I’m kind of surprised the building collapse in Philadelphia yesterday that killed 6 people isn’t getting more attention. One of the buildings that collapsed was scheduled for demolition and appears to have been improperly assessed for safety and structural risks before the demolition was given the green light. The building took down part of the Salvation Army thrift store next door.
Color me unsurprised. I’ve driven through neighborhoods in Philadelphia where whole streets full of row houses look like they are on the verge of collapse and I am not exaggerating. But this catastrophe happened in Center City which you would think is a bit more upscale.
Anyway, 6 people dead is more than the number of dead in the Boston Marathon bombing, although, presumably, there are fewer lost limbs. But still, you would think that this event, which foreshadows more tragedies from neglect and underfunding of services, would get round-the-clock coverage and the kind of hysteria only terrorism can generate. Oh sure, it’s front page news but where’s The Lede?
Our infrastructure, transportation system, civil service and buildings are getting to be third world quality. But to the extraordinarily wealthy and powerful, we might as well all be living in Bangladesh. Does this kind of tragedy even merit a “Oh, those poor people!” from them anymore or are they so wrapped up in their psychotic anger over rental bikes and rail/tunnel expansions that they are becoming self-parodies? Are they so determined to keep things comfortable for themselves that the rest of us are forbidden from moving forward?
What’s wrong with rich people these days? Are they so full of their might and power that the rest of us are no longer have free will or are human? Aren’t slaves unable to protest their conditions or change their lives?
Filed under: General | Tagged: bike rentals, building collapse, Philadelphia |
The Confluence 
It’s only going to get coverage if they can come up with a race angle…
I used to drop samples off at a lab around 22nd and Walnut in down town Philly back in the 1970’s. Once when construction had the ramp to the Shurekill Expressway closed I had to detour thru some less than savory neighborhoods it looked like a war zone what with the burned out row homes.
I see what you did there, Mr. Mike!
As someone with a beloved sister and bil in Phila (he works downtown) I shocked and offended that the collapse is getting very little coverage.
that is, I am shocked. Sorry, before restyasis.
“Our infrastructure, transportation system, civil service and buildings are getting to be third world quality.”
And our political process beat the above to third-world status 30 years ago.
I worked a block over from the 22nd and Market corner where the Thrift store is located. The store was great if you needed something for your kitchen and the staff was friendly and helpful, The blocks from 21st to 23rd and Market were always unpleasent. The Adult theater and bookshop and store was demolished recently. The only good thing was the Thrift store and a firehouse on the next block. A new high rise apartment building and a Trader Joe’s helped but who wants to pay a lot of money for that view? I moved from Philly last year…I don’t miss it and I never thought I would say that.
There must be something I could add to what you’ve said, RD. But, I’m damned if I can think of it.
Except that here in Kansas City water mains explode everyday and there isn’t enough money to fix the system. But the TSA Agents would like a whole new airport so they’re thinking about tearing down a perfectly functional facility to please them.