http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/ A history of the Philadelphia area: William Penn's Quaker Colonies en-us Copyright (c) 2004 - 2009 George R. Fisher III, M.D. All rights reserved. history philadelphia quaker colonies medicine health care economics politics gfisher@philadelphia-reflections.com (George Ross Fisher III MD) george@georgefisher.com (George Ross Fisher, IV) Hand-crafted using PHP Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:23:16 EDT hourly 12 2009-07-03T19:23:16-04:00 http://backend.userland.com/rss091 http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/RSSimage.jpg 144 144 http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/ http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/ tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-05-01:%2Findex.php Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:23:16 EDT gfisher@philadelphia-reflections.com (George Ross Fisher III, M.D.) William Penn's Quaker Colonies plus medicine, economics and politics Dr. George Ross Fisher, III Philadelphia Reflections 2009-07-03 39.9455 -75.1532 Dr. Fisher's medical office location 39.9455 -75.1532 39.9455 -75.1532 Whither, Federal Reserve? (2) http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/122.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-12-31:%2Fwhither_federal_reserve_2.php Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:23:03 EDT Whither, Federal Reserve? (2) Banking Panic 2007-2009 http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/105.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-02-10:%2Fcredit_crunch_2007.php Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:22:14 EDT Mankind hasn't learned how to control sudden wealth, whether in families, third-world countries, or the richest nation in history. The world banking crisis of 2007 is the biggest example yet. Benjamin Franklin http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/6.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fben_franklin_topic.php Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:39:27 EDT A collection of Benjamin Franklin tidbits that relate Philadelphia's revolutionary prelate to his moving around the city, the colonies, and the world. Franklin Inn Club http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/13.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fthe_franklin_inn_topic.php Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:38:44 EDT Hidden in a back alley near the theaters, this little club is the center of the City's literary circle. It enjoys outstanding food in surroundings which suggest Samuel Johnson's club in London. 39.9486 -75.1614 39.9486 -75.1614 The Franklin Inn 39.9486 -75.1614 Re-Designing Old Age http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/130.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-23:%2Fre_designing_old_age.php Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:37:41 EDT A brusque analysis of future trends from a member of the Quiet Generation. Curtis http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/48.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-07-22:%2Fcurtis_.php Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:43:45 EDT To Cy Curtis, magazines were just vehicles for advertisers. In fact, his mags taught former farmers how to manage urban life, more or less accidentally creating a focus for American books, authors, politics and literature. The fall of his empire teaches the lesson that antitrust laws against vertical integration are probably unnecessary. Historical Preservation http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/41.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-07-14:%2Fhistorical_preservation.php Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:49:41 EDT The 20% federal tax credit for historic preservation is said to have been the special pet of Senator Lugar of Indiana. Much of the recent transformation of Philadelphia's downtown is attributed to this incentive. City of Rivers and Rivulets http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/46.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-07-17:%2Fcity_of_rivers_and.php Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:45:08 EDT Philadelphia has always been defined by the waters that surround it. Revolutionary Philadelphia's Patriots http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/69.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-10-31:%2Frevolutionary_philadelphia_s_patriots.php Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:44:07 EDT All kinds of people were patriots in 1776, and many of them were all mixed up about what was going on and how they stood. Hotheads in the London Coffee House stirred up about an inoffensive Tea Act, Scotch-Irish come here to escape the British Crown, the local artisan class and the local smuggler class, unexpectedly prospering under non-importation, and the local gentry -- offended to be denied seats in Parliament like other Englishmen. Pennsylvania wavered until Ben Franklin stepped forward with a plan. Right Angle Club 2009 http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/123.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-01-09:%2Fright_angle_club_2009.php Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:24:09 EDT In progress. Legal Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/25.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Flegal_phila_topic.php Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:02:09 EDT The American legal profession grew up in this town, creating institutions and traditions that set the style for everyone else. Boston, New York and Washington have lots of influential lawyers, but Philadelphia shapes the legal profession. Government Organization http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/102.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-12-23:%2Fgovernment_organization.php Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:56:07 EDT Government Organization Federalism Slowly Conquers the States http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/129.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-18:%2Ffederalism_slowly_conquers_the.php Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:07:41 EDT Thirteen sovereign colonies voluntarily combined their power for the common good. But for two hundred years, the new federal government kept taking more power for itself. Philadelphia Physicians http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/18.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fphila_physicians_topic.php Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:34:57 EDT Philadelphia dominated the medical profession so long that it's hard to distinguish between local traditions and national ones. The distinctive feature is that in Philadelphia you must be a real doctor before you become a mere specialist. Literary Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/63.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-08-02:%2Fliterary_philadelphia.php Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:33:52 EDT Literary Insurance in Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/56.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-08-02:%2Finsurance_in_philadelphia.php Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:32:59 EDT Early Philadelphia took a lead in insurance innovation. Some ideas, like life insurance, flourished. Others have faded. Food and Drink in Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/58.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-08-02:%2Ffood_and_drink_in.php Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:30:05 EDT A flowing abundance of food sources made Philadelphia the capital of food and drink, right from earliest times. The Constitution http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/59.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-08-02:%2Fthe_constitution.php Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:05:22 EDT The Constitution was not just a paper written at a convention. It was a choice between uncertain alternatives, and new difficulties soon were revealed by making those choices. Its reliance on compromise displays the powerful influence of 18th Century Quaker Philadelphia. Academia, Medical Version http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/108.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-06-25:%2Facademia_medical_version.php Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:08:32 EDT The first hospital in America generated the first medical school, the first medical society, and many of the unique features of American medicine. In modern times, the gusher of federal research funds not only distorted academic medicine, but academia as a whole. Academia in the Philadelphia Region http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/60.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-08-02:%2Facademia_.php Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:06:59 EDT Higher education is a source of pride, progress, and aggravation. Shaping the Constitution in Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/121.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-11-11:%2Fwriting_and_shaping_the.php Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:50:56 EDT After Independence, the weakness of the Federal government dismayed a band of ardent patriots, so under Washington's leadership a stronger Constitution was written. Almost immediately, comrades discovered they had wanted the same thing for different reasons, so during the formative period they struggled to reshape future directions . Moving the Capitol from Philadelphia to the Potomac proved curiously central to all this. Tourist Walk in Olde Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/77.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-03-29:%2Ftourist_walk_in_olde.php Mon, 01 Jun 2009 06:20:46 EDT Colonial Philadelphia can be seen in a hard day's walk, if you stick to the center of town. Science http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/64.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-08-02:%2Fscience_.php Sun, 31 May 2009 22:47:12 EDT Science Medical Club of Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/125.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-03-18:%2Fmedical_club_of_philadelphia.php Sun, 31 May 2009 18:07:39 EDT The Medical Club of Philadelphia was founded in the Nineteenth century, as a social club of doctors devoted to non-medical interests. Lots of famous names, here. Architecture in Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/72.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-02-20:%2Farchitecture_in_philadelphia.php Sun, 31 May 2009 17:49:52 EDT Originating in a limitless forest, wooden structures became a "Red City" of brick after a few fires. Then a succession of gifted architects shaped the city as Greek Revival, then French. Modern architecture now responds as much to population sociology as artistic genius. Take a look at the current "green building" movement. Clinton Health Plan of 1993 - Part One http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/92.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-07-08:%2Fthe_clinton_health_plan.php Sun, 31 May 2009 16:55:02 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/healthcare.jpg" class="tn-l-w100" alt="health care" />Mistaking Senate re-election of Harris Wofford to mean the country demanded reform of the medical system, newly-elected President Clinton announced he would create one. When stakeholders surmised he was making it up as he went along, they deserted him. Nobel Prizes http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/90.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-05-11:%2Fnobel_prizes.php Sun, 31 May 2009 16:51:41 EDT Some Philadelphians won Nobel Prizes for work done here, or elsewhere. Some prize winners would deny they are Philadelphians, but their work was nevertheless done here. Revolutionary Philadelphia's Loyalists http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/68.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-10-31:%2Frevolutionary_philadelphia_loyalists.php Sat, 30 May 2009 22:04:01 EDT History is written by the victors, so the Tory Loyalists of Revolutionary Philadelphia have mostly fallen from view. Favorite Reflections http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/89.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-05-07:%2Ffavorite_reflectionsxx.php Sat, 30 May 2009 14:31:44 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/grf.jpg" class="left" style="width:125px;margin-bottom:15px;margin-top:0;" alt="George Ross Fisher III M.D." /> <span style="text-align:left"> In no particular order, here are the author's own favorites.</span> <span class="notvisible">filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler </span> Philadelphia Economics http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/61.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-08-02:%2Fphiladelphia_economics.php Fri, 29 May 2009 17:27:10 EDT economics Website Development http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/66.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-08-05:%2Fwebsite_development.php Fri, 29 May 2009 17:25:36 EDT The website technology supporting Philadelphia Reflections is PHP, MySQL and DHTML. The web hosting service is Internet Planners. Computers, Digital Cameras, and Cellphones http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/55.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-08-02:%2Fcomputers_.php Fri, 29 May 2009 17:25:00 EDT Much of the early development of the electronic computer took place in Philadelphia. We lost the lead, but it might return. Culture and Traditions (2) http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/119.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-11-07:%2Fculture_and_traditions_2.php Fri, 29 May 2009 17:24:14 EDT Culture and Traditions (2) Medical Malpractice http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/16.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fmedical_malpractice_topic.php Fri, 29 May 2009 17:22:35 EDT The medical system is on the point of abandoning the city to escape abusive lawsuits. A series of observations about shared blame, ultimately assigns responsibility to the mistake of allowing this matter to be covered by insurance, thus creating a financial target. Revisionist Themes http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/109.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-07-10:%2Frevisionist_themes.php Fri, 29 May 2009 17:14:40 EDT A set of working papers, still under construction. Philadelphia Changes the Nature of Money http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/118.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-10-08:%2Fphiladelphia_changes_the_nature.php Fri, 29 May 2009 17:13:04 EDT Banking changed its fundamentals, on Third Street in Philadelphia, three different times. Foreign Affairs http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/101.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-12-23:%2Fforeign_affairs.php Fri, 29 May 2009 16:48:17 EDT This topic is under construction. Feel free to watch it evolve. Articles of Confederation http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/24.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Farticles_confed_topic.php Thu, 28 May 2009 21:47:17 EDT For thirteen years the country was ruled by the Articles of Confederation, and by Philadelphia. John Dickinson wrote them. We learned many lessons during that episode, and begin to forget we learned them. Causes of the American Revolution http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/70.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-11-03:%2Fcauses_of_the_american.php Thu, 28 May 2009 20:38:49 EDT Britain and its colonies had outgrown Eighteenth Century techniques of governance. Unfortunately, both England and America lacked the sophistication to make drastic changes smoothly. Pre-Revolutionary Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/128.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-28:%2Fpre_revolutionary_philadelphia.php Thu, 28 May 2009 20:09:46 EDT . New Jersey (State of) http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/96.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-09-19:%2Fnew_jersey_state_of.php Thu, 28 May 2009 20:03:29 EDT The Garden State really has two different states of mind. The state motto is <i>Liberty and Prosperity</i>. (www.Philadelphia-Reflections.com/topic/96.htm) The British Attack Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/35.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-07-03:%2Fthe_british_attack_philadelphia.php Thu, 28 May 2009 15:33:55 EDT Fighting in the Revolutionary War lasted eight years; for two full years (June 1776 to June 1778) Philadelphia was the objective of military attack. Only the Civil War killed a larger proportion of the population. Quakers: All Alike, All Different http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/49.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-07-25:%2Fquakers_all_alike_all.php Wed, 27 May 2009 17:27:02 EDT Quaker doctrines emerge from the stories they tell about each other. Right Angle Club 2007 http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/73.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-03-01:%2Fthe_right_angle_club.php Wed, 27 May 2009 13:59:26 EDT A report, to the year 2007 shareholders of the Right Angle Club of Philadelphia, by the outgoing president. www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/73.htm 39.9491 -75.1675 39.9491 -75.1675 Right Angle Club of Philadelphia 39.9491 -75.1675 Downtown http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/3.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fdowntown_topic.php Sun, 24 May 2009 13:16:58 EDT A discussion about downtown area in Philadelphia and connections from today with its historical past. Philadelphia Medicine (2) http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/127.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-21:%2Fphiladelphia_medicine_2.php Sat, 23 May 2009 06:08:45 EDT Philadelphia is where medicine began in America Arch Street: from Sixth to Second http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/85.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-05-04:%2Fsixth_and_arch_to.php Sat, 23 May 2009 06:02:12 EDT <img src="http://www.christchurchphila.org/SiteData/imagefolder/strickland.jpg" class="tn-l-w100" alt="Christ Church, Philadelphia" /> When the large meeting house at Fourth and Arch was built, many Quakers moved their houses to the area. At that time, "North of Market" implied the Quaker region of town. Clinton Health Plan of 1993 - Part Two http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/95.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-08-10:%2Ffrogs_like_flies.php Fri, 22 May 2009 17:52:41 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/penninsurance.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="William Penn Pennsylvania Hospital" />After the Clinton Plan was dropped, and then after fifteen years of aftermath, public dissatisfaction with the health financing system is no better, probably worse. Here are some fresh ideas. Right Angle Club 2008 http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/120.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-11-10:%2Fright_angle_club_2008.php Wed, 20 May 2009 22:36:34 EDT A report, to the year 2008 shareholders of the Right Angle Club of Philadelphia, by the outgoing president, Neale Bringhurst... www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/120.htm Sporting Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/5.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fsporting_phila_topic.php Mon, 18 May 2009 11:17:54 EDT A few reflections about sports in and around Philadelphia. Philadelphia Medicine http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/17.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fmedical_phila_topic.php Fri, 15 May 2009 18:11:21 EDT The first hospital, the first medical school, the first medical society, and abundant Civil War casualties, all combined to establish the most important medical center in the country. It's still the second largest industry in the city. Outlaws http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/10.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fphila_outlaws_topic.php Thu, 14 May 2009 14:36:37 EDT Even the criminals, the courts and the prisons of this town have a Philadelphia distinctiveness. The underworld has its own version of history. Philadelphia's West Country http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/82.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-04-10:%2Fphiladelphia_s_west_country.php Thu, 14 May 2009 01:08:02 EDT Like all cities, Philadelphia is filling in and choking up with subdivisions and development, in all directions from the center. The last place to fill up is the Welsh Barony, a tip of which can be said to extend all the way in town to the Art Museum. Religious Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/19.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Freligious_phila_topic.php Mon, 11 May 2009 19:43:25 EDT William Penn wanted a colony with religious freedom. A considerable number, if not the majority, of American religious denominations were founded in this city. Shakspere Society of Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/104.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-01-31:%2Fshakspere_society_of_philadelphia.php Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:11:21 EDT Maybe not the first, but the oldest Shakespeare club in America or possibly even the world, has kept minutes for over a hundred fifty years. 39.9485 -75.1615 39.9485 -75.1615 Franklin Inn Club 39.9485 -75.1615 Particular Sights to See:Center City http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/44.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-07-17:%2Fcenter_city.php Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:56:10 EDT Taxi drivers tell tourists that Center City is a "shining city on a hill". During the Industrial Era, the city almost urbanized out to the county line, and then retreated. Right now, the urban center is surrounded by a semi-deserted ring of former factories. Investing, Philadelphia Style http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/39.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-07-06:%2Finvesting_philadelphia_style.php Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:08:27 EDT Land ownership once was the only practical form of savings, until banking matured in the mid-19th century. Philadelphia took an early lead in what is now called investment and still defines a certain style of it. Financial Planning for a Long Retirement http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/103.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-01-28:%2Ffinancial_planning.php Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:39:06 EDT <br /> How should an individual investor ensure they have enough money for retirement? <br /><br /> Such a person is often a professional or entrepreneur who has worked to accumulate wealth. Legions of "advisors" are lined up to take this money and manage it or else to sell "products" that promise to solve some problem or other. <br /><br /> A person who has created their career and their wealth from scratch by intelligence and hard work can also manage their investments themselves, or at least supervise the process from a position of strength created by knowing what needs to be done. <br /><br /> This collection of articles explains to the individual investor how to take control of their wealth. They may eventually decide to look for help from an advisor but they will retain control of their assets and they will know what to do. <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=grfiv" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" >Financial Planning videos on YouTube</a> Haddonfield http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/38.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-07-06:%2Fhaddonfield_.php Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:44:52 EDT Haddonfield is a bit of a secret. It's Philadelphia's "Main Line, East". 39.8979 -75.0315 39.8979 -75.0315 Center of Downtown Haddonfield 39.8979 -75.0315 Whither, Federal Reserve? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/40.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-07-07:%2Fwhither_federal_reserve.php Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:09:51 EDT The Federal Reserve seems to be a big black box, containing magic. In fact, it's high-wire acrobatics that must not be allowed to fail. Delaware (State of) http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/14.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fdelaware_state_of_topic.php Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:26:35 EDT Originally the "lower counties" of Pennsylvania, and thus one of three Quaker colonies founded by William Penn, Delaware has developed its own set of traditions and history. Tourist Trips Around Philadelphia and the Quaker Colonies http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/80.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-04-06:%2Ftourist_trips_around_philadelphia.php Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:11:36 EDT The states of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and southern New Jersey all belonged to William Penn the Quaker. He was the largest private landholder in American history. Using explicit directions, comprehensive touring of the Quaker Colonies takes seven full days. Local residents would need a couple dozen one-day trips to get up to speed. Sixth and Walnut over to Broad and Sansom http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/87.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-05-04:%2Fsixth_and_walnut_to.php Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:30:52 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/PennsylvHospital.jpg" class="tn-l-h100" alt="Pennsylvania Hospital" />In 1751, the Pennsylvania Hospital at 8th and Spruce was 'way out in the country. Now it is in the center of a city, but the area still remains dominated by medical institutions. Subcultures http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/4.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fsubcultures_topic.php Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:28:36 EDT A few reflections about the subcultures in and around Philadelphia. Evolving Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/57.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-08-02:%2Fevolving_philadelphia.php Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:24:43 EDT The city changes. Customs, Culture and Traditions http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/54.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-08-01:%2Fcustoms_culture_and_traditions.php Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:24:04 EDT Abundant seafood made it easy to settle here. Agriculture takes longer. Philadelphia Politics http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/20.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fphila_politics_topic.php Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:03:39 EDT Originally, politics had to do with the Proprietors, then the immigrants, then the King of England, then the establishment of the nation. Philadelphia first perfected the big-city political machine, which centers on bulk payments from utilities to the boss politician rather than small graft payments to individual office holders. More efficient that way. Nature Preservation http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/65.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-08-02:%2Fnature_preservation.php Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:01:27 EDT Nature preservation and nature destruction are different parts of an eternal process. Dislocations: Financial and Fundamental http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/98.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-12-22:%2Fusing_computers_instead_of.php Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:00:21 EDT The crash of 2007 was more than a bank panic. It was a collision of several revolutions which were all ripples from the same splash. Theatre in Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/23.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Ftheater_phila_topic.php Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:36:15 EDT Theater has declined, everywhere in the western world. But in Philadelphia, even today if you attended every new play you would keep pretty busy. Medical Economics http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/42.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-07-14:%2Fmedical_economics.php Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:18:29 EDT Some Philadelphia physicians are contributors to current national debates on the financing of medical care. Health Insurance http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/99.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-12-22:%2Fhealth_insurance.php Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:15:36 EDT Clinton Health Plan and its replacements. Quakers: The Society of Friends http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/34.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-07-03:%2Fquakers_the_society_of.php Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:15:23 EDT According to an old Quaker joke, the Holy Trinity consists of the fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man, and the neighborhood of Philadelphia. In Memoriam http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/124.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-03-09:%2Fin_memoriam.php Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:33:22 EDT . Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Bucks Counties http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/97.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-09-19:%2Fchester_delaware_montgomery_and.php Sun, 08 Mar 2009 23:56:10 EDT The Philadelphia metropolitan region has five Pennsylvania counties, four New Jersey counties, one northern county in the state of Delaware. Here are the four Pennsylvania suburban ones. Musical Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/22.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fmusical_phila_topic.php Sun, 08 Mar 2009 23:54:44 EDT Quakers never cared much for music, but the city has nonetheless musically flourished into international fame. At the same time, quarrels and internal battles have also been world class. Land Tour Around Delaware Bay http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/79.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-04-04:%2Fland_tour_around_delaware.php Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:22:24 EST Start in Philadelphia, take two days to tour around Delaware Bay. Down the New Jersey side to Cape May, ferry over to Lewes, tour up to Dover and New Castle, visit Winterthur, Longwood Gardens, Brandywine Battlefield and art museum, then back to Philadelphia. Try it! 40.39 -75.34 40.39 -75.34 View Above Philadelphia 40.39 -75.34 Indigents http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/75.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-03-08:%2Findigents_.php Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:37:17 EST With a long history of welcoming and assisting the poor, Philadelphia has always risked swamping the lifeboat by attracting more of them than it can handle. Volunteerism http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/74.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-03-05:%2Fvolunteerism_.php Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:13:25 EST The characteristic American behavior called volunteerism got its start with Benjamin Franklin's Junto, and has been a source of comment by foreign visitors ever since. It's still a very active force. Railroad Town http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/107.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-06-15:%2Frailroad_town.php Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:19:13 EST . The Proprietorship of West Jersey http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/50.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-07-28:%2Fthe_proprietorship_of_west.php Thu, 29 Jan 2009 06:04:54 EST The southern half of New Jersey was William Penn's first venture in real estate. It undoubtedly gave him bigger ideas. Philadelphia's Middle Urban Ring http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/52.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-08-01:%2Fphiladelphia_s_middle_urban.php Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:09:06 EST Philadelphia grew rapidly for seventy years after the Civil War, then gradually lost population. Skyscrapers drain population upwards, suburbs beckon outwards. The result: a ring around center city, mixed prosperous and dilapidated. Future in doubt. North of Market http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/12.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fnorth_of_market_topic.php Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:05:55 EST The term once referred to the Quaker district along Arch Street, and then to a larger district that had its heyday after the Civil War, industrialized, declined, and is now our worst urban problem area. Up the King's High Way http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/84.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-05-02:%2Fup_the_king_s.php Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:24:43 EST New Jersey has a narrow waistline, with New York harbor at one end, and Delaware Bay on the other. Traffic and history travelled the Kings Highway along this path between New York and Philadelphia. Albert Gallatin http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/100.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-12-23:%2Falbert_gallatin.php Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:53:47 EST A magnificent but largely forgotten man. Quakers: William Penn http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/37.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-07-05:%2Fquakers_william_penn.php Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:15:32 EST Although Ben Franklin lately gets more ink, William Penn deserves at least equal rank among the most remarkable men who ever lived. Connecticut Invades Pennsylvania! http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/43.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-07-15:%2Fconnecticut_invades_pennsylvania.php Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:09:39 EST The rest of the world fights wars about national grievances, both recent and long past. Meanwhile, Connecticut once waged a serious war with Pennsylvania, and we don't even remember it. Personal Finance http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/71.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-12-26:%2Fpersonal_finance.php Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:25:17 EST The rules of financial health are simple, but remarkably hard to follow. Be frugal in order to save, use your savings to buy the whole market not parts of it, if this system ain't broke, don't fix it. And don't underestimate your longevity. Pacifist Pennsylvania, Invaded Many Times http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/106.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-04-29:%2Fpacifist_pennsylvania_invaded_many.php Fri, 28 Nov 2008 19:58:33 EST Pennsylvania was founded as a pacifist utopia, and currently regards itself as protected by vast oceans. But Pennsylvania has been seriously invaded at least six times. To Germantown, a Short Appreciation http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/15.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fto_germanatown_topic.php Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:47:57 EST Seven miles from the heart of Philadelphia, Germantown was once a separate town, the cultural center of Germans in America. Revolutionary battles were fought here, it was briefly the capital of the United States, and it still has an outstanding collection of schools and colleges. Art in Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/21.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fart_in_phila_topic.php Sun, 16 Nov 2008 04:25:40 EST The history of art, particularly painting and sculpture, has been a long and distinguished one. If you add in the art schools, the Philadelphia national influence on artists has been a dominant one. America's Historic Square Mile (pre-1800) http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/2.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fhistorical_revival_topic.php Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:57:42 EST Society Hill: Philadelphia's authentic colonial area, from the Delaware River west to 8th Street the limit of settlement in 1776, but for a while the center of America. The richest, most famous men in America lived within a few blocks of each other. Things happened here. USA: THE NINETEEN NINETIES http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/113.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-07-14:%2Fthe_united_states_the.php Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:44:15 EDT </i> PROLOGUE: Persia, The Nineteen - Thirties http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/112.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-07-14:%2Fprologue_b_persia_the.php Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:31:58 EDT Persia, The Nineteen - Thirties Deaths of the Shah, by Donald Hough http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/76.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-03-20:%2Fdiamond_27.php Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:18:25 EDT Copyright, 2007, Shirley Hough The Philadelphia Media http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/117.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-10-03:%2Fthe_philadelphia_media.php Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:35:36 EDT The Philadelphia Media Philadelphia's River Region http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/8.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fphila_river_region_topic.php Tue, 21 Oct 2008 20:19:49 EDT A concentration of articles around the rivers and wetland in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Conventions and Convention Centers http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/62.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-08-02:%2Fconventions_and_convention_centers.php Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:51:20 EDT When you have a big convention center, some circus is always coming to town. Philadelphia has always been a convention town, has had and still has lots of convention sites, and hopes to have more of the kind of famous convention we have had in the past. Touring Philadelphia's Western Regions http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/81.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-04-09:%2Ftouring_philadelpia_s_western.php Sun, 05 Oct 2008 20:47:25 EDT Philadelpia County had two hundred farms in 1950, but is now thickly settled in all directions. Western regions along the Schuylkill are still spread out somewhat; with many historic estates. The Park and Beyond http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/11.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fthe_park_beyond_topic.php Sun, 05 Oct 2008 20:46:10 EDT Fairmount Park is large enough to split the City from its suburbs, and is partly a playground, partly a museum. East Falls, Germantown and Chestnut Hill are almost a separate world on the far side of the park. Philadelphia Fish and Fishing http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/33.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-26:%2Fphiladelphia_fish_and_fishing.php Sun, 05 Oct 2008 20:42:34 EDT Less than a century ago, Delaware Bay, Delaware River, Schuylkill River, Pennypack Creek, Wissahickon Creek, and dozens of other creeks in this swampy region were teeming with edible fish, oysters and crabs. They may be coming back, cautiously. Working Topic http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/116.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-10-03:%2Fworking_topic.php Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:27:09 EDT Preliminary space for author's use. Historical Motor Excursion North of Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/78.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-04-03:%2Fhistorical_motor_excursion_north.php Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:51:43 EDT The narrow waist of New Jersey was the upper border of William Penn's vast land holdings, and the outer edge of Quaker influence. In 1776-77, Lord Howe made this strip the main highway of his attempt to subjugate the Colonies. Reminiscences http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/91.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-06-18:%2Freminiscences_.php Sun, 03 Aug 2008 16:36:17 EDT Watching the constantly passing scene, occasionally opportunities arise to change its flow. Black Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/67.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-08-08:%2Fblack_philadelphia.php Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:20:29 EDT The City of Philadelphia is only a part of the region, but within that part, the black population holds political power. That's definitely not true in the rest of the region. Discordances like this create problems until political evolution smooths them out. FRONT MATERIAL: Deaths of the Shah http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/111.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-07-14:%2Ffront_material_deaths_of.php Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:42:14 EDT . testing a topic with no blogs http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/110.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-07-12:%2Ftesting_a_topic_with.php Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:16:46 EDT testing a topic with no blogs for inclusion in Volumes Sights to See: The Outer Ring http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/53.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-08-01:%2Fsights_to_see_the.php Wed, 07 May 2008 16:21:43 EDT There are many interesting places to visit in the exurban ring beyond Philadelphia, linked to the city by history rather than commerce. Up Market Street to Sixth and Walnut http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/86.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-05-04:%2Fsecond_and_market_to.php Wed, 07 May 2008 16:19:21 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/indepencehall.jpg" class="tn-l-w100" alt="Independence Hall" />Millions of eye patients have been asked to read the passage from Franklin's autobiography, "I walked up Market Street, etc." which is universally printed on eye-test cards. Here's your chance to do it. West of Broad http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/9.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fwest_of_broad_topic.php Wed, 07 May 2008 16:18:27 EDT A collection of articles about the area west of Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Custom Tour of Private Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/28.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-22:%2Fcustom_tour_of_private.php Wed, 07 May 2008 16:13:48 EDT Philadelphia Hospitality, a non-profit group, puts together the following tour for visiting bigwigs. A good guide to what's best around here. Philadelphia, A Running Commentary http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/7.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-15:%2Fphila_a_running_comment.php Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:46:49 EST A series of observations in and around Philadelphia by notables over the last three and one-half centuries. Japan and Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/31.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-26:%2Fjapan_and_philadelphia.php Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:48:39 EST Philadelphia and Japan have had a special friendship for 150 years. 35.6867 139.752 35.6867 139.752 Imerial Place, Edo 35.6867 139.752 Fanny Kemble http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/47.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-07-21:%2Ffanny_kemble.php Mon, 22 Oct 2007 10:47:12 EDT Fanny Kemble was more than the toast of the town, she was the most glamorous woman in the English speaking world. But far beyond that, she was a famous author, Shakespearean scholar, and had a major influence on the Civil War. Federal Reserve Rolls the Dice http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1688.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-07-03:%2Ffederal_reserve_rolls_the.html Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:01:53 EDT When Lehman Brothers collapsed, the markets froze. The Federal Reserve responded by doubling the money supply. A few months later, the money was gradually spent buying the toxic assets. It may take ten years to sell that toxic paper, and whether we then have inflation or depression will depend on the price they bring. The Chinese are financing this ten-year gamble with two-year loans. Little Town of Bethlehem http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1678.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-25:%2Flittle_town_of_bethlehem.html Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:18:11 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/phillipsbrooks.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem was composed by Phillips Brooks, then rector of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Rittenhouse Square. 39.9503 -75.1733 39.9503 -75.1733 The Church of the Holy Trinity Rittenhouse Square 215-567-1267 39.9503 -75.1733 Pot Belly http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1687.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-07-03:%2Fpot_belly.html Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:36:31 EDT It isn't just your weight that changes as you grow old, it's your shape. Saving the United States http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1666.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-15:%2Fsaving_the_united_states.html Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:15:47 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/11_unitedstates.jpg" alt="SS United States" class="tn-l-w50" />For the past 13 years the SS United States has lain idle at a dock in Philadelphia and is facing the scrap heap should efforts by volunteers in several conservancies to save her not succeed. 39.919 -75.1377 39.919 -75.1377 SS United States 39.919 -75.1377 What Will Replace Daily Newspapers? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1686.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-07-02:%2Fwhat_will_replace_newspapers.html Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:30:14 EDT Unless someone develops a very good idea soon, newspapers as we know them will disappear. What will take their place? The News of Ideas http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1685.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-07-01:%2Fthe_news_of_ideas.html Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:28:38 EDT The op-ed page took its present form in 1970 at the New York Times, after a long struggle between the news department and the editorial editors. Cira Centre II - (?) http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1584.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-02-27:%2Fcira_centre_ii.html Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:30:07 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/cira%20centreii.jpg" class="tn-l-h50" alt="Cira Centre" />Brief description of work contemplated for the present underused site near the old 30th street post office building and area. 39.9575 -75.1826 39.9575 -75.1826 Cira Center 39.9575 -75.1826 Philadelphia Gets the Business http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1684.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-07-01:%2Fphiladelphia_gets_the_business.html Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:22:52 EDT Philadelphia is suffering from the current economic downturn just as every other major city but there's reason to be upbeat because of the many advantages this area has in it's business climate. Redesigning Old Age http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1675.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-23:%2Fredesigning_old_age.html Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:42:10 EDT The authors of the Bible believed human life was designed to end at age 70. The present scientific guess is 100. Proton Therapy at Penn http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1665.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-05:%2Fproton_therapy_at_penn.html Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:30:04 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/superconducting_proton_cyclotron.png" class="tn-l-h50" alt="{superconducting proton cyclotron}" /> The new proton therapy center promises to improve the treatment of many types of cancers while reducing the collateral damage caused by traditional methods of radiation treatment commonly used today. 39.95 -75.193 39.95 -75.193 Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania 39.95 -75.193 Newspapers http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1683.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-29:%2Fnewspapers_.html Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:08:10 EDT With newspapers rapidly becoming extinct, a central feature of old age is destined to change. Madeira Party 2009 http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1672.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-21:%2Fmadeira_party_2009.html Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:22:20 EDT In Colonial America, Madeira was what the upper crust drank. Gardening http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1682.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-27:%2Fgardening_.html Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:18:13 EDT Gardening is making a comeback. Retirees are right in there. Books http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1681.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-26:%2Fbooks_.html Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:30:22 EDT Retirement communities can develop specialized libraries with minor expense and effort. Wheels http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1679.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-25:%2Fwheels_.html Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:16:33 EDT It's fairly easy to persuade the elder generation to live in an environmentally friendly way. A lot of the arguments do not apply to them, however. Globalization http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1660.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-29:%2Fglobalization_.html Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:38:31 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/dubai%20waterfront.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />Peter Alois, now retired from a career as an international economics envoy for the Department of Commerce, discusses free and fair trade, and other issues related to globalization. 39.8988 -75.5572 39.8988 -75.5572 Peter Aloise House 39.8988 -75.5572 Franklin on British American Relationships http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1680.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-25:%2Ffranklin_on_british_american.html Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:16:50 EDT Benjamin Franklin was one of the most remarkable men who ever lived. Unfortunately it must be acknowledged that he jotted down some foolish and ill considered things in his voluminous lifetime writings. Singing Waiters http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1640.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-20:%2Fsinging_waiters.html Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:51:23 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/Singing%20Waiter.JPG" class="tn-r-w50" alt="" />Opera exists for high society, but it also exists as folk music. In Philadelphia, the folk tradition has centered around Victor's Cafe for almost a century. 39.9316 -75.1664 39.9316 -75.1664 The Victor Cafe 39.9316 -75.1664 A Just Society http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1633.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-09:%2Fa_just_society.html Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:54:28 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/scales-of-justice2.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="Justice Holds the Scales" />The Right Angle Club tries something new. 39.9491 -75.1675 39.9491 -75.1675 The Racquet Club of Philadelphia 39.9491 -75.1675 Frank Furness, Rush's Lancer http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1514.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-09-11:%2Ffrank_furness_rushs_lancer.html Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:27:28 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/armymoh.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />One of Philadelphia's most famous architects had two notable exploits as a Civil War cavalry officer, one of which won him the Congressional Medal of Honor. 39.9489 -75.1612 39.9489 -75.1612 The Franklin Inn Club Of Philadelphia 39.9489 -75.1612 The Beginnings of E-Mail http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1051.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-26:%2Fzthe_beginnings_of_email.html Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:50:26 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/computercartoon.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />Tony Drexel and J.P. Morgan may well have been the first. 40.7491 -73.9816 40.7491 -73.9816 J.P. Mogans House 40.7491 -73.9816 The King's Last and Final Word http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1030.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-26:%2Fzconnecticut_invades_pennsylvania.html Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:40:29 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/kingcharlesii.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />King Charles II did give Wilkes-Barre to Connecticut first, and the same king did later give the same land to William Penn. Unfortunately for Connecticut, at that time the last word was all that mattered. Will Power http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1628.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-04-22:%2Fwill_power.html Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:16:02 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/shakespeare.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="{William Shakespere}" />A small group of men get together twelve times a year in Philadelphia to read and discuss the works of William Shakespeare. Phil Wagner, the dean of the Shakspere Society of Philadelphia told us all about it. 39.9486 -75.1614 39.9486 -75.1614 The Franklin Inn Club of Philadelphia 39.9486 -75.1614 International Visitors Council http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1068.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-26:%2Fzinternational_visitors.html Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:44:08 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/nancygilboy.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />, The International Visitors Council does a great job welcoming visitors from abroad. 39.955 -75.1658 39.955 -75.1658 nternational Vistors Council 39.955 -75.1658 An Under-used Veterans Benefit http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1601.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-03-20:%2Fan_underused_veterans_benefit.html Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:53:49 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/Pilespaper.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />A benefit which most any veteran can take advantage of seems to be little-known and consequently not many vets are taking advantage of it. It's called Aid and Attendance and can help defray the expenses of assisted living. 39.9498 -75.2016 39.9498 -75.2016 Philadelphia VA Medical Center 39.9498 -75.2016 Retirement Communities http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1677.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-24:%2Fretirement_communities.html Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:27:02 EDT Retirement communities are fairly new ideas, still experimenting with the ideal model, so it is hard to generalize about them. But they look to be a possibility for everybody's future. Health Expenditures as a percent of GDP http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1384.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-02-01:%2Fhealth_expenditures_as_of.html Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:23:41 EDT The US leads the world in health expenditures as a percent of GDP and the number is growing. Is this a meaningful statement? The Phillies: A History of Disappointment? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1508.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-08-07:%2Fprofessional_sports.html Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:29:57 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/Phillies-Logo.jpeg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />Despite Hall-of-Famers, 2 World Series and Six national Pennants, the Phillies remains the team with the most losses of any team in Major League Sport. 39.9057 -75.1665 39.9057 -75.1665 Citizens Bank Park 39.9057 -75.1665 Retire Later http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1676.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-23:%2Fretire_later.html Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:43:18 EDT In the social entitlement environment, like the union environment, "givebacks" are never acceptable. But accepting a later retirement age than you planned on is one certainty that is utterly beyond debate. Taking Care of Our Veterans http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1597.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-03-13:%2Ftaking_care_of_our.html Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:42:14 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/deptvetseal.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />With programs to treat most any service-related affliction, the Philadelphia offices of the Department of Veteran's Affairs is a busy center for our freedom fighters. 39.9498 -75.2016 39.9498 -75.2016 Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Treatment Research Center 39.9498 -75.2016 Fixing the Financial Mess http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1674.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-23:%2Ffixing_the_financial_mess.html Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:52:10 EDT Three general approaches to preventing financial disasters seem to be available. They are not exclusive; a combined approach may be required. HTML Anchor without an HREF? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1429.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-04-04:%2Fhtml_anchor_without_an.html Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:04:32 EDT How to execute a JavaScript function and nothing else. Phillycarshare http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1579.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-02-20:%2Fphillycarshare_.html Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:39:52 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/redcarshare.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />Those little red cars running around Philadelphia are for rent, by the hour. 39.9502 -75.1552 39.9502 -75.1552 Phillycarshare Headquaters 39.9502 -75.1552 Milton Friedman on Capitalism http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1673.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-21:%2Fmilton_friedman_on_capitalism.html Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:27:17 EDT Milton Friedman responds to Phil Donahue's question about the plight of the millions of disadvantaged people in the world. Barack and Hillary: The Ol' Soft Shoe http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1671.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-19:%2Fbarack_and_hillary_the.html Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:31:43 EDT Sixteen years after Hillary Clinton romanced the American Medical Association, Barack Obama tried the same thing in the same hotel. He came closer to success, but lacked the nerve. As Others See Us http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1670.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-18:%2Fas_others_see_us.html Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:24:50 EDT Perhaps the Europeans are intentionally slow to adopt our form of Constitution. CONSTITUTION I : Turning Colonies into States http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1541.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-11-28:%2Fconstitution_part_i.html Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:08:05 EDT To understand the original intent of the Constitution, it helps to see it in three parts. The part Washington and Madison devised in 1787 was mostly about structure, the main goal of which was to lay out certain national functions which the federal government could perform without state interference. That's delicate diplomacy, because the states had to ratify it. George Washington Demands a New Constitution http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1538.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-11-11:%2Fgeorge_washington_demands_a.html Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:03:44 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/George%20Washington%201782.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />George Washington was an athlete, a soldier, and an adventurous leader. It is less appreciated that he constructed an aloof public image of himself, cloaking an activist politician, and a rather ambitious real estate developer. We got a new Constitution because he wanted a new constitution. 39.949 -75.1504 39.949 -75.1504 Congress Hall 39.949 -75.1504 If Men Were Angels, No Government Would Be Necessary http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/551.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2005-03-14:%2Fif_men_were_angels.html Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:02:31 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/madison.gif" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />A lot of shrewd thinking went into the checks and balances of the Constitution. 39.9489 -75.1501 39.9489 -75.1501 Independence Hall 39.9489 -75.1501 Vote Counting, Past and Future http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1515.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-09-12:%2Fvote_counting_past_and.html Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:00:07 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/vote.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />Voting law changes followed the contested 2000 Presidential election, but U.S. Supreme Court still comes out looking pretty good. Close elections will always cause problems, some of them brand new ones. 39.9504 -75.1644 39.9504 -75.1644 Montgomery Mc Cracken 39.9504 -75.1644 Owen Roberts: A Switch in Time http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/599.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2005-03-14:%2Fowen_roberts.html Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:59:34 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/roberts.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />His old law firm devotes a reception room in his name, but not everyone is pleased with his writing the documents establishing the Barnes Foundation, or his capitulation to Franklin Roosevelt's threat to pack the US Supreme Court. 39.954 -75.1922 39.954 -75.1922 University of Pennsylvania Law School 39.954 -75.1922 Seventeenth Amendment http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/989.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-23:%2Fzseventeenth_amendment.html Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:58:07 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/compromise.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/compromise.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />The consequences of this little-noticed amendment should be re-examined. 39.9489 -75.1494 39.9489 -75.1494 Old City Hall Philadelphia 39.9489 -75.1494 Revising, Amending, and Skirting The Constitution http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1668.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-17:%2Frevising_amending_and_skirting.html Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:57:17 EDT If you don't like what The Constitution says, what can you do about it? Eleventh Amendment http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1667.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-16:%2Feleventh_amendment.html Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:55:07 EDT Since the Bill of Rights don't really count as corrections, the Eleventh Amendment is sort of the first attempt to change the Constitution. In retrospect, the purpose seems unclear. Enumerated and Implied Powers http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1544.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-12-03:%2Fconstitution_part_ii.html Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:47:41 EDT Section 8 of Article I of the Constitution contains the enumerated powers of Congress, and Section 9 contains some prohibitions of Congressional power. Taken together, these "powers" constitute the arguments that a Union is superior to a Confederation. In the aggregate they represent the reasons why we created a Union. Field Marshal William Joseph Slim, 1st Viscount, Order of the Garter http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1572.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-01-27:%2Ffield_marshal_william_joseph.html Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:20:34 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/marshallwilliamslim.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="Field Marshall William Joseph Slim" />The rise of Bill Slim from humble beginnings to the highest honors Great Britain can bestow, may seem natural enough to Americans but raises reflections about the origins of British world rule. 21.8782 95.9658 21.8782 95.9658 Myanmar (Burma) 21.8782 95.9658 Tenth Amendment http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1669.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-18:%2Fthe_tenth_amendment.html Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:40:51 EDT Short and sweet, the Tenth Amendment makes it explicit that the several American states gave nothing to the Federal government unless the Constitution spelled it out. Haddonfield Blooming Outdoors, Year-Round http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1545.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-12-03:%2Fhaddonfield_outdoors_mini_and.html Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:35:38 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/indian_king.jpg"class="tn-l-w50" alt="{indian king tavern}" /> A calendar (in progress) of outdoor blooming in Haddonfield, New Jersey. 39.8981 -75.0312 39.8981 -75.0312 Ross and Perry Inc., 39.8981 -75.0312 Gross National Happiness In Bhutan http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1565.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-01-09:%2Fgross_national_happiness_in.html Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:23:01 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/bhutans-gross-national-happ.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />In Bhutan, Buddhists rule, and the government responds to modernization with GNH, or Gross Domestic Happiness. Pause a moment, ye strivers and cravers, and think about this. Just because these guys wear funny clothes, doesn't mean they are from Hicksville. 27.4405 89.4155 27.4405 89.4155 Paro Valley Bhutan 27.4405 89.4155 Albert C. Barnes, M.D. http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/458.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2005-03-14:%2Falbert_barnes_investor.html Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:40:01 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/argyrol.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="Argyrol" />Impressionist paintings grew more valuable, faster than the patron 39.998 -75.2405 39.998 -75.2405 Barnes Museum, Merion 39.998 -75.2405 Touring Bhutan http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1564.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-01-09:%2Ftouring_bhutan.html Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:28:50 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/wright-bhutan-valley.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />Touring Bhutan is strenuous, starting with twelve time zones of jet lag and ending with big mountains. But it's modernizing fast, so hurry up if you want cute, and rancid butter tea. 27.4426 89.6673 27.4426 89.6673 Bhutan, the original Shangri la 27.4426 89.6673 The Kappa Lambda Society of Hippocrates http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1664.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-04:%2Fthe_kappa_lambda_society.html Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:59:10 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/KappaLambdaHipp.png" alt="{Kappa Lambda superimposed over a bust of Hippocrates}" class="tn-l-w50" /> The Secret Origins of the American Medical Association Owen Roberts: A Switch in Tim http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/987.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-23:%2Fzowen_roberts_a_switch.html Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:55:01 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/roberts_owen_j.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="Owen J Roberts" />His old law firm devotes a reception room to his name, but not everyone is pleased with either his writing the documents establishing the Barnes Foundation, or his capitulation to Franklin Roosevelt PHP script to display Google PageRank http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1466.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-06-06:%2Fphp_script_to_display.html Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:21:09 EDT It is very handy to know the Google PageRank of your pages. Here's a PHP script that figures it out for you. Regex URL Matching http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1347.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-12-12:%2Fregex_url_matching.html Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:20:47 EDT On this site we check for the existence of a URL whenever an entry is updated. A Regex (regular expression) string was the breakthrough. Religion at Girard College:Spiritual But Irreligious http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/754.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-20:%2Freligion_at_girard_college.html Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:06:06 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/Founders_Hall.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />In his will, Stephen Girard famously banished all clergymen from the grounds of his school for orphans, even as visitors. Nevertheless, the school's atmosphere is a highly ethical, even religious, one. Many graduates have become ministers. 39.9559 -75.1651 39.9559 -75.1651 Philadelphia Yearly Meeting 39.9559 -75.1651 Tom Paine: Rabble-Rousing Quaker? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/692.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2005-03-14:%2Ftom_paine_rabble.html Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:08:02 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/thomas_paine.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/thomas_paine.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />Tom Paine is the one who mainly set the fires of revolution burning, and Franklin sent him here, got him a job, circulated his pamphlets. In spite of Franklin's sponsorship, Washington would cross the street to avoid Paine, and fellow Quakers would have no part of his violence. His later life showed him to be a rebel without a cause. The Battle of Germantown: Oct. 3, 1777 http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/656.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2005-03-14:%2Fbattle_of_germantown.html Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:36:00 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/chew_mansion_old.JPG" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />As long as the Delaware River was blocked at Fort Mifflin, the British army may have won the Battle of the Brandywine, but it still had no supplies from the British fleet and was adrift in enemy territory. Washington thought there was still a chance to save Philadelphia, and attacked Howe 40.0432 -75.1817 40.0432 -75.1817 battle of Germantown 40.0432 -75.1817 Philadelphia in 1976: Legionaire's Disease http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/618.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2005-03-14:%2Fphiladelphia_in_1976.html Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:45:53 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/yellowfever.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="The Yellow Fever" />Philadelphia's ambitious Bicentennial celebration of the Declaration of Independence was ruined by an epidemic of a new disease that seemed to focus on tourists. 39.9491 -75.1647 39.9491 -75.1647 The Bellevue Stratford Hotel 39.9491 -75.1647 The Barnes Foundation: Comments on the Economics of Art (2) http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/655.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2005-03-14:%2Fbarnes_foundation_comments.html Wed, 10 Jun 2009 02:31:22 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/gutenberg.gif" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/gutenberg.gif}" class="tn-l-w50" />Well chosen fine art will appreciate in value over time. If a museum's endowment doesn't grow at the same rate to maintain it, eventually some of the art will have to be sold. 39.998 -75.2405 39.998 -75.2405 Barnes Museum, Merion 39.998 -75.2405 New Castle, Delaware http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/450.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-05-18:%2Fnew_castle_delaware.html Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:04:54 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/new_castle_DE.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />A short history of a historically significant town, now off the beaten path. 39.6598 -75.564 39.6598 -75.564 New Castle, Delaware 39.6598 -75.564 The Jews in Colonial Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1151.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-10-29:%2Fthe_jews_in_colonial.html Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:12:58 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/haymsalomon2.jpg" alt="{haym salomon}" class="tn-l-w50" /> Sephardic Jews came to Philadelphia quite early as part of New Amsterdam, with a second influx when the British occupied New York. They seem to have played an important role in financing the Revolution. Settlement Music School http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/730.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-19:%2Fsettlement_music_school.html Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:43:05 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/JaneAddams1880-1965.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="Jane Adams" />Without much notice, fifteen thousand music students attend six branches of a school with connections to the NAACP, ACLU and the Bull Moose Party. 40.0411 -75.1797 40.0411 -75.1797 The Settlement Music School 40.0411 -75.1797 Mohammed Ali, Cassius Clay http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/719.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-19:%2Fmohammed_ali_cassius_clay.html Sun, 07 Jun 2009 07:51:37 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/Ali100.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />The greatest prizefighter of all time. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. 39.91 -75.0085 39.91 -75.0085 Mohamed AliMohamed Ali the Prizefighter 39.91 -75.0085 Articles of Confederation: Fatal Flaw http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/472.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2005-03-14:%2Farticles_conf_fatal_falw.html Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:59:33 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/congress_hall.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/congress_hall.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />Some subtle features make the Constitution a vast improvement over the Articles of Confederation. 39.949 -75.1504 39.949 -75.1504 The Congress Hall 39.949 -75.1504 Barringer Crater in Winslow AZ http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1662.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-31:%2Fbarringer_crater_in_winslow.html Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:23:45 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/crater2.JPG" class="tn-l-w50" alt="Barringer Crater" />The crater is in Arizona, but the owners are in Philadelphia. 35.0274 -111.023 35.0274 -111.023 Barringer Crater 35.0274 -111.023 Twenty Five Years at the Center http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1663.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-06-03:%2Ffoo_.html Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:37:07 EDT During the critical formative years, Philadelphia was the center of .America. After the Convention:Hamilton and Madison http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1134.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-09-01:%2Fhamilton_and_madison.html Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:40:10 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/threesigns.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/threesigns.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />Two of the main authors of the Federalist Papers -- and hence of the Constitution -- ultimately proved to be acting on entirely different sets of principles, aiming for widely different goals. 39.9488 -75.1499 39.9488 -75.1499 Independence Hall 39.9488 -75.1499 Alexander Hamilton, Celebrity http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1133.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-09-01:%2Falexander_hamilton_celebrity.html Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:20:31 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/Alexander%20Hamilton.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="Alexander Hamilton" />He had the kind of taudry private life and flashy public behavior that Philadelphia will only tolerate in aristocrats, sometimes. 39.9489 -75.146 39.9489 -75.146 Alexander Hamilton's Phila home 39.9489 -75.146 Concessions and Agreements http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1512.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-08-25:%2Fconcessions_and_agreements.html Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:05:42 EDT Most 17th Century colonies were proprietorships, requiring agreements for local autonomy without losing allegiance to the home country. William Penn cleverly expanded the New Jersey document into the intellectual precursor of the U.S. Constitution. Flexner Report, Revisited http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/837.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-22:%2Fflexner_report_revisited.html Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:24:51 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/CoverphotoCleveland.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/CoverphotoCleveland.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />A new book by John A. Kastor compares the doctor-run Cleveland Clinic with the University-run Hospitals of Case Western Reserve under the managed care insurance system. Both hospital systems had plenty of problems, many of them self-inflicted, but it looks like doctor-run is winning the race. 41.5036 -81.62 41.5036 -81.62 The Cleveland Clinic Main Campus 41.5036 -81.62 West Fairmount Park http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/781.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-21:%2Fwest_fairmount_park.html Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:13:12 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/1876_03.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/1876_03.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />Fairmount Park, west of the river, is the largest part. The 1876 Centennial was held there. 39.9851 -75.2161 39.9851 -75.2161 Japanese House and Garden 39.9851 -75.2161 Constitution, Part http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1543.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-12-03:%2Fconstitution_part.html Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:31:48 EDT . Pakistan and Democracy http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1524.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-10-10:%2Fpakistan_and_democracy.html Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:02:41 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/071108_p7_cartoon%20Pakistan's%20Democracy%20in%20Jeopardy.jpg" alt="" class="tn-l-w50" />A former resident of Pakistan loves Democracy, but explains why it has been unsuccessful in Pakistan. 29.3896 71.6705 29.3896 71.6705 High Court pakistan 29.3896 71.6705 Lexington, Concord, and All That http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1658.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-25:%2Flexington_concord_and_all.html Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:41:27 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/minuteman.jpg" alt="{Captain Parker, minuteman}" class="tn-l-w50" /> What was the point of declaring independence, when the colonies had already been at war with England for over a year? 39.949 -75.1501 39.949 -75.1501 Independence Hall 39.949 -75.1501 The First and Oldest Hospital in America http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1014.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-23:%2Fzthe_first_and_oldest.html Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:37:31 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/missing_img.gif" alt="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/pennhosital.jpeg" />The history of American medicine is the history of the Pennsylvania Hospital. 39.9452 -75.1557 39.9452 -75.1557 Pennsylvania Hospital 39.9452 -75.1557 B. Franklin, Scientist http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1661.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-31:%2Fb_franklin_scientist.html Sun, 31 May 2009 19:12:38 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/franklinphilosopher.jpg" alt="{franklin philosopher scientist}" class="tn-l-w50" /> Kites are children's toys; going out in a thunderstorm is deliciously dangerous. We have thus been taught to regard Franklin's science as a lark, when in fact he largely discovered the nature of electricity and was regarded as one of the greatest scientists of his age. Page 2-54 http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1611.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-04-02:%2Fmedical_club_book_page.html Sun, 31 May 2009 18:24:17 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/medicalclubcover.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" /> Text by Richard M. Nelson in 1992, summarizing 8000 pages of mostly handwritten records of the Club from the time of its founding in 1892. It is thus a centennial memorial to what might have been the largest local medical organization in America; it was certainly the largest one devoted to non-medical interests. 28th Infantry Division http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1386.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-02-08:%2F28th_infantry_division.html Sun, 31 May 2009 17:59:44 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/patch%2028th%20Inf%20Div.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt=""/>Seldom regarded as a warlike state, Pennsylvania has one of only eight reserve divisions of the U.S. Army, and the oldest. 40.2769 -76.8739 40.2769 -76.8739 28th Infantry Division 40.2769 -76.8739 Show Biz Image: Hepburn, Rogers, Kelly http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/643.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2005-03-14:%2Fshow_biz.html Sun, 31 May 2009 10:46:05 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/ginger_rogers_200.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="http://www.geocities.com/ginger_rogers_picture_gallery/ginger_rogers_200.jpg" />Hollywood presented a distorted image of our upper class, but presented it so forcefully that Philadelphia is now somewhat like that. Philadelphia Gardens http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/609.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2005-03-14:%2Fphiladelphia_gardens.html Sat, 30 May 2009 16:21:55 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/Ernesta%20Drinker%20Ballard.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt=" " />Philadelphia loves its gardens, particularly boxwood and azalea. An iPhone web app http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1632.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-06:%2Fan_iphone_web_app.html Fri, 29 May 2009 17:40:39 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/Libertybell.jpg" alt="{Liberty Bell}" class="tn-l-h50" />Philadelphia Reflections is now available on the iPhone as a web app Real Estate Investment Calculator http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1659.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-29:%2Freal_estate_investment_calculator.html Fri, 29 May 2009 11:01:17 EDT The price you should pay for income-producing property is a function of the cash flow. Too many investors look at criteria other than cash flow and end up making bad investment decisions. New Museum of Chemical Heritage http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1523.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-10-06:%2Fnew_museum_of_chemical.html Thu, 28 May 2009 22:34:17 EDT There's a stunning new museum on Chestnut Street, right across the street from Carpenters Hall. It's intended to convince everybody that chemistry is fascinating, particularly those who incline to doubt it. 39.949 -75.1466 39.949 -75.1466 The Chemical Hertiage 39.949 -75.1466 The Schools of School House Lane http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1059.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-26:%2Fzthe_schools_of_school.html Thu, 28 May 2009 21:35:17 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/germantownac-743328.jpeg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />Exclusive privates schools and colleges are usually to be found in isolated rural settings. But our oldest, best, and most famous schools are clustered together in a neighborhood that is far from exclusive. 40.0321 -75.1744 40.0321 -75.1744 The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf 40.0321 -75.1744 Greenwich, Where? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/942.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-23:%2Fzgreenwich_where.html Thu, 28 May 2009 14:51:47 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/greenwich_small_edited-721326.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="greenwhich" /> A charming little colonial village in the Pine Woods of New Jersey has a long history, few visitors, and nothing reconstructed. It's the real thing. 39.3902 -75.3392 39.3902 -75.3392 Greenwich NJ 39.3902 -75.3392 Who Invented the Curve Ball? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1637.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-18:%2Fwho_invented_the_curve.html Wed, 27 May 2009 20:48:27 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/curveball.jpg" class="tn-l-w50 " alt="Curveball" />Inside baseball is full of statistics. In the case of the invention of the curve ball, prevailing traditions have been challenged. 42.7002 -74.9229 42.7002 -74.9229 National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum: 42.7002 -74.9229 The Proprietor's Dilemma http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1136.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-09-27:%2Fthe_proprietors_dilemma.html Wed, 27 May 2009 20:19:55 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/Williampenn3.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />King Charles II gave Pennsylvania to William Penn on condition he defend the place and fuss with neighboring states about its boundaries. A century later, it proved more than a private citizen could handle. The Heirs of William Penn http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1139.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-10-05:%2Fthe_heirs_of_william.html Wed, 27 May 2009 07:27:22 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/Williampenn3.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />The death of William Penn left his heirs the largest land holdings in America. Although they managed it fairly well, it proved to be more than a single family could cope with. George Washington's View of the British Army http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1156.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-12-07:%2Fgeorge_washington_at_braddocks.html Tue, 26 May 2009 12:22:04 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/washington_onhorse.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />Washington's escape from Braddock's defeat may help us understand his future low opinion of the British Army, and possibly suggests a reason for his hating them. 40.4041 -79.8685 40.4041 -79.8685 Braddock Defeat 40.4041 -79.8685 Parliament Provokes a Revolution http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1141.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-10-09:%2Fparliament_provokes_a_revolution.html Tue, 26 May 2009 11:54:24 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/Magnacarta2.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/Magnacarta2.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />King George III personifies what angered the American colonists, but his Ministries acting through Parliament took the actual steps to agitate matters. Whatever Was George III Thinking? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1157.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-12-07:%2Fwhatever_was_george_iii.html Tue, 26 May 2009 11:34:08 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/GeorgeIII.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="George III" />After the loss of his American colonies, George III wrote some rueful but valuable insights. Central Securities http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1400.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-02-20:%2Fcentral_securities.html Sat, 23 May 2009 21:32:25 EDT An analysis of Central Securities (CET) Virginia Invades Pennsylvania http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1137.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-09-27:%2Fvirginia_invades_pennsylvania.html Fri, 22 May 2009 20:02:38 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/mappittssburg2.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/mappittssburg2.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />Virginians always lusted for "Ohio" which in their mind stretched from Pittsburgh to the Pacific Ocean. The chaos of the Revolution provided an opportunity for Lord Dunmore the Governor to move in on the Ohio Valley, but it proved too much of a stretch. 39.9471 -75.1525 39.9471 -75.1525 WAshington Square Park 39.9471 -75.1525 Albert Gallatin: Enigma Furioso http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1329.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-11-02:%2Falbert_gallatin_enigma_furioso.html Fri, 22 May 2009 20:00:42 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/gallatin_oval.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/gallatin_oval.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />A man in constant motion for 88 years, Albert Gallatin almost defies description. America's longest-serving Secretary of the Treasury also founded New York University. Having led the charge in denouncing Hamilton's bank, his greatest achievement was to persuade Jefferson not to close it down. 46.2038 6.13996 46.2038 6.13996 Birthplace of Albert Gallatin (1761-1849) 46.2038 6.13996 Where Do Shad Go, When They Aren't Around Here? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1010.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-23:%2Fzwhere_do_shad_go.html Fri, 22 May 2009 19:24:01 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/Americanshad.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />The Bay of Fundy. 45 -65.7978 45 -65.7978 Bay of Fundy 45 -65.7978 Shad http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1033.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-26:%2Fzshad_.html Fri, 22 May 2009 19:23:26 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/amer_shad.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="{}" />The rivers once teemed with these big fish every springtime. They are making a hesitant comeback. 40.3664 -74.9477 40.3664 -74.9477 Lewis Island, NJ 40.3664 -74.9477 New Jersey: A Keg Tapped at Both Ends (2) http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1299.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-09-19:%2Fa_keg_tapped_at.html Fri, 22 May 2009 16:29:33 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/civil%20war%20soldiers.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />The New Jersey legislature began by ratifying the Declaration of Independence in Haddonfield, then moved to Trenton and concerned itself with debts, then with railroads, then corporations, and now -- with debts, again. Clinton Health (2) http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1657.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-21:%2Fclinton_health_2.html Thu, 21 May 2009 17:58:34 EDT . Lnk to Clinton Health Plan (1) http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1656.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-21:%2Flnk_to_clinton_health.html Thu, 21 May 2009 17:52:42 EDT . Link to Website Development http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1654.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-21:%2Flink_to_10.html Thu, 21 May 2009 17:42:02 EDT . Link to COMPUTERS, CAMERAS, ELECTRONICS http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1655.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-21:%2Flink_to_11.html Thu, 21 May 2009 17:23:33 EDT . Link to Whither, Federal Reserve? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1653.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-21:%2Flink_to_9.html Thu, 21 May 2009 17:03:37 EDT . Link to Banking Panic of 2007-20?? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1652.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-21:%2Flink_to_8.html Thu, 21 May 2009 16:59:51 EDT . Oriental Money http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1622.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-04-16:%2Foriental_money.html Thu, 21 May 2009 16:57:14 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/yuan.gif" class="tn-l-w50" alt="{yuan symbol}" /> The Chinese did not invent the export-driven economy, or monopolize its use. But their command structure allowed them to exploit it most effectively. 31.2382 121.506 31.2382 121.506 Shanghai Stock Exchange 31.2382 121.506 Link to Health Insurance http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1651.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-21:%2Flink_to_7.html Thu, 21 May 2009 16:56:38 EDT . Link to Nobel Prizes http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1650.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-21:%2Flink_to_6.html Thu, 21 May 2009 16:54:23 EDT . Link to Medical Economics http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1649.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-21:%2Flink_to_5.html Thu, 21 May 2009 16:52:10 EDT . Link to Academic Medicine http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1648.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-21:%2Flink_to_4.html Thu, 21 May 2009 16:49:59 EDT . Link to Medical Malpractice http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1647.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-21:%2Flink_to_3.html Thu, 21 May 2009 16:46:38 EDT . Link to:Medical Club of Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1635.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-15:%2Frichard_m_nelsonmedical_club.html Thu, 21 May 2009 15:44:30 EDT In 1992, its Executive Director summarized the century-long history of this last surviving club of physicians, devoted exclusively to non-medical affairs. Link to Right Angle 2008 http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1642.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-20:%2Flink_to_right_angle.html Thu, 21 May 2009 15:43:50 EDT . Link to PHILADELPHIA PHYSICIANS http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1646.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-21:%2Flink_to_2.html Thu, 21 May 2009 15:42:27 EDT . Link to PHILADELPHIA MEDICINE http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1645.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-21:%2Flink_to_1.html Thu, 21 May 2009 15:41:55 EDT . Link to 2009 http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1641.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-20:%2Ffoobar_.html Thu, 21 May 2009 15:41:08 EDT . Link to 2007 http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1644.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-20:%2Flink_to_2007.html Thu, 21 May 2009 15:40:24 EDT . 1793: Germantown Nurses the Yellow Fever http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/481.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2005-03-14:%2F1793_germantown.html Thu, 21 May 2009 14:13:45 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/1787.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/1787.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />Refugees from Haiti slave revolts brought Yellow Fever to south Philadelphia. 40.0432 -75.1808 40.0432 -75.1808 Borough of Germantown 40.0432 -75.1808 Franklin Institute: Hawks and Galileo http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1636.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-16:%2Ffranklin_institute_hawks_and.html Thu, 21 May 2009 11:33:59 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/hawkshot9.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="Hawks" />From May to Labor Day, 2009, a spectacular exhibit of the original instruments of Galileo is on loan from the Medici Museum in Florence. Hawks are nesting on the window sill, which you can watch from this page. 39.9584 -75.1736 39.9584 -75.1736 The Franklin Institute 39.9584 -75.1736 Computer Adjectives http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/799.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-21:%2Fcomputer_adjectives.html Wed, 20 May 2009 18:33:13 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/eniac1.gif" class="tn-l-w50" alt="computers" /> The basic concepts of a computer can be reduced to three adjectives, related to the ideas of three men at the University of Pennsylvania. Mauchly made a general purpose computer. Eckert made an electronic version of it. And von Neumann designed the stored instruction set. An <b>electronic, stored-instruction, general-purpose computer </b>resulted. 39.9521 -75.1907 39.9521 -75.1907 Engineering at Penn 39.9521 -75.1907 Steep Yield Curve: A Useful Subsidy? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1638.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-18:%2Fsteep_interest_rate_curve.html Wed, 20 May 2009 17:18:44 EDT The interest rate curve is a subsidy to banks, just as surely as farm price supports are subsidies to farmers. Steep Yield-Curves Subsidize Banks http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1639.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-18:%2Fa_subsidy_steep_interest.html Tue, 19 May 2009 18:23:11 EDT The up-sloping federal interest rate curve is a subsidy to banks, just as surely as farm price supports are subsidies to farmers. Appendix K, Honors and Other Items http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1608.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-03-30:%2Fappendix_k_honors_and.html Mon, 18 May 2009 10:34:45 EDT .<img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/medicalclubcover.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />Most of those who were elected honorary members of the club were non-members, but some were members, presumably excused from paying dues. But some were life members, so conferring honorary membership in this club has been a little capricious. Appendix J, Special Events http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1603.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-03-24:%2Fappendix_j_special_events.html Mon, 18 May 2009 10:28:37 EDT ...<img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/medicalclubcover.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />The difference between an Annual Outing and a Special Event would be hard to define, but the minutes of the Club make this distinction. Appendix I, Charitable Contributions. http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1605.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-03-27:%2Fappendix_i_charitable_contributions.html Mon, 18 May 2009 10:22:58 EDT ...<img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/medicalclubcover.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />For mysterious reasons, legal counsel advised that charitable contributions were illegal. After a few years this advice was eventually ignored, but probably some inhibiting effect persisted. Appendix H Philadelphia Public Ledger, May 25, 1925 http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1617.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-04-14:%2Fappendix_h.html Mon, 18 May 2009 10:16:35 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/medicalclubcover.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" /> The President of the British Medical Association in 1925 addressed the Medical Club of Philadelphia, deploring both the British socialized system, and the American tendency to order too many medical tests. The current president of the BMA would probably change very little of the speech. <p>.</p> Appendix G. Annual Outings. http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1618.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-04-14:%2Fappendix_g.html Mon, 18 May 2009 10:14:18 EDT .<img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/medicalclubcover.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />Except for some interruptions caused by world wars, the Club took some elegant trips for its "Outings", which were conducted in elegant style. In more recent years, however, outings are out of style. Appendix F, Dinner For President Taft http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1607.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-03-30:%2Fappendix_f_dinner_for.html Mon, 18 May 2009 10:08:57 EDT ..<img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/medicalclubcover.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" /> When the club had President Taft to dinner, Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, the Mayor, the Senators, and lots of others seemed appropriate, too. The First City Troop assumed the security chores. Report Identity Theft to the Secret Service http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1359.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-01-05:%2Fsecret_service_gets_a.html Sun, 17 May 2009 13:40:49 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/Secret%20Service.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />Identity theft is now under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Secret Service. Appendix C, Honored Guests http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1619.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-04-14:%2Fappendix_c.html Fri, 15 May 2009 20:04:12 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/medicalclubcover.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />Five Presidents of the American Medical Association were members of this club, and at least three Presidents of the United States were honored. The eminent physicians of the day, world-over, were invited guests. Appendix E, Newpaper Accounts of Remarks by Dr. Adolph Lorenz. http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1604.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-03-26:%2Fappendix_e_newpaper_accounts.html Fri, 15 May 2009 19:16:56 EDT .<img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/medicalclubcover.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />The famous orthopedic surgeon who invented the plaster cast tells the Medical Club of Philadelphia how he went into orthopedics by necessity. Appendix D, Presidents of the Club http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1600.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-03-20:%2Fappendix_d_presidents.html Fri, 15 May 2009 19:07:04 EDT ....<img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/medicalclubcover.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" /> Although some of these names seem unfamiliar to the modern public, rest assured they were widely considered the cream of the crop by the profession, at the time. Medical Club of Philadelphia, Appendix B, Membership http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1599.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-03-20:%2Fthe_medical_club_of.html Fri, 15 May 2009 18:54:40 EDT .....<img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/medicalclubcover.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" /> Recruitment of membership was an instantaneous success during the Gilded Age, and rose to a peak in the early years of the Great Depression of the 1930s. After that, interest in membership steadily declined. Excursions on private trains and dinners with the U.S. President were no longer within their means. Appendix A, http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1609.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-03-31:%2Fappendix_a.html Fri, 15 May 2009 18:48:52 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/medicalclubcover.jpg" class="tn-l-h50" alt="" />A copy of the original 'Constitution' of the Club. When the Club was incorporated and issued a Charter, in 1900, this 'Constitution' became the Bylaws of the Club. Second Mortgages Want to Be First http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1631.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-04:%2Fsecond_mortgages_want_to.html Fri, 15 May 2009 15:20:06 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/chrysler.logo.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt=""/>Banks would not normally take sides between first and second mortgages. However, securitization took the first mortgages away from big banks, so they now have an incentive to seek political favor for second mortgages. 42.4083 -82.9161 42.4083 -82.9161 CHRYSLER 42.4083 -82.9161 Veterans Hospital http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1598.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-03-17:%2Fveterans_hospital.html Thu, 14 May 2009 14:58:17 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/vetshospitalpa.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="{Veterans Hospital}" /> In spite of much effort and expense, Veterans hospitals are not typical of American healthcare. 39.9481 -75.1999 39.9481 -75.1999 Philadelphia VA Medical Center Home 39.9481 -75.1999 Why Are Hospital Prices So High? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/793.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-21:%2Fwhy_are_hospital_prices.html Thu, 14 May 2009 12:54:54 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/aspirin2.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/inside1-aspirin.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />The answer is that they are discounts to insurance companies. People with insurance pay a lower price than those without. 39.9458 -75.1559 39.9458 -75.1559 Pennsylvania Hospital 39.9458 -75.1559 Heart Attack 2009 http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1620.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-04-15:%2Fheart_attack_2009.html Thu, 14 May 2009 10:22:12 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/heart_attack.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="{heart attack}" />In May, I had a coronary occlusion, and a fast trip to the Pennsylvania Hospital. Cardiac catheterization opened the artery with a stent, before there was time for infarction. Monetary Causes of the American Revolutionary War http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1063.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-26:%2Fzmonetary_causes_of_the.html Wed, 13 May 2009 18:27:28 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/mfriedman2.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/mfriedman2.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />For the only time in our history, the government didn't print enough money, The British found that was just as bad as printing too much, 39.9482 -75.1472 39.9482 -75.1472 Carpenter Hall 39.9482 -75.1472 Military School http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/746.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-20:%2Fmilitary_school.html Wed, 13 May 2009 15:28:12 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/VFMSCrest.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />Valley Forge Military Academy takes rambunctious boys and makes them into leaders. Even some of the misfits and dropouts seem to benefit from the difficult experience. 40.0537 -75.382 40.0537 -75.382 Valley Forge Military Academy 40.0537 -75.382 Lessons For the European Union http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/998.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-23:%2Fzlessons_for_the_european.html Tue, 12 May 2009 17:53:43 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/alliance-macau.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/alliance-macau.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />The Europeans, trying to unite 25 countries into one, could learn something from our own problems uniting 13 colonies. Mainly, it isn't easy. Franklin and Marshall http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1634.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-05-12:%2Ffranklin_and_marshall.html Tue, 12 May 2009 17:09:55 EDT ,, Banking http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1624.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-04-17:%2Fbanking_.html Tue, 12 May 2009 07:47:03 EDT . Dinner With Hoffa http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/968.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-23:%2Fzdinner_with_hoffa.html Mon, 11 May 2009 19:57:31 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/hoffa757159.gif" class="tn-l-w50" alt="Hoffa" />The author's mother decided she wanted to form her own opinion of the Teamster's Boss, a couple of weeks before he was disappeared. 39.9637 -75.1732 39.9637 -75.1732 The Philadelphia Medical Society 39.9637 -75.1732 Galapagos As an Environmental Laboratory http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1419.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-03-14:%2Fgalapagos_as_an_environmental.html Thu, 07 May 2009 14:48:52 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/darwin.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="Charles Darwin" />Charles Darwin spent very little time in the Galapagos Islands, but learned a lot. Tourists can do the same. -0.679766 -91.2149 -0.679766 -91.2149 the Galapagos Islands -0.679766 -91.2149 How to detect an iPhone and other mobile devices http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1621.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-04-15:%2Fhow_to_detect_an.html Thu, 07 May 2009 09:21:46 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/iphone.gif" class="tn-l-w50" alt="{iPhone}" /> iPhones are definitely the wave of the future and websites, blogs, etc. must adapt to retain their audience. Luckily, if a website was developed using CSS, it's a breeze. The Swedenborgian Church http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/916.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-23:%2Fzthe_swedenborgian_church.html Wed, 06 May 2009 17:28:31 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/cross.gif" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />The Swedenborgians belong to the Church of the New Jeruselem, following the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg, and strongly emphasizing personal responsibility, individuality, and good works. The Philadelphia branch is particularly strong, centered around a magnificent medieval cathedral in Bryn Athyn. Johnny Appleseed and Helen Keller were notable adherants, and a driving force has been the Pitcairn family of industrialists. 39.9458 -75.702 39.9458 -75.702 The Swedenborgian Church 39.9458 -75.702 Wagner Free Institute of Science http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1588.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-03-04:%2Fwagner_free_institute.html Wed, 06 May 2009 12:09:51 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/wfios.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="{##}" /> The Wagner science museum may not be the oldest museum in Philadelphia, but it is certainly the only one that is exactly the same as it was in the Nineteenth Century. It's a museum museum. 39.9806 -75.1621 39.9806 -75.1621 Wagner Free Institute of Science 39.9806 -75.1621 XHTML vs. HTML http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1119.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-08-03:%2Fxhtml_vs_html.html Wed, 06 May 2009 11:48:33 EDT XHTML is advanced HTML. Not all browsers support it, so pages must test first and serve what's supported. <br /><br /> PHP output buffering improves response time. Gzip speeds internet transmission, compressing text volume (not images) up to 80%. iPhone, Skype, Land Lines and International rates http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1623.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-04-17:%2Fiphone_skype_and_international.html Wed, 06 May 2009 11:33:26 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/skype.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="{skype logo}" /> The iPhone is the bomb and with Skype it is really the most functional cell phone around. Don't leave home without it. Morris Arboretum http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1273.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-07-23:%2Fmorris_arboretum.html Wed, 06 May 2009 11:13:52 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/MAvistorcenter.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />At the furtherest corner of Fairmount Park, the former estate of John and Lydia Morris is run as a public arboretum, one of the two or three finest in North America. 40.0916 -75.2284 40.0916 -75.2284 Morris Arboretum 40.0916 -75.2284 Rancocas Valley: Mt. Holly, Eayrestown, Medford http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1630.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-04-22:%2Francocas_valley_mt_holly.html Sun, 03 May 2009 16:12:46 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/ranroad.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="{##}" /> The many branches of the Rancocas River spread out within the forests of southern New Jersey and once supported a hidden colonial community. It was once considered for historical restoration, but lost out to Williamsburg. Philadelphia: Charles Dickens Gives an 1842 Viewpoint http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/623.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2005-03-14:%2Fphiladelphia_dickens_view.html Sun, 03 May 2009 12:00:12 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/charlesdickens.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/charlesdickens.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />Dickens liked Philadelphia a lot, but he was still a little patronizing. Bleeding Ulcer http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1625.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-04-20:%2Fbleeding_ulcer.html Thu, 30 Apr 2009 22:11:11 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/bleeding_ulcer.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="{bleeding ulcer}" /> When you vomit up blood, go to a hospital. The Missouri Compromise http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/674.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2005-03-14:%2Fthe_missouri_compromise.html Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:41:48 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/William%20Bingham.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />Pennsylvania's contribution to this bargain between the slave-holding South and abolitionist North was that William Bingham owned much of what was to become the state of Maine. That gave the free states two new senators to balance two slave-holding senators for Missouri. Internet, Websites, and related Programming http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1627.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-04-22:%2Finternet_websites_and_related.html Sun, 26 Apr 2009 21:19:29 EDT Technical Comments related to programming this and other websites require a special topic section of their own. Create and send CSV files from PHP http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1469.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-06-12:%2Fcreate_and_send_csv.html Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:24:03 EDT The ability to create a CSV file from MySQL data in PHP, download it and have it open automatically in Excel is very handy. The Wyoming Massacre of July 3, 1778 http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/761.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-20:%2Fthe_wyoming_massacre_of.html Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:18:54 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/josephbrant.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />As the dominant Indian Tribe in Eastern America, the Iroquois were ruthless in war. Whether egged on by the British or for their own reasons, in 1778 they remorselessly wiped out the Connecticut settlers around Wilkes-Barre. 41.3211 -75.8181 41.3211 -75.8181 The Battle of Wyoming Marker 41.3211 -75.8181 mysql_update_assoc http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1629.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-04-22:%2Fmysqlupdateassoc_.html Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:59:31 EDT Easily (and quote_smart-ly) update a record in a MySQL database table mysql_insert_assoc http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1626.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-04-20:%2Fmysqlinsertassoc_.html Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:57:36 EDT How to make MySQL insertions easier (and safe) Vanishing Honey Bees http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1606.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-03-29:%2Fvanishing_honey_bees.html Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:14:03 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/bees%20blog.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="Honey Bee's" />Pollinators, mostly honey bees but including bats and hummingbirds, have been declining for fifty years. In 2008, the decline was sharply worse, a potential disaster for many flowering plants. 39.9806 -75.1621 39.9806 -75.1621 The Wagner Institute 39.9806 -75.1621 Airport Economics http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/478.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2005-03-14:%2Fairport_economics.html Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:42:18 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/usairways.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="US Airlines" />airport economics 39.8678 -75.246 39.8678 -75.246 Philadelphia, PA 39.8678 -75.246 The Proprietorships of William Penn http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/679.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2005-03-14:%2Fproprietorships_of_penn.html Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:12:52 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/willypenn.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" /> William Penn owned Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware; as the proprietor, he was the largest private American landowner, ever. Although the Revolutionary War mostly ended that, the proprietorship still owns all unclaimed land in New Jersey. What's a Derivative? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1395.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-02-14:%2Fwhats_a_derivative.html Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:42:16 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/crunch.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />Forget about math textbooks. Derivatives are a way of making or losing the money you dare to risk, without tying up a lot of non-working cash in the meantime. French Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1099.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-26:%2Fzfrench_philadelphia.html Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:13:08 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/longfellow.jpeg" class="tn-l-h50" alt="" />The French and the English fought for centuries; colonies seeking independence played one against the other. Our cooking, clothing and architecture went French when we favored France; traces of many periods still reflect that fact. 39.9464 -75.1564 39.9464 -75.1564 Joseph Bonaparte house 39.9464 -75.1564 What Happened in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/619.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2005-03-14:%2Fphiladelphia_in_76.html Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:15:12 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/spirit.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />There were about 30,000 residents, just a small town, but it was the second largest city in the English-speaking world. Aside from wagons, there were thirty wheeled vehicles. But this is where decisions were made. 39.9489 -75.15 39.9489 -75.15 Independence National Historical Park 39.9489 -75.15 Mouthpiece of the Mob http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1167.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-12-31:%2Fthe_mouthpiece_of_the.html Sat, 18 Apr 2009 21:22:39 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/Robert%20F.%20Simone.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/Robert%20F.%20Simone.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />What newsmedia called Murder, Inc., was related to an amazing number of homicides. Mostly, the accused were found not guilty. What's about all this? 39.9471 -75.1543 39.9471 -75.1543 Robert F. Simone Law Office 39.9471 -75.1543 August, 2007: Sudden Financial Jolt http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1480.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-07-01:%2Faugust_2007_sudden_financial.html Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:01:42 EDT Calmer heads may have seen financial problems building for a decade. The rest of us only noticed a volcano eruption. Windmill Electricity http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1614.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-04-03:%2Fwindmill_electricity.html Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:42:32 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/energy_windmills.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />There isn't a windmill within a hundred miles of Philadelphia, but wind power is being actively promoted. 45.524 -122.684 45.524 -122.684 Iberdrola Renewables 45.524 -122.684 What's a Collateralized Debt Obligation (CDO)? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1394.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-02-14:%2Fwhats_a_securitized_debt.html Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:42:09 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/crunch.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />SDO's are a way to reduce the cost of debt by reducing the cost of assembling the cash. More questionably, they can reduce the cost of evaluating the credit worthiness of the debtor. Meschianza http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1039.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-26:%2Fzmeschianza_.html Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:51:03 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/HOWE.GIF" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" /> With two hundred years of embellishment, the story of the big party the British Army gave for Philadelphia as a goodbye present, lives on and on. For any ambitious hostess, this is still the party to equal, although neither the Quakers nor the patriots thought very highly of it. 40.1184 -75.2852 40.1184 -75.2852 Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau 40.1184 -75.2852 Medical Club of Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1510.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-08-14:%2Fmedical_club_of_philadelphia.html Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:53:43 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/aescalaius.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />Founded in 1880, this social club of Philadelphia physicians is devoted to non-medical events. Membership and Fellowship in the College http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1559.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-01-03:%2Fmembership_and_fellowship_in.html Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:23:58 EDT . Philadelphia and Japan http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/981.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-23:%2Fzphiladelphia_and_japan.html Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:07:53 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/perry100.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />Sea faring Philadelphia was early in the opening of Japan. There is a long history of affection with the Japanese and their culture, possibly related to the understated architecture and dress, and the strong code of honor. 35.5449 139.949 35.5449 139.949 Tokyo Bay 35.5449 139.949 Asset Allocation and Portfolio Rebalancing http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1362.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-01-16:%2Fasset_allocation_and_portfolio.html Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:56:32 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/assetsgrowth.gif" class="tn-l-h50" alt="asset allocation and portfolio rebalancing" /> The steps to take to invest and maintain a portfolio which will produce income over a long period. <br /><br /> This applies to individuals planning retirement, foundations, endowments and pension funds, all of whom must produce a regular and predictable cash flow. 40.7071 -74.0107 40.7071 -74.0107 Wall Street in front of the NYSE ... Noting that what happens here is no longer so important to the individual investor 40.7071 -74.0107 The Philadelphia Bay (1) http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1047.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-26:%2Fzthe_philadelphia_bay_1.html Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:05:54 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/delbay.jpg" class="tn-l-w50"> alt="" />In geological times, New Jersey and Delaware were barrier islands of the Atlantic, and lower Delaware Bay was the inlet between them. Then, we silted up and formed land bridges, leaving a twisting extension of a river which originally ended at Trenton. Upper Delaware Bay is Philadelphia Bay. 39.2781 -75.3397 39.2781 -75.3397 Philadelphia Bay 39.2781 -75.3397 Who Watches the Watchmen? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/909.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-23:%2Fzwho_watches_the_watchmen.html Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:19:34 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/missing_img.gif" alt="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/stock" />The no-load, open-ended, mutual fund run by the Pitcairn Foundation has consistently outperformed the index by 1.5% as a result of concentrating on firms which continue to be overseen by their founding families. 39.8775 -75.2445 39.8775 -75.2445 Philadelphia Airport 39.8775 -75.2445 Stylesheet for ATOM feed http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1616.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-04-09:%2Fstylesheet_for_atom_feed.html Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:33:03 EDT Unsupported for the moment (in IE 7 and Firefox 3.0.8), we have equipped our ATOM and RSS feeds with XLS style sheets which include, among other features, sorting the entries in descending order by modified date. What's a Mezzanine Loan? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1392.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-02-14:%2Fwhats_a_mezzanine.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:53:50 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/crunch.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />Be careful of mezzanines, especially in the financial world. Edgar Allan Poe, 1809-1849 http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1589.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-03-05:%2Fedgar_allan_poe_18091849.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:49:31 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/edgarallanpoe.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="Edger Allan Poe" />Edgar Allan Poe may not have the highest literary esteem of any American, but he is provably our most famous poet. At the 200th anniversary of his birth, his disordered life symbolizes an era. 39.9617 -75.1498 39.9617 -75.1498 Edgar Allan Poe National Historical Site 39.9617 -75.1498 Constitutionality of the Monetary System http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1557.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-12-31:%2Fconstitutionality_of_the_monetary.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:33:24 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/constitution1.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />The Constitution fails us when no one is certain what to do about an important issue. 39.95 -75.1502 39.95 -75.1502 Independence Hall 39.95 -75.1502 Merging Cities With Their Suburbs http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1570.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-01-22:%2Fmerging_cities_with_their.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:07:15 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/Philadelphia1854.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />When middle-sized cities are thriving and growing, they tend to want to annex neighboring districts. Their newspapers are ecstatic about it. 39.9518 -75.1637 39.9518 -75.1637 City Hall of Philadelphia 39.9518 -75.1637 A Time to Reflect http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1357.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-12-28:%2Fa_time_to_reflect.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:40:49 EDT Let's hope it's just a bump in the economic road. But worry about the price of oil and the cost of houses. And ponder the collision of banks and investment banks. Sugarloaf http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1055.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-26:%2Fzsugarloaf_.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:19:41 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/geramntownmap-758733.jpeg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="" />The Strouds of Stroudsburg used to live here at the top of the town. It's now a conference center. Making Money (5) http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/848.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-22:%2Fmaking_money_5.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:31:25 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/lordkeynes.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/lordkeynes.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />The business cycle has not been repealed. Other countries are likely to drag us into the next world recession, and we had better be thinking ahead. A Pennsylvania Farmer in Delaware http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1244.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-05-19:%2Fa_pennsylvania_farmer_in.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:26:11 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/jdickinson.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/jdickinson.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />John Dickinson achieved national fame by writing twelve letters denouncing the Townshend Acts and published anonymously as "Letters From a Pennsylvania Farmer". His farm, curiously, was in Delaware. 39.9489 -75.15 39.9489 -75.15 Independence National Historical Park 39.9489 -75.15 AARP: Making Money, Losing Trust http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1568.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-01-16:%2Faarp_losing_trust_amid.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:34:11 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/aarp.jpg" class="tn-l-w100" /> What is AARP's motivation and what are their business practices? Advocacy for retired people conflicts with such aggressive marketing. 38.8962 -77.02 38.8962 -77.02 AARP headquarters 38.8962 -77.02 Another Toast to S. Weir Mitchell http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1576.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-02-12:%2Fanother_toast_to_s.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:11:14 EDT The former President of Swarthmore College tips his hat to the founder of the Franklin Inn Club. Why Did Admiral Howe Choose the Chesapeake? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1121.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-08-04:%2Fwhy_did_admiral_howe.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:10:54 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/philairport.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/philairport.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />Navigation of the Delaware Bay was too tricky for Admiral Howe's fleet, even though there were good landing spots. Wildlife in Haddonfield http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1529.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-10-21:%2Fwildlife_in_haddonfield.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:08:45 EDT Haddonfield looks like a carefully manicured suburb but there is a surprising amount of wildlife, if you know how to look for it. 39.898 -75.0313 39.898 -75.0313 Ross and Perry Inc., 39.898 -75.0313 WRTI, Classical Music and Jazz http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1521.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-10-03:%2Fwrti_classical_music_and.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:08:24 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/wrti.jpg" class="tn-l-w50 " alt="WRTI RADIO" />For a city with such a strong musical presence, it is surprising that Philadelphia has only one classical music radio station. 39.9792 -75.1599 39.9792 -75.1599 WRTI RADIO 39.9792 -75.1599 Acorn Club of Philadelphia http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1507.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-08-03:%2Facorn_club_of_philadelphia.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:05:56 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/Acornclub%20(2).JPG" alt="{Acorn Club}" class="tn-l-w50" />The Acorn Club is the oldest club for women in the United States. Men are welcome, but they come in through the side door on the neighboring alley. 39.9484 -75.1671 39.9484 -75.1671 The Acorn Club of Philadelphia 39.9484 -75.1671 A Single International Currency? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/825.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-22:%2Fa_single_international_currency.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:05:43 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/dollar.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/dollar.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />Half the world cheats, the other half grumbles, when American dollars become a reserve currency for the rest of the world. It will be a long time before the world has a single unified currency, and it may not be desirable. 39.9504 -75.1489 39.9504 -75.1489 Federal Reserve Bank 39.9504 -75.1489 A Quaker Carillon http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1594.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-03-10:%2Fa_quaker_carillon.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:39:25 EDT . A Prophet In Our Valley http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/484.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2005-03-14:%2Fprophet_valley.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:34:49 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/John%20C.%20Bogle.jpg" alt="" class="tn-l-w50" />John Bogle invented the index fund. Lower cost, better performance. 40.0734 -75.4157 40.0734 -75.4157 The Vanguard Investment Company 40.0734 -75.4157 27 Million Tons of Gunk http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1069.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-26:%2Fz27_million_tons_of.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:24:11 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/henryhudson.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/henryhudson.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />Philadelphia wants to dredge the Delaware to help our port, but New Jersey resists because of political pressure from New York harbor, which dominates the New Jersey Legislature. 39.9074 -75.1388 39.9074 -75.1388 Packer Avenue Marine Terminal 39.9074 -75.1388 (1) How Should We Reform Real Estate Finance? http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1501.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2008-07-27:%2Fhow_should_we_reform.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:23:40 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/for_sale_sign.jpg" alt="" class="tn-l-w50" />Of course, first comes damage control. Soon afterwards, any crisis presents a political opportunity to reform -- or, to make matters much worse. Pennsylvania Prison Society http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1263.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2007-06-29:%2Fpennsylvania_prison_society.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 07:14:39 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/willypenn.jpg" alt="{http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/willypenn.jpg}" class="tn-l-w50" />When the British monarchy put William Penn in jail, they set in motion a social movement which has changed prison management more than it changed Penn. 39.9684 -75.1726 39.9684 -75.1726 Eastern State Penitentiary 39.9684 -75.1726 HSP: Philadelphia's Attic http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1615.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-04-03:%2Fhsp_philadelphias_attic.html Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:21:50 EDT The Historical Society of Pennsylvania started out in 1824 as a repository of family treasures. Several mergers and changes of direction have given it a new mission. Battle of the Clouds: September, Remember http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/933.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2006-06-23:%2Fzbattle_of_the_clouds.html Fri, 03 Apr 2009 09:47:06 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/ab-hurr-hurricanealberto.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt="hurricane" />Benjamin Franklin, it should be noted, was the first to observe that Atlantic Coast "Nor'easters" actually begin in the South and work North, even though the wind seems to be blowing the other way. 39.9923 -75.5483 39.9923 -75.5483 Battle of The Clouds 39.9923 -75.5483 Frederick Mason Jones,Jr. 1919-2009 http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/blog/1593.htm tag:www.philadelphia-reflections.com,2009-03-08:%2Fmason_jones_19192009.html Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:42:22 EDT <img src="http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/images/mason-jones.jpg" class="tn-l-w50" alt=""/>The French horn of the Philadelphia Orchestra, played by the acknowledged premier artist in the history of brass instruments, falls silent. 40.0683 -75.5247 40.0683 -75.5247 St. Peter's in the Great Valley 40.0683 -75.5247