The Poe Wars Rage On

Almost two weeks have passed since Ed Pettit made a claim for Edgar Allan Poe in the pages of the City Paper, and the ensuing battle seems to show no sign of letting up.

Last week, Baltimore Sun columnist Laura Vozzella pretty much swiped the thesis of Laura Lippman's rebuttal (well come on, she did) then ran with it, taking cheap shots at Philly in the process. We're talkin' cheap, even for Baltimore.

Then, bloggger A.J. Daulerio at Philadelphia Magazine asked City Paper if we'd care to comment, and we did; managing editor Brian Hickey said he "expected nothing less from the syphilis capital of the universe."

This weekend Vozzella defended her town, claiming that Baltimore was only fourth on the list of syphilis capitals of the world.

And then last night Carlin Romano of the Philadelphia Inquirer jumped into the mix, offering up an original poem entitled "The War Over E.A.P." as well as a citywide poll: Should Edgar Allan Poe be exhumed and reburied here in Philadelphia, or left to rot in B'Mo?

Pick a side while you can, my friends. I have a feeling this shit's about to turn as dark and murky as a cask of amontillado.