I saw all the posts on phl.media, but reading 3 days worth of postings there--about 200 postings--would have probably hurt my head too much tonight.

Forget pointing fingers here...let's stop that. Let's focus on the punishment. My suggestion--make the offenders march down Broad Street while the crowd throws glass bottles at them.

I should think some sort of public humiliation would be an interesting solomonic approach. They destroyed public property with the welcome of a mob crowd. Let's see what happens when the mob turns against you.

Re: Mardi Gras 2001--solutions
 

Once a million kids got together for continuous days of sex, drugs, and rock & roll. Police were not required. No crimes were reported. However some cities can no longer permit their residents such freedoms. Philly is just that kind of town where its regional residents cannot even drink at a football game, at a big picnic in the park, or on a downtown party night. Funny how other towns (ie New Orleans) never had problems.

I grew up in places where hundreds could come together for a night of much beer & rock, or bicycle (for charity) to every bar in the county (first bars opened by 8 AM). Ironically, just recently some Philly regional residents even made a mess of the bike ride resulting in a major police confrontation.

"Everyone is dumb until I point a gun at them." Ok, the drunk may not have the gun but he still has this Bruce Willis attitude. Its really something that did not exist 20 years ago. The drunk remembers his rights but conveniently forgets his responsibilities? That is really something new.

But can we really wait a whole year until the Mummers parade is available?

But from what I saw this year, the Mummers didn't cause any serious disturbances. (Unfortunately, being relatively new to this town, I don't know the complete background of past years.)

Actually, I have a new idea. Public hearings in front of City Hall--it could be a big celebration.

Make those convicted live in a dilapidated house in West or North Philly. And make them work outside the city--the wage tax would make them cry.

I think Judge Seamus would go with it...after all, we need more alternatives in sentencing.