Category: Bob Small

The Many Faces of Madonna

The Many Faces of Madonna

By Bob Small

Madonna (Madonna Louise Ciccone) has been around for a longggg longggg time. See Madonna’s 50 Greatest Songs.

She’s still touring at age 65.

The last (free) stop on her “Celebration” tour, was not a cause for celebration for many conservative Christians who felt the “licentious” concert on Rio De Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach, on May 4, caused the devastating floods in Rio Grande de Sul.

Another Christian influencer pointed out that Rio Grande do Sul is one of the states with the highest number of centers of Umbanda and Candomblé, which are African Brazilian religions associated by many evangelical Christians with the devil,

For further information, see Spiritist Society of Philadelphia.

So these faithful types, who believe in the almighty power of God, are ascribing equal power to Madonna? Are you hearing yourselves?

Meanwhile, Justen Lipeles attended Madonna’s March 7 Concert then filed a class action suit due to, among other things, “intentional infliction of emotional distress” , “pornography without warning” and “topless women on stage stimulating sex acts”.

See also Madonna sued for “pornography without warning” and for “deceptiv

There was also z complaint that her concert did not start on time.

So this brings us, regrettably, to Woke War and we find ourselves praising at least one aspect of Billy Graham.

Owen Strachan recommends excommunication for the “woke” while Athena Butler, a Penn religion scholar and author of White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America is at the opposite end of the spectrum.

While looking up Billy Graham, we discovered that in the 1953 Chattanooga Crusade he personally tore down the dividing ropes between the races, even though the head usher had insisted on segregation. This was two years before the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Would we consider this “woke” today and do we need to reconsider previous historical determinations?

The Many Faces of Madonna

Regulatory Prosecutions Destroy Lives

Regulatory Prosecutions Destroy Lives

By Bob Small

Sometimes Scott of Vermont sends me an article that one just has to dig into and Government Overcriminalization Catches Unwary Americans is one of them.

The House Judiciary Committee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance, April 20, heard testimony on Overreach: An examination on Federal Statutory and Regulatory Crimes.

Brett Tolman of Right On Crime has a simple solution.

Tolman wants the Biden administration to reinstate Donald Trump’s Executive Ordern Protecting Americans From Overcriminalization Through Regulatory Reform.

Regulatory overreach is happening.

Yes, according to Alec.org.

Consider the Oregon landowner who spent a month in jail and got a $1500 fine for collecting rainwater on his property; and the Kentucky couple who got three years probation and a $5,000 fine for setting a net on the wrong side of a river to acquire caviar for their caviar business.who had all the necessary permits to run their caviar business

And then there was the Michigan mom who faced a 90-day jail sentence for running an illegal daycare because she watched her friends’ kids while they waited for the school bus. “

Abner Shoenwetter was charged with smuggling when the veteran seafood importer agreed to buy lobsters from a usual supplier. He served six years in prison because of a violation that was not a violation!

And for even more extreme punishments — death is pretty extreme — see We Spend $296 Billion Each Year On A Justice System concerning the stories of Philandro Castile, George Floyd, and Duante Wright whose crimes were a broken taillight, a counterfeit $20 bill, and an expired plate.

The Mercatus Center makes three main points Quantifying Overcriminalization in Federal Law “There has been a significant increase in the number of federal criminal statutes and regulations over the past three decades.”

They also note that these federal laws override the principles of Federalism by superseding state and local laws. By the way, we have the highest incarceration rate in the world. Just saying.

Politico in The Overcriminalization of America mentions five suggestions, in this 2015 article. The second one is to “address prosecutorial abuses”. Guess we’re still working on that.

See also The Ongoing Problem of Over-Criminalization in America and Six Questions About Overcriminalization – Annual Reviews..

Regulatory Prosecutions Destroy Lives

Regulatory Prosecutions Destroy Lives

Libertarians Chasing the Presidency

Libertarians Chasing the Presidency

By Bob Small

Back in March, when my choice of the winner of the second 2024 Free and Equal Debates was one Chase Oliver we didn’t know that he would then become the winner of the recent, and hotly-contested Libertarian Presidential contest.

He beat out nine other candidates, including R. F. K.,Jr. at the recent DC convention.

The Libertarians will be on the ballot in at least 37 states. Like the Constitution and Green Parties, they won’t know their Pennsylvania ballot status until August, at least.

The Convention’s theme was “Become Ungovernable”.

The party “called for the release of the WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, “ among other proposals.

Among the other quotes from Mr. Oliver is his self-description as being “armed and gay”

 “If you are living your life in peace,” then your life “is your life, your body is your body, your business is your business.”

He also reached out to younger voters who “don’t want octogenarians running their lives.”

He also added that “I’m ready to continue to be a fly in the ointment of the two-party system,” .

Chase Oliver has been running for president for the last year. He has appeared on CNN, CSPAN, FOX Business, Reason TV and Vice Media., among many. He has been profiled in Bloomberg, the Guardian, the New York Times, Rolling Stone and the Washington Post. One of the quotes in the above website is  “Armed people are harder to oppress and harder to attack.”

He has worked as a sales account executive and HR representative, among other jobs. He was in the restaurant industry for 13 years, and the corporate maritime trade industry.”

Other information is included in Chase Oliver and Chase Oliver, the Libertarian Party nominee for president

His running mate is Mike ter Maat who believes in the “Gold New Deal” and “police and justice reform”, among others.

Libertarians Chasing the Presidency

Libertarians Chasing the Presidency

Raw Milk Is Good For You And Can Be Bought In Delco

Raw Milk Is Good For You And Can Be Bought In Delco

By Bob Small

The harassment of Amos Miller continues but hopefully will be soon resolved.

Our whole family, animal and human, are raw milk consumers.

The anti-raw milk campaign began before most of us, though not Joe Biden, were born. The Defender, traces it to a 1945 article in the gone but unlamented magazine Coronet titled“Raw Milk can Kill You.” Coronet cited a non-existent brucellosis outbreak in the imaginary town of Outlook.

Fast-forward to 2007, and we find the Food and Drug Administration attacking raw milk in a Power Point presentation using flawed data.

And now the Department of Agriculture declared there were symptoms of avian flu in it despite the lack of confirmed viral presence.

The authorities pointedly ignore the other side.

Farmers’ Almanac say that pasteurization killing odd bacteria “is actually a problem” as it also kills many beneficial microorganisms, including  probiotics, naturally found in milk. It notes that people had been drinking raw milk, straight from their own cows, sheep, and goats, for millennia without getting sick.

Everyday Health notes raw milk sales are surging. It quotes Raw Milk Chairman Mark Mcafee saying “There is yet to be one case of avian influenza in humans from raw milk consumption.”

And no less an establishment organ as The New York Times says that none of the three reported cases of avian flu virus in the United States has been tied to drinking milk.

The title of the article was Raw Milk’s Risks Don’t Stop Right-Wing Commentators From Defiantly Pushing It.

Raw Milk is legally sold in Pennsylvania. Two places were it can be purchased are Martindale’s Natural Market in Springfield and the Swarthmore CO-OP | Your Community Food Market.

Those sneaky right wingers.

Raw Milk Is Good For You And Can Be Bought In Delco

Peter Sonski And American Solidarity Run Principled Presidential Campaign

Peter Sonski And American Solidarity Run Principled Presidential Campaign

By Bob Small

The next President will have five letters in his name. The next President will be serving his second term. The next President will be our oldest serving President, older than Ronald Reagan, 77 when he left office. Either way, we will have six more months of Biden/Trump.

There are a dozen of what I call “Alternative Parties” with presidential candidates and with Pennsylvania connections.

The American Solidarity Party of Pennsylvania can be accessed at here.

They are a self-described Party with Christian democratic values” Among their seven principles is Sanctity of Life, which means they are anti-abortion and anti-death penalty and see themselves as consistent in this regard.

Among their 14 platform segments, they see foreign policy as the belief that “the United States should be committed to a more peaceful world through international cooperation and restriction of the use of military force to a strict understanding of just war theory. “

Peter Sonski is the party’s nominee for president for 2024. He former radio host, a member of Connecticut’s regional School Board 17, and director of The Knights of Columbus Museum.

His running mate is Lauren Onak who has a masters in Adolescent Education from Hunter College but is a stay-at-home mom to three children.

Good party .org gives an outline of What to Know About the American Solidarity Party including that they support “ economic policies that promote fairness, workers’ rights, and the redistribution of wealth to combat inequality.” including a living wage, etc. This article also mentions that they draw inspiration from the “ Christian Democratic movements prevalent in Europe and Latin America,” a rather unusual combination in North America.

One of my newest favorite online publications, The Imaginative Conservative, gives a dozen reasons why one should support them and starts with the adage “good news is only good when it’s subversive.”

The article’s third reason is that “The ASP supports common-sense environmental initiatives. Without being crazy tree-huggers, they promote responsible care for the environment that corrects wanton commercial exploitation.”

The eighth reason is “Supporting the ASP means holding your head up (because you are gazing at the stars) rather than hanging your head because you were gazing at the gutter”

Anyway, we probably know who the next President will be, if not the vice-president.

Peter Sonski And American Solidarity Run Principled Presidential Campaign
Peter Sonski And Lauren Onak

Peter Sonski And American Solidarity

Parking Kiosks And Cameras Are Undesirable Tech For Swarthmore

Parking Kiosks And Cameras Are Undesirable Tech For Swarthmore

By Bob Small

Swarthmore Council, May 6, tabled a plan to introduce parking kiosks. The introduction of parking kiosks had been discussed at previous meetings.

That the plan was tabled doesn’t mean it still won’t happen

This is from an unpublished letter sent to the Swarthmorean;

Armond White had spoken of “technology and it’s worship” and this Swarthmore Borough change to parking kiosks has many potential problems, some of which are described in this article by Megan Hills from The Columbus Dispatch.

Swarthmore Borough is currently unable to keep up with the maintenance of their parking meters. How will they then keep up with an even higher level of technology and keep the kiosks operational?

Many of us have already battled with the Media kiosks, and, having admitted defeat, rarely attempt to go there. Many of their machines refuse to accept coinage.

Is this the best that Swarthmore can do?

In The Pros and Cons of Parking Meter Solutions other negatives listed are;

As an honor system parking meters traditionally provide less revenue capture

  • Customers sometimes forget their license plate number or have difficulty entering information into the system (Pay-by-License-Plate)
  • Some systems do require proof of payment on a dashboard (Pay-and-Display)
  • Validations are challenging because it is a pre-pay system
  • Regular parking enforcement for compliance is required (additional labor costs)

It turns out that the condo developer decided not to pay his share of any parking changes, so they have been put on hold. We will now have diagonal parking become parallel parking and there will now be a charge for meters on Saturday rather than free parking.

Meanwhile, the proposed Town Center cameras have been tabled. Initially, the rainbow crosswalk(s) were approved as it cost the Borough nada. However, the crosswalk(s) were defaced and the Swarthmore Police Department wants to find the perp. These cameras would cost $8,675, with a possible split in cost with Swarthmore College i.e. $4,337.50.

One of our favorite councilpersons, Scarlett McCahill, said “For instance in the U.K., it’s widely used in public spaces, and it hasn’t demonstrated much reduction in petty crime, and it’s susceptible to abuse, whether that’s criminal abuse, personal, or institutional.” She went on to say “I don’t think this is something that enhances our public life.” For full remarks, see The Swarthmorean article.

Parking Kiosks And Cameras Are Undesirable Tech

Parking Kiosks And Cameras Are Undesirable Tech

America First Then And Now

America First Then And Now

By Bob Small

America First. What exactly do we mean when we say America First​?. Well, it depends on which organization or political party that we consult. We came across America First P.A C.T., in an internet comments section. America First P.A.C.T. , which has a Pa. Chapter. Some of their priorities are secure borders, along with freedom of speech and term limits, among others.

There is also the America First Policy Institute, with its Pennsylvania chapter America First Pennsylvania | State Chapter. One of the “advisors” is Ivanka Trump. They list some of their Policies as “expanding Pennsylvania’s energy leadership and Keeping Pennsylvania’s streets safe”

The most recent America First Party is the brainchild of Patrick Buchanan America First Party and they have a currently active website, without an active Pennsylvania Party, though they are seeking someone to start one. Their current platform — Platform of the America First Party — includes The Constitution does not empower the Federal Government to police the world or protect other nations. The Constitution does not allow our nation’s armed forces ever to be under foreign command, which has become common practice under present UN and NATO deployment. It also notes that there are US Troops in over 100 countries and discuss the Federal government taking private control of lands in California and Oregon.

America to these groups seems open to anyone who shares their viewpoints, not just white Christian males as their opponents allege.

This is unlike the 1943 America First Party, which was a gathering of American fascists and isolationists. One of their more well-known leaders was the noted Anti-Semite Gerald L. K. Smith who eventually ran for president on the 1944 America First ticket where he and Harry Romer (a Father Coughlin acolyte) garnered 1,780 votes out of a total of 47 million cast.

The mistrust of many to the America First rubric can be traced to this party.

Lastly, there is also the America Second theory — America Second by Isaac Stone Fish: 9780525657712 — espoused by Issac Stone Fish in which he describes Henry Kissinger as“an agent of Chinese influence”.

We’re sure this is slander, right?

America First Then And Now

Critter Crossings In Pennsylvania

Critter Crossings In Pennsylvania

By Bob Small

The Pennsylvania State House is backing “critter crossings”.

These are bridges or tunnels that let wildlife cross the roads.

Many states have them and now it appears the Keystone State will be joining them.

It’s understandable as Pennsylvania leads the nation in leads the nation in animal-vehicle collisions. Critter crossings: Pa. builds safe road passages for wildlife

Pennsylvanians have a 1 in 57 chance of hitting an animal on state roadways, says State Farm Insurance. Nationally, it’s 1 in 115 .

A Bi-partisan resolution introduced by Mary Jo Daley (D-148) and Jason Ortitay (R-46) asks a legislative body to help PennDOT develop a plan.

Not everyone has applauded this proposal which passed on a 129-72 vote.

Barb Gleim (R-199) expressed concern that the state would use eminent domain to seize property for crossings.

It should be noted there is a total of $350 million in federal funding for “animal infrastructure” from the Feds for the states.

There are already 35 “critter crossings” on state highways but only one on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

PA is due to receive $840,000 from the Federal Highway Administration for the crossings.

In Canada, where they have moose and caribou there are 38 undercrossings and six overcrossings in the Trans-Canada Highway which have reduced wildlife collisions by 80 percent.

Another reason for these “critter crossings”, is to “expand the dating pool” for these various animals.

According to Patricia Cramer of the Wildlife Connectivity Institute trainer deer teach other animals how to use the crossings.

Now some areas have highly intelligent animals. Brian Goldfarb says urban coyotes in Chicago look both ways and cross at the crosswalks

tSadly, our Pennsylvania deer are generally, not “roadsmart”.

For a counterview, see Is it safe? Why some animals fear using wildlife crossings

Critter Crossings In Pennsylvania
An obviously dumb deer in Delco

Successful Insurgency In Pennsylvania House District 80

Successful Insurgency In Pennsylvania House District 80

By Bob Small

The Pennsylvania 80th House District has been Republican since 1969. It encompasses Blair County — except Altoona and part of Huntingdon County. The Republican Primary is basically the general election.

On April 23, incumbent, Jim Gregory lost to Scott Barger 5,648 votes to 4,649.

It was basically a blow out.

A big issue was Gregory’s support of Mark Rozzi (D-126) as Speaker of the House when the Republicans had a temporary majority in January 2023.

Rozzi, had pledged to govern as an independent but reneged almost immediatly stepping down in place of radical Philadelphian Joanna McClinton take over. 

Both Gregory and Rozzi are childhood sexual abuse survivors and were working on a”a constitutional amendment to relax the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse survivors.”

Barger who has degrees from both Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary served 15 years as a Pastor, then joined the family business WRTA – Altoona,PA, a news/talk radio station that also carries the Altoona Curve minor league team Altoona Curve.

Scott’s wife, Beth, is a public school teacher. They have five children.

On his campaign website, he lists five goals, including enacting a school report card and blockage of the Shapiro Energy Tax. He said “Our job as Representatives is to represent people from our district”.

He also received $15,000 from a PAC associated with State Senator Doug Mastriano (R-33)s.

Unless the Pennsylvania Alternative Parties (Constitution, Green, Libertarian, or Socialist Workers Party) or an Independent gains ballot status, Scott can waltz into office uncontested. This doesn’t speak well for our Pennsylvania Democracy.

See also Bryan Cutler survives primary, Kevin Boyle loses election

Successful Insurgency In Pennsylvania House District 80

An Interesting Race In Pa 172

An Interesting Race In Pa 172

By Bob Small

There were few upsets in the April 23 primary. Even Bryan Cutler managed to survive.

And it was not unexpected that incumbent Kevin Boyle would lose in the 172nd House District in Northeast Philly. A warrant had been issued for his arrest for violating a protection from abuse order and that his opponent Sean Dougherty was supported by the State Democrat Party.

Note that the warrant was withdrawn the day before the election by Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner, because the order was “not active”.

But Boyle also had other problems. He was banned in February from Rockledge’s Gaul and Malt House, where he was “caught on video berating employees”. Here’s the video in case you missed it.

Also see this story from PennLive.

Boyle’s brother Brendan is the Democratic Congressman from the third District.

So Sean Dougherty is on the ticket for November where he will face Republican Aziaz Gill. Dougherty is the son of Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice Kevin Dougherty and the nephew of the infamous Johnny Doc.

Dougherty has a BA in Political Science and a minor in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. His law degree is from Temple. He is as an associate attorney at The Duffy Firm.

He had been an assistant public defender in Philadelphia. worked at the Defender Association of Philadelphia (Assistant Public Defender)

Gill in his primary got 65.2 percent of the vote to Pathrick Gushue’s 34 percent.

Gill is the son of immigrant parents from South Asia. He has a Bachelor from Chestnut Hill College. He has worked as manager on City Councilman Brian O’Neill’s election campaign and was community outreach coordinator for City Commissioner Al Schmidt.

An Interesting Race In Pa 172

An Interesting Race In Pa 172