too happy to agree. So happy that they did so without hearing from the public, in violation of the State Sunshine Act.  But hey, if you're hellbent on ignoring the Constitution, what's a measly state law?

This was a terrible idea. Bethlehem government at one time did the bidding of steel execs, but now it's the artsy-fartsys (sp?) from Artsquest. It's OK to go to Musikfest and get tanked or high. But these artistes get very uncomfortable when groups assemble, not for the chicken dance, but to take aim at hot-button topics like abortion, immigrants or Donald Trump. So just as Bethlehem Steel lawyers used to write ordinances for the City, Artsquest had its own lawyer draft a proposal.

Until we start electing Artsquest leaders, I'd prefer to see the City do its own damn homework.

Although I was unable to see or hear the meeting, I was contacted by several people to tell me about one person who was there to exercise her First Amendment rights.

It was none other than the Wicked Witch of West Easton, Tricia Mezzacappa.

"Bernie O'Hare is a piece of shit," is what she reportedly told everyone during her five minutes.

I always wondered why I smell.

41 comments:

  1. Will Dana Grubb run for Mayor???????

    ReplyDelete
  2. He,Willie and Bryan are the three names I’ve heard.

    ReplyDelete
  3. J. Willie is likely to run. Watch how far left Van Wirt pushes him the next two years. Banning plastic bags and plastic straws, and requiring developers to put solar panels on their buildings will just be the start.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why is it that trying to be environmentally responsible is a left/right issue? Shouldn't all sides want policy that keeps our community and the larger world survivable into the future? Eliminating fossil fuel usage and therefore the products they produce benefits everybody. It's a problem of epic proportions but needs to begin to be solved NOW for everyone's sake. These things often start at the grassroots level and build upward into national and corporate policy. We can only hope that is happening now but it needs to quickly accelerate or we ALL will suffer. Bethlehem has already stated their commitment to green policy...time to act.

      Delete
  4. Gentleman Jim Gregory is pondering returning to make Bethlehem great again.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Bernie, no worries about how you spell artsy-fartsy because we can still smell their kind a mile away. At least, if there are those like you to call them out. What was that saying? The "price of freedom is eternal vigilance"? Please Lord protect us from those who would "protect" us.

    ReplyDelete
  6. "This was a terrible idea. Bethlehem government at one time did the bidding of steel execs, but now it;s the artsy-fartsys (sp?) from Artsquest. It's OK to go to Musikfest and get tanked or high"

    What about the pee pee?

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's time to call out the organization which is called Artsquest and its non-profit status. For it to be at the front of minimizing free speech is simply poor judgement and its management staff needs to be called out for it!

    Grubb = disgruntled individual
    Callahan = jerk
    Willie = not sure

    ReplyDelete
  8. if Callahan light wins the mayor's office will he install a bar on the second floor?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Someone anonymously asked, "Is it true Mezzacrappy's weapon has been confiscated by PSP and she is to be arrested soon for attempting to replace it?"I deleted the comment bc of a huge gap at the end of it and reposted here.

    I honestly have no idea and have filed no RTK with PSP for any incident reports regarding her.

    ReplyDelete
  10. "if Callahan light wins the mayor's office will he install a bar on the second floor?"

    I hope so.

    ReplyDelete
  11. "Grubb = disgruntled individual"

    That is putting it kindly. Watch out though, he may get into a fist fight with you!

    "Callahan = jerk"

    And not as smart/savvy as his brother.

    "Willie = not sure"

    Lacks leadership. Bob 2.0 if elected.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Bethlehem Steel did more for the City then it got back in return. From Corporate lawyers to almost every department in the Plant. When the City called we responded.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'll bet. And the City was just another department. That is not good government.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Did I miss the part in the 2 articles you wrote that this was Artsquest's idea? Why would Artsquest be opposed to liberal policies listed in latest piece?

    Also, why is 8:41 bringing up climate change. Is there a whole article I'm missing.

    ReplyDelete
  15. ... But act in a way that is actually responsive to the problem and consider the impact as well. A ban on plastic straws, for example, is nothing more than virtue signalling. It will have no effect on plastic polluting our waterways. It would be far more effective to conduct periodic sweeps along waterways with volunteers and persons who can be paid for their efforts with the county's open space money.

    Solar panels are still quite expensive and represent a danger to firefighters. A requirement should apply first to public buildings and nonprofits but you have it ass backwards bc you want o discriminate against big, bad developers.

    ReplyDelete
  16. And then you can complain about the lack of affordable housing.

    ReplyDelete
  17. And let's be clear-the shift to a solar green electricity economy will require HUGE amounts of new environmentally invasive mining to get the elements necessary for demand
    Environmentally it will be a left pocket right pocket bargain in many ways

    ReplyDelete
  18. You'd rather have teams of "volunteers" sweeping water ways rather than face the indignity of a paper straw? Wow, now that's what we call boomerism.
    Love, -GenX.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I would have teams of volunteers (and there are groups already doing this) AND would offer jobs at$15 per hour to people to sweep the waterways in NC. This will have a far greater impact on plastic pollution of our oceans than a ban on plastic straws and bags. The ban proposal is ineffective and is purely virtue signaling.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I get your point about virtue signaling. But is it really a hardship using a paper straw and a paper bag?

    You started on about straws which I agree have little impact. But plastic bags are a whole other issue. I use both plastic bags and plastic straws but I'm old and set in my ways. But I'm not seeing the problem if these were suddenly gone tomorrow.

    I don't know. It seems people use up more energy fighting against envinmental policy ideas than just actually effectuating change.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Yeah, ban plastic bags.

    People can clean up after their dogs with bags made of hemp.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Big bad developers?? So asking developers to put solar panels on their land sucking warehouses and other structures is bashing developers?? They have an impact on our community that goes beyond normal wear and tear of infrastructure AND they get lots of tax breaks. No, asking developers to be responsible community members should be expected as part and parcel of their approvals. Regarding having "clean up crews" to deal with our plastic problem, yes, that's one way of dealing with part of the problem. You do realize though that it all would eventually go into landfills (that are running out of room) and will never degrade? So the problem needs to be tackled at both ends, usage and disposal/recycling/clean-up.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Bethlehem government at one time did the bidding of steel execs. How about some examples

    ReplyDelete
  24. Just about everything, from police coverage to even the government. It was the Steel that wanted one Bethlehem. Give me a break.

    ReplyDelete
  25. "Big bad developers?? So asking developers to put solar panels on their land sucking warehouses and other structures is bashing developers??"

    When you impose an expensive solar requirement on them but exempt nonprofits and public buildings, you are discriminating against a class of people who are apparently the new bad guys.

    "asking developers to be responsible community members should be expected as part and parcel of their approvals."

    You're not asking them to install solar panels. You're requiring it. Is it responsible to make this demand at a time when everyone is clamoring about a lack of affordable housing? Get real. There are other, far less intrusive measures.

    ReplyDelete
  26. "You started on about straws which I agree have little impact. But plastic bags are a whole other issue. I use both plastic bags and plastic straws but I'm old and set in my ways."

    I agree plastic bags are a far greater environmental hazard. But instead of an absolute ban, I would encourage the clean-up efforts and educate the public more about plastic bags. Many businesses have begun. I would support a phased-in ban on plastic bags because the evidence is overwhelming. Something needs to happen, I agree, but there should be time so we old farts can get used to I have tried to stop using plastic bags myself, but it will take me time to get the used to paper or canvas and i always forget. In some communities, EACs are much more educational. Bethlehem's seems more interested in ordering others what to do.

    ReplyDelete
  27. "Did I miss the part in the 2 articles you wrote that this was Artsquest's idea? Why would Artsquest be opposed to liberal policies listed in latest piece?"

    This muzzle on free speech definitely comes from Artsquest. A muzzle on free speech is fascist, neither liberal nor conservative.

    "Also, why is 8:41 bringing up climate change. Is there a whole article I'm missing."

    Yes, we wandered off topic. I'm guilty. I'll stop.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Fake News! She was there to wish you Happy Birthday Bernie!

    ReplyDelete
  29. And in other news women with five children aborts sixth and da martin and crew swarmed the site to collect the remnants for personal facials of the women in the notorious hamilton street gang o thugs. The reciepiants will be showing there facials at the ppl center and there will be art pieces exibited through out riellyvilles halls?
    Da martin will be presenting the bucket o goods and it will win first prize for art work rendered with dna testing on the side for mommy and daddy award of the year!

    ReplyDelete
  30. name some examples. Bethlehem Steel Employees funded St Luke's Hospital Expansion what did the City give to Bethlehem Steel. Come on name names and dates of all the misgivings by Bethlehem Steel Execs

    ReplyDelete
  31. 2:54 pm the city got, bethlehem steels retirees offsprings inheritances through the many venues used by the invading band of parasites. This done with the help of oversite committees that have terrorized offspring and retirees by acts of treason and war. This all not only to steal and pillage the home grown population but to increase the deficit of local municipalities too.
    All the while think alloud them there pennsyiltukians are too stupid to know that there claims of accomplisments are truely low!

    ReplyDelete
  32. 2.54 show me the evidence

    ReplyDelete
  33. 2.54 show me the evidence just like bernie no facts jack

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooooo there is plenty of evidence and a picture telss the tail. Than there will be facts checking with RTN invoices to correspond with the picture evidence than last but not least the desposible oboma phones that have ACCESS card numbers attached to a person?

      Now go let the flow of rainbow unikorns seep from your asses trying to peddle your old new green deal!

      Delete
  34. Like I said, there are numerous examples startuing with Bethlehem itself. The reason there is a city is bc that is what Bethlehem Steel wanted. When the Steel wanted to suppress workers upset about being ordered to work 7 days a week for pennies, the Steel got Bethlehem cops and PSP to bash a few heads in. They even killed someone. This kind of violence continued. The BS called the shots (sometimes literally) for many years.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anyone that claims Bethlehem Steel didn't own the city is nutz or Trump like fake. They called the shots they wanted. If it didn't concern them they didn't get involved. If it did concern them they made their presence known. In fairness they were no different than any old major corporation in a city. US Steel ran Pittsburg for gods sake.

    Don't know who the fake news person is that wants to whitewash history but really man.

    The patronage of the steel did in fact help with hospitals and other city expenses but make no mistake Bethlehem was a company town.

    Also Willie may find the deal he cut will not guarantee him the Mayors seat. Also no way another Callahan gets in the Mayors office. His brother the ten year mayor could not even carry the city when he ran for executive.

    There are a couple people being asked and considering a run that may upset this insider applecart.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I don't know if anyone here is a history buff but there was this failed artist in the 20th century who went on to pass laws like this. I think his name was Randolf or something...

    ReplyDelete
  37. So Bethlehem Steel took over the Moravian Community and is responsible for the City of Bethlehem. Like any business even today when some law affects you or your business, you will respond. I guess the Hotel Bethlehem is in Steel category. When was the last head bashed Bernie. Probably before you were born. Bethlehem Steel was good for the City and the City was good for Bethlehem Steel. No Lehigh University, no Saint Luke's Hospital. The Lehigh River brought both together. Progressives did not want the dirty jobs in the Lehigh Valley. This Country needs manufacturing jobs not service jobs. Bernie show the proof or concede that you are fake news.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Um, I gave you a few examples and all you do is bray “fake news.” And yes, they were still bashing heads when I was a teen. This wonderful company also polluted the hell out of the LV. The air quality here is among the worst areas in the nation.

    ReplyDelete
  39. > “The air quality here is among the worst areas in the nation.”

    Did you mean IS or WAS? Just curious. I thought the air & streams cleaned up post Bethlehem Steel.

    ReplyDelete

You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.