To get you pumped for the action, I thought I’d belatedly share some photos from the last anti-war event I attended, a “Take A Stand Town Hall” co-sponsored by Americans Against Escalation in Iraq and MoveOn.org. The event was targeted at Senator Specter who “chose to stand with President Bush and his reckless Iraq war policy instead of his constituents” by failing to attend. (The organizers left an empty chair on the panel to remind the audience of Specter’s absence.)

The number of murder victims this year in my beloved city of Philadelphia climbed to 264 over the weekend, keeping the city well above pace to break last year’s mark of 406. In Philly most folks are united in lobbying for stronger gun control laws, but local politicians are essentially powerless since legislators at the state and federal level are beholden to the powerful gun lobby.

Great clip from the AP's story on the iPhone release:

In Philadelphia, Mayor John F. Street was among those waiting in line at an AT&T store when he was asked by a 22-year-old passer-by, "How can you sit here with 200 murders in the city already?"

Street, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer, told the man: "I'm doing my job."

The mayor then left, telling an aide to hold his spot until he returns later in the day. Earlier, Street said he liked trying new technology and the iPhone would allow him to work outside the office.

"We don't have to be sitting in City Hall to be conducting city business," he said.

An excellent point, seeing as how Friday, June 29th is the first day in the history of our species during which there exists the technology to work outside of one's office. Seriously, thank God for Apple.