Friday, December 30, 2005
"This is New Jersey"
As you may know by now, New Jersey is seeking a new slogan. "New Jersey and You, Perfect Together" has been retired. So have all those annoying commericals that Jim McGreevy made on the taxpayer's dime. Acting Governor Codey has taken up the challenge to update the state's slogan. After rejecting "New Jersey: We'll Win You Over," (for which New Jersey taxpayers paid $260,000), Codey opened it up to the public to submit ideas for the slogan. His office has chosen the finalists (read about that here) and a vote to choose the winner is currently taking place. I have not voted for any of the finalist. I don't think any of them are particularly good.
Instead, I offer my own idea. I won't pretend to think its original (although I've copyrighted it, so no stealing!), and it may have been one that was rejected. It may have even been done before. But I think its pretty good. Its simple. It involves real New Jersey people and shows the best parts of our state. If you agree with me and think my idea is better than the slogan finalists, send an e-mail to Governor Codey and tell him so (feel free to include a link to this post). If you disagree, that's fine too. Feel free to leave a comment telling me my idea sucks.
So here goes:
"This is New Jersey."
Yup, that's it. Its simple, I know. But why can't simple be good? Anyway, READ ON!
Here is how I would use it in TV ads: Open the ad with a voiceover (not the governor -- sorry Corzine, I'm sure you're a nice guy and all . . . but enough with politicians in commericals -- you aren't one of New Jersey's best selling points) that says something like, "Do you know what New Jersey is?"
Then move to a picture of two people sitting on the beach in Belmar (or Cape May, or Ocean Grove or Bay Head or anywhere) and have them say "This is New Jersey." Cut to someone at a roulette table in Atlantic City and have them say "This is New Jersey." Then on to the first car of a roller coaster at Great Adeventure (Six Flags for you out of state folks) and as its about to go down a big hill, they scream "This is New Jersey." Someone hiking in High Point, "This is New Jersey." Someone walking on the Seaside boardwalk "This is New Jersey." Someone at Monmouth Race Track, "This is New Jersey." Someone at a Giants (or Jets or Devils) game, "This is New Jersey." Someone at the symphony (whispering) "This is New Jersey." And so on. Highlight each place in New Jersey that should be highlighted. It can be broken up into several 30-second spots. It should use real people from New Jersey -- not hired hands. Maybe even put their names and the town they are from at the bottom. End with another voiceover of "Come see what New Jersey is for yourself" or something else similar (and maybe less cheesy).
For print ads it can be the same thing, obviously with still shots. For newspapers of magazines, one or two frames. For a nice New Jersey vacation brochure, it can have still shots of everything in the commercial and descriptions of each.
It can even be used for business promotion. Educational promotion. Pretty much anything printed by the state. For example, in brochures given to businesses being wooed into the state -- "This is New Jersey" and then list the benefits of doing business here, the transportation benefits, the education benefits, the great places to live for your employees and all the statistics and demographics about the state and its people you can find.
Anyway, so that's my proposal. Don't try to convince people to come here with a bad slogan. Keep it simple. Convince people to come by showing them what New Jersey IS! It may not be the best idea, but its better than "New Jersey: The Real Deal."
Remember, if you like my idea . . . tell the Governor! And Mr. Corzine, I'm available to head up the project. Oh, and if you are interested in some New Jersey slogan apparel, Enlighten-New Jersey has the link that you need.
Instead, I offer my own idea. I won't pretend to think its original (although I've copyrighted it, so no stealing!), and it may have been one that was rejected. It may have even been done before. But I think its pretty good. Its simple. It involves real New Jersey people and shows the best parts of our state. If you agree with me and think my idea is better than the slogan finalists, send an e-mail to Governor Codey and tell him so (feel free to include a link to this post). If you disagree, that's fine too. Feel free to leave a comment telling me my idea sucks.
So here goes:
"This is New Jersey."
Yup, that's it. Its simple, I know. But why can't simple be good? Anyway, READ ON!
Here is how I would use it in TV ads: Open the ad with a voiceover (not the governor -- sorry Corzine, I'm sure you're a nice guy and all . . . but enough with politicians in commericals -- you aren't one of New Jersey's best selling points) that says something like, "Do you know what New Jersey is?"
Then move to a picture of two people sitting on the beach in Belmar (or Cape May, or Ocean Grove or Bay Head or anywhere) and have them say "This is New Jersey." Cut to someone at a roulette table in Atlantic City and have them say "This is New Jersey." Then on to the first car of a roller coaster at Great Adeventure (Six Flags for you out of state folks) and as its about to go down a big hill, they scream "This is New Jersey." Someone hiking in High Point, "This is New Jersey." Someone walking on the Seaside boardwalk "This is New Jersey." Someone at Monmouth Race Track, "This is New Jersey." Someone at a Giants (or Jets or Devils) game, "This is New Jersey." Someone at the symphony (whispering) "This is New Jersey." And so on. Highlight each place in New Jersey that should be highlighted. It can be broken up into several 30-second spots. It should use real people from New Jersey -- not hired hands. Maybe even put their names and the town they are from at the bottom. End with another voiceover of "Come see what New Jersey is for yourself" or something else similar (and maybe less cheesy).
For print ads it can be the same thing, obviously with still shots. For newspapers of magazines, one or two frames. For a nice New Jersey vacation brochure, it can have still shots of everything in the commercial and descriptions of each.
It can even be used for business promotion. Educational promotion. Pretty much anything printed by the state. For example, in brochures given to businesses being wooed into the state -- "This is New Jersey" and then list the benefits of doing business here, the transportation benefits, the education benefits, the great places to live for your employees and all the statistics and demographics about the state and its people you can find.
Anyway, so that's my proposal. Don't try to convince people to come here with a bad slogan. Keep it simple. Convince people to come by showing them what New Jersey IS! It may not be the best idea, but its better than "New Jersey: The Real Deal."
Remember, if you like my idea . . . tell the Governor! And Mr. Corzine, I'm available to head up the project. Oh, and if you are interested in some New Jersey slogan apparel, Enlighten-New Jersey has the link that you need.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
NJ AG: No Profiling in Terror Investigations
New Jersey's Attorney General, Peter Harvey, recently issued new, detailed guidelines that prohibit state and local law enforcement agencies from considering ethnicity and religion (i.e., Arab, Muslim) when conducting terrorism investigations. Read more about it here.
In announcing the new guidelines Harvey states that "In our zeal to protect ourselves, we cannot compromise our constitutional and privacy protections. The impermissible use of stereotypes would ultimately undermine our counterterrorism efforts by alienating significant segments of our society."
I know New Jersey has had its problems with racial profiling in the past, but not allowing law enforcement officers to use some degree of race/ethnic/religious profiling in terror investigations is down right stupid. In no way do I suggest that every person of Arab descent should be questioned or every Muslim should be watched by the police as part of a terrorism investigation. In fact, a severe majority of Arbabs and Muslims in the United States, just like a severe majority of all others living here, are law abiding citizens and residents. But any terrorism investigation needs to be broad and no tool in fighting terrorism should be left off the table. Like anything else, profiling based on race, religion, sex, age, behavior, etc. in a terrorism investigation should be conducted in a responsible manner. Eliminating it as a tool under every circumstance no matter what it is, is irresponsible.
But now that ethnic and religious profiling are off the table, Peter Harvey probably has his sights on eliminating behavioral profiling (i.e., stopping people in the subway who have a heavy winter coar on in July) next. Check out Michelle Malkin's post on that issue here, Ace of Spades' post here and Stop the ACLU's post here.
Also, check out what Peter Harvey has been up to lately (with New Jersey's tax money).
In announcing the new guidelines Harvey states that "In our zeal to protect ourselves, we cannot compromise our constitutional and privacy protections. The impermissible use of stereotypes would ultimately undermine our counterterrorism efforts by alienating significant segments of our society."
I know New Jersey has had its problems with racial profiling in the past, but not allowing law enforcement officers to use some degree of race/ethnic/religious profiling in terror investigations is down right stupid. In no way do I suggest that every person of Arab descent should be questioned or every Muslim should be watched by the police as part of a terrorism investigation. In fact, a severe majority of Arbabs and Muslims in the United States, just like a severe majority of all others living here, are law abiding citizens and residents. But any terrorism investigation needs to be broad and no tool in fighting terrorism should be left off the table. Like anything else, profiling based on race, religion, sex, age, behavior, etc. in a terrorism investigation should be conducted in a responsible manner. Eliminating it as a tool under every circumstance no matter what it is, is irresponsible.
But now that ethnic and religious profiling are off the table, Peter Harvey probably has his sights on eliminating behavioral profiling (i.e., stopping people in the subway who have a heavy winter coar on in July) next. Check out Michelle Malkin's post on that issue here, Ace of Spades' post here and Stop the ACLU's post here.
Also, check out what Peter Harvey has been up to lately (with New Jersey's tax money).
Peter Harvey is looking for work . . .
. . . and using New Jersey tax money to land himself a new gig. January 17, 2006 -- Peter Harvey's last day on the public payroll -- can't come soon enough. It seems that Mr. Harvey has used taxpayer money to print and mail a glossy "annual report" to law firms both in New Jersey and New York as well as Atlantic City casinos and law schools.
This from the New Jersey Lawyer (via PoliticsNJ):
More on the AG's "resume" here, including the fact that the last Republican Attorney General filed his report on plain white photocopy paper.
When Peter scores his new job, I hope he writes a check to the New Jersey treasury for its help in his search.
This from the New Jersey Lawyer (via PoliticsNJ):
The state’s attorney general is about to leave office. Instead of sending résumés to land his next job, New Jersey’s top law enforcement official, Peter C. Harvey, is mailing 4,000 copies of a glossy, 58-page color report to law firms, Atlantic City casinos, law schools, news organizations and scores of others statewide. The printing cost — $7,460. So far, 2,700 copies have been mailed at $2.44 apiece, or $6,500. While state law requires departments to file annual reports with the governor and legislature, many agencies seeking to save public money have switched to less-expensive black and white, have produced short reports, have cut back on the print quantity and have used the internet as their main distribution method. Harvey’s report covers two years and prominently features reprints of positive newspaper and magazine articles including one headlined, 'Keeping heads turning in Trenton.'"
More on the AG's "resume" here, including the fact that the last Republican Attorney General filed his report on plain white photocopy paper.
When Peter scores his new job, I hope he writes a check to the New Jersey treasury for its help in his search.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
64% of U.S.: Bush, its ok to eavesdrop on terrorists
From Rasmussen Reports:
Yeah, that's 64% of Americans total and 51% of Democrats. Of course, the New York Times will likely come out with a (skewed) poll showing only those people in North Dakota who have last names that start with Q think the NSA should be able to track terrorist phone calls.
Check out Michelle Malkin's post on the poll here (which is where I first learned of it) and Ace of Spades's mention of it here. Check out Right Pundit's thoughts here. Mark at Blogs for Bush, Joanna at Queen of Scawtts and Jason at GOP Bloggers share their thoughts on the poll as well.
Greg at The Political Pit Bull quotes from an article in today's Washington Times and concludes that the quoted fears of the "centrist Democrats" might warranted. Give it a read; I agree.
December 28, 2005--Sixty-four percent (64%) of Americans believe the National Security Agency (NSA) should be allowed to intercept telephone conversations between terrorism suspects in other countries and people living in the United States. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that just 23% disagree.
Sixty-eight percent (68%) of Americans say they are following the NSA story somewhat or very closely.
Just 26% believe President Bush is the first to authorize a program like the one currently in the news. Forty-eight percent (48%) say he is not while 26% are not sure.
Eighty-one percent (81%) of Republicans believe the NSA should be allowed to listen in on conversations between terror suspects and people living in the United States. That view is shared by 51% of Democrats and 57% of those not affiliated with either major political party.
Yeah, that's 64% of Americans total and 51% of Democrats. Of course, the New York Times will likely come out with a (skewed) poll showing only those people in North Dakota who have last names that start with Q think the NSA should be able to track terrorist phone calls.
Check out Michelle Malkin's post on the poll here (which is where I first learned of it) and Ace of Spades's mention of it here. Check out Right Pundit's thoughts here. Mark at Blogs for Bush, Joanna at Queen of Scawtts and Jason at GOP Bloggers share their thoughts on the poll as well.
Greg at The Political Pit Bull quotes from an article in today's Washington Times and concludes that the quoted fears of the "centrist Democrats" might warranted. Give it a read; I agree.
Good try, Knights!
Well, the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers University put up a valiant fight last night against the Sun Devils of Arizona State, but in the end, Rutgers lost the Insight Bowl. The team, of course, should be proud of a good season and a great bowl game. Better luck next year!
Compass Points has some reaction to the game and several links to coverage by the press.
Compass Points has some reaction to the game and several links to coverage by the press.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Mariah Carey, Queen of Pop?
Mariah Carey's "Don't Forget About Us" tops Billboard Magazine's Top 100 for the week ending December 31, 2005. Why might this be at all significant? Well, its her 17th number one hit and she now is tied with Elvis Presley in spot number two on the all-time most number one hits list (trailing on the Beatles, who had 20). I must admit, its a surprise that she has had that many hits and was able to come back from the mess she was (i.e., Glitter) just a few years ago. So is she the Queen of Pop?
For those interested, the Billboard's top 50 singles for 12/31/05 are:
50. Mariah Carey - We Belong Together
49. Alicia Keys - Unbreakable
48. Ludacris & Field Mob feat. Jamie Foxx - Georgia
47. Jamie Foxx feat. Ludacris - Unpredictable
46. 50 Cent - Window Shopper
45. Pussycat Dolls feat. Busta Rhymes - Don't Cha
44. Joe Nichols - Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off
43. Chamillionaire feat. Li'l Flip - Turn It Up
42. Twista feat. Trey Songz - Girl Tonite
41. Mariah Carey - Shake It Off
40. Dierks Bentley - Come a Little Closer
39. Billy Currington - Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right
38. Trace Adkins - Honky Tonk Badonkadonk
37. Weezer - Beverly Hills
36. Rihanna - If It's Lovin' That You Want
35. Purple Ribbon All-Stars - Kryptonite (I'm On It)
34. Keyshia Cole - I Should Have Cheated
33. Green Day - Wake Me Up When September Ends
32. Li'l Wayne - Fireman
31. Carrie Underwood - Jesus Take the Wheel
30. Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc.
29. Lifehouse - You and Me
28. Kanye West feat. Adam Levine - Heard 'Em Say
27. All-American Rejects - Dirty Little Secret
26. Ne-Yo - So Sick
25. Gwen Stefani - Luxurious
24. Fall Out Boy - Dance Dance
23. James Blunt - You're Beautiful
22. Fall Out Boy - Sugar We're Goin' Down
21. Madonna - Hung Up
20. Mary J. Blige - Be Without You
19. Sean Paul - We Be Burnin'
18. Trina feat. Kelly Rowland - Here We Go
17. T-Pain - Sprung
16. Eminem - When I'm Gone
15. Dem Franchize Boyz feat. Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat & Bow Wow - I Think They Like Me
14. Young Jeezy feat. Akon - Soul Survivor
13. Three 6 Mafia feat. Young Buck and 8-ball & MJG - Stay Fly
12. Ray J - One Wish
11. Black Eyed Peas - My Humps
10. Juelz Santana - There It Go (The Whistle Song)
9. Kelly Clarkson - Because of You
8. Beyonce feat. Slim Thug - Check On It
7. Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx - Gold Digger
6. Nickelback - Photograph
5. Pussycat Dolls - Stickwitu
4. D4L - Laffy Taffy
3. Nelly feat. Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp - Grillz
2. Chris Brown - Run It
1. Mariah Carey - Don't Forget About Us
Some say Mariah still trails Elvis by one number one song.
Bowl Time
Tonight's Insight Bowl features the Scarlett Knights of Rutgers University and some team from Arizona (actually, the Sun Devils of Arizona State University). Rutgers (7-4) is making its second bowl appearance ever. ASU (6-5) is making its 22nd bowl appearance. More about the game here, here and here.
Although I'm not a huge fan of Rutgers sports -- let's be honest, they historically have not been a powerhouse of college athletics -- it would be great to see them win this game. Let's go Rutgers!
Although I'm not a huge fan of Rutgers sports -- let's be honest, they historically have not been a powerhouse of college athletics -- it would be great to see them win this game. Let's go Rutgers!
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas
Christ the Savior is Born! Merry Christmas and may the year ahead bring joy, health and happiness to all.
If you have time today, take a look at Michelle Malkin's Christmas post. Captain's Quarters has a Christmas Card for out rtoops (HT: Michelle Malkin). The True Talk reflects on the phrase "Merry Christmas" here.
Take a look at these as well:
From the Gospel According to Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 1 through 20:
From a dad in harm's way,one Christmas long ago
Friday, December 23, 2005
Caught Stealing
New Jersey Assemblywoman Evelyn Williams was arrested for shoplifting this week at a store in Irvington. Williams, a former Newark deputy mayor under Sharpe James, is charged with changing price stickers on two items (i.e., putting a $14.99 tag on a $60 set of bed sheets).
Williams took office on December 12th after winning a special election convention to replace the late Donald Tucker.
That's not the end of the story. The Star-Ledger reports:
Typical dishonset New Jersey politician. But again, that's not all. The Star Ledger continues:
Response from the GOP State Chairman Tom Wilson (from PoliticsNJ):
Ms. Williams needs to resign. Immediately.
Williams took office on December 12th after winning a special election convention to replace the late Donald Tucker.
That's not the end of the story. The Star-Ledger reports:
Williams, a 25-year Essex County corrections officer whose salary topped out at $70,060, was caught by a security camera in the Valley Fair Super Discount Center on Chancellor Avenue putting $14.99 price tags on a $59.99 set of bedsheets and a $49.99 comforter, according to police reports.
Yesterday, after inquiries by The Star-Ledger into her other income sources, Essex County officials fired her, saying she'd been illegally collecting state retirement checks.
The Star-Ledger found Williams filed for retirement in August and has since received more than $11,000 in state checks as part of a $45,544-a-year pension package from the Police and Firemen's Retirement System, according to the state Division of Pensions and Benefits. But she continued working for the county and collecting paychecks, said Essex County Personnel Director Chris Durkin.
In a late-day meeting with Williams, county officials presented her with the evidence and fired her. They then instructed her to either return her pension checks to the state or pay back the salary she received since Sept. 1.
Typical dishonset New Jersey politician. But again, that's not all. The Star Ledger continues:
Williams also has a troubled driving history, records show. Her license was suspended 13 times between June 1995 and December 2004, mostly for unpaid parking tickets. Her last suspension, for failing to appear in Newark court, was in effect until Dec. 9, four days before she took the oath of office for her Assembly seat.
Response from the GOP State Chairman Tom Wilson (from PoliticsNJ):
This is the first test of Governor-elect Corzine's 'zero tolerance' policy toward public officials who betray the public trust," said Wilson. "His failure to call for her resignation from the Assembly marks the second major flip-flop of his yet to be inaugurated administration. First, he breaks his word and says he's going to raise the gas tax, now he's turning the other cheek when one his party members is caught illegally enriching themselves at the public expense. In less than 60 days, the candidate who was for lower taxes and an end to corruption has now broken both promises.Check out Parkway Rest Stop's and the Barista of Bloomfield Avenue's thoughts on the Assemblywoman.
Ms. Williams needs to resign. Immediately.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Fat, drunk, stupid and cold
Well, this year Point Pleasant Beach just wants you fat, stupid and cold: NJ Town: Less Drinking at Polar Bear Plunge. I never understood the Polar Bear swims, but this on is for a good cause -- New Jersey Special Olympics. If you want to participate, check it out here.
Its Slogan Time
Okay, folks, its time to vote the new New Jersey state slogan. The finalist are:
1) "New Jersey: Expect the Unexpected."
2) "New Jersey: Love at First Sight."
3) "New Jersey: Come See for Yourself."
4) "New Jersey: The Real Deal."
5) "New Jersey: The Best Kept Secret."
Honestly, I think they all suck. "Excpect the Unexpected?" "The Real Deal?" Come on!
In the next day or so, I'll be offering my alternative.
In the meantime, if you must, you can vote for one of the above by calling (609) 984-9893 or going online at www.nj.gov/slogan. It's New Jersey, so let's keep the dead people away from the polls, ok?!?!
1) "New Jersey: Expect the Unexpected."
2) "New Jersey: Love at First Sight."
3) "New Jersey: Come See for Yourself."
4) "New Jersey: The Real Deal."
5) "New Jersey: The Best Kept Secret."
Honestly, I think they all suck. "Excpect the Unexpected?" "The Real Deal?" Come on!
In the next day or so, I'll be offering my alternative.
In the meantime, if you must, you can vote for one of the above by calling (609) 984-9893 or going online at www.nj.gov/slogan. It's New Jersey, so let's keep the dead people away from the polls, ok?!?!
A Kansan weighs in on the slogan debate and offers a few of his own slogans here. Thanks, we need all the help we can get. Miriam thinks the motto should be "New Jersey: we're too dumb to pump gas."
Previous: "New Jersey: We'll win you over."Get back on the bus, Gus
Looks like both sides are talking and the New York City transit workers will be heading back to their buses, subways and token booths (even though there are no more tokens). Strike soon to be over! Updates here.
They better not back down on the fines and the docked pay!
They better not back down on the fines and the docked pay!
The New York Post editors think the union heads should be taken off to Rikers Island. I tend to agree. By letting them (the union and the workers who chose to break the law) off with no fines, no docked pay, and a raise, no lesson will be learned for the other public employee unions in New York City.
Check out GOP and the City for some strike jokes, polls and the need for spellcheck at the TWU. Suitably Flip's thoughts on day three are here.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
The lighter side of the transit strike
Transit strike t-shirt anyone? Here is a list of some possible transit strike t-shirt slogans. Some of them aren't too great, but I'd be willing to buy these: "Ask me about MY last raise," "Dude, where's my train" and "Save the whales, eat the transit workers!" (hat tip BuzzMachine)More t-shirt slogans here like "I Walked 150 Blocks And All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt" and "I ♥ Communist Douchebags"
UPDATE: Some more Day 2 strike blogging by GOP and the City here and here. Suitably Flip blogs it here and lawhawk talks about it here. All good reads.
UPDATE 2: I just read this piece from the New York Daily News. It sounds like some other unions in New York conspired with the TWU to break the Taylor Law (New York's law forbidding public strikes). I'm not sure if conspiring to violate the Taylor Law is a crime, but I think Elliot Spitzer should look into it. We shouldn't hold our breath since Mr. Spitzer will be looking to the unions for support in his bid to be the next New York governor. Maybe the U.S. Attorney should look into it instead.
A**hole of the Day
A woman hits a 7 year old girl with her car as the girl is getting off the school. The woman then flees the scene. Thankfully the girl suffered only minor injuries.
From the Asbury Park Press:
Amazing. Let's find her and run her foot over with a car!
From the Asbury Park Press:
The vehicle — going 20 to 30 mph — struck the child's left foot and flung her to the front of the bus, landing on the road, police said. The driver then stopped about 200 feet in front of the bus, announcing that she had called police even though she had not, before continuing to flee.
Amazing. Let's find her and run her foot over with a car!
Strike, Day #2
Another day without subways and buses in New York City. Because of my somewhat messed up living situation (and nothing to do with the strike) I have been staying at a hotel in Manhattan this week. My walk from 50th & Lexington to where I work is only about 15 minutes. But in that 15 minutes, I saw walkers, bikers, roller bladers, skateboarders and people on scooters. People are making the best of it and taking it all in a New York stride.
The fact remains, however, that this is an illegal strike. It is costing New Yorkers and those who commute into New York money (in extra commuting costs and lost wages), time (in extra commuting time) and patience.
As Mayor Mike said (quoted on the editorial pages of the New York Post): "It is costing people their jobs. It will cost billions in lost economic activity. It is robbing people of their opportunities to earn a living and provide for their families . . . . It is costing students their opportunity to learn. It will make it harder for our police officers, firefighters and EMS to get where they need to go." You can read excerpts of the Mayor's address here.
The union will be fined $1 million a day. The transit worker will be docked two days pay fro each day they strike. The president of the union, Roger Toussaint, stayed inside all day yesterday, dodging process servers and making no real public statement. Since he has orchestrated this illegal strike, shouldn't the judge toss him in jail for contempt?
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
da Strike
James Panero at New Criterion has an excellent post on the NYC transit strike. Check it out here.
SGT Michael "Mike" James Stokely
Mike Stokely was killed in action in Iraq in August 2005. A letter from his father appears here.
Mike's dad has every reason to be proud of his son (and Mike's dad doesn't need me to tell him that). Through all his heartache in losing his son, I hope Mr. Stokely will take some solace in knowing that I (and hopefully most Americans) thank God that Mike was there, willing to give up his life, to protect this country. Thank you, Mr. Stokely, for raising such a great son.
(Hat tip littlegreenfootballs)
Mike's dad has every reason to be proud of his son (and Mike's dad doesn't need me to tell him that). Through all his heartache in losing his son, I hope Mr. Stokely will take some solace in knowing that I (and hopefully most Americans) thank God that Mike was there, willing to give up his life, to protect this country. Thank you, Mr. Stokely, for raising such a great son.
(Hat tip littlegreenfootballs)
Is the NYC Transit Strike George Bush's Fault?
No, it is not. But I'm sure some nut job out there will try to blame it on him.
I'm holding out hope that one of the liberal judges in New York does his/her job, finds the union in contempt, holds that it and its members have violated the Taylor Law (New York's law that proscribes striking by public employees), throws the union leadership in jail and starts fining the local and the international.
This is not just a long walk to work. In fact, my commute was not affected by it at all (I live in New Jersey, take the train into Penn Station and walk the 6 blocks to work). But this affects New York in a great number of ways -- with more congested streets, it will take longer to get emergency workers to where they need to be in an emergency. It affects garbage pick up, sanitation, street cleaning, it puts more cops on the street directing traffic instead of doing what we need them to do. It costs the city a lot of money in overtime. It costs hard working New Yorkers (and people from New Jersey and Connecticut) more money to get to work. Its illegal.
In case you have not followed the bargaining, a few points you should know. The union was 8% raises each year over the next 3 years. The MTA is willing to give 3%. The MTA wants all new workers (those hired after the beginning of the next contract) to pay up to 1% of their salary for health benefits. The union wants health benefits to stay completely free. These are the main sticking points. Although I think the MTA may be playing unnecessary hardball with 3%, the fact that the union wants 8% raises each year for 3 years is ridiculous. Not many people get 8% raises in one year, not to mention for 3 years in a row. Additionally, the union must realize that EVERYONE in the private sector pays something for their health benefits. Its not a free fringe benefit anymore. It can't be -- it has gotten too expensive (which is a debate for another day). A 1% salary deduction for it seems reasonable to me.
The union is willing to back down on their 8% request if the MTA agrees to soften their disciplinary policies and not discipline workers as often (or as much). This is also a ridiculous request. If you are a NYC Transit employee, just do your job, show up on time and smile and you won't ever have to worry about being disciplined.
The union needs to give more than they are willing to. If not, and if the MTA gives in, look for another fare hike sometime soon.
If you want to read a little about the talks, the strike and walking to work in 20 degree weather, check out the following links.
New York City Transit Strike Is On
NYC Subway, Bus Operators Strike
Key Issues in the New York City Transit Strike
UPDATE: Michelle Malkin has some blogger roundup on the strike and GOP and the City is strike blogging. The Florida Masochist awards the TWU (the union) the Knucklehead of the Day Award. Cake or Death shares his Ruminations On A Transit Strike and has a few pictures of New York City transit workers not-so-hard at work. The Malcontent, like most New Yorkers, didn't have a great commute today. Good luck riding back up Second Avenue!
And I forgot to mention above that another sticking point with the union is pension and retirement. Silly me, its a union!
I'm holding out hope that one of the liberal judges in New York does his/her job, finds the union in contempt, holds that it and its members have violated the Taylor Law (New York's law that proscribes striking by public employees), throws the union leadership in jail and starts fining the local and the international.
This is not just a long walk to work. In fact, my commute was not affected by it at all (I live in New Jersey, take the train into Penn Station and walk the 6 blocks to work). But this affects New York in a great number of ways -- with more congested streets, it will take longer to get emergency workers to where they need to be in an emergency. It affects garbage pick up, sanitation, street cleaning, it puts more cops on the street directing traffic instead of doing what we need them to do. It costs the city a lot of money in overtime. It costs hard working New Yorkers (and people from New Jersey and Connecticut) more money to get to work. Its illegal.
In case you have not followed the bargaining, a few points you should know. The union was 8% raises each year over the next 3 years. The MTA is willing to give 3%. The MTA wants all new workers (those hired after the beginning of the next contract) to pay up to 1% of their salary for health benefits. The union wants health benefits to stay completely free. These are the main sticking points. Although I think the MTA may be playing unnecessary hardball with 3%, the fact that the union wants 8% raises each year for 3 years is ridiculous. Not many people get 8% raises in one year, not to mention for 3 years in a row. Additionally, the union must realize that EVERYONE in the private sector pays something for their health benefits. Its not a free fringe benefit anymore. It can't be -- it has gotten too expensive (which is a debate for another day). A 1% salary deduction for it seems reasonable to me.
The union is willing to back down on their 8% request if the MTA agrees to soften their disciplinary policies and not discipline workers as often (or as much). This is also a ridiculous request. If you are a NYC Transit employee, just do your job, show up on time and smile and you won't ever have to worry about being disciplined.
The union needs to give more than they are willing to. If not, and if the MTA gives in, look for another fare hike sometime soon.
If you want to read a little about the talks, the strike and walking to work in 20 degree weather, check out the following links.
New York City Transit Strike Is On
NYC Subway, Bus Operators Strike
Key Issues in the New York City Transit Strike
UPDATE: Michelle Malkin has some blogger roundup on the strike and GOP and the City is strike blogging. The Florida Masochist awards the TWU (the union) the Knucklehead of the Day Award. Cake or Death shares his Ruminations On A Transit Strike and has a few pictures of New York City transit workers not-so-hard at work. The Malcontent, like most New Yorkers, didn't have a great commute today. Good luck riding back up Second Avenue!
And I forgot to mention above that another sticking point with the union is pension and retirement. Silly me, its a union!
Sunday, December 18, 2005
#100, way to go Frank!
In a compilation of approval ratings for the 100 United States Senators, New Jersey's own Frank Lautenberg came in dead last with a 42% approval/43% disapproval rating. Gov-to-be Jon Corzine faired better (slightly), coming in at number 80. Hopefully Mr. Menendez will fair better (although I won't count on it). Check out the full ratings here.
Prediction regarding Lautenberg: He is up for re-election in 2008. He'll be in his mid-80s and likely not a viable candidate. Sometime in late 2007, Mr. Lautenberg will leave the Senate, enabling Governor Corzine to appoint a replacement and a viable candidate to win the seat in 2008.
Hat tip to Wally Edge.
Prediction regarding Lautenberg: He is up for re-election in 2008. He'll be in his mid-80s and likely not a viable candidate. Sometime in late 2007, Mr. Lautenberg will leave the Senate, enabling Governor Corzine to appoint a replacement and a viable candidate to win the seat in 2008.
Hat tip to Wally Edge.
Peter's Pension Padding
Want to know how Peter Harvey will end up costing the New Jersey public pension system $9,000,000 (30 x $300,000)? Read about it here. An excerpt:
Hasn't the soon-to-be-ex-Attorney General done enough damage?
Thanks to Attorney General Peter C. Harvey, Thomas O'Reilly, the administrator at the Department of Law and Public Safety for nearly two decades, is preparing to retire early with a lucrative pension reserved for police, firefighters and the state's criminal prosecutors and detectives.
Hasn't the soon-to-be-ex-Attorney General done enough damage?
Friday, December 16, 2005
Corzine's gas tax lie
More on Gov-to-be Corzine's back tracking on his promise not to raise the gas tax:
Fingers crossed on gas tax vow
Fingers crossed on gas tax vow
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Jenny Craig, HELP!!!
Broken Promise #1
He hasn't even been sworn in yet and he's already breaking campaign promises: Corzine ends his vow to leave gas tax alone.
Unlucky foursomes
I'd keep your foursomes on the golf course:
Four Shot Dead in Paterson, N.J.
Four Killed in Arizona Trailer Fire
Four Found Dead in Boston Music Studio
This one is only at 3, but they are still searching (let's hope it doesn't go any higher):
Three Confirmed Dead in NJ Apartment Building Collapse
Four Shot Dead in Paterson, N.J.
Four Killed in Arizona Trailer Fire
Four Found Dead in Boston Music Studio
This one is only at 3, but they are still searching (let's hope it doesn't go any higher):
Three Confirmed Dead in NJ Apartment Building Collapse
Monday, December 12, 2005
Will Corzine use quotas to fill the bench?
The Star-Ledger released the result of a study that shows 87 percent of the state's 439 trial, tax, appellate and Supreme Court jurists are white and 77 percent are men. Read about it here.
New Jersey has always had a tradition of keeping the state court bench about even when it comes to political ideology. For every Democrat appointed, a Republican is appointed -- regardless of what party controls the governor's office or the state senate.
Given the results of the the Star-Ledger study, will Gov-to-be Corzine abide by this tradition or will he seek to diversify the bench for the sake of numbers?
12/14/05 UPDATE (in response to the comment):
This is a pure numbers game, so let's not be so quick to play the "racist" card.
There are many very well qualified non-white Republicans who are members of the New Jersey bar. I think (and I am willing to bet $5 that I am right) that there are far greater numbers of very well qualified non-white Democrat men and women in the New Jersey bar. This conclusion is based on nothing more than that fact that non-whites (and I am using that term so that I can be as inclusive as possible) tend to be Democrats. From the beginning, then, there are fewer possible non-white Republican candidates for the bench (you must be a lawyer to become a judge in New Jersey). That number will decrease further because not every lawyer wants to be a judge (some don't want to take the pay cut, others may practice in a non-litigation area of the law, some may be too old, others may be too young, etc.).
In any attempt to diversify the bench, then, the Governor will have many more people to choose from coming out of his own party. Its numbers. You shouldn't read anything more into it than that.
For the record, I hope he does diversify the bench. I know a gay Republican member of the New Jersey bar that would be a great addition to the Superior Court.
New Jersey has always had a tradition of keeping the state court bench about even when it comes to political ideology. For every Democrat appointed, a Republican is appointed -- regardless of what party controls the governor's office or the state senate.
Given the results of the the Star-Ledger study, will Gov-to-be Corzine abide by this tradition or will he seek to diversify the bench for the sake of numbers?
12/14/05 UPDATE (in response to the comment):
This is a pure numbers game, so let's not be so quick to play the "racist" card.
There are many very well qualified non-white Republicans who are members of the New Jersey bar. I think (and I am willing to bet $5 that I am right) that there are far greater numbers of very well qualified non-white Democrat men and women in the New Jersey bar. This conclusion is based on nothing more than that fact that non-whites (and I am using that term so that I can be as inclusive as possible) tend to be Democrats. From the beginning, then, there are fewer possible non-white Republican candidates for the bench (you must be a lawyer to become a judge in New Jersey). That number will decrease further because not every lawyer wants to be a judge (some don't want to take the pay cut, others may practice in a non-litigation area of the law, some may be too old, others may be too young, etc.).
In any attempt to diversify the bench, then, the Governor will have many more people to choose from coming out of his own party. Its numbers. You shouldn't read anything more into it than that.
For the record, I hope he does diversify the bench. I know a gay Republican member of the New Jersey bar that would be a great addition to the Superior Court.
The gov's new girl
Governor-to-be Corzine and his current gal-pal went public. She's Newark native Sharon Elghanayan, a 60 year old New York psychotherapist.
At least she's not the head of a state union.
UPDATE: They will be making their public debut at the inaugural ball.
At least she's not the head of a state union.
UPDATE: They will be making their public debut at the inaugural ball.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Paging Dr. Levine
Shouldn't doctors like this guy lose their licenses forever?
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Looks like Menendez
Word on the street is that Corzine will select Menendez to replace him in the U.S. Senate. It also looks like the GOP is getting its ducks all in a row early, with support growing behind Tom Kean, Jr. as their nominee for the 2006 U.S. Senate race.
When does the negative campaigning start? Just remember these words for next fall: Menendez, frying pan, flight of stairs.
When does the negative campaigning start? Just remember these words for next fall: Menendez, frying pan, flight of stairs.
Monday, December 05, 2005
This is how some support the troops
U.S. Army soldier Joshua Sparling, recovering from a gunshot wound at Walter Reed U.S. Army Hospital, received the following card from someone who obviously thinks supporting the troops means hoping for their deaths and the failure of their mission (picture via Michelle Malkin):
Check out Michelle Malkin's post on it, as well as Stuck on Stupid's post (which has some good info on how we can counter such nonsense).
Check out Michelle Malkin's post on it, as well as Stuck on Stupid's post (which has some good info on how we can counter such nonsense).
