As always, Stewart's take on the issue was extremely humorous and right on.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Changeling: John Stewart comments on Arlen Specter
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
With 25% Tax Increase In 4 years, Middletown GOP Needs To Be Held Accountable
In response of my two earlier post of last week, Middletown GOP Push 9.2% Tax Increase Onto Residents & Thanks to GOP, Middletown Has Become Unaffordable, the mayor felt it necessary to issue a press release stating that Middletown is doing everything possible to seek further ways to reduce the 9.2% tax increase in this years proposed budget, which would be the 4th time in four years that the municipal tax rate would be increased and represent a cumulative 25% increase during this time.
Why do I assume that this press release was a direct response to my posts? Because on Thursday and Friday of last week, the days that the posts appear on MiddletownMike, the blog received several hits from township computers before the press release appeared sometime Friday afternoon. So being that this blog is so well read down at Town Hall, allow me to comment on a few of the points addressed in the press release.
The revenue loss stems primarily from reductions in state aid, permit fees and interest earned on bank deposits.
Middletown lost $180,000 in state aid this year and yes permit fees are down due to the economy. Construction jobs are down, people are out of work, parking at the train station is off 20% or more, and people just cannot afford to spend money at this time. Surely, this can’t add up to $2.4M. Could other sources include the $980k gap created by the sale of our cell tower revenues last year?
Now the mayor is leaving it up to the residents to figure out what services they want to do without. Is this what was meant when she campaigned in November on putting the taxpayer first? I thought that someone ran for public office to represent the people, not leave it up to the people to decide what to do. This is a prime example of a total lack of leadership. A real leader would look at the cold hard facts and decide what is best for the taxpayer, not leave it up to them to decide.
Middletown needs new way to generate revenue. The day of subsidizing programs with taxpayer dollars must end. Programs need to be self-supporting, like the Swim & Tennis Club that almost pays for itself. Or, the Arts Center that costs over $20k per month for utilities to control a moisture problem and operates at $300,000 loss per year. There are scientists that are trying to figure out what a black hole is, all they need to do is come to Middletown and look into facilities such as these and watch the money disappear before their eyes in disbelief.
50% of FY 2009's budget has already been spent, how do the Middletown GOP plan on plugging a $2.4 million hole in the budget when half of it is already spent? This budget deficit should not have come as a suprise to anyone, this shortfall is the same amount that the township needed fill last year with one shot revenue gimmicks such as sell off the cell phone towers mentioned earlier.
Face it Middletown, the GOP refuses to make hard decisions and would rather blame others for their bad planning. We will be stuck with a 9.2% tax increase no matter what Mayor Pam or Deputy-dog Gerry says, just like last year.
Keep in mind come November, Democrats Patrick Short and Sean Byrnes have been warning everyone that this day was coming unless prudent steps were taken early on during budget meetings. It is unfortunate that there warning have again been ignored by the majority party in town.
There is much more to comment on, but I’ll leave those comments for another post.
There is much more to comment on, but I’ll leave those comments for another post.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Menendez:The Democrats Welcomed Sen. Arlen Specter Into Our Party
"The Democrats welcomed Sen. Arlen Specter into our party today. He gave one simple reason for switching parties:
"Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans."
"Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans."
The extreme right wing lost the American people in 2006 and 2008. Now, they've lost their hold on another moderate voice in the United States Senate.
This one's a game-changer. Specter's move immediately improves the prospects of President Obama's bold change agenda.
But make no mistake - Republicans still have the votes they need to mount a filibuster. Sen. Specter's decision will make our opponents even more desperate.
Norm Coleman will dig in his heels and fight even harder to deny us that filibuster-proof 60th seat.
Even when Coleman finally, finally has no more appeals and is forced to concede defeat, the Republicans will be plotting day and night to defeat our candidates in 2010. They know that beating just one Democratic incumbent would let them filibuster, delay, and deny the President's agenda.
Today is a great day for all of us who want to help bring real, lasting change to this country...."
Note to Sen. Specter: I applauded your decision to join the Democratic Party, as the Republican party has shown there is no place in its ranks for a "moderate" Republican. As the nation leans more towards the left, neocon-conservative Republicans have taken control of all that is left of the party of Eisenhower, Goldwater and Reagan.
While the Republican party has dwindled and became known as the "Party Of No", the Democratic ranks have swelled. Democats are the leaders of change that have and will, see this country through the current economic crisis and lead the way in the fight for healthcare, social security and tax reform.
Welcome,
MM
Breaking: Specter Will Run as a Democrat in 2010
By Carl Hulse
Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania said on Tuesday he would switch to the Democratic party, presenting Democrats with a possible 60th vote and the power to break Senate filibusters as they try to advance the Obama administration’s new agenda.
In a statement issued about noon as the Capitol was digesting the stunning turn of events, Mr. Specter said he had concluded that his party had moved too far to the right, a fact demonstrated by the migration of 200,000 Pennsylvania Republicans to the Democratic Party.
New York Times
Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania said on Tuesday he would switch to the Democratic party, presenting Democrats with a possible 60th vote and the power to break Senate filibusters as they try to advance the Obama administration’s new agenda.
In a statement issued about noon as the Capitol was digesting the stunning turn of events, Mr. Specter said he had concluded that his party had moved too far to the right, a fact demonstrated by the migration of 200,000 Pennsylvania Republicans to the Democratic Party.
Read More >>>Here
Monday, April 27, 2009
New Jersey's GOP Primary: Lonegan Isn't Christie's Biggest Problem
With five weeks left until Primary Election Day, the Republican gubernatorial primary in New Jersey just kicked into high gear.
But are the rival campaigns -- and GOP primary voters -- overlooking the most salient data?
Is Jon Corzine -- who just registered the highest-ever job disapproval ratings on record for a New Jersey Governor -- nevertheless on a glide path to reelection?
Political New Jersey has been aflutter since last Wednesday, when the release of two new surveys -- one by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, and one by Strategic Vision -- focused attention on the threat posed to establishment Republican frontrunner Chris Christie by conservative challenger Steve Lonegan.
Quinnipiac has a long history of polling in New Jersey.
Quinnipiac, as it always has, told us how the poll was conducted, including telling us the size of the subsample of likely GOP voters.
Strategic Vision, by contrast, didn't tell us what was the size of the subsample of GOP voters, or tell us whether the survey respondents were screened for a likelihood to vote.
Consequently, most campaign veterans -- at least those who aren't already on the Christie campaign payroll -- focused on the Quinnipiac numbers.
That Quinnipiac survey indicated that the GOP gubernatorial primary was a lot tighter than most people had believed it to be.
According to that survey, Christie's lead over Lonegan was a mere 9 points, at 46-37 percent, among the subsample of 486 likely GOP primary voters.
Read more >>> Here
Pres. Obama Congratulates C-SPAN StudentCam Contest Winner
The President mentioned how he was personal touched by cancer, when his mother was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 53. The president said that the fight against cancer is one of the top priorities of his administration, as part of this years budget, $6 billion dollars has been allocated toward cancer research.
"Cancer: Its Personal" - C-SPAN StudentCam 2009 Grand Prize Winner
As the Grand Prize winner, Sawyer received $5,000 and his school was given $1,000 to spend on digital video equipment for his school.
After watching this powerful and moving video it's easy to see why it was chosen as the winner. The video is a heartfelt tribute to his grandparents, who each died of cancer.
To view the entire list of winners and learn more about the competition, visit: http://www.studentcam.org/
Middletown Republicans Put Politics Front and Center, Adopt NJ State Republican Party Resolution Condemning Corzine Budget
Contact: Joe Caliendo, Chairman, Middletown Democrats
8 Daniel Drive, Middletown, NJ 07748
Tel: 732-299-6470
Press Release
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ: Middletown committeemen Sean Byrnes and Patrick Short decided not to cooperate with the politics of parties over people at the April 20th session of that governing body.
The Middletown Committee's Republican Majority adopted, by a vote of 3 to 2, a resolution they received from the New Jersey Assembly's Republican Office that did not constructively criticize the governor's spending plan – the resolution was just politics as usual.
"I'm not a fan of the governor's budget, but this resolution was created for clearly political reasons," said Byrnes, who is also running for a 3-year seat on the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders this year.
Byrnes noted that the proclamation adopted by the Middletown Committee did not offer any actual recommendations. Instead, it sought no tax increases, program cuts, personnel cuts or any other belt-tightening measures. In addition, the document was filled with partisan references geared to an election season instead of the kind of work government should be accomplishing when convened. "I expected a comment about a magic wand somewhere," Byrnes said.
Byrnes faulted Gov. Corzine for not making the tough choices that should have been made in the spending plan this year, especially in the current economic environment. Some of the ways that Byrnes recommended should have been explored on the state level included: reigning in high-paying salaries for top state officials, examining ways to fundamentally revisit the organization of state government and the way it offers services, and exploring consolidation of services.
Otherwise, without this kind of thoughtful approach to critiquing the state budget, complaints about the spending plan lack real seriousness where it involves a subject that warrants it.
Short similarly criticized the language of the resolution, noting that state spending has to be examined in the context of the plan and government spending has to be reined in realistically. He stressed that much more work could be to improve the lot of state taxpayers, but noted that political posturing isn't the way to achieve it.
Rather than engage this line of discussion, committee Republicans offered criticism without anything constructive in their arguments. Republican Committeeman Anthony Fiore criticized the financial subsidies that cities like Camden, Newark and Jersey City receive. He offered that more of an emphasis should be placed on suburban towns by the state.
Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger defended adopting the Assembly GOP resolution through his criticism of universal preschool in New Jersey.
Middletown Democratic Chairman Joe Caliendo noted, "If Republicans either in Trenton or Middletown want to make a change to give taxpayers a better break, they are going to need to have actual ideas of their own – not just criticisms. Democrats do not need to change parties to say what they think – because party lines aren't what is going to change things for the better."
Caliendo explained that it is not enough for Scharfenberger or anyone else to point to Trenton and say that the state government is the sole problem with what is wrong in Middletown. "When someone is usually wrong they look to shift blame from themselves. The Middletown Committee has been Republican controlled for 28 years and if there is a problem in this town with the budget and its oversight it isn't Trenton's fault. It is the fault of the people in charge of the town, and they happen to be Republicans," Caliendo said.
He added that, where it involves Trenton, it was not Jon Corzine that created the state's fiscal crisis. Rather, Caliendo noted that it was former Gov. Christine Todd-Whitman who did more to place the Garden State into the red than all of New Jersey's governor's combined, and she happened to be Republican. "If the Republican Party could stop lying, then Democrats wouldn't have to keep telling the truth about them. There are things that could have been done better in this year's state budget but it takes real recommendations to make changes and not just posturing by the GOP," Caliendo concluded.
Tel: 732-299-6470
Press Release
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ: Middletown committeemen Sean Byrnes and Patrick Short decided not to cooperate with the politics of parties over people at the April 20th session of that governing body.
The Middletown Committee's Republican Majority adopted, by a vote of 3 to 2, a resolution they received from the New Jersey Assembly's Republican Office that did not constructively criticize the governor's spending plan – the resolution was just politics as usual.
"I'm not a fan of the governor's budget, but this resolution was created for clearly political reasons," said Byrnes, who is also running for a 3-year seat on the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders this year.
Byrnes noted that the proclamation adopted by the Middletown Committee did not offer any actual recommendations. Instead, it sought no tax increases, program cuts, personnel cuts or any other belt-tightening measures. In addition, the document was filled with partisan references geared to an election season instead of the kind of work government should be accomplishing when convened. "I expected a comment about a magic wand somewhere," Byrnes said.
Byrnes faulted Gov. Corzine for not making the tough choices that should have been made in the spending plan this year, especially in the current economic environment. Some of the ways that Byrnes recommended should have been explored on the state level included: reigning in high-paying salaries for top state officials, examining ways to fundamentally revisit the organization of state government and the way it offers services, and exploring consolidation of services.
Otherwise, without this kind of thoughtful approach to critiquing the state budget, complaints about the spending plan lack real seriousness where it involves a subject that warrants it.
Short similarly criticized the language of the resolution, noting that state spending has to be examined in the context of the plan and government spending has to be reined in realistically. He stressed that much more work could be to improve the lot of state taxpayers, but noted that political posturing isn't the way to achieve it.
Rather than engage this line of discussion, committee Republicans offered criticism without anything constructive in their arguments. Republican Committeeman Anthony Fiore criticized the financial subsidies that cities like Camden, Newark and Jersey City receive. He offered that more of an emphasis should be placed on suburban towns by the state.
Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger defended adopting the Assembly GOP resolution through his criticism of universal preschool in New Jersey.
Middletown Democratic Chairman Joe Caliendo noted, "If Republicans either in Trenton or Middletown want to make a change to give taxpayers a better break, they are going to need to have actual ideas of their own – not just criticisms. Democrats do not need to change parties to say what they think – because party lines aren't what is going to change things for the better."
Caliendo explained that it is not enough for Scharfenberger or anyone else to point to Trenton and say that the state government is the sole problem with what is wrong in Middletown. "When someone is usually wrong they look to shift blame from themselves. The Middletown Committee has been Republican controlled for 28 years and if there is a problem in this town with the budget and its oversight it isn't Trenton's fault. It is the fault of the people in charge of the town, and they happen to be Republicans," Caliendo said.
He added that, where it involves Trenton, it was not Jon Corzine that created the state's fiscal crisis. Rather, Caliendo noted that it was former Gov. Christine Todd-Whitman who did more to place the Garden State into the red than all of New Jersey's governor's combined, and she happened to be Republican. "If the Republican Party could stop lying, then Democrats wouldn't have to keep telling the truth about them. There are things that could have been done better in this year's state budget but it takes real recommendations to make changes and not just posturing by the GOP," Caliendo concluded.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Two Shore Boys Taken During 1st Round Of NFL Draft
It was a big day for two Monmouth County shore boys, Knowshon Moreno and Donald Brown, both were drafted earlier today during the 1st round of the NFL's annual players draft.
Local Middletown legend Knowshon Moreno, who played football for Middletown High School South before moving onto the University of Georgia was the 12th selection in the draft, being taken by the Denver Broncos.
Here is what the scouting report had to say about Moreno:
Knowshon Moreno has the speed, strength, and ability to finish a run through, and gets up right away to get to his next touch. He is the top RB prospect this year and will make an immediate impact on the league next year. Projected to be taken some where in the teens but will instantly have a positive effect on whatever team takes him.
Atlantic Highlands native Donald Brown, played his high school ball for Red Bank Catholic before going on to star for the University of Connecticut. Brown was selected #27 by the Indianapolis Colts.
Here is what the scouting report had to say about Brown:
A solid all-around back who has shown he can be effective running inside or outside, Brown is more quick than he is strong and would be best used on counters, misdirections and in space. However, he has shown he can do everything well and has clear starter potential. Could really excel in a zone-blocking scheme.
Borderline first-round talent.
Congratulations to both Moreno and Brown, from what I have heard about both of them they are each upstanding and level headed kids who are great citizens and individuals. Both should excel in the NFL for their new teams.
Local Middletown legend Knowshon Moreno, who played football for Middletown High School South before moving onto the University of Georgia was the 12th selection in the draft, being taken by the Denver Broncos.
Here is what the scouting report had to say about Moreno:
Knowshon Moreno has the speed, strength, and ability to finish a run through, and gets up right away to get to his next touch. He is the top RB prospect this year and will make an immediate impact on the league next year. Projected to be taken some where in the teens but will instantly have a positive effect on whatever team takes him.
Atlantic Highlands native Donald Brown, played his high school ball for Red Bank Catholic before going on to star for the University of Connecticut. Brown was selected #27 by the Indianapolis Colts.
Here is what the scouting report had to say about Brown:
A solid all-around back who has shown he can be effective running inside or outside, Brown is more quick than he is strong and would be best used on counters, misdirections and in space. However, he has shown he can do everything well and has clear starter potential. Could really excel in a zone-blocking scheme.
Borderline first-round talent.
Congratulations to both Moreno and Brown, from what I have heard about both of them they are each upstanding and level headed kids who are great citizens and individuals. Both should excel in the NFL for their new teams.
President Obama's Weekly Address: 4/25/09
This week the President reiterates a theme that has been a hallmark of his career, namely that "old habits and stale thinking" will simply not help us solve the new and immense problems our country faces. Listing off several specific changes he intends to bring, he describes his guiding principle: "To help build a new foundation for the 21st century, we need to reform our government so that it is more efficient, more transparent, and more creative."
NFL Draft Today 3 Jersey Guys Hoping To Hit the Big Time
The NFL draft takes place later today at Radio City Music Hall. I haven't had time to really study the the kids available for the NFL's annual meat market that will start at 4:00 pm but I will be tuned in none the less.
1. LIONS: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
Here's the beauty of going 0-16: Pick a player, any player, and it's an upgrade. Roger Goodell should provide bailout picks for the Lions so they will be competitive instead of ruining Thanksgiving every year for football fans. Stafford had better not be Joey Harrington.
2. RAMS: Jason Smith, T, Baylor
When the game of musical chairs stopped, all that was left for Steve Spagnuolo was the Rams. At least he got his Super Bowl ring with the Giants. Rams are five-to-10 years away from winning. Rams and Chiefs (with combined 11-53 record last two years) have made Missouri proud.
3. CHIEFS: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
Bill Belichick gave his buddy Scott Pioli a nice gift to jump-start his program: Matt Cassel. Now all he needs is 52 more players. Pioli imported Mike Vrabel and Zach Thomas, who can teach Curry about life as a linebacker in the NFL. It's just not the same in K.C. without Herm.
4. SEAHAWKS: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
The Redskins want Mark Sanchez and are hot for this pick. The Seahawks say they won't take a QB and believe Matt Hasselbeck, Elisabeth's brother-in-law, has enough left. In two seasons in college, Crabtree had 231 catches and 41 TDs. Those are Madden video game numbers.
5. BROWNS: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
Eric Mangini gets run out of New York and winds up with more power when owner Randy Lerner confuses him with Vince Lombardi. The former Mangenius has already traded Kellen Winslow; Braylon Edwards to the Giants and Brady Quinn to the Jets could be next.
6. BENGALS: Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia
Free Ocho Cinco. Mike Brown needs to show he has a heart and let him go. Ocho Cinco has spent ocho years in Cincy, but it must feel like ocho cinco years to him. Who complains more this year: Ocho Cinco or Laveranues Coles?
7. RAIDERS: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Al Davis has always been obsessed with speed and Maclin has it. He also had 182 catches and 22 TDs in the last two years. But can JaMarcus Russell deliver the pigskin? Don't worry about the Raiders. Davis brought back Tom Cable as coach.
8. JAGUARS: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
The hot spot for a trade if Sanchez is still around. The Redskins and Jets will be bidding to get him. Jags would take RB Beanie Wells if they move down or Raji if they stay here.
9. PACKERS: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
Important year coming up for Aaron Rodgers. Pack was 6-10 with him after 13-3 with Brett Favre, although Green Bay played virtually no defense last season, which makes it harder to win.
10. 49ERS: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
When the coach is the most entertaining portion of the program, that's trouble. But it's hard to top Mike Singletary dropping his drawers during his first halftime speech to illustrate how poorly his guys played. Singletary, a defensive guy, goes for a defensive guy.
11. BILLS: Andre Smith, T, Alabama
They had time and money invested in OT Jason Peters, but didn't want to invest any more of either, so they traded him to Philly for the 28th pick.
12. BRONCOS: Robert Ayers, DE-LB, Tennessee
The Broncos had the best young quarterback in the league, but boy genius Josh McDaniels wrote the manual on how to run the franchise QB out of town.
13. REDSKINS: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
Dan Snyder got shut out on Jay Cutler. Now his new infatuation is Mark Sanchez, but without a second-round pick to move up, he will have to give up next year's No. 1.
14. SAINTS: Malcolm Jenkins, CB-S, Ohio State
The Saints could go for a running back here (Beanie Wells or Knowshon Moreno) because Reggie Bush is not an every-down player. But at some point, even a pass-happy coach like Sean Payton knows you have to stop the pass.
15. TEXANS: Brian Cushing, LB, USC
Can definitely see one of the three USC linebackers going here: Cushing, Clay Matthews (uncle Bruce is on the Texans staff) or Rey Maualuga
16. CHARGERS: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
LT is in his ninth year and he's slowing down. Darren Sproles was outstanding vs. Colts in playoffs, but he's a situational back. Moreno may be a luxury today, but a necessity tomorrow.
17. JETS: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
If Mark Sanchez falls to No. 8, Jags want to deal and Jets will make a run at moving up. If Browns take Sanchez, then the Jets could trade for Brady Quinn. If the Redskins get Sanchez, then the Jets could trade for Jason Campbell. Otherwise, it's Heyward-Bey, the player the Giants love.
18. BRONCOS: Clay Matthews, LB, USC
Instead of Mike Shanahan and Jay Cutler, they have Josh McDaniels and Kyle Orton. Bad trade. The Broncos could take Kansas State QB Josh Freeman here in what was the Bears' spot.
19. BUCS: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
They missed on Brett Favre in '08 and Jay Cutler in '09. They signed Byron Leftwich to compete with future Hall of Famers Luke McCown, Brian Griese and Josh Johnson. That's quite a foursome.
20. LIONS: Michael Oher, T, Mississippi
In an attempt to reverse the heist from the Vikings in '89 in exchange for Herschel Walker, Dallas owner Jerry Jones sent this pick and his third- and sixth-round selections to the Lions for WR Roy Williams and a seventh-rounder last year.
(Page 3 of 3)
21. EAGLES: Beanie Wells, RB, Ohio State
We know Tiki Barber, and Brian Westbrook is no Tiki Barber. That's false advertising by the Birds. Westbrook is dynamic, he just gets hurt too much. With Correll Buckhalter now in Denver, Beanie shares the load. We sure hope that makes Donovan McNabb happy.
22. VIKINGS: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
Back in '98, there were character questions about Randy Moss and he fell all the way to the Vikes at No. 21. Harvin may be the most talented player in the draft and teams don't worry that he reportedly tested positive for marijuana at the combine.
23. PATRIOTS: Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut
Bill Parcells has never won a playoff game without Bill Belichick. Can Belichick pick players without Scott Pioli? Just who was responsible for finding Tom Brady in the sixth round?
24. FALCONS: Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia
Right up until they were on the clock a year ago, it looked like the Falcons were going to compound the Michael Vick disaster by passing on QB Matt Ryan and taking DT Glenn Dorsey.
25. DOLPHINS: Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
The Tuna has not won a playoff game since the Jets beat the Jags in the '98 divisional round. But he's got the quick turnaround down pretty good, helped in Miami by the Chad Pennington gift from the Jets. As much as Pennington needs more weapons, Parcells loves linebackers.
26. RAVENS: Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State
The son of Terry Robiskie, the Falcons' WR coach and former Redskins head coach, is ready to contribute right now. That's what the Ravens need for Joe Flacco.
27. COLTS: Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut
Now that Marvin Harrison is gone, I can see Bill Polian finding one more weapon for Peyton Manning on the outside.
28. BILLS: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
Imagine this: It's Dec. 20 and the the Bills are 2-11 and trailing 27-0 in the second quarter. T.O. is standing by himself in a blizzard on the sidelines, an inch of ice on his helmet and the popcorn machine frozen. He will get misty-eyed recalling Tony and Jessica.
29. GIANTS: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
Jerry Reese wants to move up for WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, a big guy with lots of speed to replace Plax. If they can't get him, then it's Nicks. Giants wouldn't give up Osi Umenyiora in Eli Manning deal five years ago. No shot they'll give up Mathias Kiwanuka for Braylon Edwards.
30. TITANS: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi
Since the Titans chose not to include the Grand Ole Opry in their offer, they had no shot to keep Albert Haynesworth, especially when Dan Snyder decided to be a one-man federal stimulus package. Whatever happened to Vince Young?
31. CARDINALS: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
Anquan Boldin has two years left on his contract and figures there might be some loose change hanging around after the Cards gave Larry Fitzgerald $10 million a year last year with $30 million guaranteed. No way they should trade him, but if they do Kurt Warner will make Britt a star.
32. STEELERS: Alex Mack, C, Cal
Not exactly the pick that makes the Steelers favorites to repeat, but the O-line allowed Big Ben to get hit just a little bit too much last season - he was sacked 46 times
And here is the latest Video from CBS Sports that talks about the Running backs availabe today, of note Georgia Bull Dog and Middletown South graduate Knowshon Moreno, is expected to be selected in the 1st round. Two other New Jersey natives Donald Brown of Red Bank Catholic and Shawn Greene
The following is the the NY. Daily News's mock draft for today's event:
1. LIONS: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
Here's the beauty of going 0-16: Pick a player, any player, and it's an upgrade. Roger Goodell should provide bailout picks for the Lions so they will be competitive instead of ruining Thanksgiving every year for football fans. Stafford had better not be Joey Harrington.
2. RAMS: Jason Smith, T, Baylor
When the game of musical chairs stopped, all that was left for Steve Spagnuolo was the Rams. At least he got his Super Bowl ring with the Giants. Rams are five-to-10 years away from winning. Rams and Chiefs (with combined 11-53 record last two years) have made Missouri proud.
3. CHIEFS: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
Bill Belichick gave his buddy Scott Pioli a nice gift to jump-start his program: Matt Cassel. Now all he needs is 52 more players. Pioli imported Mike Vrabel and Zach Thomas, who can teach Curry about life as a linebacker in the NFL. It's just not the same in K.C. without Herm.
4. SEAHAWKS: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
The Redskins want Mark Sanchez and are hot for this pick. The Seahawks say they won't take a QB and believe Matt Hasselbeck, Elisabeth's brother-in-law, has enough left. In two seasons in college, Crabtree had 231 catches and 41 TDs. Those are Madden video game numbers.
5. BROWNS: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
Eric Mangini gets run out of New York and winds up with more power when owner Randy Lerner confuses him with Vince Lombardi. The former Mangenius has already traded Kellen Winslow; Braylon Edwards to the Giants and Brady Quinn to the Jets could be next.
6. BENGALS: Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia
Free Ocho Cinco. Mike Brown needs to show he has a heart and let him go. Ocho Cinco has spent ocho years in Cincy, but it must feel like ocho cinco years to him. Who complains more this year: Ocho Cinco or Laveranues Coles?
7. RAIDERS: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Al Davis has always been obsessed with speed and Maclin has it. He also had 182 catches and 22 TDs in the last two years. But can JaMarcus Russell deliver the pigskin? Don't worry about the Raiders. Davis brought back Tom Cable as coach.
8. JAGUARS: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
The hot spot for a trade if Sanchez is still around. The Redskins and Jets will be bidding to get him. Jags would take RB Beanie Wells if they move down or Raji if they stay here.
9. PACKERS: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
Important year coming up for Aaron Rodgers. Pack was 6-10 with him after 13-3 with Brett Favre, although Green Bay played virtually no defense last season, which makes it harder to win.
10. 49ERS: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
When the coach is the most entertaining portion of the program, that's trouble. But it's hard to top Mike Singletary dropping his drawers during his first halftime speech to illustrate how poorly his guys played. Singletary, a defensive guy, goes for a defensive guy.
11. BILLS: Andre Smith, T, Alabama
They had time and money invested in OT Jason Peters, but didn't want to invest any more of either, so they traded him to Philly for the 28th pick.
12. BRONCOS: Robert Ayers, DE-LB, Tennessee
The Broncos had the best young quarterback in the league, but boy genius Josh McDaniels wrote the manual on how to run the franchise QB out of town.
13. REDSKINS: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
Dan Snyder got shut out on Jay Cutler. Now his new infatuation is Mark Sanchez, but without a second-round pick to move up, he will have to give up next year's No. 1.
14. SAINTS: Malcolm Jenkins, CB-S, Ohio State
The Saints could go for a running back here (Beanie Wells or Knowshon Moreno) because Reggie Bush is not an every-down player. But at some point, even a pass-happy coach like Sean Payton knows you have to stop the pass.
15. TEXANS: Brian Cushing, LB, USC
Can definitely see one of the three USC linebackers going here: Cushing, Clay Matthews (uncle Bruce is on the Texans staff) or Rey Maualuga
16. CHARGERS: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
LT is in his ninth year and he's slowing down. Darren Sproles was outstanding vs. Colts in playoffs, but he's a situational back. Moreno may be a luxury today, but a necessity tomorrow.
17. JETS: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
If Mark Sanchez falls to No. 8, Jags want to deal and Jets will make a run at moving up. If Browns take Sanchez, then the Jets could trade for Brady Quinn. If the Redskins get Sanchez, then the Jets could trade for Jason Campbell. Otherwise, it's Heyward-Bey, the player the Giants love.
18. BRONCOS: Clay Matthews, LB, USC
Instead of Mike Shanahan and Jay Cutler, they have Josh McDaniels and Kyle Orton. Bad trade. The Broncos could take Kansas State QB Josh Freeman here in what was the Bears' spot.
19. BUCS: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
They missed on Brett Favre in '08 and Jay Cutler in '09. They signed Byron Leftwich to compete with future Hall of Famers Luke McCown, Brian Griese and Josh Johnson. That's quite a foursome.
20. LIONS: Michael Oher, T, Mississippi
In an attempt to reverse the heist from the Vikings in '89 in exchange for Herschel Walker, Dallas owner Jerry Jones sent this pick and his third- and sixth-round selections to the Lions for WR Roy Williams and a seventh-rounder last year.
(Page 3 of 3)
21. EAGLES: Beanie Wells, RB, Ohio State
We know Tiki Barber, and Brian Westbrook is no Tiki Barber. That's false advertising by the Birds. Westbrook is dynamic, he just gets hurt too much. With Correll Buckhalter now in Denver, Beanie shares the load. We sure hope that makes Donovan McNabb happy.
22. VIKINGS: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
Back in '98, there were character questions about Randy Moss and he fell all the way to the Vikes at No. 21. Harvin may be the most talented player in the draft and teams don't worry that he reportedly tested positive for marijuana at the combine.
23. PATRIOTS: Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut
Bill Parcells has never won a playoff game without Bill Belichick. Can Belichick pick players without Scott Pioli? Just who was responsible for finding Tom Brady in the sixth round?
24. FALCONS: Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia
Right up until they were on the clock a year ago, it looked like the Falcons were going to compound the Michael Vick disaster by passing on QB Matt Ryan and taking DT Glenn Dorsey.
25. DOLPHINS: Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
The Tuna has not won a playoff game since the Jets beat the Jags in the '98 divisional round. But he's got the quick turnaround down pretty good, helped in Miami by the Chad Pennington gift from the Jets. As much as Pennington needs more weapons, Parcells loves linebackers.
26. RAVENS: Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State
The son of Terry Robiskie, the Falcons' WR coach and former Redskins head coach, is ready to contribute right now. That's what the Ravens need for Joe Flacco.
27. COLTS: Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut
Now that Marvin Harrison is gone, I can see Bill Polian finding one more weapon for Peyton Manning on the outside.
28. BILLS: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
Imagine this: It's Dec. 20 and the the Bills are 2-11 and trailing 27-0 in the second quarter. T.O. is standing by himself in a blizzard on the sidelines, an inch of ice on his helmet and the popcorn machine frozen. He will get misty-eyed recalling Tony and Jessica.
29. GIANTS: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
Jerry Reese wants to move up for WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, a big guy with lots of speed to replace Plax. If they can't get him, then it's Nicks. Giants wouldn't give up Osi Umenyiora in Eli Manning deal five years ago. No shot they'll give up Mathias Kiwanuka for Braylon Edwards.
30. TITANS: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi
Since the Titans chose not to include the Grand Ole Opry in their offer, they had no shot to keep Albert Haynesworth, especially when Dan Snyder decided to be a one-man federal stimulus package. Whatever happened to Vince Young?
31. CARDINALS: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
Anquan Boldin has two years left on his contract and figures there might be some loose change hanging around after the Cards gave Larry Fitzgerald $10 million a year last year with $30 million guaranteed. No way they should trade him, but if they do Kurt Warner will make Britt a star.
32. STEELERS: Alex Mack, C, Cal
Not exactly the pick that makes the Steelers favorites to repeat, but the O-line allowed Big Ben to get hit just a little bit too much last season - he was sacked 46 times
And here is the latest Video from CBS Sports that talks about the Running backs availabe today, of note Georgia Bull Dog and Middletown South graduate Knowshon Moreno, is expected to be selected in the 1st round. Two other New Jersey natives Donald Brown of Red Bank Catholic and Shawn Greene
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thanks to GOP, Middletown Has Become Unaffordable
Democrats have been warning Middletown for years now about the reckless spending habits of the Middletown GOP.
We're all having a rough time balancing our own checkbooks and have had to cut expenses in this current economic enviroment the country is in, unfortunately the Republicans in town fell otherwise and refuse to cut spending and are increasing the size the local government by going on a hiring binge again, word has it that the township is looking to fill several positions within Parks & Rec. and Public Works.
If you are looking for a nice cushy job send your resumes now!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Middletown GOP Push 9.2% Tax Increase Onto Residents
Can you believe it Middletown? The Republican controlled township committee will be pushing through a 9.2 % property tax increase to balance township finances. It will be one of the largest tax increases in township history.
When you add on top of last years tax increase of 7.3 % and the 8.7 % increase over the prior two years, the Middletown GOP has been responsible for local property tax increases of 25% in the past 4 years!
What have we gotten for all of this?
We have a beautiful Arts Center that was built on contaminated soil that cost over $8 million to bulid and costs the tax payers over $240,000 a year just in utility costs. We have 2 Township Attorneys that can bill the township for over $600,000 a year combined and local GOP fiathful that sit on the Sewage Authority that just gave themselves a raise for 12 hours of work a year.
It's time for people to wake up and see what is going on here. It is time to stop blaming Trenton for what happens here in Middletown like Pam Brightbill, Gerry Scharfenberger and now Tony Fiore have been doing for the past few years!
Our local GOP are fat bastards that need to go on a diet.
You can't blame this one on the Democrats, Patrick Short and Sean Byrnes have been warning residents about this for 3 years now! Why do you think Short has been ridiculed for the past 3 years for reading the bill list each month and pointing out wasteful spending? It's because the Republican majority that runs Middletown is hungry for our tax dollars, to many of them rely on the township for their livelihood. If they cut spending they will go hungry it is as simple as that!
I'd like to hear where this years Middletown GOP golden boy Steve Massell stands on this tax increase?
I wonder if he was let in on this dirty little secret before Monday's township committee meeting, because like much of what the GOP majority does, it kept Short and Byrnes and the public in the dark about the 9.2% increase until the night of the meeting so that they could not properly respond and ask questions
Fox New's Shepard Smith: "We are American, We Do No Torture!", Then Drops F* Bomb
Yesterday, Fox News viewers were treated to anchorman Shepard Smith and former New York Times reporter Judith Miller's repeated and passionate condemnation of torture, at one point Smith declared, "We are America, we don't torture! And the moment that is not the case, I want off the train! This government is of, by, and for the people -- that means it's mine. That means -- I'm not saying what is torture, and what is not torture, but I'm saying, whatever it is, you don't do it for me! I want off the train when the government starts -- I want off, next stop, now!"
Later in the day, while Smith was anchoring the Foxnews.com's "Strategy Room", Shepard Smith let loose the F* bomb when reporter Trace Gallagher suggested harsh interrogation tactics might be an effective tool to use to gather information.
I don't watch Fox News that often but when I do, I generally find myself tuning in when Shepard Smith is on the air. I find him to be more level headed and moderate than many other of his colleagues on the channel, so it is refreshing to see him act this way and I applaud him for his stance, even though he is non committal on what constitutes torture.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Corzine Talks Torture With Morning Joe
They also dicussed whether or not Bush administration and/or other government officials should be held accountable for their actions.
Take a look, it was an interesting discussion that I wasn't expecting. Who knew that the Governor was expert on such things?
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Quote of The Day
~Native American Proverb
Earth Day 2009
Today, April 22, 2009 is Earth Day.
The Big Blue Marble
HeartMath Earth Day 09
The following 4-minute film takes you around the world and into some of the most scenic wild places on earth -- from Norwegian fjords to southsea islands; from giant sequoias to towering mountain peaks; from urban stress to the quiet splendors of a coral reef. Throughout it celebrates the beauty and diversity of our planet. It asks us to celebrate Earth Day, every day!
Earth Day: Take It To Heart
We only have one planet that we can call HOME, we need to take care of it.
Conserve, Recycle and Protect our Environment
The Big Blue Marble
HeartMath Earth Day 09
The following 4-minute film takes you around the world and into some of the most scenic wild places on earth -- from Norwegian fjords to southsea islands; from giant sequoias to towering mountain peaks; from urban stress to the quiet splendors of a coral reef. Throughout it celebrates the beauty and diversity of our planet. It asks us to celebrate Earth Day, every day!
Earth Day: Take It To Heart
Corzine On Morning Joe
Governor Corzine will be making an appearence on MSNBC's Morning Joe program in a little more than 7 hours from now @ 7:15 am.
Check it out and see what he has to say.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Middletown School Board Election - Budget Passes & Cody Lost
For all of those who voted in todays Middletown School Board election the results are in:
The budget passed by a vote of 4621 yes 2887 no
All three incumbents were also re-elected to 3 year terms
Skelton with 2894 votes
Donlon with 2423 votes
I would like to thank all of you who read my earlier post and took my advice to follow the ABC rule, Anyone But Cody. James Cody lost by a good margin.
The Board of Education is no place for a person with a personal ax to grind and an agenda against others, and who serve honestly and with the best intentions of our children in mind.
Middletown School Board Election - Anyone But Cody
Middletown School Board elections are today there are 7 candidates seeking 3 seats on the Board of Education. I don’t know much about the 7 candidates that are running other than 3 are incumbents seeking new terms on the BOE and 1 person that I would not even vote if he were running for dogcatcher. That person is James Cody. Why wouldn’t I vote for Cody? It’s simple; the man is nothing but trouble.
James Cody is a life long resident of Middletown who likes to boast that he and his family all attended and graduated from the Middletown school system. He has said that he wants to see a change in the way tax dollars are spent. “I'm running for school board as I've been involved in the community for a number of years and I've seen a number of things that need to be changed," Cody said. "Hopefully, if I get on the board, we can make some of those changes which I think the district needs."
That sounds pretty good doesn’t it? Cody wants a seat on the BOE so that he has a say in how tax dollars are spent, because he has been involved in the community for a number of years and so that he can be an agent for change. James Cody is rather noble, don’t you think? He sounds a bit like Barack Obama, doesn’t he?
The problem with all this however, is that Mr. Cody has been a polarizing individual throughout all the endeavors in which he has been involved in. You either love him or you totally despise him, there is no middle ground. The bottom line with this guy is that he is really just out for himself, regardless of what he wants you all to believe.
The saga behind the football fields: Cody looking out for himself.
As one of the founding members of Middletown South’s “Touchdown Club”, James Cody, amongst other things was one of the driving forces behind the artificial turf football field that was installed at High School South.
Mr. Cody at the time worked as a consultant for I.C. Improvements, a company that specializes in the installation of artificial turf fields. Cody lobbied the BOE for months in order to convince them to have a turf field installed at the “swamp”, as the field was affectingly referred to, due to the poor conditions that the field would be left in after a rainstorm. The BOE eventually relented to Cody’s pressure and sought bids for the installation of a turf field at High School South.
Cody and I.C. eventually won the contract to install the field by being the lowest bidder for the job. How low did they bid? Low enough to have cost overruns, at which time Cody had to go in front of the BOE to request more money to complete the job. The BOE turned Cody and I.C. down, saying that a contract was a contract and that by state law the BOE could not reimburse I.C. for the overruns. I.C. would have to finish the job for the contracted price.
This burned Cody’s ass, but I.C. Improvements finished the job for the contracted amount, losing money in the process, with an eye toward the turf field that would be installed at High School North later on.
When it the time came to install the turf field at High School North, Cody and Co. did not feel that they should have to bid on the job, they felt that because they finished the installation of South’s field on time, even though they lost money on it, that I.C. Improvements should be given the contract without bidding for it. The BOE, to its credit turned down Cody. The BOE let it be known to James Cody again that by state statute, the BOE was obligated to seek the lowest qualified bid on any and all work sought by the BOE.
In July 2007, the contract for the project was awarded to I.C. Improvements, the company that completed the work on High School South's main athletic field in 2004.
The bid later was voided after it was deemed that IC was not a responsible bidder because the bid was missing documentation.
The contract to install the new turf field at High School North was awarded the lowest bidder, Mondo USA.
As a result of Cody’s lawsuit, the cost to the BOE was $20,000 in legal fees.
Now we all know what happened next, Mondo USA didn’t have a clue when it came to installing North’s field and after 2 years and thousands of dollars later in litigation costs, the BOE dismissed Mondo USA from the project.
In the mean time while all of this was going on, James Cody attended every BOE meeting to badger its members with “ I told you so” at every opportunity that was given. At one point the BOE offered Cody a chance to be a project consultant and to compensate him for his work but after all of his talk, he turned his back on the board. He was just happy grandstanding.
Eventually, I.C. Improvements was finally awarded the contract to fix the field when they were the lowest bidder after the project was resubmitted for bidding by the BOE. James Cody swooped in like a hero and rubbed it into the faces of the BOE members. North’s field was completed in time for last years Thanksgiving Day game.
It should be noted that the Middletown Board of Education is now in litigation against Mondo USA to recoup the $1 million that it paid Mondo and others for the work that was never finished on the field.
Cody and the phony Recall Walsh petition
Another good reason not to support James Cody‘s candidacy for the Middletown Board of Education is last years phony recall petition against fellow BOE member Patricia Walsh.
Patricia Walsh has been a stellar member of the BOE for the past dozen years; at one time she served as its president. Last year while she attempted to gain a seat on the township’s governing body, Cody decided that it was a good time to payback the BOE for all that he and IC Improvements went through to gain the contract on North’s field. What better way to seek revenge and embarrass a member of the BOE than to head a recall effort against Walsh?
James Cody, Anthony Testa, and Kathleen Bjelka (Cody’s sister), calling themselves the Committee to Recall, B. O. E. Member Pat Walsh, made a lot of noise by threatening to file a recall petition against Walsh. They issued press releases that stated absurd claims like she raised spending and taxes more than any official in Middletown history or that she was responsible for the botched turf field. They had plenty of help from the local GOP, who helped to fuel the attacks of Cody and friends to embarrass and slander her.
In the end, James Cody and his Committee to Recall, B.O.E. Member Pat Walsh, never filed their petition. It was all an attempt to embarrass Pat Walsh and the Middletown Board of Education.
So I ask you, is “big Jim” Cody really a person that should be sitting on the Board of Education? A man who lobbied the BOE to install artificial turf fields at our high schools in order to gain financially from the projects and when he was turned down for North’s field filed a lawsuit against the BOE that cost the tax payers $20,000. Is the man that lead a phony recall effort against a sitting board member, in revenge for being turned down for a job on a turf field, have the integrity that is needed to be a member of that board? And if elected, could he serve along side the person that he slandered effectively? I think not.
When I walk into the voting booth this afternoon, I will be remembering ABC, which is Anyone But Cody
Monday, April 20, 2009
Listen to Partisan Politics At It's Best In Middletown
Democrats on the committee,Patrick Short and Sean Byrnes, took exception to some of the language in the resolution and wanted to rewrite in a way that would be more Middletown specific and not so broad and sweeping. Republicans on the committee, lead by Mayor Pam Brightbill and Deputy Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger thought that the resolution was not sweeping enough,wanted stronger language and refused to make any changes to it. At one point during the discussion, you will hear Mayor Brightbill telling Committeeman Short that he could just vote against the resolution he so chooses, basically tell him and Byrnes that their opinions did not matter, that the resolution would pass as is along partisan party lines.
Typically,this is how the Republicans in Middletown try to reach out to the other side of the aisle. To compromise when trying to issue legislation is unheard when it comes to matters of Trenton or other petty issues. The my way or the highway is the usual response, as pointed out by Brightbill and Fiore, two Republican members of the Middletown Township Committee. Many people have expressed this observation, even before there were members of the Democratic Party on the Committee.
Middletown committee discuss resolution against State budget
Remembering Columbine: 10 Years Later
The shooting rampage was indeed a defining moment in U.S. history, one that made parents wonder if there was any safe place left in the world, in which they could trust that their children would be safe from harm.
As a result of this tragedy, many schools today are under virtual lock down, doors are locked after the morning bell rings and security guards patrol the hallways to ensure our children's safety.
Innocence was lost that day and we will never be able to regain it.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Editorial of the day: The Torturers’ Manifesto
April 18, 2009
To read the four newly released memos on prisoner interrogation written by George W. Bush’s Justice Department is to take a journey into depravity.
Their language is the precise bureaucratese favored by dungeon masters throughout history. They detail how to fashion a collar for slamming a prisoner against a wall, exactly how many days he can be kept without sleep (11), and what, specifically, he should be told before being locked in a box with an insect — all to stop just short of having a jury decide that these acts violate the laws against torture and abusive treatment of prisoners.
In one of the more nauseating passages, Jay Bybee, then an assistant attorney general and now a federal judge, wrote admiringly about a contraption for waterboarding that would lurch a prisoner upright if he stopped breathing while water was poured over his face. He praised the Central Intelligence Agency for having doctors ready to perform an emergency tracheotomy if necessary.
These memos are not an honest attempt to set the legal limits on interrogations, which was the authors’ statutory obligation. They were written to provide legal immunity for acts that are clearly illegal, immoral and a violation of this country’s most basic values.
It sounds like the plot of a mob film, except the lawyers asking how much their clients can get away with are from the C.I.A. and the lawyers coaching them on how to commit the abuses are from the Justice Department. And it all played out with the blessing of the defense secretary, the attorney general, the intelligence director and, most likely, President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.
The Americans Civil Liberties Union deserves credit for suing for the memos’ release. And President Obama deserves credit for overruling his own C.I.A. director and ordering that the memos be made public. It is hard to think of another case in which documents stamped “Top Secret” were released with hardly any deletions.
Read More>>> Here
Saturday, April 18, 2009
President Obama's Weekly Address: 4/18/09
Friday, April 17, 2009
The Daily Show's Tea Party Tyranny In Morristown
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | M - Th 11p / 10c | |||
| Tea Party Tyranny | ||||
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John Oliver discovers that Americans don't know anything about tyranny at a tea party protest in Morristown, NJ.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Quote Of The Day
Jack Welch talking to Governor Corzine on this mornings edition of CNBC's Squawk Box
States' Budget Battle: Corzine on Sqauwk Box This Morning
BREAKING NEWS: John Madden Retires From Broadcasting
It's an end to an era, it is being reported at this minute that Hall of Fame football coach of the Oakland Raiders/ broadcatser extordonaire, John Madden has announced his retirement from broadcasting.
The 73 year old Madden, has been broadcasting NFL games for 30 years and has decided that enough is enough and that he wants to spend more time with his family.
He's going to be greatly missed, I have enjoyed spending time with him over the years as he broadcasted NFL games.
So far there has been no announcment by NBC Sports as to a replacement to sit alongsides Al Michaels in the booth during the upcoming NFL season.
Profit Down, but JPMorgan Tops Forecasts With $2.1 Billion First Quarter
According to an article in the New York Times this morning, the bank’s profit, which was 40 cents a share, fell short of the nearly $2.9 billion, or 67 cents a share, it earned in the first quarter a year ago, but analysts estimated on average that the firm would earn 32 cents a share. Revenue rose to a record $26.9 billion from $17.9 billion, a 50 percent increase from the period a year ago.
Read more about it >>> Here
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Follow Sean Byrnes on Twitter And Become a Facebook Friend
Byrnes recently started using the social networking sites Twitter and Facebook, as a way to keep Monmouth County residents informed and up to date on what's going on with his campaign for Freeholder as well as what he has been up to in Middletown.
While he hasn't posted much information as of yet, he believes Twitter will be an important tool of his campaign for Freeholder
If you are a member of the twittering community and would like to follow Sean Byrnes on Twitter click HERE for the link, if you are already a Facebook member look him up.
If you are not a Facebook member you'll first need to join before you can follow along.
While your at it, if you would like to follow me on Twitter click>>>Here
Yahoo Plans More Layoffs
Yahoo is planning a new round of layoffs, the first since Carol Bartz became chief executive in January, according to several people with knowledge of the situation.
The layoffs could affect several hundred employees and may be announced as early as Tuesday when Yahoo reports first-quarter financial results, said these people, who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity because the plan is confidential.
A Yahoo spokesman, Brad Williams, declined to comment, citing a company policy not to discuss rumors and speculation.
The cuts would be the third round of layoffs at Yahoo in little more than a year. The Internet company, which has been struggling for more than two years, laid off about 1,000 workers early in 2008. It cut 1,400 or so in the fourth quarter of last year, in continuing efforts to prune its sprawling online business and bring down expenses. It ended the year with 13,600 employees.
Read more >>>Here
Counterfeiting Lunch Money In Colts Neck
Two students at Colts Neck Hgh School are being accused of counterfeiting $10 and $20 bills then using the funny money in the school cafeteria. The sophomore and junior where also exchanging these bill for lower denomination currency with other students.
Sharp eyed lunch ladies noticed the fake money and notified school authorties, who then contacted the Colts Neck police. The two young men invovle were charged with forgery and then released to their parents.
Read more >>>Here
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Bo's First Day
The First Family takes Bo on stroll around the White House grounds. It's very heart warming piece of footage.
Secretary Clinton To Conduct Digital Town Hall of the Americas
According to the official U.S Department of State's blog, DIPNote, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be conducting a digital town hall meeting in anticipation of the Fifth Summit of the Americas, a regional meeting of all 34 democratically elected leaders of the nations of the Western Hemisphere. People are encouraged to participate in the discussion about issues that impact the entire hemisphere.
Secretary Clinton's Digital Town Hall of the Americas, will be a live web-based discussion, from the Dominican Republic on Friday, April 17, 2009, in anticipation of the Fifth Summit of the Americas to be held April 17-19 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The event will provide an opportunity for Secretary Clinton to launch a conversation with citizens from across the Western Hemisphere to discuss the Summit’s themes of securing our citizens’ future by promoting human prosperity, energy security and environmental sustainability, as well as the situation in Haiti, where she will visit and attend meetings on Thursday, April 16.
For more info click >>> Here
Before Biden, Uncle Walt said "It's Your Patriotic Duty To Pay Your Taxes"
Tomorrow is also the day that anti-tax protesting, teabaggers, who are really nothing more than Republicans without ideas, will hold rallies all across the country to protest the economic policies of Obama Administration and that of many state and local governments.
Many, if not all of these teabaggers recall with mocking sarcasm, during last years presidential campaign how then Vice-Presidential candidate, Joe Biden, said that it was our patriotic duty as Americans to pay our taxes. The teabaggers point to this, as well as other Obama policy decisions as evidence of Obama's eagerness to embrace socialism and call him either a socialist, fascist, communist or any combination there of.
With that in mind, I would like to point out to all of teabaggers who will be enjoying their tea parties tomorrow that before Joe Biden said it was our duty to pay taxes, uncle Walt Disney, at the request of the U.S Treasury in 1943, said it first in the following World War II propaganda film, starring none other than Donald Duck.
The short is actually very interesting because you can draw parallels between today's United States, fighting a two front war against terrorism in Iraq and Afganistan and that of a World War II United States, fighting a two front war in Europe and the South Pacific.
So do your patriotic duty and pay your taxes tomorrow, like good americans should.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Goldman Sachs Posts Profit and Will Raise $5 Billion
Goldman Sachs confirmed on Monday that it would raise $5 billion through a stock offering to help pay back government rescue funds, as it posted a $1.8 billion profit for its first quarter.
In a statement, Goldman said: "After the completion of the stress assessment, if permitted by our supervisors and if supported by the results of the stress assessment, Goldman Sachs would like to use the capital raised plus additional resources to redeem all of the TARP capital."
Read more >>> Here
Obama hails rescue of American captain
The Hill.com
President Obama hailed the rescue Sunday of an American captain held hostage for four days off the coast of Somalia.
Richard Phillips, the ship captain, was freed unharmed after a firefight killed three of his pirate captors. The fourth pirate was captured and has been taken into American custody, according to news reports.
Obama praised Phillips's courage in a statement pushing for greater safety measures in the region. The pirate attack on Phillips’s ship was the first on American sailors in 200 years, but it was the sixth attack in the past week along the lawless Somali coast.
“We remain resolved to halt the rise of piracy in this region,” Obama said. “To achieve that goal, we must continue to work with our partners to prevent future attacks, be prepared to interdict acts of piracy and ensure that those who commit acts of piracy are held accountable for their crimes.”
Admiral Thad Allen of the U.S. Coast Guard on Sunday echoed Obama’s comments, saying that the government and military were taking steps to ensure that future hijackings of in the region did not take place.
“We’re in the process of helping create a code of conduct for merchant ships so they can minimize the threats,” Allen said on ABC’s This Week. “Slow ships with low freeboard present a much greater target than faster ships and higher freeboard.”
Congress was spurred to action as well, as earlier this week Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called for hearings on the mounting piracy threat in the region when Congress returns next week.
The armed pirates attacked Phillips’ ship, the Maersk Alabama, on Wednesday while in the Indian Ocean delivering food aid to Kenya for the World Food Program and the United States Agency for International Development.
The 20-member crew regained control of the ship from the attackers, but Phillips was captured and held for a reported $2 million ransom by the four pirates on one of the ships’ lifeboats.
Phillips attempted to escape from his captors on Friday by jumping into the water, but he was recaptured shortly thereafter.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Happy Easter; Captain Is Freed and 3 Pirates Killed
The New York Times has the story:
MOMBASA, Kenya (AP) -- An American ship captain was freed unharmed Sunday in a swift firefight that killed three of the four Somali pirates who had been holding him for days in a lifeboat off the coast of Africa, the ship's owner said.
A senior U.S. intelligence official said a pirate who had been involved in negotiations to free Capt. Richard Phillips but who was not on the lifeboat was in custody.
Phillips, 53, of Underhill, Vermont, was safely transported to a Navy warship nearby.
Maersk Line Limited President and CEO John Reinhart said in a news release that the U.S. government informed the company around 1:30 p.m. EDT Sunday that Phillips had been rescued. Reinhart said the company called Phillips' wife, Andrea, to tell her the news.
The U.S. official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. A Pentagon spokesman had no immediate comment.
Read more>>> Here
The Easter Bunny Brings A Puppy To The White House
The dog was all the rage on all on the morning talk shows, Meet the Press, Face the Nation and This Week with George Stephanopoulos, all made sure to mention the puppy. The Washington Post was first with the story:
Who let the dog out? That's the Washington mystery du jour.
The identity of the first puppy -- the one that the Washington press corps has been yelping about for months, the one President Obama has seemed to delight in dropping hints about -- leaked out yesterday. This despite White House efforts to delay the news until the big debut planned for Tuesday afternoon.
The little guy is a 6-month-old Portuguese water dog given to the Obama girls as a gift by that Portuguese water dog-lovin' senator himself, Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts. The girls named it Bo -- and let it be noted that you learned that here first. Malia and Sasha chose the name, because their cousins have a cat named Bo and because first lady Michelle Obama's father was nicknamed Diddley, a source said. (Get it? Bo . . . Diddley?)
Bo's a handsome little guy. Well suited for formal occasions at the White House, he's got tuxedo-black fur, with a white chest, white paws and a rakish white goatee.
Read More and see pictures of the Presidential Pooch >>> Here
Pope's traditional Easter message
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Teabagging New Jersey
Teabagging?, Teabagging? Do Republican anti-tax groups even know what they are referring to when they call themselves "teabaggers" ? Knowing how sexually repressed most Republicans are that make up the base of the Republican Party, I would think not.
When these modern day anti-tax groups, cheered on by Fox News, hold tea parties across the country on April 15Th to protest against State and Federal spending, refer to themselves as teabaggers how can I take that seriously?
It really makes me snicker and brings all kinds of adult humour to mind.
Here is an explanation of what these Tea Parties are all about, courtesy of Rachel Maddow.
Now, I have never been teabagged and I never will, I prefer other pleasures that life has to offer. However, I do know a number of you out there may enjoy themselves at these "teabagging parties" and I wouldn't want you to miss out on all the fun, so below is a list of a few parties being held around New Jersey on April 15th.
Watch out Governor Corzine the teabaggers are coming :
When these modern day anti-tax groups, cheered on by Fox News, hold tea parties across the country on April 15Th to protest against State and Federal spending, refer to themselves as teabaggers how can I take that seriously?
It really makes me snicker and brings all kinds of adult humour to mind.
Here is an explanation of what these Tea Parties are all about, courtesy of Rachel Maddow.
Now, I have never been teabagged and I never will, I prefer other pleasures that life has to offer. However, I do know a number of you out there may enjoy themselves at these "teabagging parties" and I wouldn't want you to miss out on all the fun, so below is a list of a few parties being held around New Jersey on April 15th.
Watch out Governor Corzine the teabaggers are coming :
Belmar
Noon - 3:00pm
16th Avenue boardwalk
————-
Flemington
Noon - 2:00pm
The northwest corner of Main Street and Court Street
————-
Hackensack
4:00 pm - 6:00pm
Bergen County Court House, Hackensack, NJ (Court Street Side)
————-
Jersey City
3:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Liberty State Park
- - ——-
Morristown
Noon
On The Green at the center of Morristown
————-
Newark
12:00 pm
Gateway Center One - 782 McCarter Highway
————-
Piscataway
5:00pm
Johnson Park (River Road, Piscataway Township)
————-
Trenton
11:30am - 4:00pm
New Jersey State House, 125 W State St
————-
Vineland
1-4PM
722 E Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360
Noon - 3:00pm
16th Avenue boardwalk
————-
Flemington
Noon - 2:00pm
The northwest corner of Main Street and Court Street
————-
Hackensack
4:00 pm - 6:00pm
Bergen County Court House, Hackensack, NJ (Court Street Side)
————-
Jersey City
3:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Liberty State Park
- - ——-
Morristown
Noon
On The Green at the center of Morristown
————-
Newark
12:00 pm
Gateway Center One - 782 McCarter Highway
————-
Piscataway
5:00pm
Johnson Park (River Road, Piscataway Township)
————-
Trenton
11:30am - 4:00pm
New Jersey State House, 125 W State St
————-
Vineland
1-4PM
722 E Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360
Enjoy the party everyone!!
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