Washington D.C. Is Still Trolling Philadelphia

Seems folks in Washington D.C. can’t get enough of tweaking the rubes in Philadelphia.

Days after the Washington Post declared that Philly “risks reinforcing its image as a second-rate stopover between D.C. and New York,” the Washingtonian — a lesser publication you’ve probably never heard of — has decided to weigh in on the backlash.

“Philadelphia, like many cities, suffers from a massive inferiority complex,” writer Benjamin Freed explains, oh-so-helpfully.

He also rings up Frances Stead Sellers, the author of the original Post piece, who tries to clear things up:

“I’m a fan of Philadelphia,” she tells Washingtonian. “I’ve lived in Powelton Village and close to the Italian Market. But many of the things that make it fun—rowhouses, restaurants, and theaters downtown—also make it more of a challenge to manage security than in a government town, large parts of which close down on weekends.”

So let’s be clear, then, about what Sellers means:

• SECOND-RATE CITY: One that is fun, with rowhouses, restaurants, and theaters downtown.
• FIRST-RATE CITY: A government town, large parts of which close down on weekends.

Well, hell, we know which one we prefer. What it means is that Philadelphia is having problems with the pope’s visit because it’s taking place where lots of people live and work and play. Lucky for Washington D.C., they don’t really have that problem.