Category: Bob Small

School Board Sans Working Class Causing Turmoil In Wallingford Swarthmore

School Board Sans Working Class Causing Turmoil In Wallingford Swarthmore

By Bob Small

If we had known the July 22 Wallingford-Swarthmore School Board Meeting would have been so exciting, we would of dropped our normal schedule of watching old westerns.

More than 250 attended. The big item was to announce the hiring of Dr. Sharon Baddick as assistant superintendent. Originally scheduled for the Strath Haven Middle School Library, the meeting had to be moved to the auditorium.

Among the issues the public raised was the failure of negotiations with the union, and the alleged “mistreatment of staff.” Other complaints were issues with the buildings and a general lack of communication.

Much of this has also been discussed on Next Door Swarthmore and other arenas.

In a letter to the Swarthmorean that was read into the meeting’s record, Arianne Allen had five suggestions:

  • A formal, independent evaluation of Dr. Marseille’s performance with emphasis on his ability to create a supportive and collegial work environment.”
  • Designate the District’s top priority to “stopping the bleeding” of the loss of administrators, teachers and staff by setting up meetings to “course correct”.
  • Work with the teacher’s union to approve a contract for the 2024-25 school year.
  • Do the budget and building decisions that are needed for the physical structure.
  • Evaluate the Special Education Team’s needs and help them become successful after their staff departures.

This was also reported in both the Delco Times and Town Talk.

Board Member Wachtman was interrupted by members in the audience” and said they wouldn’t continue “if decorum wasn’t restored”.

We should mention that the nine school board members almost all have a Bachelor’s degree with a number having Masters Degrees. They’re all members Board Members / Overview of a certain class without any “diversity”.

Slightly over a decade ago, four candidates for two seats included “ a police officer, a real estate agent, an investigator and a retired paper company executive. “

Might a return to this type of diversity be helpful? Just saying.

Full disclosure; My Bachelor’s degree, in English, is from Neumann’s night school.

The next meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27 School Board Meeting Calendar

School Board Sans Working Class Causing Turmoil In Wallingford Swarthmore

School Board Sans Working Class Causing Turmoil In Wallingford Swarthmore

Socialist Party USA Has Presidential Candidates

Socialist Party USA Has Presidential Candidates

By Bob Small

If you were worried that we don’t have enough Socialist Parties in the US, relax. There are 15 listed in this wiki, and they are missing a few that we’re aware of.

Among the oldest still active, is Socialist Party USA (SPUSA) which was founded in 1973 and  “advocates for complete independence from the Democratic Party”.

Civil rights icon Bayard Rustin was a former chairman.

The 2008 Socialist Party candidate for President Brian Moore was very vocal against the idea that Barack Obama was a socialist of any kind.”

There are four elected SPUSA members, three of whom are in Minneapolis.

They have eight issues on their website.

Its presidential candidate William Stodden, and vice-presidential candidate Stephanie Cholensky are members of what some call “the academic-industrial complex.”

Stodden has a Ph.D from Southern Illinois University in political science, and has served on the faculty of Concordia State, North Dakota State, among others.

On their website, under campaign updates; there’s this puzzling statement. “Bill has particular expertise on the 1959 Cuban Revolution and the revolutionary power of condensed milk and sausage.” We will have our local socialist comrades translate this for us.

Stephanie Cholensky has a BS in chemistry from the University of Minnesota, where she currently works.

Their publication is called The Socialist and includes online classes by such socialist luminaries as Bell Hooks and others.

There is a Socialist Party of New Jersey Socialist Party of New Jersey, though not a current one in either Delaware or Pennsylvania. There used to be one, however, and you can read about it here.Socialist Party of Pennsylvania.

Part of the problem Socialist Parties have had, historically, is their tremendous infighting and the spawning of splinter groups like enraged amoebas.

Disclaimer; In my distant (1970’s) past, we remember being on the ousted faction after which “the revolution will now start!”.

Still waiting.

Socialist Party USA Has Presidential Candidates

Socialist Party USA Has Presidential Candidates

Has The SPLC Lost Its Mission?

Has The SPLC Lost Its Mission?

By Bob Small

The Southern Poverty Law Center (founded 1971) was an important organization when its primary focus was true hate groups, such as American Nazis and various iterations of the Klan.

We had been contributors until the year I read their current list of “hate groups”. There were numerous groups that did not belong on it.

We stopped our contributions.

According to The Daily Signal, the SPLC is now claiming there are Gay “hate” groups such as Gays Against Groomers.

Tyler O’ Neill describes how the SPLC has become corrupted in Making Hate Pay: The Corruption of the Southern Poverty

And in Conservative Groups Respond to Being Left Off SPLC Hate … Rabbi Yaakov Menken, who is managing director of the Coalition for Jewish Value woners why his group is off the hate list while Moms for Liberty as they have the same agenda and similar beliefs.

There are almost 80 groups listed for Pennsylvania. Some such as pro-Nazi DNVF records and anti-Israel Antelope Hill Publishing we understand albeit we defend their right to have such opinons.

However, SPLC also includes 18 chapters of Moms for Liberty including the one in Delco.

Moms defines it’s mission as “ dedicated to the survival of America by unifying, educating and empowering parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government.” Their “resources and issues” section includes recent events. Perhaps, Moms for Liberty is over-reacting to an education system that has wantonly ignored the rights of parents. This does not make them anti-government”.

Also on the hate list is the Constitution Party. This seeks to become part of the government. How can they be anti-government?

Their presidential candidate, Randall Terry, did say, however, throughout the recent Fair and Equal Presidential Debate that “The Democratic Party must be destroyed!

Also, Sheriff Brigades Of Pennsylvania, coordinated by William Taylor Reil is on the list. This group believes in the legal authority of the government, especially those given to Sheriffs. Again, not anti-government, at least not in the meetings I attended.

Though we may have missed it, the RCP (Revolutionary Communist Party) and others seem to have been “left-out” from their list.

Has The SPLC Lost Its Mission?

Has The SPLC Lost Its Mission?

BLM Opposes Kamala Coronation

BLM Opposes Kamala Coronation

By Bob Small

One would expect Black Lives Matter to march lockstep with the Democratic Party and, in most cases, they do.

That’s not the case with Kamala.

BLM is criticizing the “anointing” of Vice President Harris as Democrat’s candidate for president “without a public vote”.

They want a “virtual snap primary” prior to the Democratic Convention.

“This blatant disregard for democratic principles is unacceptable,” it says. “We do not live in a dictatorship. Delegates are not oligarchs.”

BLM leader Shalomyah Bowers says that this is not criticizing her capability to be a leader,“but is an attack on the nominating process”.

Another article says that the current process “ lends credence to critics’ claims that Harris was selected solely because of her race and gender. “

In an official statement, BLM said  “We call for the Rules Committee to create a process that allows for public participation in the nomination process, “ and this may be happening now.

It added “The DNC refused to host debates during the primary, even though a vast majority of Democratic voters wanted them. This would have likely allowed America to see the decline of Joe Biden in 2023.” and “The DNC changed the primary schedule and created rules that made it almost impossible for non-Biden candidates to appear on the ballot.”

BLM also says that “Historically, Black people have been loyal Democratic voters, but time and again, the party has taken our votes for granted “

In another article it was noted that BLM and the GOP agree on this one act and how wrong it appears.

The spokesperson on a recent Democracy Now Program, approving of this process was from Black Voters Matter Black Voters Matter, not BLM, as some have said.

See also BLM slams Democrats for ‘anointing’ Harris.

BLM Opposes Kamala Coronation

Privacy Concerns Aired About Swarthmore Security Cameras

Privacy Concerns Aired About Swarthmore Security Cameras

By Bob Small

In July and August, Swarthmore Borough Council cuts its meetings to once a month from two in July and August.

Due to our 2024 Covid, this post is based on the YouTube feed of council’s July 8 meeting The Swarthmorean article from July 12.

We begin with the Environment Committee. Chairman David Boonin, having realized that both sides had issues with the stalled combustion-powered outdoor maintenance equipment proposal, has embarked on a “listening tour” and has even floated the idea of a referendum. Imagine!. Citizens voting on a policy! I sent him an approving e-mail.

During the Finance Committee segment, Chairman Steve Karp instructed the public to pay with the tan copy of the tax bill, as the green copy is incorrect. Maybe we should increase the pay of our civil servants so they send out the right copies the first time.

Janna Garland of the General Government Committee had the difficult task of justifying the purchase and installation of security cameras in downtown Swarthmore. This is so we can catch the miscreants who vandalized our rainbow crosswalks.

Councilmember Scarlett McCahill spoke for many of us.

“Any potential benefits in public safety are outweighed by the potential challenges to privacy, civil liberty, and the sense of welcome and care we’re trying to create,” she said.

Mayor Marty Spiegel, wondered if those in the public square “have an expectation to privacy”.

It won’t bother me. I’ll just wear my Joe Biden mask.

Ms. McCahill, who chairs the Planning and Zoning Committee approved the use of “permitting campaign offices as a permitted temporary use in the Town Center District.”

Public Safety Chairwoman Kristen Seymore discussed the Swarthmore Fire Department joint request for proposal with the Nether Providence Fire Department. She said if there was a house fire “you really don’t want-per mutual aid, six different fire trucks, with guys who don’t know each other and haven’t worked together, showing up to put out your house fire,”

And Borough Manager Bill Webb explained that three entities wanted council to favor their position in front of the Swarthmore Zoning Hearing Board.

After much discussion, it was agreed that all the would be referred to zoning hearing without council taking a position.

Privacy Concerns Aired About Swarthmore Security Cameras

Going Forth On The 2nd

Going Forth On The 2nd

By Bob Small

John Adams believed, July 2, was the date to be celebrated as “ the great anniversary festival.” This was because July 2 was the date that delegates at the second Continental Congress meeting approved a meeting for independence. It was approved by 12 of the 13 colonies.

The New York delegation had to abstain as they did not have the necessary permission to vote from their state.

From his letter to his wife Abigail written on July 3, “It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations “

July 4 was the date of the adoption, though not signed, by members of the Continental Congress.

However, not until July 8 did Philadelphia hold a parade and the firing of guns in celebration of the moment.

The Declaration of Independence was not signed by any of the delegates until early August, after  “being engrossed on parchment by Timothy Matlack, a Philadelphia beer bottler who had fine penmanship ”

Fifty-six delegates eventually signed it.

For information on viewing the Declaration of Independence and other documents locally, see Museum of the American Revolution.

Historian Pauline Maier, in her 1997 book, American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence said that in early July 1777 that there had been almost a year since they declared their independence from the British

Maier also said that “arguments over the how to celebrate the Declaration arose between the Federalists (of John Adams) and the Republicans (of Thomas Jefferson) and that the Declaration and its anniversary day weren’t widely celebrated until the Federalists faded away from the political scene after 1812. “

See also, from across the pond: John Adams was right, July 2nd is really America’s …

History, as they say, is “written by the victors” or, in this case, the last on the field.

Will future historians pontificate on the first Trump term versus the second Trump term.?

Going Forth On The 2nd

Going Forth On The 2nd

The Fugitive Goes Home

The Fugitive Goes Home

By Bob Small

This is good Independence Day story. The world’s longest-running real-life fugitive saga is finally over. Journalist Julian Assange left the U.K.’s Belmarsh Prison, June 24, to accept plead guilty to a single count of conspiracy to obtain and disclose classified US national defense documents in the US District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands. He was sentenced to time served and granted his freedom.

Thanks to my friend, Carol of Swarthmore, for sending me this Hugo Black quote: “The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.”

Many world leaders have expressed joy for the decision and praise for Assange.

Anthony Albanese, prime minister of Assange’s Australia stated  “There is nothing to be gained by his continued incarceration and we want him brought home to Australia.”

Prime Minister Lula Da Silva of Brazil, a bit more left than Albanese, said Assange’s  “release and return home, albeit belatedly, represent a democratic victory and the fight for press freedom.”

And there were officials, especially in the US, who were definitely displeased, though.

“Julian Assange endangered the lives of our troops in a time of war and should have been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said former Vice President Mike Pence.

“Never a ‘journalist.’ Never. He did irreparable harm. He endangered lives,” said former Assistant FBI Director Frank Fibliuzzi.

Trump-era CIA director Mike Pompeo who called Assange’s WikiLeaks a “nonstate hostile intelligence service”

Sheila Assange, who married Assange in prison that the British Labor government would not have extradited Assange if they take over the U.K.’s government on July 5.

And there is a dark lining in the silver cloud.

“The US Dept of Justice still holds the Espionage Act over journalists worldwide,” said John Simpson of the BBC.

“It will still hang over the heads of national security reporters for years to come,” said Seth Stern, director of advocacy for the Freedom of the Press Foundation.

“We all still live under a globe-spanning power structure which has shown the entire world that it will destroy your life if you expose its criminality,” said journalist Caitlin Johnstone.

Luckily, as a local blogger, we don’t worry about . . .

The Fugitive Goes Home

The Fugitive Goes Home

Swarthmore Environmental Committee Spikes Lawnmower Ban

Swarthmore Environmental Committee Spikes Lawnmower Ban

By Bob Small

Just a handful of citizens attended the June 26 Swarthmore Environmental Committeee Meeting to hear it declare it was not ready to move the proposed lawnmower ban forward at July’s meeting.

Actually, the proposed ordinance would ban all combustion-powered outdoor maintenance equipment (CPOME ). Battery-powered and electric devices remain legal.

Citizens overwhelmingly came out against it at the June 10 borough council meeting causing council to table it and return it to the environmental committee.

The proposed ban would have been the first in Pennsylvania, and received extensive coverage in local media.

Back to the important things in life like the Phillies.

Swarthmore Environmental Committee Spikes Lawnmower Ban

PSL Presidential Ticket Faces Philly Scandal

PSL Presidential Ticket Faces Philly Scandal

By Bob Small

During my time with Democracy Unplugged and our alternative presidential candidate forums, one political party that always sent articulate candidates was the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL). They are still on point in their participation and have a debate scheduled for July 12.

 The PSL was founded in 2006 by a breakaway faction of the communist revolutionary wing of the Workers World Party and espouses a pro-Cuba/pro-China view. It has branches in 35 states.

Their presidential candidate this year is Claudia De la Cruz who has masters degrees in social work, from Columbia University, and divinity, from Union Theological Seminary.

She is the founder of Da Urban Butterflies which honors the three Mirabel sisters martyred under the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. She has also served as pastor of NYC’s Santo Romero de Los Americas Church (UCC).

For the PSL Program, see Claudia & Karina 2024.

This year’s PSL platform includes seizing the 100 biggest US corporations and seven other impossibilities. They proposed revolution over election.

Vice Presidential candidate Karina Garcia is the founder of the Justice Center on El Barrio in NYC.

Like many political parties, there are the lesser known incidents. This document is subtitled “concealment and corruption in the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s Philadelphia Branch”. It details allegations of a sexual nature against a Stephen P. of the Philadelphia Branch.

The whole 15 pages make fascinating reading but the one item that bothered me is that these allegations were brought to the PSL’s national committee but never to Philadelphia Police or the district attorney. My week-old email to our PSL local remains unanswered but one supposes creating a revolution is a full-time job.

Among the other organizations that are part and parcel of the PSL are; ANSWER Coalition Hom; Breaking the Chains and Liberation News

The Philadelphia branch is reachable through philly@pslweb.org or 267-281-3859.

PSL Presidential Ticket Faces Philly Scandal

PSL Presidential Ticket Faces Philly Scandal

DACA Foxes In The Police Hen House

DACA Foxes In The Police Hen House

By Bob Small

It’s rare when The Daily Mail (UK) focuses on the internal workings of a US City but a recent story concerns Seattle’s plan to use illegal migrants to bolster its depleted police force.

It’s encouraged via a law signed by Democrat Governor Jay Inslee in February that those who speak more than one language can be chosen above an equally qualified candidate.

The legislation took effect, June 6.

And the The US Justice Department now lets  DACA recipients have firearms and ammunition as part of their official law enforcement officer duties.

Meanwhile, former Lieutenant Jessica Taylor, who resigned after almost a quarter of a century, sent a letter to Police Chief Adrian Diaz, saying “Your controlling, bullying, and gaslighting tendencies have wreaked havoc on this department, driving away talented and dedicated officers,

“On May 29, Diaz resigned amid charges of sexual harassment and racial discrimination. He was later to “come out” as a gay man.

DACA police are also being hired in California and Chicago.

According to state officials, “Washington is home to more than 14,000 DACA recipients, and “Dreamers” canhelp ease Seattle’s cop shortage.

DACA recipients are also considering allowing the DACA recipients to become county deputies, fish and wildlife officers, and Seattle firefighters.

In April, Seattle’s KTTH am station, had a report, from Jason Rantz, that alleged that the police were at a staffing level not seen in almost 70 years.

The Seattle PD has advertised for DACA recipients on Linkedin! Seattle Police recruiting DACA recipients to be cops.

It can be considered the fox guarding the en house never seemed so apt.

This has yet to be discussed by either Delaware County Council of Philadelphis there may soon be a market for the newly formed SSL (Spanish as a second language) classes. At least certain phrases in Spanish such as as “I have an alibi”, “it was my identical twin” or “That’s my story and I’m sticking to it”.

Note; Thanks to Scott from Vermont.