Fighting in Philadelphia
Unfortunately, the City of Philadelphia has a Stand Your Ground Policy toward fist fights. The most recent example is a young woman on a SEPTA trolley, who admitted on the news that she started the fist fight, she threw the first punch, but now claims to be the victim because her nose was broken.
The video showed her throwing a dozen punches, and she did not even try to walk away from the situation. The young woman and her mother complained that only one passenger attempted to pull her off of the male victim in this violent attack.
I hope the guy on the receiving end of her punches files assault and battery charges against her. I hope she spends some time in jail.
The mother of the young woman said, on the news report, more passengers should have stepped in; to do what? Protect this guy from her violent daughter? If this young woman does not get anger management treatment, she will end up in prison or dead.
Every passenger on the SEPTA trolley paid their fare, and no one deserves to ride with a violent, angry, young woman who is starting fist fights. There should be a First Punch Rule when it comes to fist fighting in Philadelphia.
When it can be established as to which party threw the first punch, such as this young woman on the SEPTA trolley, automatic jail time should be enforced. City Council needs to do something to eliminate this Stand Your Ground Policy toward fist fights.
Mark G. Thomas
Frankford
Vets seek new members
The Jewish War Veterans Post 98 is seeking new members.
Post 98 was originally based in South Philadelphia, and now meets on the third Sunday of the month at 10 a.m. at the Casino Deli Restaurant, at 2425 Welsh Road.
Any man or woman who served in the military is eligible to join.
Associate members are also welcome.
Call 215–742–1420 for more information.
Gil Benedict
Senior Vice Commander, Post 98
NE history is a treasure
I would like to thank the Northeast History Network for inviting reporter William Kenny to enthusiastically discuss the Northeast Times’ recent 80th anniversary edition at its February meeting.
It’s nice to know that some people still have a real curiosity for our past, at a time when the digital world seems to be replacing the bricks and mortar of our memory.
The meeting was held at the Pennepack Baptist Church at 8732 Krewstown Road. I’ve often driven past it, and never knew this church is 327 years old, dating back to 1688.
The Pennepack Church site vibrates with history — from the ancient doors and floorboards, to the weathered grave stones nearby. How many people have driven right past — and never given this site a second thought? There are many forgotten treasures in the Northeast. Learn about them.
The Northeast History Network is a real treasure. All who care about our heritage should support the monthly meetings. Contact them at [email protected]
Richard Iaconelli
Rhawnhurst
Equal income is naive
I see that City Councilman Ed Neilson is hoping to achieve income equality via a resolution he has proposed (as reported in the Northeast Times on Feb. 4).
Ed, I hate to break it to you, but your resolution is long on naive idealism and very short on real-world experience.
Various schemes to create income and wealth equality have been proposed by societies from ancient Athens to the Soviet Union, and anyone who can read a history book knows how those experiments turned out.
Ed, ashcan your proposal, blow the ideological cobwebs from your desk, and take a long, deep breath of common sense.
And while you’re at it, tell your president to do likewise.
George Tomezsko
Fox Chase
