More PC wackiness

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Mike Shortall

Every once in a while, I have one of those days where it seems that everything I read in the newspaper irritates the bejesus out of me. Today was one of those days when a number of articles in The Philadelphia Inquirer elicited much head-scratching and eye-rolling.

Allow me to share.

First up was a report from the U.S. Department of Education that claimed that 70% of all in-school related arrests or referrals to law enforcement involved African-American or Hispanic students. Despite the fact that black students made up 18% of the sample, they comprised 35% of student suspensions and 39% of expulsions. (Similar data in this vein for Hispanics and other groups was not presented.)

Of course this begs the question as to how such a phenomena occurs and for answers to rectify the situation. And just as plainly, all the reactions cited in the Associated Press column missed – or simply decided to ignore – the most obvious reasoning. Instead these commentators focused on why non-minority students were not more equally represented. In other words, they turn the issue into a Civil Rights issue instead of a parent, student, behavior, respect, and discipline issue!

As so often is the claim, there must be SOME OTHER reason for the aberrant data. Either the System is applying investigative, enforcement, and punishment unequally across all racial groups or somehow the white people are gaming the schools and The System.

Give me a break!

Could it be that perhaps that African-American and Hispanic students are simply the source of more school crimes, assaults, and general misbehavior in relation to the national school population as a whole? Could it be that maybe parents in some socio-economic groups simply do not pay enough attention to what their children are doing in and out of school? Or how they behave and – even more importantly – how they PERFORM in school? Is it possible that maybe the issue has more to do with values, priorities, and general parental involvement?

Of course not! Silly me …

Next up was an unbelievable story out of Cumberland County, PA reported by Sohrab Ahmari, an Iranian-American journalist and associate research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society and guest columnist for The Inqy. The article relates a court ruling last week in the case of a Muslim immigrant that attacked a participant in the Mechanicsburg Halloween Parade, who decided to dress up as a “Zombie Muhammad”. The incident was witnessed by scores of people; and the defendant even confessed to his part in the attack, where Ernest Pearce, a member of the Parading Atheists of Central Pennsylvania, was rushed and choked by 46-year-old Talaag Elbayomy.

Open and shut case, you say?!? Silly, silly you …

But it isn’t the fact that District Judge Mark Martin found the broad daylight, confessed attacker innocent; it was the way the Judge decided to express his own personal views about how the American legal system applies to Muslim immigrants! Among the findings of Judge Martin were the following Pearls of Wisdom:

The REAL victim was Mr. Elbayomy because his religious beliefs were offended.
Mr. Elbayomy could not be expected to abide by American laws simply because he was an immigrant!
Mr. Pearce was an insensitive “doofus” (Yes, the judge’s very word!) for “mocking someone else’s religion”.
And finally, that Mr. Pearce was lucky he wasn’t hanged or beheaded as would potentially happen if he had the suicidal impulse to perform his imitation of “Zombie Muhammad” in Iran or Saudi Arabia!

Mr. Ahmari – on the other hand – did an excellent job of explaining why such an irresponsible decision by a judge “… sends the worst possible message to American Muslims … about the rule of law in a free society”. He explains how many Muslims have immigrated to the U.S. to “escape religious tyranny”. And in a way Judge Martin’s ridiculous ruling also feeds the paranoia of some Americans who fear the specter of both Muslims and sharia law.

In the parade, Mr. Pearce’s “Zombie Muhammad” was accompanied by another Parading Atheist dressed as a “Zombie Pope”. Apparently, no Catholics attacked.

Finally, the Irish-Americans are up in arms over their oppression. But before you go off seeking a Union Jack to set aflame, it’s not the British this time. No, it’s Spencer’s Gifts!

Seriously …

Outside the Aqua entrance to Franklin Mills Mall in Northeast Philadelphia, reporter Monica Yant Kinney covered the Irish Anti-Defamation Federation as they handed out green – of course – flyers alerting shoppers to “crimes against Irish culture”! The problem being hats that say, “Kiss me I’m Irish!” and St. Patrick’s Day beer hookahs.

Even the Philadelphia County Ancient Order of Hiberians got into the act by noting their anger at the annual desecration of the shamrock.

Geez … desecrating the Sacred Shamrock!

I always considered the Irish a stout, tough breed. One not given to feeling sorry for themselves or for joining in with all the other ultra-sensitive ethnic groups resentful of how they have been portrayed. As an American of Irish descent, I have participated in over 30 years of St. Paddy’s Days and never once felt demeaned or offended.

Certainly the drinking and fighting characteristics of the Irish get overplayed, just as particular legends and physical traits of other ethnicities have for decades. But I never looked at any of that as demeaning to my heritage. In fact, I would hazard the opinion that it has actually made the Irish more likable as a down-to-earth people and more sympathetic in those times when sectarian violence tore apart the fabric of Irish culture.

I can understand the reluctance of culturally conservative Hibernians to engage in those stereotypes and activities they see as demeaning to Irish culture. But it’s equally hard for me to believe that this is suddenly a wrong that needs to be righted. Although they may see this behavior as devoid of any traditional Irish cultural appreciation, it still makes the Irish a whole lot more fun to be around than just about any other cultural group.

So on this St. Patrick’s Day have a few green-colored cocktails (in moderation of course); grab a platter of corned beef and sauerkraut; and find the movie, The Quiet Man (starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara) on a TV near you. Enjoy the atmosphere of fun and mirth. Try to appreciate the Irish culture that Americans of all types have been exposed to each and every year on March 17. But if you watch my favorite Irish movie, don’t fast-forward through the drinking and fighting scenes that involve Sean Thornton (Wayne) and the local Irish natives.

Because if you do, you will miss half the movie!

Cranky Man for America!

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Mike Shortall

I struggled with this post for the better part of a week. I wanted to try something different … a bit tongue-in-cheek. A chance to spout off a bit about the current GOP primary cycle. But I couldn’t come up with the right tone through this “brainstorm” of mine that would help generate a healthy debate over the woeful state of our national politics.

Here follows the first part of the drafted post.

It is with Pride in America and Commitment to its Fundamental Beliefs that I announce my availability for Nomination as the Republican Party’s candidate for President of the United States of America!

I stand ready to serve should The Party remain uncommitted and un-commitable to its current slate of candidates.

I cannot describe this effort as a “run” for the Presidency.

As one with the 99%, I neither possess the funds nor the connections to launch a full throttle charge for the Nation’s Highest Office. This will be more like a Stroll Towards Pennsylvania Avenue. And – as befits a man who writes a blog dedicated in part to his Passion for Lawn Turf, this will have to succeed as a true Grass Roots Movement!

The post went on and on – much more so than I am willing to admit – as if I was half-heartedly tossing my hat in the ring, hoping to be carried into The Oval Office on the shoulders of the 99%.

But even as I intended it as a humorous verbal assault on Hubris and the failings of Political Ambition, I realized I sounded politically ambitious and full of hubris. Go figure!

I also came to realize, it’s not really all that funny. And it’s certainly not limited to this cycle’s waning stable of GOP candidates, or even just the Presidential part of our National Politics.

And so, like a few other blog ideas that sounded great as they bounced around in my head, I have abandoned that effort and decided on a more direct discussion of why National Politics in America ~~Suck~~ … is so frustrating.

Maybe you all can help me figure out why.

More on this later. Right now I’ve got to take a shower and get this icky feeling off me!

The Back Nine

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Mike Shortall

While perusing the collection of documentaries on DVD at the local library, I ran across The Back Nine which tells the story of a 40-year-old’s pursuit of his dream to play golf on the PGA Tour.

I thought it an interesting subject, given the rather common fantasy of most passionate golfers to have the talent and mental fortitude to play the game professionally. Unfortunately, Jon Fitzgerald – the subject, author, co-producer and co-director – has neither the talent nor the fortitude; and to throw in a little extra, he also doesn’t have the time.

Hmmmm …

You could see where this was heading halfway through, which is about where I stopped watching. If you really don’t have the time to devote to this “dream” of yours, why should I waste my time watching it? I’m just thankful I didn’t have to buy it!

Jon lines up FOUR … count’em! … FOUR coaches, a life coach, swing coach, and two other I-can’t-even-remember-what coaches to help him mold his game. He even goes out and wins his very first amateur tournament, surprisingly enough with a 12-over-par round. Now, I’m in no position to criticize another man’s golf game; but you have to wonder if his competition was even ambulatory with those scores!

Shortly after this comes the “WTF? moment”, when Jon outlines his struggle to find enough time in his whirlwind producer, film festival organizing, family-man life to devote to his game. When one of his golf coaches relates a conversation where Jon plans to spend “a whole ten hours a week” on his “professional” golf game, I lunged for the video remote’s Cease & Desist Button! Even the coach seemed incredulous at what little golfing he planned to do!

If I spent 10 hours-a-week on “nothing but golf”, I might just get my gargantuan handicap down to No Longer Embarrassing Myself. But even the Worst Golfer Alive could figure out where this time-starved project was heading … Absolutely Nowhere!

Apparently all that I missed by not watching the rest of the story was Mr. Fitzgerald’s struggle to balance the demands of his professional life and his family with his desire to play golf. I’m not sure how that differs from any other Regular Working Joe, who has to scrape together enough time to fit in his golf. And in addition, he also spends a good part of the project reconnecting with his two fathers. In other words, it turns into a guy’s version of a Lifetime Movie!

Me thinks Jon Fitzgerald was just looking for a Pay Day.

Give me a break …

Recommendation: Don’t bother!

Dog vs. Man

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Mike Shortall

Actual conversation one morning last week …

“Honey, where’s that piece of steak I was saving for lunch?”

“It’s in the fridge. Look behind the yogurt.”

“Yeah … But where’s the REST of it?”

“I gave it to the dog. I ran out of chicken.”

Uh huh …

So this is what it has come to. My position on the Family Food Chain is now somewhere below Dog, maybe higher than the spider I was forced to assassinate one recent evening to the non-stop scream, “Bug! Bug!!”

Of course “higher than … spider” is just an assumption on my part.

There are rules … Rules of Nature … that suggest that the higher species – those that are stronger, smarter and more adaptable – get first crack at prized resources and eat first at The Kill. Unfortunately for some of us those rules are suspended in the Dog-Human Relationship.

Actually that’s a misstatement in my case. As this incident illustrates, this Man is the third wheel in the Dog-Woman Relationship.

Personally, I like dogs. In fact, I have proven recently my fondness for Man’s Best Friend. And I love, Zoe, our Bichon Frise. And for the most part, it doesn’t bother me that she is spoilt more than a Kardashian. But there should be respect for The Pecking Order of Species.

I am bigger and stronger; and damn it … I can – on most days – complete a 16-square sudoku in The Washington Post!!

So that highly prized New York strip steak I was hoarding for myself should remain mine. I shouldn’t have to stand over The Kill baring fangs like a starving lion fending off a circling hyena … especially a fluffy white specimen that looks like a candidate for Best of Show!

Fluffy, white-haired circling hyena

Guess I’ll just have to adapt.

THE END

Funny aside …

Recently Zoe underwent knee surgery.

(And no, she did not injure it while running down a “kill” of her own. She only goes after meat that is completely motionless and thoroughly cooked, perhaps served in a balsamic reduction. But I digress …)

I will not bore you with the veterinary details, including the $ticker $hock from which we are still recovering. No, this is about what contortions we go through for our pets.

Our instructions were to keep Zoe off her bad leg as much as possible, so the process of doggie bathroom breaks was a tad problematic. The vet-proposed solution was to “lighten the load” on her surgically-repaired leg by using a home-made sling to support her body mass as she went about “her business”.

There is nothing more humbling than standing next to your pooch with a sling made of a rolled blanket running beneath their belly and held aloft in your fisted hand! People passing by – people who you know – look at you like you have lost it completely. And the dog simply looks up at you with a face that says; “Do you really expect me to go with this stupid thing wrapped around me. Oh … And you look like an idiot too!”

A 1% President?

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Mike Shortall

Democratic Party officials announced recently that President Obama will accept his party’s nomination on the last night of their national convention at Bank of America Stadium.

It’s an odd choice, given the recent spate of Occupy Wall Street events originating from the most liberal wings of the Democratic Party. The visuals will not be very comforting to those who believe that the richest 1% of the country set the rules that elevates, protects and perpetuates their wealth, while at the same time oppresses the remaining 99%.

The re-election imagery for OWS’s Presumptive Hero could be a Recipe for Disaster …

Standing in front of a Bank of America backdrop, which BofA paid $100 million just for 20 years worth of naming rights …
In the Home of the Carolina Panthers and their 1% athletes …
Who are owned by Jerry Richardson, former CEO of Flagstar, whose net worth is estimated at $500 million …
In front of Democrat contributors willing to pay up to $1.5 million for the full-blown Premiere Events Package.
Serve over 8.5% Unemployment and the “disappearing middle class”

Hmmmmm …

Well, the good news is that it will be a heck of a lot warmer for the good Occupy Wall Street people in Charlotte in early September than it was on Wall Street this past November. That’s assuming of course that they even bother to show up to drag this particular demographic of the 1% out into the glaring media light.

I’m not holding my breath …

If you too want the Superbox Treatment”, consider your options:

Suzi Emmerling, a spokeswoman for the Charlotte Host Committee, confirmed a Bloomberg report that those deals — presented to Washington lobbyists last month — include an escalating menu of packages starting with the $1 million “presidential” level. Those who buy in will receive a “premier uptown hotel room,” a “platinum events package and “concierge services.” Another $500,000 “Gold Rush” level includes hotel room, credentials and a “premiere events package.”

Myself? I’ll be home watching the Democratic National Convention on TV with my 99% compadres, all the while marveling at how the Democratic 1% get to live it so large!

Who would be better suited to fix Montgomery County’s budget mess?

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Mike Shortall

It’s quite astounding, this plunge at sub-sonic speed that Montgomery County (PA) governance has taken since the November election.

In a matter of weeks we faced a Commissioner’s arrest on perjury charges and a budget crises that finally bobbed to the surface like a bloated dead body. But this happened only AFTER the election, despite MONTHS of reassurances from Commissioners Joe Hoeffel and Jim Matthews that all was well; that there was nothing to the rumors “floating around” concerning a sizable budget shortfall; and that all the hand-wringing was the work of political malcontents and other nefarious sources looking to make political hay at the expense of an unusual, personality-fueled “bipartisan” managing majority.

Oops …

That’s a $44 million “oops” for the FY2012 budget year. An “oops” that would have resulted in a 29% property tax increase if alleged perjurer, Jim Matthews has his “no cuts, just raise taxes” way.

Most maddening – to me anyway – is that it was a deliberate “oops” that callously may have affected an election, where voters – unaware of how bad the budget picture really looked – were denied the opportunity to evaluate the bona fides of the four candidates in the light of the true budget situation. (e.g. Would one vote for candidates who promise “no tax increase” with such a bleak budget picture where significant service cuts were the only other solution?)

Instead we witnessed an election campaign where one set of candidates (Democrats Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards) were able to take the “see no evil, raise no taxes” Tea Party approach to courting voters, while the other team (Republicans Jenny Brown and Bruce Castor) had to renounce their party’s proclivity to abhor any mention of raising taxes simply because they had insider suspicions – due to Castor’s presence on the County Commissioners Board – as to the real nature of the County’s budget morass.

As taxpayers you should be enraged that such an opportunity was denied you by two politicians simply looking to throw an election away from Bruce Castor. At least give Brown and Castor credit for refusing to make a promise they felt they probably could not keep.

My intended point to this blog post was to call for the current Commissioners Board to punt the 2012 budget issue to the new Shapiro-Richards-Castor Board to be seated in January. I felt – especially given the alleged behavior of Jim Matthews in his personal use of campaign contributions, the violations of County guidelines for awarding millions in contracts, and the level of incompetence and cronyism in hiring County managers – that the only way to address the issue cleanly was to wait for the new Board to be seated by perhaps passing a continuing resolution of some sort to keep the County running until the new team could evaluate the budget.

Unfortunately, that desire has been OBE (overtaken by events) today.

In a decision passed down by the County’s solicitor’s office, the Commissioners were advised that the incoming Board cannot re-open the budget after Jamuary 1. In fact, they will be limited to either spending any surplus or transferring funding from one department to another to meet any shortfalls.

This is not a particularly promising outlook for 2012, especially if an unforeseen crises or unanticipated costs arise during the fiscal year. One important function that a budget reserve serves is to maintain a debt-to-cash ratio that keeps the County’s Moody’s bond rating at its current Aaa rating. The loss of that rating could potentially prevent the County from borrowing funds at the best possible rate of interest.

So hang on for a possibly bumpy ride in FY2012!

Hoeffel and Castor are working together (Hard to believe, I know.) to develop a budget that looks to include both reductions in spending and at least a 14% tax increase. (In an aside, Jim Matthews likened the possibility of raised taxes as the end of a “tax holiday” for Montgomery County homeowners. Real nice for a guy who used – ~~allegedly~~ – campaign donations for personal autos, personal expenses and country club memberships! Now THAT’S a holiday!)

This also means that we have to wait another year to see whether the Shapiro-Richards team can stick to their Tea Party-like “No new taxes” promise in FY2013 and beyond, and make their zero-based budgeting strategy work.

Frankly, that does not look promising!

Santa Claus crucified

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Mike Shortall

(I strongly recommend NOT OPENING the link that’s included below in the presence of any young children who may still be innocent enough to get a kick out of Santa. – Cranky Man)

A brouhaha erupted in Loudon County, Virginia this week over the content of a holiday display allowed to appear on the courthouse lawn. As has been happening all over the country for years, various groups protest the mixing of religion and government by targeting the long-standing practice of religious Christmas displays appearing on public lands.

The situation in Loudon County, how it developed; the way it was handled; and the end result, renders the issue interesting on several levels.

Loudon’s solution to the challenge to what should be displayed on the courthouse lawn was an attempt to please everyone by trying to avoid the only sensible decision. The Loudon County board decided instead to allow anyone who applied and received approval of their holiday display to show it on the courthouse lawn. (Only 9 display spots were available.)

As a result displays designed by atheist groups, artists and everyday citizens were included along with a traditional nativity scene and Christmas tree. The result – I would think – they should have seen coming from a mile away. This year the displays included one by the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, two that promoted atheism and even one celebrating The Constitution. Last year, there was even a vulgar version of the Twelve days of Christmas.

But the one that caused the big stink this year was Santa on a cross (Please check over your shoulder for little Cindy Lou Who before you click!), featuring a skeleton dressed as Santa Claus hung on a cross. The display – intended to comment on the over-commercialization of Christmas – was promptly vandalized by a woman in the middle of the afternoon in front of news cameras that had come out to report on the controversy.

What was mind-blowing to me was the reaction of County officials who were shocked when the Santa on a cross display appeared. Yet the display had been fully explained and described when the application was submitted for approval!

Who’s been reviewing these applications?!? The Grinch?

In any case, I believe the situation and the way it was handled should be provided as case study material for municipal leaders everywhere as the way NOT to handle such situations.

It is regrettable that Christmas traditions our generation – and those before it – enjoyed every December are being pushed off the public square due to Political Correctness and the resulting legal appeasals. But this country is not the same – in cultural demographics and level of diversity – as it was 40-50 years ago, when we were kids and our parents continued the traditions of their generation. Whether you view that as a good thing or a not-so-good thing, you can’t argue with the fact that it’s simply different now.

My own personal view is that trying to walk that fine line between religion and government only gets more and more perilous the farther you try to toe it, as the Loudon County example illustrates.

As a born and bred Christian, who admittedly struggles with the concept of Church, I enjoy the meaning, the fellowship and all the trappings of a Christian Christmas. And though I appreciate the often misunderstood concept of God as integral to the founding principles of this country, I accept the reality that the judicial concept of separation of church and state (found neither in The Constitution or the Bill of Rights) renders the public display of religious symbols on publicly-owned lands an unwinnable position from which to preserve certain Christmas traditions. That might be a source of constant irritation at this time of year; but there is no chance of ever going back to those “good old days”.

What would have been the better solution for Loudon? To allow everyone to speak their mind on whatever level they relate – or react – to Christmas … all the good, the bad, the preposterous, the blasphemous? Or would the better solution have been to simply not allow any displays on the courthouse lawn aside from the safe and innocuous “Happy Holidays” sign, as offensive as that might be to their Christian sensibilities?

I would have bitten the bullet and opted for the latter in the belief that it would be better to keep what’s precious at this time of the year safe from the disenchanted, the uber politically-correct, and the wackos. If Christmas and all those images and icons we associate with it face the risk of corruption and defilement in the public square just because it’s “public”, is it really worth leaving it in the square?

There are more than enough privately-controlled spaces for us to display our Christian Christmas spirit, on church and private property where we have singular control over what we believe is important to honor with displays. There’s no need for us to expose our beliefs to what amounts to government-approved public comment and – at times – ridicule all for the sake of making a point.

Some of the other possibilities are subject for some interesting discussions.

Interesting that it would have been “scandalous” to place a cross of any kind on public property, yet it was approved for the crucifixion of Santa Claus.
If you cherish the right to free speech, would you be able to stomach the kind of messages that might result from a decision to allow everyone the opportunity to express their Christmas views no matter how offensive or provocative?
Was the woman who ripped down the Santa on a cross display a hero, a censor or a criminal? Was she simply exercising HER right to express herself?
What would happen if someone wanted to display a scene disparaging or criticizing the beliefs or concepts of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or the Muslim equivalent of Christmas, Eid Al-Fitr?
How far do you think local officials should go to preserve public displays of Christmas themes?
- For a comparison, read how Henderson County, Texas is fighting back.

Merry Christmas!

When common sense takes a hike

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Mike Shortall

While perusing a local community blog this week I ran into an article that described Cheltenham Township’s (PA) declaration of a day in honor of Josh Fattal. Fattal – many will recall – is one of the hikers taken captive by Iranian forces along the Iraq-Iran border in 2009.

Fattal is a native of Cheltenham Township, a suburban Philadelphia community.

I can certainly see why his hometown would want to celebrate his safe return in good health and spirit. But I fail to see the logic of honoring in such an official manner one who so flagrantly dismissed common sense and made decisions that resulted in a costly, diplomatically embarrassing situation for his country and two years of anguish for his family and friends.

Despite that I readily concede their “right” to travel freely; accept the premise that they never actually crossed the border with Iran; and refute the accusations that they were spying for the U.S., my befuddlement comes down to one simple question.

Who in their right mind would think taking a stroll along the Iraq-Iran border was a good idea for three American citizens during military hostilities to the south in Iraq at a time when Iran was at diplomatic, nuclear-tinged loggerheads with the U.S.?!?

Perhaps the lack of judgement was just youthful exuberance run amok or that sense of invincibility that so often leads young people to think harmful things cannot, will not happen to them. But either way, it was an extremely poor, irresponsible decision that cost many people – mostly those closest to each of them – incredible despair; taxed the diplomatic and humanitarian efforts of several countries; and could very well have turned out much worse for them than two years spent in Iranian hell.

I understand the need to celebrate their return, but Josh Fattal Day? No, that’s too far a hike.

Post Publication Thought: (Adding this thought as an example of my point, which came to me in the shower this morning as all good ideas should. Hope the imagery doesn’t sting too badly! )

If Joe McFisherman decides to take his 22-ft pleasure boat out past the breakers despite ominous, well communicated storm warnings, the Authorities are going to be responsible for his rescue once his boat gets swamped in the heavy seas and Joe and his four friends are dumped into the dangerous waters. I don’t have a problem with that, aside from the fact that Joe’s bone-headed stubbornness could put someone else’s life (the rescuers and passengers) at risk. (And by the way, Joe should have to pay something towards the costs of his rescue, at least as a monetary inducement to making a better decision next time.)

Assuming that all goes well, and Joe and his passengers are successfully rescued, you would expect people to be happy for Joe’s safe return. But you probably aren’t going to “honor” Joe. And if you did, what exactly would you be “honoring”? You wouldn’t “honor” his good fortune or his bravery, that resulted from his dumb decision. And you certainly wouldn’t want to emphasize, publicize or encourage such poor decision-making in others.

In Josh Fattal, Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd‘s case, their hike (sinking boat) took over two years to resolve (rescue) due to Iran’s (a well-documented storm) intransigence and desire to use them to embarrass their country.

A heaping bag of Disappointment

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Mike Shortall

Watching what unfolded last night for the Montgomery County (PA) GOP was akin to suffering through a replay of Monday night’s woeful performance by the Philadelphia Eagles against those Chicago Bears. Just like those inconsistent Birds, the impression I have is one of a team that was thoroughly outplayed by an opponent that simply “wanted it” much, much more.

Not that it was entirely a lost night. Rumor had it (unconfirmed) that both Hatboro and Plymouth Meeting councils were won back by Republican leadership. Our local Horsham Township Council candidates, Greg Nesbitt and Mark McCouch handily won their matchup as rightfully expected. Eileen Behr, a superb candidate for MontCo Sheriff, and Stewart Greenleaf, Jr. – for Controller – were successful in their bids. But aside from these and Nancy Becker’s victory for Recorder of Deeds, the overall contest – much like the Eagles-Bears game – was not nearly as close a performance as the final score might lead one to believe.

Many good GOP candidates went down with the ship.

Now, I have no claim to any formal political training, inside Montgomery County Republican Committee or Brown-Castor strategizing, or even a smidgen of political play-making capability. In continuing with the Eagles analogy, I’m either the center spending half the game looking upside down with his head between his legs, or I’m the rookie guard – a la Danny Watkins – too caught up just trying to get the rudimentary footwork down to fully appreciate the more complicated levels of high stakes political gamesmanship. I just know I’m laying here flat on my back with a bunch of cleat marks up the front of my jersey wondering what-the-sack happened to the game plan!

So take these personal impressions with that perspective in mind …

1. Although I travel regularly through limited areas of eastern Montgomery County, there were certain locales – specifically Huntingdon Valley, Rockledge, and Abington – where little evidence in the way of Brown-Castor presence could be found. Every day for the past two months commuting back and forth from work, I saw a plethora a Shapiro-Richards signage in these areas. The Brown-Castor presence didn’t just fall short; it was completely absent aside from sporadic household displays. In fact, of the several attempts of my own to populate Abington with GOP signage, some were met with REMOVAL of the signs from public grounds. So despite my belief that the powers-to-be had a handle on this important election, I had a gnawing feeling in my gut that things were amiss!

One of my posts from several weeks ago, dealt with the offensive sight of hundreds of Shapiro-Richards signs quite literally LITTERING huge stretches of Cheltenham Avenue and Rt. 422. It was obviously an organized bit of intense labor. And although I harbor no desire to see ANY campaign trashing neighborhoods and highways in this manner, one has to wonder where the GOP response was? (Caveat: I have not been on either road since making that post, so maybe there was a response.)

2. Shapiro-Richards played the negative and dirty games better. From their TV ad portraying Brown-Castor as The Bickersons (The Negative) to drawing the downright hypocritical connect-the-dots picture of Jenny Brown as a Tea Party candidate (The Dirty since Josh Shapiro also met with and could therefore be portrayed as Tea Party-sympathetic.), the Democrats had no problem wading into the muck that played to those tired of Commissioners’ bickering and to their anti-Tea Party core. (I won’t even go into the fact that Shapiro-Richards won on what was a very Tea Party-like platform of limited spending and no tax increases. Oops .. maybe I will mention it.) I saw little pushback – aside from Castor’s complaining of the Tea Party hypocrisy – from the Republican side.

So why was so little made out of Richards’ Whitemarsh stewardship of an 8-fold increase in township debt (from $1.8 to $15 million)?!? Could more have been made of the contradiction between the fiscal promises made by the Democrats as opposed to their actual records on the same subjects?? (The numbers to watch here are $435 million, the current MontCo debt hole. With Richards record of debt accumulation, I predict this hole will grow to $3.5 million by Fiscal Year 2015!)

3. Much theorizing went into the role of “Obama Democrats” in their county registration advantage. Theories suggesting that those Democrats were only motivated by President Obama’s historic run to The White House … that many of them would not return in force for a relatively lower-key local race. Low turnout – it was suggested – would be a boon for Republican hopefuls. We certainly had low turnout in my township (roughly 28-30%). Heck, my polling place didn’t even have a Democrat committee presence until dinner time! Obviously, the Democrats out-performed Republicans in getting out their voters in Democrat-heavy areas. The GOP? Not so much.

That’s enough Wednesday-morning quarterbacking for me. When you lose, it’s either a failure in strategy/leadership or one of performance. So the questions beg …

Was it long-simmering Castor-itis come home to roost?
Was the Republican electorate too complacent, disinterested, unmotivated?
Was the overall economic-political disgust a factor in keeping Republicans and like-minded independents home?
What can be done to counter the increase in Democrat registrations fleeing Philadelphia?
Why was there so little evidence of GOP feet-on-the-ground in locales I travelled through near the city?
To what extent are these problems rooted in the GOP Leadership in those communities and – perhaps – the County as well?

Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned … Had an adverse reaction Monday to “Stop the Tea Party. Stop Jenny Brown” lawn signs I saw that morning while driving to work. The reaction centered around the hypocrisy of a Shapiro campaign making hay from a meeting that duplicated HIS OWN inclination to drink the TEA! Amazingly the signs had disappeared by the time I had driven pass them on the way home that night.

I just really hate losing … especially when I know I’m right.