FOP Head Urges Return to Status Quo
May 27, 2008 –
Following the unusually swift punishment of eight officers in the videotaped beating of three shooting suspects, John McNesby, president of Lodge 5 of the Fraternal Order of Police, urged a return to the old, gladhanding status quo. "Used to be in this town, when you stepped out of line, you'd get out of trouble with a wink and a handshake," McNesby complained yesterday. "But [Commissioner Charles] Ramsey and [Mayor Michael] Nutter don't seem to honor that tradition. To me, it's the most troubling aspect of this whole incident."
 McNesby, who has been vocal in his defense of the 19 officers seen in the controversial May 5 video, smiled sadly as he reminisced of better days. "Back in '77, some of our guys beat an unarmed suspect so hard their nightsticks broke," he said wistfully. "You know what [former Mayor Frank] Rizzo said afterwards? 'It's very easy to break some of those nightsticks nowadays.' Now that's the kind of leadership I'm talking about." Remembering the violent 2000 arrest of the similarly unarmed Thomas Jones, the FOP head said, "You know what the [officers'] punishment was after two years of foot-dragging? 15-day suspensions–which were later overturned! I tell you, those were the days!"
Ramsey, however, defended the sanctions imposed in the current case. "Firing four officers and suspending and demoting four others was not an easy decision, believe me," he said at a Friday press conference. "But, um... did you see the video? I think there might've been a little bit of excessive force there. I'm just saying." McNesby disagreed. "You can't tell what was really happening from that footage–it's all grainy and whatnot. Looks to me like they were patting those guys on the back. At least, that's what it would've looked like back in Rizzo's day."
|
| |
| FORWARD TO A FRIEND |
| |
| |
|
Hilarious Survey Delights Frequent Flyers
May 27, 2008 –
Area air travelers were delighted by last week's fake J.D. Power customer-satisfaction survey–which comically ranked Philadelphia International as the country's best large airport. "Oh, man, was that ever funny," laughed Center City resident and frequent flyer Eddie Floyd, 55. "I'd actually have thought it was funnier, but they lost three of my bags last month."
 Linda Loyd, who reported the hilarious poll's release in Wednesday's Philadelphia Inquirer, said that the report was a tour de force of ironic humor. "In the 'survey,' PHL's baggage claim rated especially high–which, as anyone who's ever waited two hours for their luggage knows, is priceless," she chuckled. "But check-in and security checks also got 'high marks'! I tell you, those guys at J.D. Power are some real pranksters!" Wilmington frequent flyer Gina Marcello, 34, agreed. "PHL as the best in America? That's comedy gold right there," she said drolly. "Because everybody knows that place is like the seventh circle of hell."
J.D. Power analyst Brian McLaughlin, however, was uncomprehending. "I swear, this was a genuine survey of over 21,000 passengers," he insisted, apparently still playing along. "Now, you may not personally agree with it, but, seriously, it's not a joke. Seriously!" Floyd, though, was still laughing. "Their security system is a travesty, their workers are dicks, and half their flights are delayed. This fake survey really is great–but what I can't wait to see is a real survey of that dump."
|
| |
| FORWARD TO A FRIEND |
| |
| |
|
|
