Getting Tough On Protestors and Graffiti Artists

4/13 – “Should medical marijuana be legal?”

- Alfonso Todd, Blurb Media

- David Evans, Drug Free Schools Coalition

- Chris Goldstein, Coalition for Medical Marijuana of New Jersey

- Terry Farley, Former Prosecutor



PRODUCER’S NOTE: For a show about a substance that is supposed to mellow people out, this show was ANYTHING but calm. It also featured one of the first times in show history that Tony actually had to tell guests to stop talking over each other, because the arguments were that strenuous! We also had the guests arguing with each other during breaks and before the show. It made for an outstanding program, and not just because of the arguments, but because the guests’ passion was VERY apparent, as was their extensive knowledge of the topic.

-The Tony Ianelli Show on Channel 69 WFMZ



THIS is for those who didn't believe me yesterday about Fonzo being on TV. See, this is the proof! Well, kind of, anyway.

I see, once again, the Lehigh Valley will be on the world stage, and Allentown, PA, once again, will be on the outside looking in. Apparently, there will be nationwide demonstrations by conservative activists called Tax Day Tea Party Protests. Individuals will be demonstrating all over the Lehigh Valley and some organizers say there are 500 rallies scheduled in all 50 states on tax day.
These will be peaceful protests with guest speakers and discussions. Unfortunately, Allentown won't be participating because of the need for the demonstrators to obtain insurance, fees, etc, Say what ? I see protests every other week on Hamilton Street in downtown Allentown across from City Hall and the post office. Fonzo even had one a year ago, albeit a small one. (see www.projectreal.piczo.com) Either way, I am wondering if it would have been a good idea to waive the administrative cost. Why ? Well, it would have been great to see parts of the community come together and express/demonstrate another point of view for the public's view and, as was mentioned previously by the organizers, there are 500 rallies scheduled in all 50 states on the same day. Could this have not been a way to show the nation that Allentown, PA is here to stay, open for business, and a place where new ideas and policies can be presented for all to see ? It's not exactly a utopia, but like Fonzo explained, we will never know what type of media coverage we may have received from this event...
BUT this is what we have received so far: "Local organizer Kim Schmidtner tells QCD that the Queen City was too difficult to work with what with all its demands for $1 million in liability insurance and the cost of paying for police coverage. The other two Lehigh Valley cities: Much easier, she said.
So the protestors, who were looking at Cedar Beach, decided to just skip Allentown, Schmidtner said."
It's unfortunate, but there are other more important entities than organized protesters who have the same exact attitude regarding A-town...

And from my, "Is it THAT serious?" file, I saw that a 23 year old fellow named Daniel LaTorre has been captured and is supposedly the NERD tagger. If you live here in Allentown, PA, you have seen his work in one way or another. He was very indiscriminate in what he did and where he did it. He tagged buildings, newspaper machines, and tons of other locations. So, he was caught and admitted he belonged to the WSK-Wild Style Krew and stated he was an artist and was trying to gain fame and fortune. I love his ambition and drive but he, definitely, was headed in the wrong direction. The police estimated he did thousands of tags and did over $40,000.00 in damage. Believe this: They are going to make an example out of him. No doubt. So much so, he is getting hit with a charge of a felony to the third degree !
I don't believe this is the fame Daniel desired and it seems to be costing the City a small fortune to clean up. My only question is with so much energy and focus, where were the parents, community organizations, and even the arts associations to assist this young man and, yes, (there are others), to give them a more positive outlet ? It's crazy, but while resources and time are used to vilify this individual, I believe it could have been prevented if the same energy and gusto was used to reach into the community and truly see what is really going on...

-J. Black