Philadelphia’s 99th Mayor Says He’s Not ‘Progressive’

[The Bobster]

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/20...elphias-sanctuary-city-status/#comment-348826

Mayor Kenney Not Ready To Lift Philadelphia’s Sanctuary City Status
January 25, 2017 4:11 PM By Mark Abrams

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Mayor Jim "Banana Nose" Kenney says Philadelphia will remain a sanctuary city, at least for now.

He insists the Trump administration will not be able to immediately carry out a threat to pull federal dollars from cities who maintain protections for undocumented people.

A media swarm surrounded the mayor Wednesday after he welcomed officials from the Philadelphia Auto Show for their annual event in the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Kenney insisted the executive order Trump signed is only a first step.

“He has signed an order authorizing the secretary of Homeland Security to examine what can be removed, if anything, from cities. So, when we see what they’re recommending, or what they’re trying to do, we’ll respond to it. In the meantime, there’s nothing to respond to.”

The mayor says Congress would have to vote on any funding cuts. And, if it does, there are other avenues of appeal.

“We have our congressional folks, we have the courts, we have lots of protections. This is not a dictatorship. This is a democracy, as far as I know it is. And when will take avail of every opportunity we have to protect our citizens, to protect our people who are living in our city.”

 

[The Bobster]

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/20...dent-stands-by-new-anti-immigration-policies/

Jim Kenney Stands With Muslim Community; President Stands By New Anti-Immigration Policies
February 3, 2017 4:34 PM By (((Hadas Kuznits)))

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — In light of new federal anti-Muslim immigration orders, Philadelphia mayor Jim "Banana Nose" Kenney attends a Muslim prayer service to reach out to those most impacted by the President’s decisions.

Speaking to Muslims attending services at the Muslim American Society, Philadelphia Jim Kenney did not mince words.

“You are patriotic Americans and no one’s going to ever take that away from you. No one!”

“I am telling you, we will get through this,” he said. “We’ve gotten through world wars, we’ve gotten through many things. We will get through this and we’ll come out the other end better off for it.”

The people here could be seen wiping away tears.

“Because we’re Muslims and a lot of people hate us,” one woman said.

“I really loved his message because people really think we’re bad and stuff so I like how he stuck up for us,” another young boy said.

Later, the mayor addressed how emotional his message was, especially to the children here.

“Sometimes I wanna cry, too. I find myself tearing up a lot these days and it’s a very emotional time in our country and our city.”

 

[The Bobster]

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/20...ing-for-sanctuary-city-status/#comment-350083

Mayor Kenney Fighting For Sanctuary City Status
February 9, 2017 9:48 PM By Pat Loeb
by Pat Loeb

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia Mayor Jim "Banana Nose" Kenney fears a state bill to punish so-called sanctuary cities more than Donald Trump’s executive order on the matter.

He’s pledged to the move on both fronts.

Republican state senators present the anti-sanctuary bill as a public safety measure. Mayor Kenney says he finds that “mystifying.”

“Almost every police chief across the country, the Police Chiefs Association, has said that imposing these types of situations is less safe by driving undocumented but good-meaning people underground, afraid to report crime when they’re victims of it or witnesses to it,” said Kenney.

He says Philadelphia’s position, that it won’t share certain information with federal immigration officials, encourages undocumented people to co-operate with police.

The bill that passed the senate this week would withhold certain state grants from cities with that policy.

“It is very, very frustrating that Pennsylvanians are doing this to other Pennsylvanians,” Kenney said.

He thinks the state bill could potentially cause more damage than the presidential order, which is vaguely worded and, as yet, has had no impact.

 

[The Bobster]

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/20...ue-to-philadelphias-drink-tax/#comment-350900

Union Sources Warn Layoffs ‘Imminent’ Due To Philadelphia’s Drink Tax
February 22, 2017 6:16 PM

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Some business owners are claiming Philadelphia’s drink tax is costing people their jobs.

City leaders expect the tax has pulled in more than $2.3 million since it took effect in January.

ShopRite says it has to cut 6,000 employee-hours in the city and its soda sales in Philadelphia are down by half.

“It’s a bad tax,” says David Day, owner of Day’s Beverages.

About two months in and Philadelphia’s 1.5-cent per ounce tax on sugary drinks isn’t so sweet for some business owners and customers.

“I hate it,” says soda drinker Vicki Landers.

Landers says she’s an avid Diet Coke drinker, but she has refused to buy soda in the city limits since the tax’s implementation on Jan. 1, instead getting it from New Jersey, where her mother lives.

“They’re not drinking less soda. They’re going across City Line Avenue,” says Day.

Business owners like Day see the decline in sales firsthand.

“We’re down about 30 percent in Philadelphia,” explains Day. “They buy a three-liter in a ShopRite for $1.39. The tax is $1.53, but the mayor wants us to absorb it.”

Sources with Teamsters Local 830 say that layoffs are “imminent” and that some workers have seen their take-home pay drop by 50 to 75 percent because they’re moving less product.

Restaurants are feeling the pinch, too. Josh Kim, owner of Spot Gourmet Burger, says sugary drink sales at his shop have gone down about 10 to 15 percent.

“If you read the legislation, it’s bollocks,” says Kim. “This is just another example of this city mismanaging its dollars.”

However, Mayor Jim Kenney says the beverage industry, driven by greed, is misleading the public.

“It is fear mongering,” says Kenney. “This is them trying to hold onto their wealth. We are asking for a little bit of that money to educate poor niglets.” ity:

The case on the legality of the sweetened beverage tax is currently under appeal in the Commonwealth Court. Arguments are expected to be heard the week of April 3.

 

[The Bobster]

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/20...-fight-trump-immigration-laws/#comment-351050

Mayor Kenney Teams With Legal Community To Fight Trump Immigration Laws
February 24, 2017 7:42 PM By Steve Tawa

Major Jim Kenney waits at International Arrivals of Philadelphia International Airport, on Jan. 28, 2017. (Photo by Bastiaan Slabbers/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
by Steve Tawa

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Mayor Banana Nose Kenney and some of Philadelphia’s most prominent legal minds gathered in Center City as part of a new alliance called Take Action Philly, or TAP.

They aim to protect undocumented immigrants from President Trump’s aggressive enforcement policies against them.

In the midst of the rhetoric, orders, and tweets from President Trump; the Philadelphia Bar Association, the city, and prominent kyke and spic non-profit legal aid organizations want to help immigrants and refugees.

“We have embarked in uncharted waters, where there are real concerns for the rule of law, due process, individuals’ constitutional and civil rights, as well as the threat of decreased federal and state funding,” said Deborah Gross, Bar Association Chancellor.

Mayor Kenney re-established Philadelphia’s sanctuary status on his first day in office, and he has repeatedly pushed back against President Trump’s threats to slap economic sanctions on cities that shelter undocumented immigrants.

The Mayor recalls being a ten-year old in 1968.

“It was the last time I felt like this,” he said.

He says it was the year of the Nixon election, Marth Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy were assassinated, there were civil rights protests, and it was the height of the Vietnam War.

“I lived in a neighborhood that was so befuddled and confounded by all of the different things pulling and pushing them, from the older, blue-collar hard hat guys, to the young kids that were coming back in flag-draped coffins. I’ve never felt that uneasy, until this year,” said and emotional Mayor Kenney.

Mayor Kenney says Americans made it through that era.

“I know we can do it again, because there’s no choice, other than doing it again,” he said.

City Solicitor Sozi Pedro Tulante says they are banding together to “give voice to the immigrant community and refugees.”

“One of the reasons that my family came to America is because we were drawn by the possibility of hope, that you could make something of yourself in this country. I still think that’s possible, even in this day and age,” he said.

Tulante was born in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo), and when his family fled, he arrived in the US as an 8-year-old in 1983. His father was a political refugee, fearing that he would be killed if he stayed.

Organizers say one of the best defenses against deportation is citizenship through the naturalization process.

 

[The Bobster]

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/20...nst-their-will-without-charge/#comment-352834

Philly Mayor Fires Back At AG Jeff Sessions On Sanctuary Cities
March 28, 2017 9:38 AM

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a warning to Philadelphia and other sanctuary cities this week.

He says they could lose federal funding for refusing to cooperate with immigration authorities.

The Attorney General also suggests the government may take back previously awarded grant money to cities that do not comply.

However, Philadelphia Mayor Jim "Banana Nose" Kenney is standing his ground.

“I took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America and that includes the 4th amendment.”

Kenney said, “We are not going to hold people against their will without charge. That is the 4th amendment of the United States Constitution. I hope Attorney General Sessions would understand what the 4th amendment means.”

Kenney says it is likely the courts will resolve the matter.


 

[The Bobster]

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news...tion-with-Immigration-Agencies-420101593.html

DOJ Sends Letter to Philadelphia Mayor Demanding City Cooperate With Immigration Agencies
By Brian X. McCrone
Published 6 hours ago | Updated 3 hours ago

Immigration activists demonstrate against U.S. President Donald Trump's policies on March 2, 2017 in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Trump recently said he's open to a large-scale immigration reform bill if Republicans and Democrats can reach a compromise but critics remain skeptical.


Philadelphia is among nine local or state governments that received a warning in writing Friday from the Department of Justice about funding tied to "sanctuary city" policies.

The letter reiterated what U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions implied at a press conference earlier this month: Communicate with immigration agencies or face possible punitive action in the form of federal funding.

Like Sessions's warning, the letter addressed to Mayor Jim "Banana Nose" Kenney from Acting Assistant Attorney General Alan Hanson hinged on a requirement in federal law, known in immigration circles as "1373," which is titled "Communication between government agencies and the Immigration and Naturalization Service."

It obliges local governments to cooperate in certain information-sharing with federal agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Hanson's letter states that Philadelphia is required to cooperate under 1373 as per its grant agreement with the DOJ's Office of Justice Programs, which is one of the federal government's largest funding sources for local law enforcement.

The letter also states:

As your grant agreement makes clear, this documentation must be accompanied by an official legal opinion from counsel that adequately supports the validation and must be submitted to OJP no later than June 30, 2017. Failure to comply with this condition could result in the withholding of grant funds, suspension or termination of the grant, ineligibility for future OJP grants or subgrants, or other action, as appropriate.

A spokeswoman for Kenney said, "We have been aware of the requirement to certify since 2016, and we believe there is nothing in our current policy that prohibits us from certifying."

When Sessions issued his warning, Kenney spokeswoman Lauren Hitt said Sessions was "threatening to take away money from the police department for what amounts to nothing more than good police work. Undocumented residents and their family members are much less likely to call law enforcement when they are a witness to or a victim of a crime if they know that the police will turn them in to ICE. And if residents can’t call the police, then it is extremely difficult to get criminals off the street. If we are forced to change Philadelphia’s policy on this, all of our residents will be less safe.”

The letter, like Sessions's comments, do not address what many associate more closely with sanctuary cities: releasing immigrants who have ICE detainer warrants.

On its municipal website, Philadelphia describes how it handles information-sharing and ICE detainers:

In Philadelphia, we cooperate fully with all law enforcement agencies, including federal agencies, in connection with criminal investigations and apprehension of those accused of crimes. We also do not stop ICE from arresting Philadelphians whom they believe are undocumented. We do require that our police officers not ask about the documentation status of those they encounter. We only allow our Prison System to comply with ICE’s requests to turn over a detainee if they have a federal warrant.

In addition to the building pressure from the Trump administration, a state lawmaker from Northeast Philadelphia has introduced legislation that could potentially prevent Pennsylvania from providing funding to cities that don't comply with immigration authorities.

State Rep. Martina White, a Republican, introduced a bill in October that would impose funding restrictions on any "municipality of refuge."

A state Senate bill called the Municipal Sanctuary and Federal Enforcement (SAFE) Act that also would implement funding restraints on places like Philadelphia has been deemed "a more imminent threat" than potential actions by the Trump administration.

"Last fiscal year, the City received a total of about $790 million from the state. The state bill applies to all state grant funding. It’s unclear what falls under that category at this time. Large portions of this money are for reimbursement for carrying on duties the state wants and needs us to provide," the city's webpage on the sanctuary city status reads. "This bill is not just about Philadelphia. It defines sanctuary cities so broadly that it also jeopardizes state funding for a host of jurisdictions well beyond the 18 other ones that have been identified as sanctuary cities. Cutting critical state funds for all sanctuary cities and other jurisdictions across the state would impact every Pennsylvanian."

 

[The Bobster]

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Philly-Mayor-Kenney-Legalize-Pot-420269364.html

Philly Mayor Kenney: Legalize Pot like Colorado
By Alicia Victoria Lozano
Published at 2:45 PM EDT on Apr 24, 2017 | Updated at 2:57 PM EDT on Apr 24, 2017

Philadelphia Mayor Jim "Banana Nose" Kenney came out in favor of legalizing marijuana one day after 22 people were arrested at a pot party early Sunday morning.

“The real solution is to legalize it in the state of Pennsylvania as they did in Colorado and we won’t have to use police resources in these kinds of activities,” Kenney told a group of reporters Monday morning.

The so-called “Philly Smoke Session” was organized via social media and held in a Frankford warehouse. Three women and 19 men were arrested. Police confiscated 50 pounds of marijuana, $50,000 in cash, four handguns and several edibles.

Police said they had been planning a bust for two months. Kenney was not aware of their investigation.

“I don’t micromanage the police department and they don’t tell us what they were doing,” the mayor said.

Pennsylvania State Sen. Daylin Leach, who co-sponsored a medical marijuana bill, told NBC10 Friday that he is also in favor of legalizing cannabis. Leach and his co-sponsor on the bill, Sen. Mike Folmer, were both attending the World Medical Marijuana Conference & Expo in Pittsburgh. Folmer used cannabis-based treatment to help cope with chemotherapy while battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

In March, Gov. Tom Wolf said Pennsylvania is not ready for full legalization.

Meanwhile, Delaware Gov. John Carney is weighing whether or not to introduce recreational legislation to his state.

 

[The Bobster]

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/20...phillys-black-lgbtq-community/#comment-354115

Mayor Kenney Opens City Hall To Philly’s Black LGBTQ Community For Party
April 29, 2017 9:19 PM By Mike Dougherty

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Mayor Jim "Banana Nose" Kenney opened the gates to the courtyard at City Hall Saturday so members of the black LGBTQ community had a place to party.

A DJ gets the crowd rockin with classic party jams inside the courtyard.

Organizer Jason Culler said, “I’m very excited that the mayor allowed us to use city hall. This has never happened before.”

He says the LGBTQ community faces many obstacles in the quest for equality, but says the climb is even steeper for people of color.

“One of the main challenges for people like myself that host events is getting people to allow us have event at their establishment,” said Culler.

He says they have been turned away by popular gay clubs in the past, and Mayor Jim Kenney was happy to provide the space for this.

“We love them and we value them and we’re glad they’re our citizens and we’re glad they’re also our visitors from out of town,” he said.

 

[The Bobster]

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news...ys-Marijuana-Should-Be-Legal---422029873.html

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney Says Pot Should Be Legal and Sold in Liquor Stores
Published 2 hours ago

Philadelphia's mayor says recreational marijuana use should be legal in Pennsylvania and says the best place for it to be sold is state-run liquor stores.

He tells WHYY's "Radio Times'' Pennsylvania has the "perfect system to set up the legal recreational use'' of marijuana through its controlled state stores.

He adds it would allow the state to "capture all the income that is going to the underground.''

He says the revenue could be directed at public education.

Pennsylvania has enacted a medical marijuana law but the drug isn't yet available.

Officials expect the drug to be available to patients by May 2018.

 

[The Bobster]

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/20...nt-in-paris-climate-agreement/#comment-355693

Mayor Kenney: Philly Upholds US Commitment In Paris Climate Agreement
June 2, 2017 1:46 PM

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia Mayor Jim "Banana Nose" Kenney says the city is committed to upholding the same commitment made by the United States in the Paris Climate Agreement.

Following the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement to limit warming from climate change, Kenney announced Thursday that the city is committing to meeting the internationally-agreed upon carbon emissions reduction targets in Philadelphia.

The president announced his decision Thursday afternoon.

He said he withdrew from the accord because it gave other countries a financial advantage over the United States.

World leaders in several European countries including France, Germany, and Italy say re-negotiating is not possible.

Former President Obama issued a statement saying he’s confident states, cities and businesses will step up to combat global warming.

President Trump said his predecessor’s 2015 agreement was harmful to American workers.

Opinions were split over Trump’s decision to remove the U.S. from the pollution-reduction deal.

 

[The Bobster]

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/20...-mayor-kenneys-reception-room/#comment-356816

Syrian Refugees Get Warm Welcome In Mayor Kenney’s Reception Room
June 20, 2017 5:47 PM By Steve Tawa

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — At Philadelphia’s World Refugee Day, Mayor "Banana Nose" Kenney welcomed a roomful of refugees and their advocates, to raise awareness about their plight.

A handful of refugees, in this country for just 6-7 months, were asked two questions: “What do you value most about your new community, and what do you hope to contribute?”

“My name is Ahmed, from Syria.”

Nasar Saradar, a Syrian refugee who has lived in Philadelphia for a year, served as an interpreter for new arrivals, like Ahmed.

Saradar translated for Ahmed, “He says Philadelphia is a peaceful place, and one thing he noticed is that everyone wants to help. He feels the people of Philadelphia are diverse, so he doesn’t feel isolated, or like a stranger.”

“Hello all , my name is Mustafa.”

“He says everybody he has met is productive, Saradar said interpreting for Mustafa. “He doesn’t want to be a burden on the shoulders of others. He wants to be a productive member of society.”

Last year, there were 86,000 refugees admitted to the US, including about 800 in Philadelphia.

Mayor Kenney told them to ignore those who are against refugees.

“There are more people that want you here, that respect you, that want you to be successful, than there are the ignorant groups,” said Kenney.

His advise?

“I want you to assimilate, but never lose where you came from,” he said.

After all, the Mayor’s potato nigger roots were passed on to him.

“Never lose the traditions, the language and the history, and pass it on to their kids, and their kids, and their kids,” Kenney added.

Mayor Kenney says the city “welcomes and stands with refugees.”

 

[The Bobster]

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/20...eement-despite-u-s-withdrawal/#comment-356910

Mayor Kenney Makes Good On Pledge To Honor Paris Climate Agreement, Despite U.S. Withdrawal
June 21, 2017 6:09 PM By Pat Loeb

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia is on the growing list of local governments pledging to fight climate change, despite the U.S. withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. Mayor Jim "Banana Nose" Kenney on Wednesday announced two ways the city is countering the federal stance on the issue.

Sierra Club members applauded as Mayor Kenney became the 100th mayor to sign the “clean energy pledge,” promising to continue moving the city to 100 percent renewables. Volunteer Pratima Agrawal says these may seem like small steps compared to the loss of the U.S. commitment to lowering carbon emissions, but they do add up.

“Pennsylvania alone accounts for roughly 1 percent of the world’s carbon emissions,” said Agrawal, “which is why we need to take the lead in reducing our carbon footprint.”

Mayor Kenney was also appalled by the removal of climate change information from the EPA website, so he decided to do something about that too.

“The removed information is not controversial. It is fact,” the mayor said. “And to make sure residents have access to knowledge, which is power, we’re hosting the removed information on the city’s website.

The city is making it available to other cities to follow suit.

 

[The Bobster]

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/20...akespeare-park-ribbon-cutting/#comment-357946

Protesters Interrupt Shakespeare Park Ribbon Cutting
July 20, 2017 3:45 PM By Steve Tawa

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A City of Philadelphia ribbon-cutting, marking the opening of new public green space in front of the Free Library on the Ben Franklin Parkway was interrupted by Black Lives Matter protesters, who crashed the event.

The speeches on the opening of the new Shakespeare and Pennypacker Parks were moved indoors to the atrium of the Library because of excessive heat, but just as the ceremony began, three activists with bullhorns came rushing to the podium.

Mayor Banana Nose Kenney quickly shooed away fast approaching uniformed police officers.

“I don’t need protection from citizens who are expressing their first amendment views. I need to listen and accept what they had to say,” said Kenney.

As the protestors carried on for a full 20 minutes, they acknowledged the Mayor’s acceptance of their actions. He touched his hand to his heart, nodding to them, and then shook their hands.

As they were leaving, a library worker at the exit said something they didn’t like :nya:, which re-ignited the chimpout. The mayor walked over to intercede, and flashed a peace sign.

Then he spoke to the audience.

“Protest in our country is sacrosanct. People have a right to express their opinions anywhere, and as loud and long as they like ,” Kenney said.

Mayor Kenney assured the activists that the investigation into the police shooting of 30-year-old David Jones would be transparent, and if there’s appropriate action to be taken against the officer, it will be done.

Jones was said to be riding a dirt bike erratically, and when an officer stopped him, they got into a struggle. A preliminary police report indicates Jones had a 9-mm firearm. A witness reportedly said it fell to the ground, and he was running away, when he was shot and killed. Police are looking at surveillance video of the encounter.

At the end of the ceremony, participants walked out into the sweltering heat for the visuals: the ribbon cutting in Shakespeare Park, aptly described by Siobhan Reardon, President and Director of Free Library of Philadelphia:

“Welcome to what we consider our front porch, Shakespeare Park.”

That’s where crews covered part of the previously open area over I-676, hardscaped with paver blocks to create an amphitheater in a circular plaza.

The new pedestrian bridge over I-676, between 20th and 19th Streets, links Logan Square with Vine Street.

 

[The Bobster]

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news...aser-in-District-Attorney-Race-438336973.html

Mayor Jim Kenney Endorses Larry Krasner in Philadelphia District Attorney Race
By Daniel Ray
Published 2 hours ago

Mayor Jim "Banana Nose" Kenney has endorsed longtime commie kike criminal defense attorney Larry Krasner in Philadelphia's race for District Attorney.

Kenney said Krasner "has a history of standing up for the underdog" and is "determined and tenacious fighter and a long-time advocate for the homeless and those powerless to defend themselves."

Krasner has never worked as prosecutor, but has been a longtime defense attorney in Philadelphia. He fought strongly against mass incarceration and the death penalty, and defended Black Lives Matter and Occupy Philadelphia protesters.

Krasner emerged out of a crowded field and won the Democratic primary on May 16 and will square off against Republican nominee Beth (((Grossman))).

The two will fight to succeed disgraced District Attorney Seth Williams. Last month, Williams pleaded guilty to accepting a bribes and gifts while in office and immediately resigned. He is set to be sentenced in October.

After Williams' resignation, Kelley Hodge was sworn in as interim DA on July 24, the city's first female African-American in the position. Hodge is a former prosecutor and will serve until her successor takes office in January.

Who becomes the next DA will be decided in November's general election.

 

[The Bobster]

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/20...inst-transgender-military-ban/#comment-358382

Mayor Kenney, LGBT Activists Push Back Against Transgender Military Ban
August 3, 2017 3:53 PM By Steve Tawa

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Mayor "Banana Nose" Kenney and LGBT advocates are pushing back against President Trump’s decision to reinstate a ban on transgender people serving in the military.

The Mayor decided to honor LGBT veterans following the President’s shift in military policy.

“Donald Trump’s attempt to ban transgender individuals from the military is an appalling step backward for our country, and for civil rights ,” said Kenney.

“Philadelphia, its LGBTQ community, and its allies will not tolerate hate and discrimination of any kind,” said Amber Hikes, Director of Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs.

Army veteran Sue Fulton says a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity should have no bearing on the “honor and privilege of serving our nation.”

“They defend the freedoms of the people who hate them, and the people who would fire them. And, they are courageously living their lives as their true selves, with integrity,” she said.

Fulton is the executive director and co-founder of Knights Out, an organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender West Point graduates.

The Trump White House did not specify what would happen to active transgender military members. If the President’s directive forces the Defense Department to discharge current transgender troops, advocates promise lawsuits.

The decision reverses a policy initially approved by the Defense Department under President Obama.

As with many of the President’s decisions, he tweeted it first, writing “After consultation with my generals and military experts, the U.S. will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity.” In Mr. Trump’s words, “Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory.”

 

[The Bobster]

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/20...iative-to-reduce-energy-usage/#comment-361137

City Launches Initiative To Reduce Energy Usage
September 27, 2017 3:40 PM By Mike DeNardo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia is launching an effort to cut municipal energy usage — and to reduce the city’s carbon footprint.

In 84-degree sunshine in front of the Art Museum, city officials told reporters about the new plan to reduce energy consumption. Council President Darrell Clarke couldn’t help but joke.

“If anybody doesn’t believe in global warming,” he said, “they need to come to this press conference!”

Mayor Jim "Banana Nose" Kenney says by buying wind and solar power and using it more efficiently, the city plans to follow the Paris Climate Accord, even if the U.S. has pulled out.

Local Musician Creates Musical Instrument Out Of Textile Loom

“We’ve made a commitment that Philadelphia will continue to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Accord to reduce our carbon emissions by 80-percent by 2050,” the mayor said.

One place the strategy will take shape is in renovations at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where Gail Harrity is president.

“Steam distribution or new lighting systems, all have an impact on reducing
energy consumption,” she said.

The city is seeking proposals from wind, solar and other renewable energy sources.

 

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http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/11/22/protected-status-for-haitians/#comment-364523

Mayor Kenney Vows To Fight To Keep Haitians Under Protected Status In Philly
November 22, 2017 1:50 PM By Pat Loeb

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Philadelphia officials want to keep their residents who are Haitians, living here under Temporary Protected Status. They held a news conference Wednesday to denounce a Trump administration plan to end protected status for Haitians.

Mayor Jim "Banana Nose" Kenney vowed the city would do what it could for Haitians who came here with protected status after the devastating 2010 earthquake, pulling no punches in his critique of the decision to end the program.

“The Trump administration is telling nearly 60,000 Haitians to just get out. He should get out, actually,” said Kenney.

Officials were joined by Haitians sharing stories of the roots they’ve put down here and the Sophie’s Choice-like situation they’re now in.

“Do I take my child back to Haiti with me where there’s nothing, there’s no jobs or do I leave them here?”

There are practical , as well as altruistic reasons, for protecting the community says Councilgookess Helen Gym.

“This is about the future of Philadelphia. Five decades of population decline have been reversed in our city due in large part to the presence of immigrants including our Haitian community. No matter what is happening in DC, this is still our city and we are standing together,”said Gym.

 

[The Bobster]

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/new...Says-Trump-Is-a-Bully-and-Punk-459365053.html

Livid Over Temporary Protective Status Change for Immigrants, Kenney Says Trump Is a 'Bully' and 'Punk'
Kenney questioned Trump's upbringing saying "his family didn't do a good job raising that guy."
By Vince Lattanzio, Rita Portela-Lopez and Christian Cazares
Published at 2:59 PM EST on Nov 22, 2017 | Updated at 11:39 PM EST on Nov 22, 2017

Philadelphia Mayor Jim "Banana Nose" Kenney unleashed an insult-laden tirade against President Donald Trump on Wednesday, denouncing the Trump administration's decision to end protections for Haitians and other immigrants living in the United States.

"There is no compassion whatsoever in the White House. I'm just beside myself with sadness because our president is a bully, our president is a punk, and he just doesn't get it."

"I don't know where he was raised, but his family didn't do a good job raising that guy," Kenney said.

Kenney made the remarks after calling on the Trump Administration to reverse recent decisions to end Temporary Protective Status for Haitians, Sudanese, and Nicaraguans. Hondurans are still awaiting a decision on their status.

Often abbreviated as TPS, the program was created in 1990 and currently allows for 435,000 people from nine countries affected by natural disasters or war to live and work in the United States.

On Monday, nearly 60,000 Haitians were notified they must leave the U.S. by July 2019. All moved to the U.S. to escape devastation left behind by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake in 2010. Seven years later, the Carribean nation is still struggling to rebuild, but the Department of Homeland Security said conditions have improved enough to send people back.

"Could you imagine if they ended TPS for the Irish when we came here in the 1840s? Sent us all back to starve in our home country?" Kenney, a Potato-Nigger American, said while flanked by Haitians and immigration advocates.

Kenney said the decisions are "simply un-American." He said deporting these immigrants will be a detrement to the local economy. The mayor also questioned what would happen to TPS immigrant children, who were born in the U.S. and thus are citizens.

"This country used to be a country of compassion and empathy and it is now a country of anger and divisiveness and Donald Trump is the reason why we've gotten where we are," Kenney said adding that Trump should "get out" of the U.S.

NBC10 has reached out to the White House for comment.

 

[The Bobster]

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/03/16/mayor-kenney-nation-of-immigrants-change/#comment-370665

Mayor Kenney Responds After ‘Nation Of Immigrants’ Phrase Removed From USCIS Mission Statement
By Mike DeNardo
March 16, 2018 at 1:14 pm

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Mayor "Banana Nose" Kenney is criticizing the move to remove the phrase “Nation of Immigrants” from the mission statement of a key federal office.

The agency that oversees immigration into the U.S. has just rewritten its mission statement, deleting the phrase “Nation of Immigrants.”

Speaking to a meeting of the Philadelphia chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Mayor "Potato Nigger" Kenney said the move by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services was typical of the Trump administration.

“Like, there’s no collusion and there’s no ‘Nation of Immigrants.’ None of this — where did we all come from — Even the pilgrims were immigrants!” said Kenney.

Bridgeton immigration lawyer Elizabeth Trinidad called the new mission statement “small-minded.”

“It seems petty and unnecessary to have tinkered with this mission statement at all,” said Trinidad.

The old mission statement referenced “America’s promise as a nation of immigrants.” The new one says the agency “administers the nation’s lawful immigration system.”