From the DLN Editor's Desk

What's bugging me

2008-08-20T11:37:00.002-04:00

I rather enjoyed my last rant so I am doing it again. And some of you posted comments on what's bugging you. So let's do it again...

1) How is it that an Olympics baseball game involving the U.S. turned into a beanball fiasco? I've been to the Olympic games. This is not what it was meant to be...And we wonder why some of the nations of the world don't like us very much.
2) Why does the Dow soar 250+ points on renewed confidence in the economy and the very mext day, it drops 200 points on fears about the economy. Are we that nuts?
3) I see why there are people who won't go to Eagles games. I was there last Thursday night and would say that the behavior was embarrassing. Fans with little kids dropping F-bombs and other salty language.

I'm sure there's more but I will save them for bext time. This is good therapy, eh?

What's bugging me

2008-08-01T13:40:00.002-04:00

OK, it's time to vent. This is what's bugging me:
1) Oil prices drop like a brick but gas prices don't.
2) Pro athletes complain about contracts -- even though they're making millions.
3) The ocean temperature is in the high 50s and low 60s. IT'S SUMMER!
4) We still have four months of political ads to stomach on the TV.
5) People being cruel to animals. It takes a real powerhouse to beat a dog or starve a cat.
6) People being cruel to other people. Like the Philly case of the poor little girl allegedly neglected by her parents until she ended up dead. What are these people thinking?

That's it for now.
Let me know what's bugging YOU! Maybe we can do something about it...

West Chester 'Sex Shop'

2008-06-05T16:00:00.002-04:00

Oh, please. While I have all the respect in the world for the church -- any church -- and its leaders, have church officials flipped on the TV lately? There's more skin showing and more sex in five minutes of cable TV then will ever go on inside the Feminique Boutique. And like cable TV, it's up to parents to supervise where their kids are going -- including any store in any town. No, this store is not for kids. But's also not going to scar them for life or corrupt their morals if they walk past it. There are way better issues to tackle to protect our kids like perverts on the Internet, kiddie porn and other really nasty things. Some lingerie and exotic oils aren't the biggest threats in my view...

The primary is over ... so what's next?

2008-04-28T14:39:00.002-04:00

The primary in Pa. is history. Now it's on to November. Honestly, at this point I am looking for someone -- anyone -- who can get us out of this mess. When $3.43 in New Jersey for a gallon of gas is considered a bargain, something is wrong. Meanwhile, OPEC and all of the others are holding us hostage. C'mon America, wake up! It's time to declare energy independence. It's the Boston Tea Party all over again. We're making the oil companies rich beyond their wildest dreams. We need new sources of energy and now, not later. There's solar, wind, water. Who is going to step up and move us out of this chaos? I'm waiting...

Obama and WCU

2008-04-04T11:14:00.000-04:00

It was quite an amazing thing to see all the kids at West Chester University heading to the field house to hear Barack Obama. They were all very excited. And of course, there were those opposing Obama as well. It was a good lesson in the democratic process. You can't do those things everywhere in the world. So while our system isn't perfect, it's pretty darn good.

Globetrotters

2008-03-10T13:48:00.000-04:00

Yes, I know. It's the same show every year for the Harlem Globetrotters. We went Sunday night -- for the second year in a row. However, I would argue that the Globetrotters are sort of what we look for in sports -- fun. There's a concept, eh? For a couple of hours, you have a bunch of high-level athletes doing their thing and just for fun. Yes, they get paid but I'm pretty certain it's not Kobe Bryant money. They interact with the kids and the grandmoms and everyone has a good time. The dunks, the amazing talents of the Globetrotters, all of it is just a good time and a departure from the spoiled athletes of the modern era. I say keep it going Globetrotters. I will always be a fan.

Ryan Howard

2008-02-20T11:53:00.000-05:00

Well, today's the day. Phillies slugger Ryan Howard and the team head to arbitration. The two sides are $3 million apart. Smart money would have said split the difference and move on to working on a real deal -- a long-term pact to keep the slugger happy and in Philly. We wonder if this gets settled before the arbitration hearing actually concludes. Should the Phillies give him the money? Yes indeed. It's been a long time since the team had a core of players we fans actually wanted to go see play. Your vote?

The weather

2008-02-11T17:26:00.000-05:00

"Everyone complains about the weather but no one does anything about it..." so says Mark Twain. I may not be able to change the weather but I can change my residence. If it were up to me, I'd be in New Mexico or Arizona -- heat and all. In the past 24 hours or so, I had a gas grill nearly come crashing through the doors to my deck, trash cans all over the neighborhood and random basketballs, soccer balls and other sports equipment scattered all over the lawn and street. All due to the wind. One of our staff had a tree strike her garage damaging the garage and her car. Remind me again what's so great about winter?

Hextall

2008-02-07T16:07:00.000-05:00

The line of the night from Ron Hextall Wednesday night as he was honored by the Flyers? That he and Philly were tailor made for each other. Hextall was inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame in a pretty decent ceremony that had the place rocking. Why not? There were all sorts of vintage video of Hextall making incredible saves, scoring a goal or two himself and of course, beating the stuffing out of other players. Naturally, that got the biggest rounds of applause. Like it or not, fighting is part of hockey. And most times it's a result of someone sticking up for another member of the squad. Hextall had no problem doing that and for that, I admire him. After all, he WAS a goalie and there aren't many of them who like to mix it up. He was a true teammate. I'm not sure if any of you got to attend but I did, I was lucky and I will always remember Number 27.

Teachers strike

2008-01-29T11:41:00.000-05:00

Well, the Downingtown teachers are out. We understand that the truth on issues usually falls somewhere in the middle of two opposing viewpoints. However, I have stated before that I think it's unfair for teachers to strike. The fight is between the union and the district leadership. Why is it OK to punish the kids? Maybe Pennsylvania needs to look at public schools, their contracts, their rules when it comes to labor. Children are in school some 180 days a year. It's a major part of their lives. I advocate negotiations, arbitration, something. But the ability to walk out shouldn't be an option. It isn't fair to the average parent and taxpayer.

The Wire

2008-01-21T15:22:00.000-05:00

Of course, I am a day late and a dollar short...It was only a few weeks ago that I caught this show on HBO. What the heck, it's only in its fifth and final season. Didn't I do this with the Sopranos too? I suppose I will be shopping Ebay for the first four seasons. What's very cool for me is the obvious newspaper ties. Apparently, this season focuses on the media. And of course, Baltimore is just the best when it comes to settings. "Homicide: Life on the Street" was one of my personal favorites. So "The Wire" has me hooked. I need to keep up with my television...

Teacher strikes

2008-01-16T18:03:00.000-05:00

I believe when you make your career decisions you do so with some understanding of what comes with the turf. For example, as journalists you pretty much know everyone will hate you no matter what you write. I'm OK with that. Working for the IRS? Ditto. Meter maids? Same. And when you're a teacher, cop, firefighter, doctor or nurse, you shouldn't be able to strike. Period. Your positions are critical to daily life in America. I'm imagine some teacher right now is saying, "Well, if I am so critical, doesn't that mean I should be compensated as such?" Well, in my opinion, there are some teachers that get paid well, and some that don't get paid as well as others. However, since you've chosen that career, you must understand that the education of children is more important than your compensation package. You can negotiate your terms like others do. And if you find it doesn't suit your taste, move along to another place. Like cops, firefighters, doctors and nurses, what you do requires you to be there on the job. So I urge the parties in Downingtown to get this agreement done. It's not fair to parents whose children will be left out in the cold in 11 days...or especially the kids.

More athletes in hot water

2008-01-11T15:53:00.000-05:00

Marion Jones got six months in the slammer for lying about steroid use and a check-fraud scam. Roger Clemens has his own steroid problems and now comes word that O.J. violated the terms of his bail in connection with the nonsense in Vegas. What the heck is happening to our athletes? It's just one bad story after another. Former Flyers GM Bob Clarke gave his OK for a Flyers tough guy to punch out a non-fighting NHL player -- then says he didn't mean it. It's getting embarassing. And we wonder why our own kids and young athletes carry on the way they do. Contracts for these athletes should include a clause that says when their playing days are over, they just sail off to an island somewhere and simply go away.

Primaries

2008-01-09T11:12:00.000-05:00

So now it's Hillary and John McCain. At least that's what folks in New Hampshire are saying. It seemed that even Hillary was shocked at her victory. McCain as well. I would guess we're going to see this sort of thing over and over as I don't think the country has a clear idea of just who should sit in the White House next. Week by week the issues change, the tide comes in and out and it's sort of the "candidate of the week." That's not exactly the way to elect the next president. I just want the most qualified person for the job. Man, woman, black or white, it doesn't matter. I am a little tired of George and Dick and the rest of the gang. It seems like one blunder after another and frankly, I'm tired of excuses.

It's a new year

2008-01-02T10:59:00.000-05:00

Thank goodness. I wish 2007 farewell and glad to see you go. Other than the year I was married, I seem to do better in the even years rather than the odd numbered ones. This year was tough in a lot of ways. But I look forward to '08 with a lot of hope. And the new year always gives you that clean start. So here's to a happy and healthy 2008 for everyone in Chester County.

The big day is here

2007-12-24T10:10:00.001-05:00

Thank goodness the rush is almost over. Took a trip to the Exton Mall on Friday and took care of businiess. Hopefully everyone will enjoy their gifts. Time for fine food, family and peace -- for at least a day. Happy holidays to all.

Pushing the deadline

2007-12-21T12:46:00.000-05:00

Yikes. Still haven't bought a thing. Anyway, I was stunned this morning when we received a plastic jar filled with change from some kids at the Goshen Friends School. They collected the money for the Share the Warmth effort of the DLN. They did chores, etc., to earn it and then turned around and donated it to the STW fund. What a great thing. The students are: kindergarten student Elise, Elyce, Hawley, Hannah, Lia, Marie, Madeline, Magnolia, Olivia & Sophie, and their total was $20.81. I hope they have a great holiday -- they deserve it.

Christmas Time

2007-12-19T14:49:00.000-05:00

The holidays are almost here. I haven't even started shopping for my wife. I think it's being in this business that does it to me. Unless there's some sort of deadline hanging over my head, I just can't get moving. There's that rush that comes with going out a couple of days before the Big Day, fighting for a parking spot, standing in lines, finding that perfect gift. It's different for the kids. You have to take care of them first. Gotta get that ultimate toy. You can't disappoint them on Christmas morning. So, it's now six days and counting. Maybe I will go out tomorrow. Maybe not. Heck it's only Dec. 19. There's plenty of time.

Winter weather

2007-12-13T17:38:00.000-05:00

Well, it looks like we're heading down that slippery slope (so to speak) of a pattern of winter weather. What the heck, it's December! I remember a few years back when we got ourselves into this pattern of a storm of some type every few days. It sure made winter seem like it lasted forever... And of course people panic and run to the stores, run to the gas station. I wonder what would happen if there ever really was an actual emergency.

Christmas parade

2007-12-03T16:43:00.000-05:00

Yes, that was me behind the wheel of the Daily Local News truck -- with antlers and a red nose looking all Rudolph-like -- the truck, not me. I was truly amazed at the number of people who attended the parade. Thousands of people for sure. And lots of little kids all bundled up for the cold. We handed out candy to the kids and gave them waves all along the parade route. It was quite fun really. It's nice to be cheered once in a little while...

Soprano news

2007-11-12T10:12:00.000-05:00

Yes, the series is in reruns -- but it's not the same. And now comes word that Satriale's has been demolished. The fictional hangout for Tony and the boys is now history, victim of the wrecking ball. It was a store in Jersey that HBO found to be perfect for the Soprano gang but now it's nothing but rubble. You can, however, purchase some of that rubble. Doesn't that figure. Oh yeh, the Sopranos took a shot from Stewie on Family Guy on Sunday night's episode. At least one of my favorite shows is still on the air...

TV watching for children

2007-11-05T14:39:00.001-05:00

OK. I get it. Don't let kids under 3 watch a lot of violence on television. The latest study? Well, Rugrats and the Flintstones are bad for kids and their developing minds when it comes to attention problems. However, Arthur and Barney are OK. Yikes. I suppose all of those Three Stooges episodes in my younger years explain a lot. C'mon. Common sense tells parents that violent stuff on TV is a no-no for little kids. But Rugrats? And the Flintstones? I guess Angelica is too violent and Lord knows, Bam-Bam is way too much as well. I will keep that in mind. For me? SpongeBob and Jimmy Neutron are still on my list of must-see cartoons.

Bugging me

2007-10-11T14:52:00.000-04:00

Why do trucks get the right to have the sign that warns us that we need to be alert for "sudden stops and turns." If I do that, I get a ticket. I think it's really ridiculous that truckers get the right to make sudden stops and turns. What's the problem? Why would they need to do that? I will give you the stop part. Sometimes we ALL do that. How about the turn part? Don't they know where they're going?

Phillies

2007-10-08T15:51:00.000-04:00

Too bad for the Phillies. It was definitely fun while it lasted. The team sucked me in over the past month or so and I think I watched more MLB than I have in years. The team was fun to watch -- even when they lost. There's always next year. Perhaps they've won me back now. Hockey still rules my house with the NFL a close second. But MLB is moving up on the list! I wonder how others feel about the Phillies season and if others caught the fever?

Phillies

2007-10-03T17:23:00.000-04:00

Well, they made it. Even if they go no further, it was a great last two weeks of baseball in Philadelphia, something we haven't seen in a long time. So far today, the team looks tense. They need to get back to playing that loose, relaxed game. That's when the hits come. And please, please stop swinging at first pitches...