ON THE QT [Philadelphia Tribune]

Do informed individuals really take Facebook and some of the other "social media" seriously? When asked, many of the folks who have hundreds and thousands of people as Facebook contacts don't have a clue as to the real identity of the individuals listed.

Years ago someone stated that they could count all of their friends on one hand and still have fingers left over. Give it some consideration and you might arrive at the same conclusion.

Miriam Hill, a reporter at the Inquirer, recentiy wrote an article, "Facebook friendship of judge, politician an issue in drunken driving case." Evidently someone searched the 4500 plus names associated wifh Parker to locate the judge who happens to be among the names listed.

According to published reports Judge Hayden has more than 1300 names associated with him on Facebook. The only real issues that D.A. Seth Williams, state Rep. Cherelle Parker, Judge Charles Hayden all have in common are being African Americans and Democrats.

It has been standard operating procedure for a number of years for District Attorneys to refer cases involving local politicians to the Attorney General not only in Philadelphia but throughout the commonwealth. Situations have occurred where judges from other jurisdictions have been assigned to cases so as to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

It is commonly known that the D.A. Seth Williams is busy running for mayor to succeed incumbent Mayor Michael Nutter and that his spokesperson is most certain to say and do everything possible to showcase him favorably.

One of our readers sent us an email that he or she forwarded to Ms. Miller at the Inquirer, and it is very clear that the quote, "The assumption that Williams, Parker and Judge Hayden are friends because they are all on Facebook is ludicrous! Judge Hayden is a gentleman of profound honesty and integrity and would have recused himself if a problem existed" was incorrectly attributed verbatim of Joseph Kelly the attorney representing state Rep. Cherelle Parker. Why would an experienced journalist attribute a quote from an Email to an attorney who was vacationing? Kelly was expected to return to Philadelphia early this week.

Tidbits

Supporters of former CEO Ackerman are somewhat puzzled as to what appears to be her support of vouchers. The voucher supporters in Pennsylvania have extremely deep pockets and several deals to be consummated down the road have been made. Just follow the money trail!

Two present members of the Philadelphia City Council are extremely nervous these days as they wait and wonder when their moment of truth will take place. Both are involved in legal entanglements that are very serious and could result in a trip to the house of many slammers!

PHA investigation is complicated and may take somewhat more time to unravel than previously expected. The names of some of the additional targets are well known in political circles.

Penn State sex scandal participants, including all who may have participated in the "cover-up," should be prosecuted vigorously. What had been whispered is now in tire open.

Councilman-at-large Bill Green may be our mayor after Michael Nutter. He has demonstrated that he has deep pockets and the capability of matching state Senator Anthony Williams and his voucher supporters dollar-wise. His success or failure could very well be determined by how he handles events during the next several weeks.

Janet Ryder is quiedy celebrating her birthday in sunny Florida where she now resides between visits to Philadelphia. Her splendid leadership in the community is sorely missed!

Several readers have expressed discontent with the often revelations of a certain radio talk show host about her personal encounters. TMI is not good.

Whispers

The local pastor, slated to become leader of a major organization, has been playing fast and loose and with certain politicians and his inexperience may cause him to get his fingers burnt.

A well known couple is tightening its belt, and about to drastically change lifestyle and relocate to a more inexpensive section of our city. Good luck!

The NCAA should devise a plan where the football players who create such huge sums of income for colleges are paid enough money in addition to scholarships to cover the cost of insurance.

The income from NCAA football ticket sales - in some cases 90,000 plus per game with a schedule of 12 or more home games plus the TV money - amounts to millions of dollars.

- OnTheQT2010@aol.com