often act surprised when Putin performs an act which is, in their opinion, contrary to American Governmental interests. You'd think that he were Father Flanagan, Thomas Jefferson, and J. Edgar Hoover all rolled into one who has 'inexplicably' undermined us. Having nothing to do with this case in particular, I am reminded of someone's insane out-of-her mind ex-girlfriend who wrote "Betrayer" on his car in dog feces after he stopped calling her, the 'wild sex' notwithstanding. (For you younger DUers, and some older ones as well, you should never ever 'put your dick in crazy' - you will live to regret it. The same holds true for you ladies...but you KNEW that a priori.)

What do they expect? Just because Fearless Leader Bush Jr. looked deeply into his eyes - those stone-cold eyes - and said that he understood him, well, this does not, and did not, mean that he was a real ally of the U.S. of A., despite the sayings of our former pResident.

Of course, I am not stating anything in regard to this particular incident, just the Media in general...

just sayin'....

I am professionally acquainted with a gentleman who used to work in National Security, followed by a stint in the Philadelphia Police Department at a very very high level, followed by a return to an unnamed Federal Service.

He told me, without any bluster or hesitation, that if an individual uses certain words in a telephone conversation or email, that it will automatically trigger a red flag and that flag will be investigated. Whether law enforcement decides to pay you a visit or not depends upon other issues which he would not go into. He did state that this has been ongoing since well before 9/11/2001.

He is not a BS artist or a wannabe. This fellow has connections to incidents of which I am aware, having known him for over twenty years, which I would not dare mention here.

I mention this because I am quite frankly amazed at the surprise and outrage by so many that this is actually going on. Of course it's going on and of course the Administration stands by it. It is a fundamental protocol of the country in which we live - how many Intelligence movies do you have to see, or Ludlum-esque books which you have to read, or quite frankly, news reports about conversations gleaned from surveillance until you realize that this is a given, and is not going to be stopped ever. By anyone. The Republicans are using it against "us" and we are in general, so stupid as to allow them to run roughshod over "us" once again, and we will most certainly oblige them and slit our own wrists one more time. Instead, since it is a given that this will continue despite message-board protesting, the better response might be that of Harrison Ford's character as Jack Ryan where instead of avoiding it, says that we embrace it. It completely disarms the other side, and since we are going to live with it in any case, deemphasizes it as a political issue.

Yes yes, I can hear you now...it's an abrogation of our rights. It is. You're right. Go after the Dems on this and every other issue like the triangulating Rethugs want you to do, and you'll be on the Board in four years hyperventillatingly criticizing President Paul and rending your clothes at the prospect of REAL fascism encroaching. If we would even be able to HAVE a board.

as luck would have it, I ran into a long-time acquaintance who is a significant member of the group which performs long-term planning for the city. He told me that for years, they have been attempting to clear out this corridor which would extend all the way to Amtrak's 30th St. Station in order to build high-rise commercial and residential properties. He was appalled, as were many (including yours truly) who watched the demolition over the past few days, at the lack of compensatory engineering which would ensure that the adjacent properties were safe from catastrophe. (I myself had wondered, since I drive past it every day for 35 years, how the fileted a building out from between others without the brick walls collapsing). As was mentioned in another post, these buildings were owned by a porn executive who had operated the Forum Theater (XXX - almost good enough for the Lounge here) and a "Bookstore"/peep show. (There were ALWAYS people walking into each of these establishments, day and night - even when I come into town at 5 AM, there they are.) He felt that it would be doubtful that there would be a REAL investigation into this: that TPTB will pay off the victims quietly and "life goes on" - he was really upset about this. He said a few more incriminating things which I can't post because it would reveal who he is, and you just never know.

I reminded him of the parking garage collapse at the casino in Atlantic City, where the experienced concrete guys refulsed to work in the area where they felt that the structure was inadequately shored up during construction, i.e. no "return" walls, and almost all those hurt or killed were the apprentices and young workers. He had forgotten about that, it had been so many years ago.

It really is horrendous stuff, and RIGHT HERE in the downtown. We have literally thousands of buildings like this, and you just can assume that this will happen again and again. Very sad.

multiple injuries and people apparently still trapped...

this is 6 blocks from me...

6abc.com

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/dncrime/Cops-Man-42-arrested-for-shooting-at-pedestrians-police-near-South-Street.html

Cops: Man arrested for shooting at pedestrians, police near South Street
POSTED: Sunday, June 2, 2013, 11:53 AM
A Fern Rock man was arrested early Sunday for allegedly shooting at a group of people on South Street and then firing at police.

The shooting happened around 1:45 a.m. on South Street near 6th. Police said a man approached three people and began flirting with one of the women in the group. After the woman rebuked his advances, an argument ensued, at which point the man grabbed the woman and flashed a gun he had tucked in his waistband and threatened the group, police said.

According to police, the man walked away, crossed South Street, pulled out the gun and fired once at the group, striking a parked car. As the group ran for cover, officers in the area saw the commotion and ran towards the scene. A sergeant and an officer chased after the alleged gunman as he fled towards 7th and Kater streets. During the pursuit, police said, the gunman fired at the officers.

Other officers in the area responded and police apprehended the man without further incident. Police said they recovered a .32 caliber semi-automatic handgun still loaded with one round.

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Yep, everybody gets a gun. That way, if some gal says " no thank you" you get to abduct her and shoot at her companions and police. Given our recent propensity here in Philly for the police SHOOTING PEOPLE DEAD, this guy is more than fortunate to be alive.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/Cops-Man-42-arrested-for-shooting-at-pedestrians-police-near-South-Street.html#QdmeqEpeZf8fef8L.99