Vandalism at Sam Katz Campaign Office in N. Phila.

KYW News Radio 1060 Philadelphia ^ | Wednesday, August 27, 2003 | Steve Tawa and Al Novack

[Fresh Wind]

Police and the Philadelphia fire marshal are investigating an incident in which an incendiary device -- or "Molotov cocktail" -- was thrown through a window of a North Philadelphia campaign office of Republican mayoral candidate Sam Katz.

But the investigation may be hampered, since the bottle was discarded by a campaign volunteer, who didn't realize what it was.

The device came through the front window sometime overnight, after a heated argument between the building's owner, Louis Harris, and a companion of Mayor Street's son Sharif -- later identified by a neighbor as Joey Temple.

A spokesman for the Fire Department says the device did not explode, there were no fire and no injuries, and there was no property damage other than the broken window.

Harris, who set up the campaign office in a drug rehab center he operated in the 1700 block of North 22nd Street, near Cecil B. Moore Avenue, says he threw away the bottle that he found on the floor before realizing that it had come in through the window. He assumed the odor of gasoline was from painters working in the building.

Later, Harris says, a gasoline-soaked rag was found in the room, which he says led him to understand what had happened.

After learning of the incident, Mayor Street released a brief statement:

"The facts of this incident seem to be changing by the minute, but I have asked the police to investigate fully and take all appropriate steps."

[Fresh Wind]

Politics as usual in Philly. The article is a bit misleading-the picture shown at the linked site shows a "Democrats for Katz" sign in the window.

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

Police and the Philadelphia fire marshal are investigating an incident in which an incendiary device -- or "Molotov cocktail" -- was thrown through a window of a North Philadelphia campaign office of Republican mayoral candidate Sam Katz.

Mototov cocktails are "vandalism" now? Not much longer before blowing someone's head off constitutes "Harris-ment".

This was probably teamsters trying to make it look like black street gangs. Typical Philadelphia.

[billhilly]

Democrat politics are tough, but they do it for the children.

[StriperSniper]

the bottle was discarded by a campaign volunteer, who didn't realize what it was.

Must be new in town.

[OldFriend]

Was Al Sharpton in town?

[FreeperinRATcage]

here's more from local TV

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/news/82703-katzfirebomb-evening.html

[billhilly]

Don't know, but I sure am disappointed in him as a campaigner.

[bicycle thug]

"Was Al Sharpton in town?"

No, but I hear Mumia has an ironclad alibi this time.

[OldFriend]

Fires are a big part of Sharpton's bag of tricks.

[billhilly]

I know. A few months ago when he first announced his intentions to run for president, there was a fire in his office. For several weeks after that I ran a tagline saying, "On fire for Big Al Sharption."

[OldFriend]

Whenever he's required to produce his records, there's a mysterious fire.

Further, he incited a Harlem resident to start a fire in Freddy's Dept. Store. If I am not mistaken six people working in the store lost their lives.

[billhilly]

He is a vile man, and I am glad he is a democrat. He fits perfectly in that party. He is a bit easier to take than another New York Democrat.

[concerned about politics]

Liberals know they're losing power. A whole generation of Republicans is on the way up. Liberals know that , too.
The fruits of the Democrats policies are showing, and people see they're rotten.
I'd say expect more domestic terrorism. If lefties don't get their way, they start engaging in crimminal behavior.
So far, not much info is found in this story, but expect a Republican opposition source. Who else would torch the office of a professed pro-American?

[Fresh Wind]

Mototov cocktails are "vandalism" now?

I notice the wording of the title of this article on the KYW website has been changed to:

"Firebomb Attempt at N. Phila. Katz Campaign Office"

[OldFriend]

No other democrat (except billandhill) has been responsible for more racial division and turmoil and death than Sharpton. Don't be fooled by his demeanor......he's an evil evil man.

[JohnnyZ]

Geez, I sure hope Katz wins this thing, for the sake of the city . . .

[FierceDraka]

The thrower must have been a real idiot, not being able to make a Molotov work properly. Jeez! I used to play with those when I was a lad. Good times...

[Teacher317]

ROFL

[Fresh Wind]

The thrower must have been a real idiot...

I would assume this was a warning shot. On the other hand, these are Philadelphia Democrats, anything is possible. I wonder what the Mayor's son Sharif has to say about all this?

[threeregrets]

Hahaha, that wasn't right. Okay, yeah.. it was.