Antics, baby! Gotta love the antics! From Josh at FFR215:
The attacks against Tom Knox's former role as owner of a bank that gave out payday loans now includes costumes.
Someone dressed up as a shark outside of Knox's North Philadelphia headquarters at Broad and Girard headquarters at 18th and Arch at noon today.
Witnesses (see anonymously sent photo) said the costumed shark had "400 percent interest" written on one side and "Tommy the Loan Shark" on the other. .
Josh has a picture and everything. It's not particularly menacing-looking shark. More like a character from Shark Tale or Finding Nemo.
Early word is that it comes from Brady folks.
(edited to add) It was a protest organized by Rev. Shine, the former head of the Black Clergy. This KYW 1060 piece identifies him as "William Shine" but a Google search turns up more hits for "Robert Shine" as the former head of the Black Clergy. The Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity endorsed Dwight Evans but Brady got the backing of a smaller group of black ministers. It's hard to tell if this group, "Economic Justice Coalition for Truth," and Shine are linked with either of those candidates but I'm pretty certain he doesn't like Knox all that much.
Some of you might think that this kind of activity sullies an election. Knox's record as a businessman is as fair game as any of the other candidates' records in public service. I have no problem with someone using a funny costume to draw attention to it just as I'd have no problem with someone dressing as a baby seal outside of Brady's headquarters to highlight his poor environmental record (and yes, for a Democrat, <90% is a poor environmental record) or as a dejected Joe Camel at Michael Nutter's HQ.
As long as the issue being highlighted can be verified in the public record and is not a baseless attack on the personal lives of the candidate or his family, I say the more costumes the merrier.
Comments (2)
Classic!! Just like the chicken costumes from West Wing!!!
Posted by FTP | April 4, 2007 2:22 PM
great day in philly politics. theres no way anyone can support knox's candidacy, finally, for just those reasons - because he doesnt even make a prestense of supporting working philadelphia.
today brady got the endorsement of f afscme 810 - the probabtion and parole officers.
how much does working philadelphia need a candidate who can help make community re-integration work?
we already know what a serious problem recidivism is in philly...
through the The Brady “Break the Cycle” plan, which calls for:
* Moving the Office of Parole and Probation to City Hall, leaving direct accountability with the Mayor;
* Creation of community parole offices with automated parolee check-in;
* Tracking parolees through GPS enabled bracelets;
* Hiring up to 300 parole officers;
* Giving parole officers the tools they need to get the job done: improving parole officer pay, and training parole officers to handle the unique demands of the job
philly can offer better chances of success for those re-integrating into their community as well as offer more security for p.o.'s on the job.
it streamlines and secures what is at present a weak system.
of course they endorsed him.
brady is exactly the kind of mayor philly needs:
practical and pragmatic, with the interests of working philadelphia as his first priority.
(lets see how the inquirer tries to bury that in tomorrows paper..)
Posted by bradybradybrady | April 4, 2007 7:27 PM