Here's some easy reading.

This Freakonomics article refers to a supposed "public library renaissance," and links to a Boston globe article purporting libraries to being a sort of recession sanctuary.

Just thought I'd quickly link to some nationally-read literature regarding the prevailing topic at hand, in case you might have missed them.

http://www.mikemuhammad.com/index.html

I invite you to check out the campaign website however way you want, but I want to make sure you catch:

- the quotes of Jay-Z, Oprah, Chris Matthews, JFK, and more, on the right-hand column of the site (headed by a quote from Mr. Muhammad himself, which seems to be inadvertently self-compromising)
- a huge 50 Cent quote adorning the middle of his "Contact Us" section
- in the "Campaign" section, there's a picture of the Statue of Liberty underneath a title reading "The Best Place in Philadelphia"
- in the "Photos" section, a Myspace-esque self-taken portrait in front of the DA's office

Enjoy!

Hey guys,

Before we watch the debate and TiVo the game (or, perhaps, vice-versa?), I would like to momentarily revive the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) discussion, with specific regards to the new face of City Council.

To summarize DROP briefly, as seen in the Inquirer:

The sweet deal works like this: Employees announce a retirement, usually four years in the future. Once the announcement is made, they begin accruing pension payments while collecting their regular salary. (For Council that's $110,000 a year, summer off, and a free car.) Then the lump-sum pension payment - which usually runs into the six figures - comes through on the retirement date.

- http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/25248129.html