The Washington Times Communities (WT’s attempt at social journalism – whatever that is) is celebrating the 175th birthday of the US city of Chicago:
Today is Chicago’s 175th Birthday. The Windy City, the City of Big Shoulders, Beirut by the Lake, the City that Works, Second City. City on the Take and City on the Make.
How did the city get these nicknames? Peter Bella explains:
From its inception Chicago was mired in a culture of corruption, a cornucopia of crime, thievery, and vice. There were really only three industries: white-collar swindlers, corrupt politicians, and criminals, mostly gamblers and whoremongers. All worked hand in hand to achieve the American Dream of get-it-while-you-can.
Peter, according to his short bio, “likes to be the sharp stick that pokes, prods, and annoys”, something his Beirut comment does well. Nevertheless, I will do my own prodding and poking to try to send Peter his looks like Beirut certificate.
view from hotel in beirut -- via flickr