My comment was really meant to say more about the so-called "independent" weeklies than it was about the PGN. The AP rehashes are what saves PGN's (barely existant) objectivity. The alt-weeklies are nothing but opinionated rantings by disinfranchized hipsters. They might as well be publishing posts off PhillyBlog.

The PGN could definitely stand to have some fresh voices though. Segal's name comes up everytime someone mentions the PGN. One name should never be synonomous with a newspaper, but I think he likes it that way. Everything said in this thread is clear evidence that the gay community is beginning to demand more, and mediocrity will bite him in the a$s in the end. Same with the bars and clubs that don't step up their game and compete with the traditionally straight hot-spots many people have turned to.

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The idealistic are no longer concerned with influencing public opinion and creating a free world of responsible and ethical social choices, but rather imposing opinion through legislation, mandating these ethics, and outlawing choice in what the loudest sample finds offensive.

Ban the Bans. It's a slippery slope between Idealism and Fascism.

I hope you're right about the sentence I deleted, but historically speaking, your statement "one name should never be synonymous with a newspaper" is true in the breach as much as if not more than in the observance.

Some prominent US dailies are still reflections of the values of their founding and still controlling families: the Grahams at The Washington Post, the Ochses and Sulzbergers for The New York Times. While not necessarily reflected in the tone or construction of the articles, the values come through in other places, such as choice of stories to cover or ignore, emphasize or downplay (areas where Segal's values strongly shape PGN). Critics of the corporatization of the American newspaper industry often lament the loss of family imprints such as those of the Cowleses (The Des Moines Register under Gannett ownership is no longer "The Newspaper Iowa Depends Upon" -- the Cowleses prided themselves on covering the entire state, but that's too costly for Gannett to undertake) or the Binghams (the Lousiville Courier-Journal was a crusading paper and a strong advocate of integration during the Civil Rights Era; while the latter is no longer necessary, the former is still, but again, that's not what Gannett is built to do). I think some of the goodwill extended to Brian Tierney is due to the fact that he might actually give The Philadelphia Inquirer back its voice and personality, which the Ridders had done so much to muffle.

And now that I've written all this, I just realized that I could have said it all in only two words:

Rupert Murdoch.

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Sandy Smith, Exile on Market Street, Philadelphia
"Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier." --Gen. Colin Powell

We've had eight years of "decisive," "experienced" "leadership." Why not try intelligence this time around?

I got word from a friend today that the Raven Inn in New Hope is now.... CLOSED.

The last night open (Sunday, Mothers Day) had a packed house.

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"Accept the fact that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue"

So sad. Where will all the George Hamilton doubles spend their summer?

I joke, of course. I had a great time the few times I made it out there. Does this mean New Hope's no longer the little gay town it once was? Is there a new nightspot for the gay Newhopers?

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The idealistic are no longer concerned with influencing public opinion and creating a free world of responsible and ethical social choices, but rather imposing opinion through legislation, mandating these ethics, and outlawing choice in what the loudest sample finds offensive.

Ban the Bans. It's a slippery slope between Idealism and Fascism.

MAN-A-HUNK.....

The place to go is now the NEVERMORE Hotel and bar, with Harlan's Lounge, a restaurant, bar, pool, 150 room hotel, and a nightclub, Club Q, which should open in the next few months.

However, we hope someone will buy the Raven and return it to its former unglory!

I drive through the gayborhood last night, havent been to the bars in a while...and now i know why. The site outside of woodys was absolutely disgusting. There must have been at least 100(blacks and trannies), just telling you what i saw people, hanging out being rowdy and ignorant. I remember it always being a street to hang on (those that cant afford drinks), but last night was just obnoxious. I feel sorry for any visitors from out of town, and Id love to know what they say when they head back home. Im glad I no longer go to these places, because its become a place for low lifes.

It looks like we've jumped from a self-loathing, Philly sucks-fest to a self-loathing, I wish I wasn't gay-fest.

You're describing one bar - Woody's - our unfortunate staple. I don't understand why this town can't shake it's loyalty to that place. And what's worse, out-of-towners continue to be directed there as a must-see. It looks like it was decorated by Shoney's.

I always tell visitors to avoid Woody's and check out Bump or Valanni for a nice drink, or Tavern or Uncles for a friendly crowd.

If the obnoxious kids on 13th Street bug you, go to a different bar. That localized annoyance hardly encompases the entire Gayborhood. Besides, have you ever been to Old City when the bars are happening? I'll take rowdy trannies over drunk yellow tags any day.

__________________
The idealistic are no longer concerned with influencing public opinion and creating a free world of responsible and ethical social choices, but rather imposing opinion through legislation, mandating these ethics, and outlawing choice in what the loudest sample finds offensive.

Ban the Bans. It's a slippery slope between Idealism and Fascism.

No kidding. It's all that grass-is-greener bull $hit. People everywhere complain about their city, their scene, etc. I don't know why I always feel compelled to defend it.

__________________
The idealistic are no longer concerned with influencing public opinion and creating a free world of responsible and ethical social choices, but rather imposing opinion through legislation, mandating these ethics, and outlawing choice in what the loudest sample finds offensive.

Ban the Bans. It's a slippery slope between Idealism and Fascism.