Philadelphia, PA

What have you done my dear beloved city? Is it true there’s no more hope for a bright tommorow and the only thing you can be sure of is the death of another of our sons or daughters and the hands of the souless idiots that run loose through your once joyfull nieghborhoods? What can be done to reverse the evil? Who can be held accountable for this travesty? The politicians will do no more than plan a meeting. The Clergy will light candles and march when it’s safe or the TV cameras are hot. The Police who nobody calls until it’s too late, will be happy to send the city coroner to pick up the remains of the young but dying existence who will no longer smile or root for their favorite team, that will no longer eat the Cheesesteak or Hoagies or feel the beat of the newest tune uploaded to the ipod. That soul is GONE No mound of Teddy Bears or grease painted windows asking to rest in peace will explain the value that was lost for nothing. Who was he or she that may or may not have been the wonderful earth bound angel that the funeral brochure will claim? Will the helpful nieghbor who washes away the blood from the sidewalk really care or is this just a task that needed to be done and the sooner the better.

The babies????? You’re letting the babies die too. Say it isn’t so. Again I ask you,,, who is responsible for this? Lets blame the police. They’re always good for misdirected finger pointing. I mean they’ll stop an innocent citizen for no other reason than he’s a minority or he is recognized from a previous run in. Lets face it, they’ll beat the hell out of you and me for wearing the wrong hairstyles right? How about the politicians that are to busy campaigning for that good public service gig with those undeserved perks as well as the “under the table” kickbacks and Eagles tickets. That’s only if they get time away from the corruption investigations. Nah, lets go after the Holy men. They worry Jesus and Allajh to death, take the donations and are nowhere to be found until the police or politicians screw up. ??? No wait, how ’bout we blame you Philadelphia? You who go about your lives hoping that the weather’s good and the daily number matches your picks. You work hard at your job, pay them bills, raise the kids and look forward to the weekend. Right? For the sake of argument agree, OK? Would it be asking too much to devote a little time to the very area you have to pass through everyday? “*&^%^^@@#! Bu bu bu but, what can I do? I’m busy, It ain’t my problem. It’s drugs and Rap music or Heavy metal. It’s MTV or BET, it’s the blacks, it’s the White’s, it the imigrants, it’s George Bush.” The George Bush excuse almost works for me but he’s got enough on his plate already that he ordered up but doesn’t wanna eat.

No my fellow Philly Folk, it’s us. Yes it’s all us. We sat by and lets these things happen. We’ve lost our voices. We look for blame instead of damning the shame. What the hell is the “homicide count”? Is there a cuttoff point or are we trying to break a record by every Dec. 31st? So what to do, what to do? Hey! Lets all buy guns and shoot back????? Nah. Lets keep the kids in the house especially the ones between 13 and 27. Why not just join in with the retards that think they’re cool by randomly firing a gun while running away or driving by. Don’t like any of those ideas huh? How’z bout this.

Get together with some of the nieghbors and create a weekend nieghborhood gathering. No theme, just a gathering. Introduce yourselves. Talk about things. Share some ideas about what it would take to turn your area around. Don’t be cheap. Order up some KFC or Pizza.

Coordinate this with the police department and just have a car or two be there.

Figure out where the closest recreation center is and find out what it has to offer and what you and your new friends can do to enhance the possibilities.

Now this is where the human factor comes into play. Develope an corporation of sort. Pick chairmans, secretaries, idea developers. Of course egos may get bruised but keep the bigger picture in focus.

None but the brave will be required for this next activity. Have scouts and spotters. Folks that will call the police any and everytime the unsavory element shows it’s face. If they gather at the corner. If it looks like there’s illegal substance transactions about to take place. When the 17 year old jr high school drop out pulls up with his Escalade. Basically all the things that have become the trumpets of trouble. The warning signs that have been ignored too long. Will any of this work and turn the tide of violence and decay? I wish I could swear to you that it will. What is the alternative? Accepting fear and death for the children is all that’s been the norm. So try it,