We've Moved

I have decided to have this blog hosted at WordPress instead og Blogger. Please visit us at www.mtairylawyer.wordpress.com. New content will be up soon.

Resuming Regular Posting

I've been away from this blog for a while, focusing on my law practice and some other blogging projects. I have decided to shut down many of those other blogs and focus much more effort here, on issues relating to the law and legal practice, obviously, but also to politics, culture and the like, primarily with respect to issues affecting Philadelphia, but with some regional and national focus, as well. I ought to start putting some stuff up pretty regularly within the next day or so. Hope you'll come back and check in often.

Dubious Distinction

There were four more recorded homicides in Philadelphia over the weekend, bringing this year's total to 104. As the Inquirer reports, this total is higher than some larger cities (which the Inky does not name in the article, but which includes New York and Los Angeles). Speaking last night at the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in West Oak Lane, Bishop T.D. Jakes exhorted

This mounting death toll and murder march has got to stop. Enough is enough.

Amen.

On Record Pace. Again.

This morning brings the news that the City of Philadelphia has recorded its 100th homicide for the year. The city is well on nits way to shattering last year's record number of homicides. In 2006, the 100th murder in Philadelphia was not recorded until April 14th. Simply put, the level of violent crime in Philadelphia is out of control and getting worse. And it is no coincidence that the explosion in the homicide rate took place on Mayor Street's watch. That is his legacy. It is a legacy of uncontrolled violence and failure. He cannot leave office too soon.

Deconstructing Rudy

The Washington Post reported this morning that Bernard Kerik, the New York City Police commissioner (among other things) when Rudy Giuliani was mayor (and, in addition, a former business partner of Mr. Giuliani's) is facing indictment on a variety of felony charges, including filing false information when he was nominated, briefly, to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security (for which Mr. Giuliani recommended him). Somehow I have the feeling that this is the beginning of the process of deconstructing Mr. Giuliani as he seeks the Republican presidential nomination. Kind of like peeling the skin off an onion.

Hillary Might Want to Ask Her Friends to Stay Home

I may be wrong, but this is probably a bad idea. At least if you like Hillary.

Episcopal Bishop May Face Charges, But Continues to View the World Through Rose Colored Glasses

It was reported today that The Right Reverend Charles Bennison, leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, may face a church trial over his unauthorized spending of more than $6 million of diocesan funds without proper authorization. The Presiding Bishopette of the Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori (Disclosure: I represent a former Episcopal parish church currently involved in litigation with the national church) has forwarded a verified complaint setting forth the charges to a committee of review. If the committee finds probable cause that Bennison committed a triable offense, he will be put on trial before a Court for the Trial of a Bishop. Equally, alarming, at least, presumably, for Philadelphia area Episcopalians, is the fact, reported by the Inky, that the diocese faces a $500,000.00 deficit, and might not be able to pay its bills in a couple of months. But I digress. A few comments on this matter and the Inquirer story from this morning:

First, Bennison will not be put on trial. The committee of review simply does not approve charges against bishops - especially thoroughgoing revisionists like Bennsion who more or less toe the theological party line. Really.

Second, Bennison is probably guilty as charged.

Third, Bennison is delusional. He seems to believe that he will in fact lead the Diocese for another 10 years, until he reaches retirement age. He seems to think that somehow, with ever declining church rolls, and with 20% of his parishes withholding funds, the diocese will somehow pull out of its financial death spiral. He also flatly denies, in theface of what I am told is overwhelming evidence, that he spent endowment funds without permission.

So here is what is clear, from my perspective. Bennison is delusional, and probably guilty of that of which he has been accused (just my opinion). He will not be charged. And the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania will continue its slow journey down the toilet. And the world continues to turn.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court at the Eye of the Storm

These are difficult days for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. At least that is the theme of this recent article from the Inquirer. Although I would agree that these perilous political times for the court - Justice Nigro having lost his seat in a recall election a couple of years ago, and the pay raise kerfluffle not yet subsiding - I have to also agree with the sentiment expressed by unnamed lawyers in the article that the Court has in recent years gone a long way toward repairing the damage that it did to itself both as an institution and in the eyes of the legal community and the general public during the 1990's Rolf Larsen era. My guess is that the court will weather the storm, and that we won't likely see any more negative retention election results, unless something rather dramatic happens.

Ryan Howard in Philly Mag

Incidentally, the same issue of Philadelphia Magazine has a great piece on Ryan Howard (who also graces the cover of this week's issue of ESPN the Magazine). I agree with the sentiments expressed about Howard in that article - the guy is the real deal, and, seemingly, a model citizen to beat. Guys like Ryan Howard come along maybe a few time a generation. If the Phillies don't do what they need to do to lock this guy up for the very long term, I can only conclude that their front office is as stupid as many of us think that they are.

Brian Tierney Profiled in Philadelphia Magazine

This month's issue of Philadelphia Magazine includes what I think is a pretty interesting piece on Brian Tierney and the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Inquirer was long in decline before Tierney and his group bought it (and The Daily News). The percentage of original reporting in the paper has dropped dramatically over the years, and the quality of most of what runs in the paper (with some notable exceptions) is embarrassing for a major metropolitan daily newspaper. If anyone can drag the Inquirer into the 21st century, its likely to be Brian Tierney, whether you agree with his politics or not.