PA in the WSJ

It was a slow week for Pennsylvania in the Wall Street Journal. There are a few things but nowhere near as much as the deluge last week. Or at least not that I saw. In trying to find a pattern it looks like I see more PA-related materials when I read stretched out on the living room floor in front of the heater vent than when I read sitting up in the den with a laprobe around my knees. Could be a coincidence.

PA Politicians

“Iraq Debate in Congress Shifts Focus,” by David Rogers (2/13/07). There are several quotes from Rep. John Murtha (D., Pa.) but the entire passage discussing his tactics and thoughts takes up 4 paragraphs and including all of it might be too much of the article for copyright compliance. A quick summary is that he recommends that each unit sent to Iraq have the special training and equipment needed, restrict procedures used to keep soldiers in units about to deploy even when their enlistment is about to run out, and guarantee a year at home between deployments.

From “U.S. to Take More Iraqi Refugees,” by John D. McKinnon (2/15/07):

The results was a two-hour snapshot of a growing party split that poses the most serious threat to the White House as it tries to sustain long-term support for the way. Those opposing the president include Reps. Phil English (R., Pa.) and Fred Upton (R., Mich.) with coveted seats on leadership committees such as Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce.

PA Businesses

Pepper Hamilton, a Philadelphia-based law firm named Nina Gussack as chair of the executive committee. She is the first woman in the firm’s 117 year history to be chair.

“Jones Bets on a Klein Revival,” by Rachel Dodes (2/15/07) on the Jones Apparel Co., based in Bristol.

Other Interesting Things

“Candidates Find a New Stump: the Blogosphere,” by Amy Schatz (2/14/07), on the place of the blogosphere in presidential and lower level elections, most especially the comparatively small amount it costs to advertise on political blogs versus television.

“So Long to the Suite Life,” by Russell Adams 2/17/07, on stadiums taking out skyboxes since they aren’t bringing in the money they used to. Interesting.

“Patching Things Up,” by Gwendolyn Brooks 2/17/07, on the interaction between interpersonal relationships and home repair projects. I laughed at this quote from Andy Bell, CEO of Handyman Matters, a franchise of home-improvement services:

When disputes arise on the job, his advice to his handymen is firm: “Always side with the lady, but try to keep the pride of the man intact. Dig up something small – like “you did a really good job removing all that drywall, buddy.”

Ms. Brooks writes about the way she and her girlfriend have divided up the home repair chores. If Mr. Bell reads the article and sees that he might need to come up with some alternate scenarios.