Guess which ones?
A. Michael Nutter
B. David Kairys
C. Brett Mandel
D. John McNesby
E. Mary Catherine Roper
No no, I love everyone. Anyway, if this gets past rhetoric and posturing, it seems like a great chance to hear what is really going on with the city's plans to get at gun violence and that awful murder rate. Regardless, that's a pretty interesting group of people to have in one room--the head of the ACLU, a giant of the civil rights bar, the head of the FOP, and whatever it is that Brett Mandel is.
Feb. 19, 2008 at 4:00-6:00. Free and open to the public (RSVP to SPIN@temple.edu). Temple University, Klein Hall Moot Court Room, 1719 N. Broad St.
The SPIN forum will explore legal, policy and political solutions to Philadelphia's most intractable problem - gun violence. In a city where 392 people were killed last year and three police officers were shot in a week, stemming the tide of gun violence is the key to Philadelphia's revitalization. Panelists will examine the positive and negative implications of Mayor Michael Nutter's “Stop and Frisk” plan and evaluate alternative approaches. Please join us to engage with members of the community, law enforcement, politicians, researchers, students, and advocates to inform the policy debate about how to eliminate the guns yet preserve civil rights.
Speakers: MICHAEL NUTTER, Mayor of Philadelphia; DAVID KAIRYS, Temple University, Beasley School of Law; BRETT MANDEL, Philadelphia Forward; JOHN J. MCNESBY, Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police; MARY CATHERINE ROPER, Pennsylvania ACLU
Forum Sponsors: Temple University Beasley School of Law; Temple Law Student Bar Association; Government Affairs Society; National Lawyers Guild, Temple Law Chapter
Following the Forum, Temple will recognize members of the Rubin Public Interest Society.
SPIN
When I was at Temple Law, I was on the Executive Committee of SPIN (Student Public Interest Network) for the annual auction. Great organization. And, if I wasn't going to be away for work, I'd go.
Check it out.
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Actually
I take back "if this makes it past rhetoric and posturing." I have been at talks that Mary Catherine has moderated, and nothing gets by her! She's wonderful.
I also have never met David Kairys in person, and I am excited for that (if you haven't seen movie about the "Camden 28," who he defended after they broke into the Camden federal building and destroyed Vietnam draft cards, you should).
And who knows, Michael Nutter might end up being one of my favorite people yet.
SPIN Forum
That sure was a disappointment.
The topic might have been Philly gun violence but the discussion had little bearing on it.
Deputy Mayor Gillison (former public defender) apparently thinks the Police Department would be better deployed as social workers, handing out brownies and hugs, steering our wayward away from killing people. Just because the Mayor's Crime plan directs a couple hundred more cops to be on the street . . . Them making arrests and clogging the CJ system is not to be expected.
Professor Kaiyris spoke in Brady Campaign quips and soundbytes . . . There was so much misrepresentation and wrong information in his statements I truly thought he might burst into flame at any moment. Temple Law students are not being instructed, they are being indoctrinated.
Brett Mandel gave the most informative presentation; completely understandable explanations of the structure and process behind the behemoth called city government. He spoke as someone with all the bruises and battle scars of being an advocate beating your head against the wall of entrenched bureaucracy. He was hopeful for change in the new administration.
Mary Catherine Roper . . . My God . . . What can one say about that? I'm surprised that her solution for ending gun crime in Philly was not simply disarming the disgraceful, jack-booted thugs called the Philadelphia Police Department.
All in all an absolute waste of time and an indictment of what the intelligentsia considers worthwhile discussion.
Hey and if you wanted
you could head right over to West Philly for this talk on education funding at the White Dog from 6-8 pm:
Inside Killadelphia
As I'm sure you're aware, in the last two years the city of brotherly love has averaged more than more murder and four shootings a day, making it the nation's murder capital.
For an inside look, visit. www.insidekilladelphia.blogspot.com for people who suffer from it, and those who fight against it.
Great blog from a great
Great blog from a great journalist. I would love to see you here more often, Ms. Gregory.