The Current

Unconnected questions

In the Harrisburg Patriot News on Sunday, AFL-CIO President Bill George likened U.S. Senator Rick Santorum to Adolph Hitler. I ask you, regardless of your political affiliation, would an equivalent business leader get away with likening any similar political candidate to Hitler?

Governor Rendell announced that September is Mushroom Month. No offense to the thriving mushroom industry in Pennsylvania, but does anyone else see the irony that a politician is touting something that’s kept in the dark and fed manure?

Reuters reports that French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said, "Against terrorism, what's needed is not a war. It is, as France has done for many years, a determined fight based on vigilance at all times and effective cooperation with our partners.” Regardless of your opinion on international policy, recognizing France's track record, (I will spare them humiliation for the effectiveness of the Maginot line), does anyone else find this disturbingly humorous?

Last but not least, can anyone tell my why my parents, who have insisted on wearing black and gold on game-day ever since the Truman administration, would turn down tickets to see the NFL season-opener in Pittsburgh?

It’s a black and gold thing…

The Governor is staring in a series of commercials touting Pittsburgh as a vacation destination. The tv spots are very similar to the ones he has done on several occasions for Philadelphia.

Now, some people are upset because they say he’s using taxpayer money to boost his public image in the west. After all, they say, it’s the first he’s done a commercial for Pittsburgh in almost four years. They point out that it’s more than just irony the commercials happen to be promoting his opponent’s home town. And, they’ll tell you, it’s more-than convenient that the timing of the commercials is only two months before the election.

People argue it’s an abuse of incumbency. Others suggest it’s borderline illegal.

But others are point out that it’s not the first time such a tactic has been used and write it off to clever public relations.

I say forget all that! As a Pittsburgh Steelers’ fan, I’m offended!

Did Napolean tout St. Petersburg?! Did MacArthur tout Tokyo?!

Now, I’m not saying Ed Rendell is an enemy of Pittsburgh, but I am saying that the biggest Eagles fan in Pennsylvania (he still co-hosts the Eagles post-game live television show) touting the home of the Steelers is hard for me to take.

Pittsburgh is my family’s home town and I bleed black and gold. I can tell you that living in central PA that my colors don’t mix well with green and white.

So Governor, for the sake of all that is good and holy, PLEASE STOP!

If for nothing else, the last thing we need is a jinx on the 5-time world champions (and defending champions) with the infamous Philadelphia curse! (Philadelphia has never won a professional championship.)

In fact, I now blame Ed Rendell on the fact the Pirate’s have the worst record in baseball this year!