Knee deep in the swamp
Here we are, January 2023, two years from the Jan. 6 incident.
Back in 1954, there was an incident similar to what happened at the Capitol, but much worse, something that our infamous news media care not to mention or report.
On March 1, 1954, there was an attack at the Capitol by four Puerto Rican nationalists who sought to promote Puerto Rico’s independence from America’s rule.
While seated at the gallery way above the chamber, the four stood up, unfurled the flag of Puerto Rico, and then started to unload their semi-automatics toward the members of Congress below. Luckily no one was killed.
Now this was a true insurrection. An armed insurrection with actual weapons fired on cabinet members compared to what didn’t happen on Jan. 6.
Jan. 6 involved one “armed” Capitol officer who shot and killed an unarmed civilian, Ashli Babbitt, an ex-U.S. military personnel who served in the U.S. Air Force and the Air National Guard.
Ms. Babbitt was not a radical nationalist armed to the gills like the four militant terrorists of 1954. She died defending her right as a United States citizen to protest under the Constitution.
Similarly, it’s what happened to the four unarmed students killed at Kent State University in 1970, shot down by the Ohio National Guard. They were assumed to be extreme radicals when in actuality all they were protesting was America’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
Besides these two events, the biggest concern for any “insurrection” will be when millions of migrants will flood into our country when Title 42 is lifted by the Biden administration.
With Congress approving a trillion dollar omnibus budget, billions going to the Ukraine war, and now another billion to support these migrants, guess who’s going to foot the bill for all that free money to the world?
You got it. We the people.
And it’s no surprise that Zelenskyy shows up on Capitol Hill just in time for his Christmas bonus.
Maybe he’ll buy himself a suit, along with one for Fetterman.
Happy New Year.
Al Ulus
Somerton
Preserve Ryerss Mansion
I just wanted to thank everyone involved in the Victorian Christmas event at the Ryerss Mansion in Burholme Park on Dec. 10. I felt lucky to participate as a volunteer for the event, which included Santa & crafts for the children, raffles, baked goods & live evergreen arrangements for sale sponsored by Fox Chase Farm. About 300 people attended from around the local neighborhoods.
Does the city of Philadelphia realize the treasure of this beautiful work of art & architecture? The elevator is broken and will cost over $100,000 to get a new one. But this is so important, because many seniors were challenged walking upstairs to the public library or could not go at all. Many of the volunteers must go to the basement to bring up supplies and decorations, and seniors who come to the monthly book club have to struggle going up two flights of stairs to the first and second floors of this mansion. In order to use the restrooms one must go to the basement. The city should invest in the future of this grand historic house, and not in a roundabout at Pine Road & Shady Lane, which, in my travels there, does not have excessive problems, if you just stop and wait your turn. I believe I heard it will cost $1 million to fix that road issue.
So I want my tax money to help preserve buildings that show the history of our great city. I want safety measures to help seniors, disabled people and the community enjoy all that Ryerss Mansion has to offer now and in the future.
Helene Labacz
Millbrook
Hoping for a better ‘23
The year 2022 certainly was a challenge. Nationwide, COVID, a respiratory disease that affected young children, and the flu became serious issues. All of which led to placing some people in hospitals, and the mask had to be worn again. Meanwhile, our city became riddled with crime. Five-hundred people were killed, several persons were killed in a hit and run, and popular stores became victims to stealing. There is a saying,”Do unto others as they would do unto you.” Respect, love and kindness should always be in place. No longer shootings in which someone is left dead, or a person having to close their store. Hopefully, 2023 brings “peace on earth and goodwill towards man.”
Marie Patton
Fox Chase
Fight the fuel tax hike
On Jan. 1, Pennsylvania raised the tax on gasoline and diesel fuel. We are experiencing high inflation, which is causing undue hardship on the citizens of Pennsylvania. This tax increase will cause an increase in transportation cost for everyone. The cost of delivering goods, driving to work and for necessities, etc. Pennsylvania has one of the highest gas prices in the country, higher than our neighboring states Delaware and New Jersey. Gov.-elect Shapiro, state senators and representatives, please eliminate this increase in gas and diesel fuel taxes. Do the right thing. And for the citizens of Pennsylvania, please contact Gov.-elect Shapiro and state senators and representatives. Be proactive and make a change and you will get satisfaction in doing your part.
John Z. Kusen
Bustleton
Library closures
On Friday, Dec. 23, I went to the Fox Chase Library for some Christmas movies. The library had an unscheduled closure due to lack of staff.
Since the library is closed every weekend, and there was a holiday on Dec. 26, I went back again Tuesday, Dec. 27. Again the library was closed. I banged on the door. An employee working inside said, still closed to the public due to “lack of staff.”
I then drove to the NE Regional Library — closed since Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. It was closed all Dec. 27 due to a mechanical problem. I didn’t bother with the Torresdale branch. I guess I didn’t feel lucky. Later, I found it, too, was closed, as were more than a dozen branches.
Sound familiar?
People in the NE need our libraries. We want to take out holiday books and movies, or use computers — or just keep warm for a while. These closures do affect people’s lives. As for library staff — it must be demoralizing to deal with an angry, frustrated public.
No private company could run this way. They’d go out of business. The City is fat with federal COVID cash. It can surely find a few more bucks for the libraries. (Maybe stop funding the FLP “drag queen” hour.)
Unfortunately, no one is ever held accountable for these failures. So they will go on unless this becomes an issue in the upcoming mayoral campaign.
Maybe the fastest way to hold the City accountable is to write “unannounced wallet closing” on our property tax bills.
Richard Iaconelli
Rhawnhurst
