Mysterious Mysteries
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| pic from bleacherreport.com |
"I'd be shocked if John Stevens is the coach by the end of the season."
Now, I like Bucci. He knows a lot of things about things. But I was like, no way, dude you been listening to too many Guster songs (which is to say: any Guster songs). Then I saw the comments his column inspired and holy crap. A lot of people think Stevens sucks. Like Flyersfan 1981, who says:
"I really hope Bucci is right about Stevens...I've been praying for his firing for about 2 seasons now...time for a coach in Philly, not a babysitter!!"
Praying? I was and am shocked, so I wrote to Buccigross and asked him to elaborate. He replied with two simple words, as I told my brother ...
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[...] I'm shocked, even though, you know, John Buccigross personally told me this would happen. [...]
i have not thought that john stevens was an nhl-caliber coach since day 1. i don't know if i would call him a babysitter, but he has no verve or inspiration. he is intelligent though, but that relegates him to an assistant coach at best. he is not a leader and the flyers will NEVER win a cup with him at the helm. to be honest, i am so glad the bucci said something about this. for whatever reason, no one talks about stevens' flaws even though he has many (any bozo could manage the players we've had into a wining record). when the young flyers were all getting wasted and partying too much last season, what did he do? traded upshall. when they were doing it during the playoffs, what did he do? nothing! they were out partying before game 6 v the pens, what kind of coach is even remotely tolerant of that kind of behavior? i have more to say but i will stop here....
re: he is not a leader and the flyers will NEVER win a cup with him at the helm. That's nonsense. The Cup could be hoisted here as soon as June of next year.
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| photo from thespec.com |
| Dan Carcillo was not implicated in the incident. |
I don't have any bloggity quips for this. It's just bizarre and it bummed me out. According to the Daily News's Stephanie Farr, some Flyers fans got into a knife fight in the Northeast.
In the bizarre incident, two Flyers fans who took a bus trip to see their team play in New Jersey were critically stabbed by other Flyers fans who were awaiting the bus' return at a bowling alley in Northeast Philadelphia, police said.
...
During the course of the argument, the cop's 28-year-old brother was stabbed once in the chest and once in the back by a man in a Flyers' jersey, Northeast Detectives said.
Another occupant of the bus, a 26-year-old man, was stabbed once in the back by a different assailant who also wore a Flyers jersey, this one with ripped sleeves, police said.
On the upside, the Flyers has look pretty amazing in their first two games. Ray Emery blanked the Canes on Friday, and a crazy, cannonballing offense destroyed Marty Brodeur and the Devils on Saturday. Thi Pronger guy's pretty good, eh?
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This week, CP got a call from a Northern Liberties resident with an unusual story. He, and about 50 other NoLibs residents, had attended a police town hall meeting on September 8. On his way out, he happened to pick up some literature that had been placed on a table by the door â in particular, three pamphlets entitled, "The Truth about Marijuana," "The Truth About Pain Killers," and "The Truth About Drugs."
The pamphlets, he says, seemed ordinary enough at first. It wasn't until he reached the end that he noticed the following tidbit:
"The first step is to understand why a person becomes trapped by drugs. In May 1969, when the international drug crisis was reaching its peak, author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard wrote: 'When a person is depressed or in pain and where he finds no physical relief from treatment, he will eventually discover for himself that drugs remove his symptoms. . ."
And this:
And for the person with a drug problem, there are also real solutions to addiction. Narconon, a drug rehabilitation program that utilizes the methods of L. Ron Hubbard, has a sucess rate of more than 75% . . .
The pamphlet, produced by a group called the Foundation for Drug-Free World (based in L.A.), it seems, was a piece of Scientologist literature.
Narconon, the group mentioned â and which has a name strikingly similar to Nar-anon, the mainstream Narcotics Anonymous organization â is, in fact, a Scientology-based drug rehab program that has caused plenty of controversey over the years.
So how did this pamphlet wind up at a police-sponsored meeting?
To find out, I called the 26th District Police headquarters and got Crime Prevention Officer Megan Fabrizio, who had attended the meeting and had herself helped arrange the materials on the table.
Officer Fabrizio said she didn't know what I was talking about, but offered to dig up the box into which they had dumped everything on the table after the meeting.
To her surprise, she found the Scientology pamphlets buried in the pile.
"I don't where they came from," said Fabrizio. "They're not mine. This is something I've never ever seen."
Anybody, Officer Fabrizio pointed out, could have left them on that table.
And so the pamphlets' origin remains a mystery.
It's always So-o-o-o much esier to criticize than to (a) clean up one's life, or (b) do something constructive for your neighborhood. Done something unselfish for your community lately? So when I see anyone crapping up the Internet complaining about ANYONE's anti-drug work, I know that I'm hearing the sputterings of (a) druggies and (b) lazies. Oops, sorry. Those sets are 99% overlapping.
The kooky $cientologists throwing around the KKK baloney because that's all they CAN do. "Always attack, never defend" said L Ron Hubbard. He also said "I'd like to start a religion, that's where the money is". You hit the nail on the head AnonymousOwns. SHAME on $cientology for always preying upon the vulnerable. And cheers to France for prosecuting them for the fraudsters and criminals they are.
Why is it bad that a cult is spreading anti drug ideas? Look at the marijuana pamphlet, clearly states in it that marijuana is more harmful than booze. Better have Alconon too. It says that cannabis has 50+ chemicals to damage you whereas alcohol only has one ethanol. Kids are in treatment for marijuana because these children had to decide between doing some jail time or go get treatment. What would you choose? It gives the DEA and officials something lie about and create some drug epidemic in our children.
Scientologists and their many organizations have been trying to present themselves as community service-oriented in order to spread their teachings. We may reflect back on the trouble they caused during the rescue efforts after 9/11, or remember the complaints about how they drained resources after Hurricane Katrina. They use organizations such as Narconon, World Literacy Crusade, Criminon, Scientology Volunteer Ministers, and many others to gain a foothold in the community. The collection of documentation on www.xenu.net is eye-opening.
Scientologists have a history of doing things like this without asking. As Tom Cruise said in that clip, "Why ask permission? We are the authorities!" These brochures are 90% government info which is readily available, and 10% advertisement for the dangerous Narconon drug treatment program. Yes, it is a dangerous program, and a scam besides. They charge thousands of dollars, deny any link to Scientology, and utilize an unscientific, potentially hazardous mix of toxic vitamin dosage and over long sauna sessions. http://narconon-exposed.org has all the information people should see before sending their loved one to a Narconon facility. One might also search ripoffreport.com for Narconon tales of fraudulent claims and refusal to refund people's money.
Why does an alleged "church" need countless front groups that hide their true affiliation? Why do COS marketers inform prospective members that Scientology is compatible with Christianity, when you learn, after paying $400,000.00, that Jesus is a hologram projected by Xenu, the galactic overlord. Why do so many people in this world feel compelled to lie and cheat to make money, rather than producing something that will help people?
Actually, rather than go through the beaucoup stuff at xenu.net, check out the incredible reporting that the St. Petersburg Times actually got to publish earlier this year , having watched for 30 years as the CoS take over a huge swath of central Florida. They finally got a bunch of former bigwigs in the Church to talk, and suddenly a lot more victims would go on the record.....
Thanks for reporting on this, Isaiah. The most important thing that can be done to battle this sort of scam-cult is to expose them and what they're doing. I've linked to this story from my blog, Good Reason News.
I wonder if the information in the pamphlets was accurate and if it was presented in a way that might have discouraged use of the drugs.
This is a PR program that the Church has running to get the truth about different drugs out to kids so they never get hooked. Its actually a very good PSA campaign. IT has nothing to do with Narconon except that it does refer people there to get help. Narconon gets people off drugs and does drug lectures, this is an informational program. Don't waste you're time protesting the booklets, that won't get you far.
After reading this story the question that arises in my mind is what is so terrible about any effort by any group to disseminate literature advising against the use of harmful and illegal drugs. It would seem such an effort should be applauded not twisted into some kind of weird conspiricy theory. Common sense would dictate that one question the motives on anyone who would rail against such an obvious social betterment effort. The power of any message is based on the truth of the communication, and truth does not depend on the messenger, but rather on the message being an accurate statement that can be easily observed by the recipient as being factual and correct. Yes those Scientolgosits really have some nerve producing pamphlets advising folks that drugs destroy lives so it is better to abstain. And to think that their Volunteer Ministers would voluteer their own time to selflessly aid victims after such disasters as 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina, can you imagine anyone being so brazen as to actually help do something to help restore order after a disaster even if that something is as minor as passing out bottled water to thirsty victims? All I know is when your thirsty and desperate even those small gestures mean a lot. The easist thing in the world to do is criticise others, how about rolling up your sleeves and lending a hand rather than sit around complaining about those that do.
So let me get this straight; pamphlets are found on a table, so you are all freaking out? If you had found pornography or drug paraphernalia, I could see some upset, but from this? It doesn't sound like anyone did anything bad to anyone; just paranoid people over-reacting. Infiltrated.....what are they, a secret government agency? There may be a mole.....check everyone for a wire!.....lol As it happens, I have participated in one of these "front groups" and it appeared to me a lot of good was being done. People who judge things on the opinions of others really don't have much confidence, do they.....they cannot make up their own minds, just listen to the bad mouthing of others.....it is quite sad, in my mind!
Funny! I see those pamphlets all around our community and only you guys bitch about them. F-o-l-l-o-w the m-o-n-e-y! What do you bet the guys who STARTED this complaint are afraid those pamphlets will cut into their customer base!
A citizen or two apparently attended a police town hall meeting and left some literature behind and you complain that the meeting was "infiltrated?" Let me guess, the reason you are upset is because you believe in freedom of speech, right? To make the hypocrisy worse, you seem to be complaining that the citizens didn't identify themselves and ask permission, but I recognize at least two of the people commenting above as part of the rabble known as Anonymous. And you are complaining about people not introducing themselves? Go back to the basement, your mommy has lunch ready.
Why is this news? It's widely understood that Scientology is an activist organization that targets addiction. This is America, right? Why shouldn't they be allowed to distribute their propaganda?
I think the problem here is they did not ask for permission. They just threw their stuff in without asking, because they have a superiority complex. My experience with Scientology makes me believe they don't think they are accountable to anyone outside of themselves.
It's hysterical seeing all the scientologists coming out to try and twist things so they end up looking good. Too bad for them everybody can read the truth on the internet.
Yes Joan, people certainly can learn the truth on the internet: www.scientology.org . People can also learn the truth about drugs in the booklets that started this rant, or at www.drugfreeworld.org/#/home . Your problem? To quote the eloquent John Rambo: You can't handle the truth! Have a nice day.
Hey Peter J., while a fine specimen of a man, John Rambo never said that. I did it.
Sorry Colonel. I stand corrected. I'm always happy to admit a mistake.
I've talked to some of the people who have been through the Narconon program and it seemed to help them quite a bit - to where they were able to become functioning members of society without the need for chemical crutches. You who say it's nothing but a scam: what do you propose - everybody go get stoned? That's *sure* to solve some of the world's problems!
I propose getting help from an organization that isn't a front group for a cult whose ultimate aim is recruitment. I propose getting help from an organization with a much higher success rate, and isn't abusive. I propose staying as far away from anything remotely related to this nefarious cult.
Nefarious? Why does someone trying to educate others on the perils of drug addiction "nefarious?" The naysayers of good drug education are all members of Anonymius, an internet hate group. Opposed to anyone helping someone else, they spread lies and rumor. Did anyone read the brochures? Were they filled with religious dogma of any kind? Of course not. I have seen these and they are quite informative and educational. the Anonymous nuts who crawl around need to get with the times: The KKK is the place for bigots and nay-sayers. Join the right crowd. Nefarious? Please.
Narconon instruction books are the same as books you could be sold at a Church of Scientology almost word for word. They just add some pictures and make it more generic. Shame on Scientologists for taking advantage of desperate people to recruit new members into their cult.
The Truth about Drugs booklets talk about drugs and the dangers of drug abuse. you are saying this is part of Scientology doctrine? If it is, I say hurray! Someone needs to teach people about the dangers of drug abuse, maybe DJ AM and others could have benefitted. Join the KKK Anonymous. That is where you belong.
This just in: Gallop poll finds Scientology most disliked "religion" in America. I guess no one is falling for your front groups Scientology. Need help with addiction? Go to Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Their only goal is to help people recover, not indoctrinate them into a duplicitous, greedy cult. Have a nice day :)
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Is that the lede of the decade or what?
The rest of the Daily News article about the guy COP who tried to get blow jobs from baby cows is disturbing. It's hard to believe the guy got off. Sorry. But yeah, the animal-cruelty charges were dropped.
During a bizarre hearing there yesterday, a Superior Court judge dismissed animal-cruelty charges against a Moorestown police officer accused of sticking his penis into the mouths of five calves in rural Southampton in 2006, claiming a grand jury couldn't infer whether the cows had been "tormented" or "puzzled" by the situation or even irritated that they'd been duped out of a meal.
"If the cow had the cognitive ability to form thought and speak, would it say, 'Where's the milk? I'm not getting any milk,' " Judge James J. Morley asked.
Read the whole messed-up thing here.
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| source: ms.audubon.org |
Residents living in the neighborhood surrounding Manayunkâs Dobson James School are welcoming some temporary neighbors. Early this week, flocks of chimney swift birds started roosting in the chimney of the elementary school, as well as other chimneys in the area.
Rich McIlhenny, a local realtor, took his children to Manayunk to see the chimney swifts at the school Thursday evening. McIlhenny, who filmed the birds, said that they appeared around 7 in the evening in great numbers, all swarming around the top of Dobson James School until they dove head-first into the chimney.
"It was like something out of a science fiction movie,â he said. "My kids were screaming because they looked look bats, so I explained to them that they were birds getting ready to roost.â
Another Philadelphian, Steve Hebden, saw the spectacle Friday night with his daughter. He described the birds diving into the chimney as a "steady stream that just goes on and on.â
"It took 20 minutes for them to dive in the chimney,â Hebden said. "They shot right down and folded their wings in a way that made it look like they were collapsing.â
McIlhenny heard about this occurrence from a guest speaker at the Friends of Wissahickon, a non-profit nature-interest organization in Philadelphia. He said the chimney swifts fly south to Peru each year, making Philadelphia a regular en-route pit stop.
Chimney swifts were once known as American swifts because they nested and roosted in hollow trees. As early American pioneers deforested their homes, the birds were forced to adapt by roosting in chimneys.
In addition to building nests and roosting in chimneys, swifts sometimes seek refuge in stone wells and abandoned buildings.
When the flock comes here in Philadelphia, they typically make their rest stop at other schools in the are besides Manayunk: the John Story Jenks School in the Chestnut Hill area of the city and the Shawmount School, said Director of Environmental Education at Fairmount Park, Debbie Carr.
"Theyâre only roosting at the Dobson School this year and weâre not sure why,â said Carr. "Itâs possible that they could be down in their numbers.â
Carr said that if the chimney swift population is experiencing a decline in numbers, it could be attributed to a variety of factors, such as trouble rearing, some birds not making back during the migration back north or not enough sustenance, insects, in our region.
| Photo | Brian Howard's Android |
| The code remains unbroken. |
Spent the weekend out and about, catching the penultimate performance of Chunky Move's Mortal Engine and the finale of A.W.A.R.D. Show. In the process, new clues were collected in this bizarre game of street code. To Pole, Spin, Was and Local we add Tame, Guess, Cancel, Monetize and Drum.
So far sightings have occurred on Second Street, Broad Street, Walnut Street and 20th Street. Does anyone out there in the Clogosphere have access to some kind of text analysis software or service? Typing all these words into Google produces no usable results.
I suppose the big question is this: Is there a route you could take that would make these words make sense?
See also, ORIENT at 4th and Brown and SCENE at 6th and Race
Also ARMY at 20th and Vine.
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| Photos | Brian Howard's Android |
The mystery of the words on the street deepens:
spin, in the western crosswalk at Broad and Walnut
pole, in the western crosswalk at Sixth and Chestnut
What could this mean? Theories being accepted.
I spotted 'local' in the eastern crosswalk of 20th and Race. Alas no picture.
[...] • The Clog Weekend Omnibus: Truly Outrageous Weekend• City Paper Park(ing) Day Challenge• More Words on the Street: Spin, Pole• Endeth the bluff• The Big Bluff• (Early) Night Moves: Jeffrey Ross at the Free [...]
Is anyone else seeing these reflector-tape words on city streets? I've seen a few already, but have been in transit and thus unable to snap them. This "was" is outside our office at Second and Chestnut.
Is there a route that forms, say, a sentence? And are these in any way tied to the reflector-tape Stickman outbreak of 2007?
| Photo | Brian Howard's android |
| this is where was was. |
Send me your photos (bhoward [at] citypaper [dot] net), or post links, and we'll try to solve this puzzle.
not was
Stickman did a new sweep a few weeks ago with a black and white series, sometimes acting as shadows/mirrors of each other. You can't go up 3rd North of Broad without seeing a dozen. There were some words on South street but they've already been worn down.
Any pics of the b/w stickmen, Sequoia?
[...] Endeth the bluff• The Big Bluff• (Early) Night Moves: Jeffrey Ross at the Free Libary• Mysterious Mysteries: Words on the Street• Let's have a bake sale for Sugarhouse• A cop who can't stay out of the headlines [...]
This would be funny if it weren't the saddest, most frustrating, most infuriating thing I've ever seen. A reporter wanders the grounds of the 9/12 Tea Party protests in Washington D.C. and mostly lets these outraged citizens hang on their own words.
Best footage I've seen of the insanity yet.
We need Obama to find a way to ban this kind of thing. Maybe it can be regulated as a safety concern, or an environmental thing. And don't give me that "free speech" bs - there need to be limits. This is just insane. People shouldn't be allowed to do this sort of thing.
And to think these people have the intelligence to sort through the issues and actually vote. It is important to allow for free speech and I can't say that stopping this is a) leagl or b) would change anything. The best thing for the Administration is to let these good people speak their mind to reinforce why the "moral majority" must be kept from ru(i)nning our country.
In all fairness, I too have laid awake at night wondering who all these "czars" report to, and how much money they make. But, mostly, I wonder where the f**k they buy those awesome hats. And for that matter, is Jason Kay from Jamiroquai in fact a czar? So many questions. I'm going to need a bigger sign.
Fuckin kommies, eat shit and die! When you were throwing your feces all over W and that pallin dudette and basically at whoever tried to talk some sense into you, it was OK, it was freedom of speech. Now, when your opposition reacts to your bullshit, you suddenly want a BAN on these kind of protests. Why don't you scum-vermin-subhuman-good-for-nothing-parasitic-tapeworms go fuck yourselves and fuckin' die, ha?
FUCK ALL YOU HIPPIES GO HUG A TREE AND KILL YOUR SLUTTY FRIENDS BABY.
^LOL^
xxx and MALTA, your guy lost. Obama is president now and even though he has a lot of Bush's mess to clean up, he's still trying to make things right for the poor who have been short-changed for too long. Hopefully he will give illegals a quick path to citizenship and lock in a democratic majority for good. It looks like the game is about to CHANGE - get used to it.
Republicans or conservatives pride themselves on getting higher education and thus deserving to keep the money that the earned through their education. However this video makes me ashamed to associate myself with the likes of these people. In a word: IGNORANT. . . OK 2 words: IGNORANT & SHAMEFUL... may I also add selfish and greedy too?
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