Yo, Philly in the News

- Senator Arlen Specter is taking the federal administration to task for leaving Congress out of the loop - and suggesting that a "constitutional confrontation" is on the horizon. (Hey, who needs both checks and balances anyway?) In a letter to Dick Cheney, Specter allegedly makes note of recent domestic spying activity and a congressional raid by the FBI. Phillyist finds it refreshing that our elected officials are protecting our rights in the battle for Homeland Security (or, at the very least, protecting their right to participate in adjusting our rights)...even while they're busy taking at least two passes at the buffet table. (via)

- And speaking of local lawmakers getting uppity, Senator Vince Fumo has declared the war in Iraq to be "unnecessary, immoral and counterproductive." In the same speech he referred to the Bush presidency as a "dictatorship" and also accused the administration of ignoring the Constitution. That pesky Constitution. Seems Pennsylvania Senators are fixated on it.

- Philly, Chicago, Houston, LA and San Fran have been invited out to California to give 15 minute presentations as to why their city is the best choice to represent the US in its bid to host the 2016 Olympics. Contending cities will also have a chance to set up informational booths at the concurrent Olympic Assembly. Not to start the sour grapes already, but Philly's panel has to make the trek out from the East Coast, while San Francisco and LA only have to travel in-state. I bet that means their budgets will allow for much cooler booths. And you just know people are going to zone out during the presentations (we certainly do), while everyone will remember who had the lamest booth. Team Philly's booth designers, Phillyist looks to you.

Image credit: Flickr user tukaintheusa