If we ran
the world Philadelphia, it's highly unlikely that we'd camp out in the dismal rain for an
iPhone like all those "
normal citizens," but we've got to give props to John F. Street for roughin' like the
rest of us. Apparently, Mr. Street set up shop earlier this morning and made up his mind to brave the inclement weather in order to be one of the first to snag an iPhone. Currently, he's waiting patiently along Ranstead St. at 16th St. in Center City to be third in line to purchase an iPhone from the AT&T store, and while we're sure such an influential character could have just
paid someone off to do the waiting for him, the reward will be that much sweeter when 6:01PM rolls around.
Update: Looks like the media descended on the mayor and the dude took off about an hour ago! Looks like someone else has his spot in line (now word on whether he's waiting for the mayor), but we'll have an
update in our lineblog shortly.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Boynamedsue @ Jun 29th 2007 11:34AM
Jesus christ. i know people in san francisco that work as assistants that are waiting in line for their bosses.
this must be one shitty town if the mayor can't find one person to sit out in the rain for him.
LJKelley @ Jun 29th 2007 11:36AM
I was gonna say the same thing... I'm suprised he didn't pay his secretary or somebody to do it for him. Maybe he just enjoys the thrill of being among the first to walk in and get one...
nxs @ Jun 29th 2007 1:44PM
yeah, Philly sucks (for what those poor bastards get in return for paying City tax). The only good thing about Philly is the sheer number of Suicide Girls that live there.
http://www.suicidegirls.com
Colin @ Jun 29th 2007 11:36AM
Here in Philly, politicians know all about paying people off.
Zach @ Jun 29th 2007 12:15PM
Yeah, thats totally true, so who was watching Philly while Street is watching the line, hope it's not Milton.
JC @ Jun 29th 2007 11:37AM
So who's doing all the mayor-type stuff in Philly today?
Nando @ Jun 29th 2007 11:45AM
His secretary.
R1cebrner @ Jun 29th 2007 11:55AM
Im sure they do it every other day too. So its just a normal day to everyone else.
James @ Jun 29th 2007 12:03PM
Are you saying that mayors actually work?
yambag @ Jun 30th 2007 8:42AM
who is doing the mayor stuff when he isnt in line??????
coldracerx @ Jun 29th 2007 11:40AM
I think this a publicity stunt. Look even engadget is taking notice.
Will relaly help put a positive light on him in the midst of risiing crime in philly.
Jeff @ Jun 29th 2007 11:41AM
I'm sure his brother Milton would have done it for a few hundred thousand dollars of taxpayer money.
David @ Jun 30th 2007 10:09AM
hilarious Jeff
Ryan Singer @ Jun 29th 2007 11:44AM
What the hell? Why would he pay his assistant to do it? I'm glad to see that someone who could take the easy way out isn't.
This man has my respect. Way to have a human side.
JC @ Jun 29th 2007 12:00PM
Does he also have your respect for neglecting his municipal duty to his constituency to stand in line for a stupid $600 gadget? 'Cause if he does, your respect isn't worth much.
Ryan Singer @ Jun 29th 2007 12:29PM
Why shouldn't he? It's not like he single handedly runs the city, and the man probably puts more overtime hours in than you believe possible.
Save your judgment. It's not worth much.
mike @ Jun 29th 2007 11:44AM
I'm sure a lot of people are going to buy the iPhone to sell on ebay at twice the price. I hope apple has enough supply for everyone. I hate those people.
dan @ Jun 29th 2007 11:45AM
lol.
i have a true respect for that man.
he wants to be out with the people, in the fray!
Philman @ Jun 29th 2007 11:47AM
If he were really out with the people, in the fray, he'd realize that almost 300 people have been murdered in this city so far this year and he hasn't done a thing to try and stop it.
Aaron @ Jun 29th 2007 4:10PM
@Philman
Who the fuck do you think he is? Batman? What's he supposed to singlehandedly do about the increased murders?
I have no idea if he does his job well or not, but seriously, what do you want one man to do?
Mike @ Jun 29th 2007 11:45AM
This was great news when I saw it this morning. Philly was one of the first cities committed to offering free city-wide wi-fi under Mayor Street. That should come in good use when the Mayor find those Edge downloads to be a bit slow. And it's pretty cool that he waited himself, rather than forcing some underling to sit out there for him.
Pete @ Jun 29th 2007 11:45AM
Supposedly he's going to have someone waiting in line for him while he fulfills his "mayoral duties" according to wpvi.com (a local tv station in Philly). But you gotta give credit to the dude... I'm in Philly right now and I'm not doing it.
Silvio @ Jun 29th 2007 11:45AM
Sleeping in the streets, living like a homeless, begging for water, being unable to wash and paying $600 for the priviledge. Apple created here a unique customer experience!
arthur barnhouse @ Jun 29th 2007 11:56AM
Hello Troll. Ventured out from under the bridge for this, huh?
daedalus @ Jun 29th 2007 11:46AM
Having lived in philly for the past 3 years, I can safely say that the city is probably better off with Street out on the street not doing mayoral things...
... and he looks homeless...
... and im not saying that because he's black...
Leo Lee @ Jun 29th 2007 11:49AM
... and im not saying that because he's black...
It's cause he's black you would even add this line...
Guy's a pretty good people person at least... came to my parents' store and took photos with the fam when he first took office...
Nando @ Jun 29th 2007 11:50AM
He doesn't look homeless...Just look at his tennis shoes. That's high-end shizzzz!
Does it say "69" on his shoes?
Heem @ Jun 29th 2007 1:57PM
HAHAHAHH thats was awesome! HAHAHAH he does look like a bum. Man I am so pissed right now. I dotn wanna even read anythign anymore
Pete @ Jun 29th 2007 11:46AM
Yeah, too bad our murder rate is by far the worst in the country...
Mark @ Jun 29th 2007 11:56AM
You beat me to that! I live in Delaware, and I always hear on the new about the murder counts...over 200 now...way to go Mayor! Foucs on the iPhone! Idiot.
Pete @ Jun 29th 2007 11:59AM
Haha, that's funny, I'm from DE too but live in Philly.
Now I hope no one gets drive-by'ed waiting for an iPhone.
howardmoon @ Jun 29th 2007 11:49AM
ebay.
The TruthBearer @ Jun 29th 2007 11:50AM
Yeah but when he gets one he won't pass the credit check.
Pete @ Jun 29th 2007 12:00PM
...that ain't right ;)
Jake.VO @ Jun 29th 2007 11:52AM
That ATT store is right outside my work and just strolled down there to see if the good mayor is still there. Unfortunately, he wasn't.
JeffNLA @ Jun 29th 2007 12:03PM
Anyone that camps for ANYTHING is a pathetic loser.
(Except for say.. medicine for you ill child)
Anthony @ Jun 29th 2007 12:24PM
I can't speak to standing in line in general, but the iPhone is the 1st thing since Star Wars (Episode 1) that people have been interested in living on the street for a week to be the first to see/own.
Is this the "Star Wars" of the current day? If so, it's telling of a cultural shift. The shift? Who knows, but something's changed.
Adam @ Jun 29th 2007 12:32PM
Nope, its the Star Wars Prequel.
Jonathan @ Jun 29th 2007 2:09PM
"I can't speak to standing in line in general, but the iPhone is the 1st thing since Star Wars (Episode 1) that people have been interested in living on the street for a week to be the first to see/own."
Um so where were you when the Playstation 3 and Wii launched?
KL @ Jun 29th 2007 12:03PM
my hope is that they'll have so many iphones to go around that no one will have to go on ebay to pay off a hack who just sees dollar signs
fat chance, but i can dream right?
KL @ Jun 29th 2007 12:05PM
er, i didnt mean to suggest the mayor is going to ebay his phone; i just mean line standers in general. and dont even get me started on george "media whore" packer
jwbeck17 @ Jun 29th 2007 12:31PM
If he is really waiting in line all day for an iPhone, has anyone checked to see if he is taking a vacation day? If he is getting paid by the Philly public to wait for an iPhone while the city is dealing with some significant issues (high murder rate, city tax burden, mayor's brother thinks he can sing gospel off-key for mayoral votes next to a coffin as a "election rally" (I hope this is on YouTube)), there is going to be hell to pay ... again.
mike k. @ Jun 29th 2007 12:47PM
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20070629_Street_out__aide_in__in_quest_for_latest_phone.html
see the link above for philly.com story. An aid is waiting for him now. The best part is he says he was actually working off his blackberry from line.
greg @ Jun 29th 2007 1:10PM
actiually found out about this on the radio at 9:00 am this morning and just laughed.
btw. philly is in real trouble anyway so far there have been 200 people killed so far and he hasn't really done anything about it and so many other issues in that city that i would never want to live there
SnoChica @ Jun 29th 2007 1:19PM
He mentioned on the news in Philly here today that he would need to leave a few times for meetings. He was told that he was 3rd in line by the store owner, no matter what. But I commend him on doing it himself. Even though he is a suck-ass Mayor.
Jon @ Jun 29th 2007 1:31PM
I don't think he actually left. This morning on our local (philadelphia news) they interviewed him, and he said he had to leave a couple of times during the day. He said he would have an Aide sit for him, but he would return....
pff1029 @ Jun 29th 2007 1:52PM
"Ya know, I cant afford a hot rod, but I can afford a $600 phone."
I love how he's WAITING IN LINE FOR AN iPhone when Philly's imploding in on itself. Whether anyone cares about the phone or not, he's just one example of how everyone is oblivious to what's going on.
The cops here are reeling from a communications blackout every few months now, thankyouverymuch Motorola. Dammit, if he put his money where his mouth is, we'd be doing something about the 400 murders a year now, wouldn't we?
Heem @ Jun 29th 2007 1:57PM
Uckin kidding me! I am from Philly and near center city also. 179 Homicides this year and he is waiting for an IPHONE. What an Awesome Mayor. Shows you all how bad and trashy my city is. Pathetic!
pff1029 @ Jun 29th 2007 2:43PM
Make that 202 homicides and 1 great mayor.
Heem @ Jun 29th 2007 2:51PM
He really ruined my day. It was a great friday. just looking at him makes me sick. I remember when i worked at Staples and he walked in for help, and just walked away. I got in trouble but I didn't care I would do it 10 folds over.