This Saturday morning, in honor of all those who are in the middle of their Mid-Term exams, I give you "Mr. Know It All"
Get out the Cherrios and pay attention, this stuff may be on an exam someday!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
President Obama's Weekly Address: 1/30/10 Reining in Budget Deficits
The President pledges to rein the deficit, citing three specific steps to this end. He praises the Senate for restoring the pay-as-you-go law, discusses his proposal for a freeze in discretionary spending, and calls for a bipartisan Fiscal Commission to hammer out further concrete deficit reduction proposals.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Obama Takes On the GOP Retreat
The entire ass-whopping was broadcast live on all of the major cable news networks and C-Span. Evidently the beating Obama was placing on the GOP was so brutal that Fox News broke away early from so that they could show a non-news interview with NY Congressman Peter King, while other networks stayed till the end of the 1.5 hour confrontation.
It will be hard for the GOP to get up off the canvass after this one, score this a big knock-out by the President.
Here's a little bit of what Politico had to say about it:
BALTIMORE — President Barack Obama on Friday accused Republicans of portraying health care reform as a "Bolshevik plot" and telling their constituents that he’s "doing all kinds of crazy stuff that's going to destroy America."
Speaking to House Republicans at their annual policy retreat here, Obama said that over-the-top GOP attacks on him and his agenda have made it virtually impossible for Republicans to address the nation’s problems in a bipartisan way.
“What happens is that you guys don’t have a lot of room to negotiate with me,” Obama said. "The fact of the matter is, many of you, if you voted with the administration on something, are politically vulnerable with your own base, with your own party because what you've been telling your constituents is, ‘This guy's doing all kinds of crazy stuff that's going to destroy America.' ''
Obama’s comments came in the midst of an extraordinary back-and-forth with Republican House members — a scene straight out of the House of Commons that played out live on cable TV.
Republicans invited Obama to appear at their annual conference; the president accepted — and then surprised them by asking that cameras and reporters be allowed into the room.
Republicans immediately agreed to the request, but they may be regretting it now.
Again and again, Obama turned the Republicans questions against them — accusing them of obstructing legislation for political purposes and offering solutions that won’t work....
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Handicapped parking permits: New Brunswick picked the wrong car to tow
Bob Brown the former Old Bridge cop turned lawyer, who unsuccessfully ran for the State Assembly this past year, is a friend of mine and I like to keep tabs on him to see what he has been up to.
Earlier today I was surfing the web looking for something interesting to post on the blog when I stumble upon Paul Mulshine's blog that just so happend to be about Bob and his daughter.
Bob's daughter Sarah, is a student at Rutgers University and is somewhat disabled due to a back condition, she needs to use crutches to get around and therefore qualifies for a handicap placard that allows her to use handicap parking around the campus and state.
It seems as though however her handicap placard is no good in New Brunswick because last Saturday night her car was towed from a handicap parking space while visiting a friend, she happend to discovered her car missing at 2 a.m when she went to return home!
Mulshine tells the story far better than I could so below is a reprint of his blog post:
I’ve heard it said that the Tasmanian Devil is the only animal on Earth that looks forward to being cornered.
Whoever said that never met Bob Brown.
I first met him last year when he was running for a state Assembly seat, unsuccessfully, as it turned out. Though Brown is a right-wing kind of guy, he ran as a Democrat in a safe Republican district. He likes to get into a fight for the pure fun of it.
Brown was a cop in Old Bridge until he got shot in the line of duty. He ended up becoming a lawyer, but one of those bullets is still stuck inside him. The slug seems to have turned a switch. It’s not a good idea to get him started.
Last weekend, the city of New Brunswick made that mistake. Brown’s daughter, Sarah, was visiting a fellow Rutgers student a few blocks off campus. She is handicapped due to a back condition that requires her to use crutches. So when she spotted a handicapped parking spot she pulled her new Nissan into it.
When she got back to her car a little after 2 a.m., it was gone.
"They left my daughter out in the cold on the sidewalk at 2 a.m.!" Brown said when he called me Sunday. He then unleashed a string of invectives that can’t be printed here.
For an invective-free opinion, I called Assemblywoman Joan Quigley, a Democrat from Jersey City:
"I never heard of that before," said Quigley. "They’re never supposed to tow cars with handicapped placards unless they’re blocking a fire hydrant or creating some obstruction."
Quigley should know. She helped write the law. Over the years, Quigley has established a reputation as the drivers’ friend in the effort to fight off public officials who ticket or tow cars for fun and profit.
But back to Brown. On Tuesday evening I visited the scene of the crime with him. Brown had spent the last three days obsessing on this outrage. He has every intention of working on it for the next 10 years, he told me. "I’m going after their federal funding, " he told me. "I could do this til I retire."
Brown said he will argue in court that New Brunswick violated the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Not only did they leave his daughter stranded on the street, they also deprived her of access to the medication she had left in the car, he said. The towing company that took the car is closed on Sunday, and she couldn’t get access to the car until Monday, he said.
As we drove, Brown handed me sheet after sheet of photocopied documents and pages from legal pads as well as a copy of his daughter’s state-issued handicapped ID, which he said was hanging from the mirror, next to a Rutgers handicapped placard when the car was towed.
We got to the spot and looked at the sign. It had the words "Reserved Parking" and the wheelchair symbol, like other such signs. It also had a small metal plate that said "Parking Permit P381367."
"If it had said, ‘This spot is reserved for this house,’ then my daughter wouldn’t have parked there," said Brown.
Of course, if it had said that, people might wonder why the residents of the house don’t just use the driveway. The house has a large one, as well as a garage. And Brown pointed out that the ordinance permitting the creation of these zones specifically precludes granting permits to people who have driveways and/or garages. So why did this house get to hog a precious parking space?
Lt. Antone Johnson of the parking authority told me he didn’t know. "This was done back in 1997 and I’ve only been doing this job for seven or eight years," he said. Meanwhile, the mayor’s office questioned whether the state-issued ID was visible that night. A spokesman said in the call to police, the resident said the car only had a Rutgers handicapped placard visible. That will be sorted out in court.
Like just about every other Jersey driver, Brown wonders just how many of these permits are handed out as political favors.
Quigley told me Jersey City had to declare a moratorium on these permits.
"It became a bit of a scam," said Quigley. "It looked like every doctor would write a letter saying this person or that person shouldn’t have to walk."
But even in Hudson County, not exactly a font of good government, they don’t have the nerve to tow handicapped driver’s cars. Picking on handicapped people seems to be a New Brunswick innovation, one every bit as ill-advised as picking on a Tasmanian Devil.
Earlier today I was surfing the web looking for something interesting to post on the blog when I stumble upon Paul Mulshine's blog that just so happend to be about Bob and his daughter.
Bob's daughter Sarah, is a student at Rutgers University and is somewhat disabled due to a back condition, she needs to use crutches to get around and therefore qualifies for a handicap placard that allows her to use handicap parking around the campus and state.
It seems as though however her handicap placard is no good in New Brunswick because last Saturday night her car was towed from a handicap parking space while visiting a friend, she happend to discovered her car missing at 2 a.m when she went to return home!
Mulshine tells the story far better than I could so below is a reprint of his blog post:
I’ve heard it said that the Tasmanian Devil is the only animal on Earth that looks forward to being cornered.
Whoever said that never met Bob Brown.
I first met him last year when he was running for a state Assembly seat, unsuccessfully, as it turned out. Though Brown is a right-wing kind of guy, he ran as a Democrat in a safe Republican district. He likes to get into a fight for the pure fun of it.
Brown was a cop in Old Bridge until he got shot in the line of duty. He ended up becoming a lawyer, but one of those bullets is still stuck inside him. The slug seems to have turned a switch. It’s not a good idea to get him started.
Last weekend, the city of New Brunswick made that mistake. Brown’s daughter, Sarah, was visiting a fellow Rutgers student a few blocks off campus. She is handicapped due to a back condition that requires her to use crutches. So when she spotted a handicapped parking spot she pulled her new Nissan into it.
When she got back to her car a little after 2 a.m., it was gone.
"They left my daughter out in the cold on the sidewalk at 2 a.m.!" Brown said when he called me Sunday. He then unleashed a string of invectives that can’t be printed here.
For an invective-free opinion, I called Assemblywoman Joan Quigley, a Democrat from Jersey City:
"I never heard of that before," said Quigley. "They’re never supposed to tow cars with handicapped placards unless they’re blocking a fire hydrant or creating some obstruction."
Quigley should know. She helped write the law. Over the years, Quigley has established a reputation as the drivers’ friend in the effort to fight off public officials who ticket or tow cars for fun and profit.
But back to Brown. On Tuesday evening I visited the scene of the crime with him. Brown had spent the last three days obsessing on this outrage. He has every intention of working on it for the next 10 years, he told me. "I’m going after their federal funding, " he told me. "I could do this til I retire."
Brown said he will argue in court that New Brunswick violated the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Not only did they leave his daughter stranded on the street, they also deprived her of access to the medication she had left in the car, he said. The towing company that took the car is closed on Sunday, and she couldn’t get access to the car until Monday, he said.
As we drove, Brown handed me sheet after sheet of photocopied documents and pages from legal pads as well as a copy of his daughter’s state-issued handicapped ID, which he said was hanging from the mirror, next to a Rutgers handicapped placard when the car was towed.
We got to the spot and looked at the sign. It had the words "Reserved Parking" and the wheelchair symbol, like other such signs. It also had a small metal plate that said "Parking Permit P381367."
"If it had said, ‘This spot is reserved for this house,’ then my daughter wouldn’t have parked there," said Brown.
Of course, if it had said that, people might wonder why the residents of the house don’t just use the driveway. The house has a large one, as well as a garage. And Brown pointed out that the ordinance permitting the creation of these zones specifically precludes granting permits to people who have driveways and/or garages. So why did this house get to hog a precious parking space?
Lt. Antone Johnson of the parking authority told me he didn’t know. "This was done back in 1997 and I’ve only been doing this job for seven or eight years," he said. Meanwhile, the mayor’s office questioned whether the state-issued ID was visible that night. A spokesman said in the call to police, the resident said the car only had a Rutgers handicapped placard visible. That will be sorted out in court.
Like just about every other Jersey driver, Brown wonders just how many of these permits are handed out as political favors.
Quigley told me Jersey City had to declare a moratorium on these permits.
"It became a bit of a scam," said Quigley. "It looked like every doctor would write a letter saying this person or that person shouldn’t have to walk."
But even in Hudson County, not exactly a font of good government, they don’t have the nerve to tow handicapped driver’s cars. Picking on handicapped people seems to be a New Brunswick innovation, one every bit as ill-advised as picking on a Tasmanian Devil.
Mulshine also posted a follow-up to his post to see who was telling the truth about whether the
Brown car had a state placard which you can read >>> Here
It seems obvious to me that New Brunswick screwed up and it just so happen that they picked the wrong car tow and screw up on.
Brown tells AP he'll sometimes side with Democrats
Interesting article, will Scott Brown be the GOP's 41st vote against Obama or will he side with the liberal leaning people of Massachusetts and support many of the President's priorities ?...Time will tell.
From the ASSOCIATED PRESS -
BOSTON — Scott Brown says he has already told Senate Republican leaders they won't always be able to count on his vote. The man who staged an upset in last week's Massachusetts Senate special election, in part by pledging to be the 41st GOP vote against President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, told The Associated Press in an interview Thursday that he staked his claim in early conversations with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Whip Jon Kyl.
"I already told them, you know, `I got here with the help of a close group of friends and very little help from anyone down there, so there'll be issues when I'll be with you and there are issues when I won't be with you,'" Brown said Thursday during the half-hour interview. "So, I just need to look at each vote and then make a proper analysis and then decide."
Asked how McConnell and Kyl responded, Brown said, "They understood. They said, `You can probably do whatever you want, Scott. And, so, just let us know where your head's at, and we'll talk it through, and just keep us posted.'"
The senator-elect did not elaborate on possible breaking points, though the Washington newcomer dismissed any suggestion he will relent once he starts working in the highly partisan capital.
"That's not pressure; pressure is what I'm going through right now," said Brown. He cited his efforts to complete a transition in 2 1/2 weeks, compared with the normal 2 1/2 months for regularly elected senators, while preparing to surrender his responsibilities as a state senator, become a Beltway commuter and resume his triathlon training.
He started Thursday with a one-hour bike ride and 1,500-meter swim.
"I'm trying to do it very well and be balanced and still get my workouts in," said Brown. "There's nothing wrong with having good conversation and debating. We do it here in our own caucus, at a smaller level. ... It's just a different building, really."
Brown beat Democrat Martha Coakley to win the seat held for nearly a half-century by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. The result rocked both the Democratic Party and the Obama administration, who viewed the seat as safe and Coakley as the pivotal 60th vote to preserve a Democratic supermajority in the Senate.
Read More >>> Here
From the ASSOCIATED PRESS -
BOSTON — Scott Brown says he has already told Senate Republican leaders they won't always be able to count on his vote. The man who staged an upset in last week's Massachusetts Senate special election, in part by pledging to be the 41st GOP vote against President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, told The Associated Press in an interview Thursday that he staked his claim in early conversations with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Whip Jon Kyl.
"I already told them, you know, `I got here with the help of a close group of friends and very little help from anyone down there, so there'll be issues when I'll be with you and there are issues when I won't be with you,'" Brown said Thursday during the half-hour interview. "So, I just need to look at each vote and then make a proper analysis and then decide."
Asked how McConnell and Kyl responded, Brown said, "They understood. They said, `You can probably do whatever you want, Scott. And, so, just let us know where your head's at, and we'll talk it through, and just keep us posted.'"
The senator-elect did not elaborate on possible breaking points, though the Washington newcomer dismissed any suggestion he will relent once he starts working in the highly partisan capital.
"That's not pressure; pressure is what I'm going through right now," said Brown. He cited his efforts to complete a transition in 2 1/2 weeks, compared with the normal 2 1/2 months for regularly elected senators, while preparing to surrender his responsibilities as a state senator, become a Beltway commuter and resume his triathlon training.
He started Thursday with a one-hour bike ride and 1,500-meter swim.
"I'm trying to do it very well and be balanced and still get my workouts in," said Brown. "There's nothing wrong with having good conversation and debating. We do it here in our own caucus, at a smaller level. ... It's just a different building, really."
Brown beat Democrat Martha Coakley to win the seat held for nearly a half-century by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. The result rocked both the Democratic Party and the Obama administration, who viewed the seat as safe and Coakley as the pivotal 60th vote to preserve a Democratic supermajority in the Senate.
Read More >>> Here
Middletown: It's Your Town Hall Newsletter Volume 2 Issue 2 - Now Availible
I am hearing some very positive feedback from the publishers of the "It's Your Town Hall" newsletter, residents seem to be very interested in what's going on down at Middletown's Town Hall but for reasons such as work and family, they have not been able to pay as close attention as they would like to how their local government is run.
Many who have subscribed to the newsletter (over 100 so far) have stated that the information contained inside of it is both helpful and useful, it gives them a good idea of what is happing at township committee meeting each month. They also have stated that the non-partisanness of the newsletter is refreshing.
It contains comments made by the members of the township committee as well as public comments by residents in attendance.
Points of interest include:
Why did the police department spend $2468 on 1 office chair?
Rent increases for residents at Conifer Village.
Upcoming budget.
Find your copy of "It's Your Town Hall" newsletter >>> Here
Monday, January 25, 2010
NJPP Monday Minute: 1/25/10 Health reform at the crossroads
The stunning upset pulled off by Republican Scott Brown in the Massachusetts US Senate special election last Tuesday has sent shock waves through Washington. Suddenly, every statement Brown made in the campaign is being viewed by some as the final word on national issues ranging from climate control to foreign policy. But before we decide to let one man's views determine the fate of some of the most important polices in our nation's history, we need to examine each issue and the context in which it was raised. Take national health care reform for example.
Brown campaigned against the pending national health reform bills, but isn't against health reform altogether. In fact, he voted for Massachusetts's own health care reform as a state legislator-a remarkably successful program that has reduced the rate of people without insurance in Massachusetts to five percent, by far the lowest in the nation (New Jersey's rate is about 15 percent, close to the national average). Ironically, the national health reform bills were largely based on the Massachusetts model.
The great danger now is that in response to this election, health reform will be scaled back or abandoned altogether. Since it has been decided that health reform will not proceed until Brown is seated in the Senate, the Democrats no longer have the votes to pass a final compromise bill with the House. Procedurally the easiest way to avoid that impasse is for the House to pass the Senate bill with no changes then send it to the President for signature-by-passing the Senate altogether. But there appears to be no support in the House to do this.
Brown believes that everyone should have insurance; but that states should achieve that goal on their own. That's easy enough for Massachusetts to say. The rate of uninsured people in that state was already one of the lowest in the nation even before the reforms. It has never had the same challenges in this respect that New Jersey and other states currently have.
Recently, the President has indicated that he might support a new bill if it has bipartisan support. But the Democrats and Republicans do not agree on much. At this point the only major consensus is on market reforms that have no federal cost, like prohibiting insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.
The nation's heath care system can only be improved in a comprehensive, systematic way-piecemeal solutions won't work. If market reforms are enacted, individuals must be required to buy health insurance in order to spread the risk between sick and healthy, young and old-much like any other insurance. But if individuals are required to have insurance, we must also provide subsidies for those people who cannot afford the premiums. This, of course, should be funded at the federal level because the states do not have the necessary resources.
The point of reform is to address all of these interrelated issues-to get at the root causes of our broken health care system that threaten our nation's health and economy. The election in Massachusetts shouldn't change this.
N.J. Supreme Court sides with Asbury Park Press in disclosure case: Time to find out how much Middletown paid in Garcia Vs. Parkinson
Note: This ruling today is a big win for advocates of open government, transparency and taxpayers. We all have a right to know how our tax dollars are being spent and if those dollars are being wasted by corrupt officials.
For the past few years residents in Middletown have been questioning how much the Township paid to settle a sexual harrasment charge against former Mayor Patrick Parkinson that was brought by the former Township Clerk, Rosa Garcia. They had been told only that legal fees and a settlement had been paid to Ms. Garcia.
For the past few years residents in Middletown have been questioning how much the Township paid to settle a sexual harrasment charge against former Mayor Patrick Parkinson that was brought by the former Township Clerk, Rosa Garcia. They had been told only that legal fees and a settlement had been paid to Ms. Garcia.
All OPRA requests had been denied based on privacy concerns. With the ruling today however that all changes and I can't wait to find out how much it cost taxpayers of Middletown to settle the sexual harrasment suit against Parkinson and others.
Asbury Park Press - Monmouth County must make public the terms of a sexual harassment lawsuit it settled with an employee, the state Supreme Court ruled unanimously today.
The court's decision upheld last year's appellate court ruling in the case, which also said the terms of the out-of-court settlement must be released to the Asbury Park Press and open government advocate John Paff.
The county's attorney had argued the terms of that 2007 agreement between the county and one of its engineers, Carol Melnick, should remain private.
Among the county's arguments was that a clause in the state's Open Public Records Act allows information about sexual harassment complaints to be closed from the public.
But today, the court said disclosure of the terms of the settlement in this case would not violate any reasonable expectation of privacy....
Asbury Park Press - Monmouth County must make public the terms of a sexual harassment lawsuit it settled with an employee, the state Supreme Court ruled unanimously today.
The court's decision upheld last year's appellate court ruling in the case, which also said the terms of the out-of-court settlement must be released to the Asbury Park Press and open government advocate John Paff.
The county's attorney had argued the terms of that 2007 agreement between the county and one of its engineers, Carol Melnick, should remain private.
Among the county's arguments was that a clause in the state's Open Public Records Act allows information about sexual harassment complaints to be closed from the public.
But today, the court said disclosure of the terms of the settlement in this case would not violate any reasonable expectation of privacy....
Read more >>> Here
To read the opinion of the NJ Supreme Court click >>> Here
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Hundreds in New Brunswick sign petition to change local marijuana law
Press Release
January 23, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Evan Nison
NORML-NJ
evan@normlnj.org
http://www.normlnj.org
(New Brunswick, NJ, January 23, 2010) -- Volunteers from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law, New Jersey State Chapter (NORML-NJ) have begun gathering signatures from New Brunswick voters for a ballot initiative that would make marijuana arrests for personal use by adults the lowest law enforcement priority in the city.
"Passage of this initiative would increase public safety by freeing up local police resources to focus on serious issues and at the same time save taxpayer money by reducing arrests for a law that frankly, most Americans feel is unjust and more harmful to people than the drug itself." said Evan Nison, Ballot Initiatives Coordinator for NORML-NJ.
While marijuana possession and use would remain illegal, it is hoped that a successful ballot initiative will result in a significantly reduced number of arrests for simple marijuana possession within the City of New Brunswick. Aggressively arresting and prosecuting citizens in New Brunswick for simple marijuana possession offenses costs taxpayers dearly and squanders precious New Brunswick police resources, which many feel would be much better spent on preventing and prosecuting serious and violent crime.
Almost half of the US population admits to having tried marijuana and decades of aggressive arresting and expensive prosecution for personal marijuana possession by adults has utterly failed to lower or even affect the prevalence of marijuana use in any way. Subsequently, there is growing discontent by taxpayers regarding the continued irresponsible use of tax revenue on ineffectual marijuana policies.
“As a society facing one of the harshest recessions in almost a century we can no longer afford to indiscriminately waste tremendous amounts of tax dollars and police resources on outdated, misguided and irrational marijuana policies which clearly do not work,” says Frederic DiMaria, Jr., Esq., a practicing criminal attorney and Chairman of NORML-NJ.
Last year nearly 30,000 people in New Jersey were arrested for marijuana possession, costing taxpayers an estimated $3,000 to $10,000 per case. The criminal penalties in New Jersey, widely regarded as some of the nation’s harshest, can include up to six months in jail, severe fines and lengthy suspension of driving privileges even if no motor vehicle was involved in the crime. Conviction on a marijuana offense will also result in a criminal record reflecting a drug crime and can pose great difficulties in finding a job and accessing student financial aid. The latter is of obvious concern to college students, a substantial segment of the population of New Brunswick.
Matt Brockbank, a Rutgers student in New Brunswick helping to coordinate the local effort, said, "People need to look at the fact that alcohol causes significantly more harm on both the user and society than marijuana ever has. It's time we rethink marijuana prohibition."
Seattle, Washington, Ann Arbor, Michigan and Santa Cruz, California are among over 30 cities nationwide that have successfully adopted similar “Low-Priority” ordinances. Seattle's policy resulted in a 75% reduction in simple marijuana possession arrests after just 2 years and has been hailed as a huge success. The New Brunswick initiative would be the first of its kind in New Jersey.
NORML-NJ is a statewide organization working to end marijuana prohibition, stop arrests of consumers and provide educational research and legal information on alternatives to marijuana prohibition.
To schedule an interview contact Evan Nison via email at evan@normlnj.org.
January 23, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Evan Nison
NORML-NJ
evan@normlnj.org
http://www.normlnj.org
(New Brunswick, NJ, January 23, 2010) -- Volunteers from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law, New Jersey State Chapter (NORML-NJ) have begun gathering signatures from New Brunswick voters for a ballot initiative that would make marijuana arrests for personal use by adults the lowest law enforcement priority in the city.
"Passage of this initiative would increase public safety by freeing up local police resources to focus on serious issues and at the same time save taxpayer money by reducing arrests for a law that frankly, most Americans feel is unjust and more harmful to people than the drug itself." said Evan Nison, Ballot Initiatives Coordinator for NORML-NJ.
While marijuana possession and use would remain illegal, it is hoped that a successful ballot initiative will result in a significantly reduced number of arrests for simple marijuana possession within the City of New Brunswick. Aggressively arresting and prosecuting citizens in New Brunswick for simple marijuana possession offenses costs taxpayers dearly and squanders precious New Brunswick police resources, which many feel would be much better spent on preventing and prosecuting serious and violent crime.
Almost half of the US population admits to having tried marijuana and decades of aggressive arresting and expensive prosecution for personal marijuana possession by adults has utterly failed to lower or even affect the prevalence of marijuana use in any way. Subsequently, there is growing discontent by taxpayers regarding the continued irresponsible use of tax revenue on ineffectual marijuana policies.
“As a society facing one of the harshest recessions in almost a century we can no longer afford to indiscriminately waste tremendous amounts of tax dollars and police resources on outdated, misguided and irrational marijuana policies which clearly do not work,” says Frederic DiMaria, Jr., Esq., a practicing criminal attorney and Chairman of NORML-NJ.
Last year nearly 30,000 people in New Jersey were arrested for marijuana possession, costing taxpayers an estimated $3,000 to $10,000 per case. The criminal penalties in New Jersey, widely regarded as some of the nation’s harshest, can include up to six months in jail, severe fines and lengthy suspension of driving privileges even if no motor vehicle was involved in the crime. Conviction on a marijuana offense will also result in a criminal record reflecting a drug crime and can pose great difficulties in finding a job and accessing student financial aid. The latter is of obvious concern to college students, a substantial segment of the population of New Brunswick.
Matt Brockbank, a Rutgers student in New Brunswick helping to coordinate the local effort, said, "People need to look at the fact that alcohol causes significantly more harm on both the user and society than marijuana ever has. It's time we rethink marijuana prohibition."
Seattle, Washington, Ann Arbor, Michigan and Santa Cruz, California are among over 30 cities nationwide that have successfully adopted similar “Low-Priority” ordinances. Seattle's policy resulted in a 75% reduction in simple marijuana possession arrests after just 2 years and has been hailed as a huge success. The New Brunswick initiative would be the first of its kind in New Jersey.
NORML-NJ is a statewide organization working to end marijuana prohibition, stop arrests of consumers and provide educational research and legal information on alternatives to marijuana prohibition.
To schedule an interview contact Evan Nison via email at evan@normlnj.org.
NFL - NFC Championship Saints Vs. Vikings Preview
Princess Picks Jets Over Colts in AFC Championship Game on Sunday
It's been a while since I posted predictions from the prognosticating camel of Popcorn Park Zoo, Princess, December 4th to be exact. At the time Princess's won- loss record stood at 7-7 and I just couldn't take another prediction of a Giants win that evenually turned to a defeat.
Since that time however, Princess has manage to turn it around and has now amassed a 12-9 record going 5-1 since week 14. During that time she has chosen the Jets successfully 4 times.
So this week she goes back to the well and predicts a Jets win once again. Here's what she had to say:
"Hmmmm, this is a real real tough one... You know how much I like Payton, the best QB to ever play the game....but I think the Jets have caught lightning in a bottle the last couple weeks."
So for all Jets's fans in the area, I hope she's right. It really would be something to have the Jets represent the AFC in the Superbowl after a 31 year run of mediocrity.
NFL - AFC Championship Jets Vs. Colts Preview
President Obama's Weekly Address: 1/23/10 This Week's Supreme Court Decision
In this week’s address, President Barack Obama addresses the Supreme Court decision to further empower corporations to use their financial clout to directly influence elections and vows that "as long as I'm your President, I'll never stop fighting to make sure that the most powerful voice in Washington belongs to you."
Saturday Morning Cartoons: Dudley Do-Right & Stokey the Bear
This Saturday morning I think i'll start my day with Stokey the Bear and a nice hot bowl of porridge while keeping an eye out for for Dudley because where there is Stokey there may be some smoke.
President Obama on Health Reform: "I am not going to walk away just because it’s hard."
The White House Blog
January 22, 2010
President Obama made it clear to an enthusiastic crowd in Ohio today that he is not giving up the fight for health reform that protects consumers from insurance company abuses, lowers costs and help businesses and families around this country.
I didn’t take up this issue to boost my poll numbers or score political points – believe me, if I were, I would have picked something a lot easier than this. No, I’m trying to solve the problems that folks here in Elyria and across this country face every day. And I am not going to walk away just because it’s hard. We’re going to keep on working to get this done with Democrats, Republicans – anyone who is willing to step up. Because I am not going to watch more people get crushed by costs, or denied the care they need by insurance company bureaucrats, or partisan politics, or special interest power in Washington.
The President told the crowd that he is working closely with Congress to complete work on reform that will bring security and stability to Americans who have insurance and provide affordable options to those who don’t. After 70 years of effort, we are closer than we have ever been to achieving these goals. We will not stop now.
January 22, 2010
President Obama made it clear to an enthusiastic crowd in Ohio today that he is not giving up the fight for health reform that protects consumers from insurance company abuses, lowers costs and help businesses and families around this country.
I didn’t take up this issue to boost my poll numbers or score political points – believe me, if I were, I would have picked something a lot easier than this. No, I’m trying to solve the problems that folks here in Elyria and across this country face every day. And I am not going to walk away just because it’s hard. We’re going to keep on working to get this done with Democrats, Republicans – anyone who is willing to step up. Because I am not going to watch more people get crushed by costs, or denied the care they need by insurance company bureaucrats, or partisan politics, or special interest power in Washington.
The President told the crowd that he is working closely with Congress to complete work on reform that will bring security and stability to Americans who have insurance and provide affordable options to those who don’t. After 70 years of effort, we are closer than we have ever been to achieving these goals. We will not stop now.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Middletown: It's Your Town Hall Newsletter Volume 2 Issue 1 Now Availible
The latest edition of Middletown's "It's Your Town Hall" Newsletter is now availilbe for downloadings.This latest edition of the newsletter address the events that took place at this years Middletown Township Re-Orangization and contains information not reported on the local media, such as the names of all those who were appointed or re-appointed to all the various boards and commissions that serve the township.
It also contains the remarks made by Township Committee members and the remarks by those in attendance that wished to address the Committee.
If interested, also available for downloading is the agenda for the days events which lists all of the resolutions that were voted on that day.
Download newsletter >>> Here
Download Re-Organization agenda >>> Here
as always if you would like to receive the "It's Your Town Hall" newsletter via email send contact info to: itsourtown@yahoo.com
Hypocrite Handlin Took $3000 From NJEA
13th Legislative District Assemblywoman Amy Handlin(R-Monmouth) has to be one of the largest hypocrites in Trenton.
In a press release issued yesterday, before today's stunning US Supreme Court ruling that overturned decades worth of campaign finance reforms put in place by Congress, Handlin praised Governor Christie's executive order that "...created a more fair political system for taxpayers by applying pay-to-play restrictions to contributions made by labor unions or to legislative leadership committees... "
So why is Assemblywoman Handlin a hypocrite you ask? Handlin had no problems with the pay-to-play laws while taking a $3,000 campaign contribution from the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) while seeking re-election last year!
That's right, Handlin took money from the largest labor union in the State and now says that it is wrong for unions to be politically active by making campaign donation to candidates who seek political office.
It seems that as long as Handlin got her money from the NJEA everyone else can now be damned.
Do you think she has the decency to return the money to the NJEA? I doubt it.
What a hypocrite!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wednesday Weirdness III: GOP's Scott Brown wins Massachusetts Senate seat
Democrats are stunned at the defeat of Martha Coakley in Massachusetts last night, people have a strange and peculiar way of voting against their own best interests once again.
LA Times- Reporting from Los Angeles and Boston - In a stunning blow to Democrats, Republican Scott Brown on Tuesday seized the Massachusetts Senate seat once held by Edward M. Kennedy, handing the GOP the crucial vote that could thwart President Obama's far-reaching agenda, beginning with healthcare reform.
More broadly, Brown's epic upset signals the start of what could be an exceedingly tough year nationwide for Democrats, who are fighting to hang on to their majorities in the House and Senate in a political climate that seems to grow more hostile by the day.
"The effort to pass Obama's legislative agenda has grown more difficult, a flood of new Democratic congressional retirements may follow, and Republicans will certainly feel emboldened to expand their list of Democratic targets for the fall election," said Rhodes Cook, an independent campaign analyst.
With 99% of the vote counted, Brown, a state senator, was leading Democratic state Atty. Gen. Martha Coakley 52% to 47% -- a lopsidedness that only added to the humiliation for Democrats, who held the seat for well over half a century.
The scene Tuesday night at Brown's victory party in Boston was exultant. Shouts of "Shock the World" and "Yes, We Can" -- Obama's campaign rallying cry -- rang through the packed ballroom at the historic Park Plaza Hotel.
"Tonight, the independent voice of Massachusetts has spoken," Brown told the cheering crowd. "This will be the beginning of an election year filled with many surprises. When there's trouble in Massachusetts, rest assured there's trouble everywhere."
The most immediate problem for Democrats is keeping alive Obama's attempt at a healthcare overhaul -- something Kennedy called "the cause of my life."
Read more >>> Here
LA Times- Reporting from Los Angeles and Boston - In a stunning blow to Democrats, Republican Scott Brown on Tuesday seized the Massachusetts Senate seat once held by Edward M. Kennedy, handing the GOP the crucial vote that could thwart President Obama's far-reaching agenda, beginning with healthcare reform.
More broadly, Brown's epic upset signals the start of what could be an exceedingly tough year nationwide for Democrats, who are fighting to hang on to their majorities in the House and Senate in a political climate that seems to grow more hostile by the day.
"The effort to pass Obama's legislative agenda has grown more difficult, a flood of new Democratic congressional retirements may follow, and Republicans will certainly feel emboldened to expand their list of Democratic targets for the fall election," said Rhodes Cook, an independent campaign analyst.
With 99% of the vote counted, Brown, a state senator, was leading Democratic state Atty. Gen. Martha Coakley 52% to 47% -- a lopsidedness that only added to the humiliation for Democrats, who held the seat for well over half a century.
The scene Tuesday night at Brown's victory party in Boston was exultant. Shouts of "Shock the World" and "Yes, We Can" -- Obama's campaign rallying cry -- rang through the packed ballroom at the historic Park Plaza Hotel.
"Tonight, the independent voice of Massachusetts has spoken," Brown told the cheering crowd. "This will be the beginning of an election year filled with many surprises. When there's trouble in Massachusetts, rest assured there's trouble everywhere."
The most immediate problem for Democrats is keeping alive Obama's attempt at a healthcare overhaul -- something Kennedy called "the cause of my life."
Read more >>> Here
Wednesday Weirdness II: Scientists say dolphins should be treated as 'non-human persons'
We always knew that dolphines were special - now we know why!Dolphins have been declared the world’s second most intelligent creatures after humans, with scientists suggesting they are so bright that they should be treated as “non-human persons”.
Studies into dolphin behaviour have highlighted how similar their communications are to those of humans and that they are brighter than chimpanzees. These have been backed up by anatomical research showing that dolphin brains have many key features associated with high intelligence.
The researchers argue that their work shows it is morally unacceptable to keep such intelligent animals in amusement parks or to kill them for food or by accident when fishing. Some 300,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises die in this way each year.
“Many dolphin brains are larger than our own and second in mass only to the human brain when corrected for body size,” said Lori Marino, a zoologist at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, who has used magnetic resonance imaging scans to map the brains of dolphin species and compare them with those of primates.
The neuroanatomy suggests psychological continuity between humans and dolphins and has profound implications for the ethics of human-dolphin interactions,” she added.
Dolphins have long been recognised as among the most intelligent of animals but many researchers had placed them below chimps, which some studies have found can reach the intelligence levels of three-year-old children. Recently, however, a series of behavioural studies has suggested that dolphins, especially species such as the bottlenose, could be the brighter of the two. The studies show how dolphins have distinct personalities, a strong sense of self and can think about the future.
Read more >>>Here
Wednesday Weirdness: Haiti's voodoo priests object to mass burials
PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - Haiti's voodoo priests are objecting to anonymous mass burials as an improper way to handle the tens of thousands of dead from the earthquake -- and have taken their complaint to President Rene Preval.
Dumping the dead in hurriedly excavated mass graves without proper rites is seen as desecration in a country where many believe in zombies -- dead bodies brought back to life by supernatural forces who could persecute the living.
Haitian officials say so far at least 50,000 bodies have been dumped in mass graves outside the shattered capital, Port-au-Prince, in what they view as the most efficient way to dispose of the fast-rotting corpses from Tuesday's disaster.
"It is not in our culture to bury people in such a fashion," Haiti's main voodoo leader, Max Beauvoir, said in a meeting with Preval.
Local radio is broadcasting messages for Haitians to put bodies recovered from under the rubble of collapsed buildings on the street for collection by garbage and other trucks.
"The conditions in which bodies are being buried is not respecting the dignity of these people," Beauvoir, who was educated at City College of New York and the Sorbonne in Paris, said in the Preval meeting this weekend.
More than half of Haiti's 9 million people are believed to practice voodoo, a religion with roots in Africa. Some 80 percent also are Catholic and most Haitians see no conflict between the two.
Five days after the earthquake, scores of untouched corpses, now bloated and stinking, remain on streets. Red Cross officials have repeatedly said no one should fear disease from dead bodies after the earthquake that is believed to have killed up to 200,000 people.
"I don't understand why everyone is worried about a disease risk," Haitian Red Cross President Michaelle Amedee Gedeon told Reuters. "Do we have cholera in Haiti? No. Do we have the plague in Haiti? No. Rodents, water will not get contaminated. The only bad effect from the corpses is the smell."
On Sunday, more bodies appeared overnight, with locals saying they were thieves burned and shot by lynch-mobs, gangs and police. They said about 20 people were killed like that.
Dumping the dead in hurriedly excavated mass graves without proper rites is seen as desecration in a country where many believe in zombies -- dead bodies brought back to life by supernatural forces who could persecute the living.
Haitian officials say so far at least 50,000 bodies have been dumped in mass graves outside the shattered capital, Port-au-Prince, in what they view as the most efficient way to dispose of the fast-rotting corpses from Tuesday's disaster.
"It is not in our culture to bury people in such a fashion," Haiti's main voodoo leader, Max Beauvoir, said in a meeting with Preval.
Local radio is broadcasting messages for Haitians to put bodies recovered from under the rubble of collapsed buildings on the street for collection by garbage and other trucks.
"The conditions in which bodies are being buried is not respecting the dignity of these people," Beauvoir, who was educated at City College of New York and the Sorbonne in Paris, said in the Preval meeting this weekend.
More than half of Haiti's 9 million people are believed to practice voodoo, a religion with roots in Africa. Some 80 percent also are Catholic and most Haitians see no conflict between the two.
Five days after the earthquake, scores of untouched corpses, now bloated and stinking, remain on streets. Red Cross officials have repeatedly said no one should fear disease from dead bodies after the earthquake that is believed to have killed up to 200,000 people.
"I don't understand why everyone is worried about a disease risk," Haitian Red Cross President Michaelle Amedee Gedeon told Reuters. "Do we have cholera in Haiti? No. Do we have the plague in Haiti? No. Rodents, water will not get contaminated. The only bad effect from the corpses is the smell."
On Sunday, more bodies appeared overnight, with locals saying they were thieves burned and shot by lynch-mobs, gangs and police. They said about 20 people were killed like that.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Dump Sean Kean In 2011 Website Up and Running
A new website has just been launched by the Blue Monmouth Political Action Committee.
The website Dump Sean Kean in 2011, was launched in reponse to the Kean's patronizing, offensive and insulting speech that he gave on floor of the NJ Senate on January 7th 2010, explaining why he was going to vote against the Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act, denying thousands of his constituents from GLBT community their basic civil rights in the 11th Legislative district.
According to the website:
"We are looking for individuals to help us organize various districts in towns throughout the 11th District. We will also be reaching out to and organizing GLBT voters in the 11th District so they are aware of Sean Kean's vote against equality. Can you help us in any of these towns? During the next several months, we will be organizing lit drops, newspaper advertisements, phonebanks etc. Please e-mail info@dumpseankean.com "
Let Sean Kean know that you are unhappy with him by supporting the Blue Monmouth Political Action Committee in their efforts to unseat him!!
Solomeno For Freeholder: Why I'm Running
I'm running for Monmouth County Freeholder because I believe we can do better. Since November, I've visited with elected officials, party leaders, and private citizens to hear their ideas and concerns. They share my belief that we can regain our Democratic majority on the Freeholder Board through an energetic grassroots campaign that focuses on stabilizing property taxes, preserving open space, and aggressively pursuing opportunities to bring new businesses - and the jobs that come with them - to Monmouth County.
My decision to pursue the nomination is the first step on a road that I hope will lead to victory come November. I intend to build a campaign of people, not power brokers. A campaign defined not by sound bites, but substantive ideas. And perhaps most importantly, this will not be a campaign defined by one person, but by citizens joined together in the pursuit of a common goal: a green, safe, and affordable Monmouth County.
As I've said to those I've spoken with in the short time since taking this decision, I have no illusion about the many challenges that lay ahead. Yet the obstacles I face in the coming campaign are nothing compared to those facing Monmouth County and our fifty-three municipalities. Quite literally, we can no longer afford the status quo. Indeed, I firmly believe that the present circumstances requires Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike to set aside petty differences, roll up our sleeves, and work together for the public good.
I am optimistic about the future of Monmouth County and it will be my honor to run alongside Judge John D'Amico in an effort that translates that optimism into real results. In the mean time, I encourage you to keep me on my toes. Let me know what I'm doing right, what you think I can be doing better, and please be sure to visit my web site at www.vincentsolomeno.com.
Thank you.
APP Editorial "Damage control" on reform: Pallone's Contibutions From Health Care Industry Not Seen As Conflict
Strong arguments can be made for the need to regulate campaign contributions to remove the corrupting influence of money. But it would be unwise to use Rep. Frank Pallone's contributions from the health care industry to bolster the case.
Pallone, D-N.J., received $321,000 in campaign donations from the industry in the 2010 election cycle — more than any other member of the House, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. That should come as little surprise given the central role Pallone has played in the House version of the health care bill as chairman of the health subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Committee chairs, regardless of party affiliation, typically are magnets for campaign cash from industries and interests they oversee.
In Pallone's case, at least, the money doesn't seem to have swayed his thinking. The House version of the bill, which has his fingerprints all over it, has been widely opposed by health insurers and other groups with a financial stake in health care reform. With Pallone, the strategy appears to be damage control. As Rutgers political scientist Ross Baker put it, while Pallone "won't carry their water," the industry believes its contributions "may reduce the level of hostility."
There is no shortage of examples of how campaign money corrupts. Pallone's largess from the health care industry would not appear to be one of them.
Poll: President Obama ends first year with 57 percent average approval rating
From The Hill.com
President Barack Obama will round out his first year in office with an average 57 percent approval rating, according to Gallup.
Interestingly enough, that would place Obama nearly last in a ranking of former presidents' first-year job approval averages, pollsters noted.
Former Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush all ended their first year in office with much higher job approval totals. Former President Ronald Reagan tied Obama at 57 percent while former President Bill Clinton scored far below Obama, at 49 percent.
President Barack Obama will round out his first year in office with an average 57 percent approval rating, according to Gallup.
Interestingly enough, that would place Obama nearly last in a ranking of former presidents' first-year job approval averages, pollsters noted.
Former Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush all ended their first year in office with much higher job approval totals. Former President Ronald Reagan tied Obama at 57 percent while former President Bill Clinton scored far below Obama, at 49 percent.
Obama tweets for first time
From The Hill.com
By Kim Hart -
President Barack Obama has "pushed the button" to send his first-ever tweet during a visit to the D.C. offices for the American Red Cross.
Obama used the relief organization's page to tweet: tweeted: "President Obama and the First Lady are here visiting our disaster operation center right now."
The next tweet read, "President Obama pushed the button on the last tweet. It was his first ever tweet!"
It was the first time that the president who made history using social media during the 2008 election had personally used the technology.
While both the White House and the president's campaign have Twitter accounts (with extensive lists of followers, no less), those accounts are managed and written by staff — something the president has in common with a majority of officials who are on Twitter.
Obama remarked on the occasion, according to several reporters who witnessed the act.
“I just tweeted. The first time I tweeted," Obama said, noting as well that the Red Cross had raised $21 million through Twitter to send relief to earthquake-stricken Haiti.
By Kim Hart -
President Barack Obama has "pushed the button" to send his first-ever tweet during a visit to the D.C. offices for the American Red Cross.
Obama used the relief organization's page to tweet: tweeted: "President Obama and the First Lady are here visiting our disaster operation center right now."
The next tweet read, "President Obama pushed the button on the last tweet. It was his first ever tweet!"
It was the first time that the president who made history using social media during the 2008 election had personally used the technology.
While both the White House and the president's campaign have Twitter accounts (with extensive lists of followers, no less), those accounts are managed and written by staff — something the president has in common with a majority of officials who are on Twitter.
Obama remarked on the occasion, according to several reporters who witnessed the act.
“I just tweeted. The first time I tweeted," Obama said, noting as well that the Red Cross had raised $21 million through Twitter to send relief to earthquake-stricken Haiti.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Pelosi: "We will have healthcare -- one way or another"
From Slate.com
House speaker sounds confident of reform passage, even with a big loss for Democrats possibly on the horizon
BY ALEX KOPPELMAN
Given what looks like the impending loss of the party's Senate supermajority, Democrats have reason to be down in the dumps about healthcare reform. But if that's the way House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's feeling, she's not showing it publicly.
"Let's remove all doubt, we will have healthcare one way or another," Pelosi said during an event in San Francisco on Monday. "Certainly the dynamic would change depending on what happens in Massachusetts. Just the question about how we would proceed. But it doesn't mean we won't have a health care bill."
There is one way to pass the bill, even without 60 votes in the Senate, that's getting a lot of attention now. But Pelosi probably won't like it, and neither will a fair amount of her members.
The procedure in question would involve simply having the House vote on the bill that the Senate has already passed. That would mean avoiding yet another cloture vote in the Senate, one Democrats would be likely to lose if their caucus is down to 59 members after the special election in Massachusetts on Tuesday.
House liberals will be upset about this idea, and progressive activists would likely be angry as well, but it may well be the only option left, and Democrats are reportedly leaning towards it. On Monday night, the New York Times reported: "The White House and Democratic Congressional leaders, scrambling for a backup plan to rescue their health care legislation if Republicans win the special election in Massachusetts on Tuesday, are preparing to ask House Democrats to approve the Senate version of the bill, which would send the measure directly to President Obama for his signature."
House speaker sounds confident of reform passage, even with a big loss for Democrats possibly on the horizon
BY ALEX KOPPELMAN
Given what looks like the impending loss of the party's Senate supermajority, Democrats have reason to be down in the dumps about healthcare reform. But if that's the way House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's feeling, she's not showing it publicly.
"Let's remove all doubt, we will have healthcare one way or another," Pelosi said during an event in San Francisco on Monday. "Certainly the dynamic would change depending on what happens in Massachusetts. Just the question about how we would proceed. But it doesn't mean we won't have a health care bill."
There is one way to pass the bill, even without 60 votes in the Senate, that's getting a lot of attention now. But Pelosi probably won't like it, and neither will a fair amount of her members.
The procedure in question would involve simply having the House vote on the bill that the Senate has already passed. That would mean avoiding yet another cloture vote in the Senate, one Democrats would be likely to lose if their caucus is down to 59 members after the special election in Massachusetts on Tuesday.
House liberals will be upset about this idea, and progressive activists would likely be angry as well, but it may well be the only option left, and Democrats are reportedly leaning towards it. On Monday night, the New York Times reported: "The White House and Democratic Congressional leaders, scrambling for a backup plan to rescue their health care legislation if Republicans win the special election in Massachusetts on Tuesday, are preparing to ask House Democrats to approve the Senate version of the bill, which would send the measure directly to President Obama for his signature."
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Solomeno First To Throw His Hat In The Ring For Dems In Monmouth County Freeholders Race
Hazlet Resident Vincent Solomeno, has become the first Monmouth County Democrat to officiall announce his intentions to seek the Party nod to run along side Freeholder John D'Amico.
Solomeno made his announcement with a brief posting on his Facebook page that simply stated "Vincent Solomeno is running for monmouth county freeholder." this afternoon after posting earlier in the week that he had a big announcement to make on Friday.
Last night he posted the following Youtube video:
For those of you who do not know Vincent, he was named one of “50 Rising Stars in New Jersey Politics” by Politicker New Jersey, he has managed or worked on local, state, and national campaigns. He has worked for Congressman Frank Pallone.
In 2006, Vincent became a Truman Scholar and in 2007, he was selected as a J. William Fulbright Scholar to the Netherlands where he earned a Master of Arts in European Studies at the University of Amsterdam. A Distinguished Military Graduate (DMG), he is a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve and is training to become a Combat Engineer.
So when Vincent has an opinion about something it's worth listening to, he is not some loony liberal trying to push mandates down our throats. He is an extremely intelligent and distinguished member of the Monmouth County community who's thoughts and ideas should be considered.
Solomeno made his announcement with a brief posting on his Facebook page that simply stated "Vincent Solomeno is running for monmouth county freeholder." this afternoon after posting earlier in the week that he had a big announcement to make on Friday.
Last night he posted the following Youtube video:
For those of you who do not know Vincent, he was named one of “50 Rising Stars in New Jersey Politics” by Politicker New Jersey, he has managed or worked on local, state, and national campaigns. He has worked for Congressman Frank Pallone.
In 2006, Vincent became a Truman Scholar and in 2007, he was selected as a J. William Fulbright Scholar to the Netherlands where he earned a Master of Arts in European Studies at the University of Amsterdam. A Distinguished Military Graduate (DMG), he is a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve and is training to become a Combat Engineer.
So when Vincent has an opinion about something it's worth listening to, he is not some loony liberal trying to push mandates down our throats. He is an extremely intelligent and distinguished member of the Monmouth County community who's thoughts and ideas should be considered.
Saturday Morning Cartoons: Dodo- Kid from Outer Space
A little Sci-Fi on a Saturday morning is just what the doctor ordered to start the day off on the right toon.
Now, if I only had some Quisp!
Now, if I only had some Quisp!
President Obama's Weekly Address: 1/16/10 Getting Our Money Back from Wall Street
As the President continues to work on immediate job creation, he discusses his proposal for a new fee on the largest financial institutions to ensure that every cent of taxpayer assistance gets paid back. Saying that, "we're not going to let Wall Street take the money and run," he then to discusses the ongoing push to make sure banks can never put our economy at risk again.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Friday Morning Funnies: Rednecks are good at sensitive stuff
Three rednecks were working up on a cell phone tower: Cooter, Ronnie and Donnie.As they start their descent, Cooter slips, falls off the tower and is killed instantly. As the ambulance takes the body away, Ronnie says, 'Well, shucks, someone should go and tell his wife.
Donnie says, 'OK, I'm pretty good at that sensitive stuff, I'll do it.' Two hours later, he comes back carrying a case of Budweiser.
Ronnie says, 'Where did you get that beer, Donnie?' 'Cooter's wife gave it to me,' Ronnie replies.
'That's unbelievable, you told the lady her husband was dead and she gave you beer?' 'Well, not exactly', Donnie says. 'When she answered the door, I said to her, "you must be Cooter's widow."
She said, 'You must be mistaken. I'm not a widow.' Then I said, 'I'll bet you a case of Budweiser you are.'
Rednecks are good at sensitive stuff.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Monmouth County Jobless Rate Seen As Stablizing With Recovery Underway
With just a 10% seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, Monmouth County is in much better shape job wise then the State is as a whole according to statistical data sighted in the article
"...the worst of the economic crisis has passed. The county and most of its large towns tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics saw their unemployment rates peak in the summer of 2009."
It seems that the biggest drag on the jobless rate remains real estate, where many builders and contractors have seen a 50 - 75 percent drop off of their revenues.
Other sectors of the economy like IT Services and the medical professions are still strong and helping to keep the jobless rate down. Many businesses still need assistance with their computer systems to keep their offices running, and while people are still employed, they still need the services of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals when they are sick.
Hopefully as the economy continues to improve over the remainder of this winter and into the spring, construction starts and the housing market will improve, which in turn will create even more jobs in the county and lower the jobless rate even more.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Obama's First Year Was A Success Despite Common Wisdom Of the Rightwing
Despite the common wisdom and all the nigh-saying by the conservative right wing and the "Republicants", President Obama's first year in office has been a major success.
To gage that success just look at some of the legislation that was passed during his first year:
To gage that success just look at some of the legislation that was passed during his first year:
- $787 billion stimulus package that by many accounts,including the right wing, conservative American Enterprise Group, have said that the stimulus package worked.
- Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay act.
- Repeal of the Embryonic Stem Cell research ban.
- The confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor
- The House passed climate change legislation.
- Soon to be completed health care reform.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Middletown: It's Your Hometown Newsletter Issue 3 Is Available
The newsletter discusses the events of the last Township Committee meeting of 2009 which entailed the passage of several resolutions that may be of interest to residents due to the fact that they established new pay rates and salary increases for township employees.
The newsletter also discusses Resolution-09-283, the controversial resolution that attempted to borrow money from the as yet appropriated 2010 budget to pay for year end medical expenses for township employees and their families. This resolution did not pass and will be up for re-vote during the next scheduled township committee meeting.
You can read the Newsletter >>> Here
And as always, if you would like to be placed on a mailing list to receive emails of this newletter send email contact info to: itsourtown@yahoo.com
Sunday, January 10, 2010
3-D Adult Entertainment Unvailed in Las Vegas
What will $4,000 upfront money and $20 a month there after buy you? A 60-inch 3-D television that has a compact computer server, and shutter glasses that synch with the screen to trick eyes into viewing in 3-D was unvailed at an AVN Adult Entertainment Expo in Las Vegas over the weekend by Bad Girls.
AFP. LAS VEGAS, Nevada — A 3-D mania stoked by stunning new television sets and the blockbuster film "Avatar" is being embraced by a porn industry notorious for helping new technologies access homes.
Bad Girls In 3D used an AVN Adult Entertainment Expo that ended Sunday in Las Vegas to unveil an unprecedented online library exclusively in the format and a first-of-a-kind "turnkey digital 3-D viewing system."
"For several decades, the adult entertainment industry has driven adoption of every significant new entertainment delivery system - the VHS home-video craze in the 1980s, the satellite television mania in the 1990s and the present day Internet," said Bad Girls producer Lance Johnson.
"2010 and beyond will be all about 3-D."
Adult expo attendees wearing "active shutter glasses" grinned as they immersed themselves in a Bad Girls video displayed in 3-D on a giant high-definition television.
The firm's package consists of a 60-inch (152-centimeter) 3-D television; a compact computer server, and shutter glasses that synch with the screen to trick eyes into viewing in 3-D.
The Bad Girls system is priced at 4,000 dollars, and a subscription to the online video library costs 20 dollars a month, according to a woman at the booth that gave only her first name, Samantha.
The potential of 3-D in adult entertainment was proven decades ago by a soft-core 3-D film "The Stewardess," which raked in 27 million dollars in theaters during the two years after its release in 1969, according to Johnson.
AFP. LAS VEGAS, Nevada — A 3-D mania stoked by stunning new television sets and the blockbuster film "Avatar" is being embraced by a porn industry notorious for helping new technologies access homes.
Bad Girls In 3D used an AVN Adult Entertainment Expo that ended Sunday in Las Vegas to unveil an unprecedented online library exclusively in the format and a first-of-a-kind "turnkey digital 3-D viewing system."
"For several decades, the adult entertainment industry has driven adoption of every significant new entertainment delivery system - the VHS home-video craze in the 1980s, the satellite television mania in the 1990s and the present day Internet," said Bad Girls producer Lance Johnson.
"2010 and beyond will be all about 3-D."
Adult expo attendees wearing "active shutter glasses" grinned as they immersed themselves in a Bad Girls video displayed in 3-D on a giant high-definition television.
The firm's package consists of a 60-inch (152-centimeter) 3-D television; a compact computer server, and shutter glasses that synch with the screen to trick eyes into viewing in 3-D.
The Bad Girls system is priced at 4,000 dollars, and a subscription to the online video library costs 20 dollars a month, according to a woman at the booth that gave only her first name, Samantha.
The potential of 3-D in adult entertainment was proven decades ago by a soft-core 3-D film "The Stewardess," which raked in 27 million dollars in theaters during the two years after its release in 1969, according to Johnson.
Read more about it >>>Here
Avatar; A Must See Film, Is A Sequel Far Behind?
I took the family to see the James Cameron film Avatar last night, the film was in digital 3-D and it was amazing! By this time most everyone has heard about or seen the movie so I wont go into too much detail other than to say that it was the best visual effects movie I have ever seen.Usually I am not one who goes and sees 3-D movies, I feel that 3-D is a gimmick, it doesn't add anything to the plot and it takes away from the enjoyment of the experience because you are waiting for the next flying monkey to leap out from the screen to hit you in the head. This was not so with Avatar, there was nothing gratuitous or superficial about the effects, Cameron played it straight which made the movie watching that much more interesting and intense.
The colors and textures on screen were intense and leaped out to fill the senses as if you were on the far off and distant world of Pandora yourself.
After seeing Avatar, Cameron should be the odds on favorite to walk away with a bushel full of Oscars come March.
The movie ended rather typically of a major blockbuster in waiting, that is to say that a sequel isn't to far off in the future. As a matter of fact while surfing the web I found this bit of news that seems to state that Cameron planned Avatar to be a trilogy.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
President Obama's Weekly Address: 1/9/10 Health Reform's Benefits in 2010
The President discusses the benefits of health reform that Americans will receive in the first year, and how reform will help build a new foundation for American families.
Saturday Morning Cartoons: Popeye It's Barnacle Bill the Sailor
Oh my, It's Barnacle Bill the Sailor!
Friday, January 8, 2010
You Be The Gov: Balance The Budget Using "Deficit -O- Meter"
Do you think you have what it takes to be New Jersey Governor and balance the up coming budget? The budget has a looming $ 9.5 billion deficit that must be closed, can you do it? The Asbury Park Press has posted a "Deficit-o-Meter" to help you out.
As the APP points out, choose carefully because your choices could lead to dire consequences for yourself and taxpayers.
Some of the choices to choose from include raising taxes and fees like the income tax, gas tax and motor vehicle fees or cutting state aid to schools, hospitals and municipalities.
Do you accept federal stimulus to keep the budget in the black or defer pension obligations for another year and what happens if you are somehow able to cut salaries for union members? I gave it a work out and had to make a few hard, draconian choices to come up with a budget surplus of $12,650.
Give it a try and see what we're up against this coming year, it's not pretty!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Are Democrats "Dropping Like Flies"? Not Really
Political Wire-
With news of four Democrats dropping their bids yesterday, ABC News says that Democrats "are dropping like flies."
But Steve Benen notes that Republican retirements, at least for now, still outnumber Democratic retirements.
"In the House, 14 GOP incumbents have decided not to seek re-election, while 10 Democratic incumbents have made the same announcement... In the Senate, six Republican incumbents have decided not to seek re-election, while two Democratic incumbents have made the same announcement."
"Among governors, several incumbents in both parties are term-limited and prevented from running again, but only three Democrats who can seek re-election -- Parkinson in Kansas, Doyle in Wisconsin, and Ritter in Colorado -- have chosen not to. For Republicans, the number is four -- Douglas in Vermont, Rell in Connecticut, Crist in Florida, and Pawlenty in Minnesota. (Update: the GOP number is five if we include Palin in Alaska.)"
With news of four Democrats dropping their bids yesterday, ABC News says that Democrats "are dropping like flies."
But Steve Benen notes that Republican retirements, at least for now, still outnumber Democratic retirements.
"In the House, 14 GOP incumbents have decided not to seek re-election, while 10 Democratic incumbents have made the same announcement... In the Senate, six Republican incumbents have decided not to seek re-election, while two Democratic incumbents have made the same announcement."
"Among governors, several incumbents in both parties are term-limited and prevented from running again, but only three Democrats who can seek re-election -- Parkinson in Kansas, Doyle in Wisconsin, and Ritter in Colorado -- have chosen not to. For Republicans, the number is four -- Douglas in Vermont, Rell in Connecticut, Crist in Florida, and Pawlenty in Minnesota. (Update: the GOP number is five if we include Palin in Alaska.)"
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Learn to Speak Tea Bag
(Hat tip to Juan Melli and Jorge Santos via Rob Tornoe)
NPR.com
Learning a new language doesn't have to be hard, especially when "Tea Bag" is so minimalistic! Mark Fiore offers his personal take in this animation. The Wall Street Journal dubbed Fiore "the undisputed guru of the form." He creates political animation from an undisclosed location somewhere in San Francisco.
Learning a new language doesn't have to be hard, especially when "Tea Bag" is so minimalistic! Mark Fiore offers his personal take in this animation. The Wall Street Journal dubbed Fiore "the undisputed guru of the form." He creates political animation from an undisclosed location somewhere in San Francisco.
RNC chairman doubts GOP will win back the House this November
The Hill -
By Bob Cusack
RNC Chairman Michael Steele said Monday night that he doesn't think Republicans will win control of the House in 2010 .
Asked by Sean Hannity on the Fox News Channel whether he believes the GOP is going to take over the House, the chairman of the Republican National Committee responded, "Not this year."
Pressed on his prediction, Steele later said, "I don't know yet." Steele said, "We're going to see, I think, nice pickups in the House," but added it is difficult to provide a number because it is still early in the 2010 cycle.
Other Republicans, including House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (Va.) and House Chief Deputy Whip Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), have expressed more optimism about the chances the GOP will retake the lower chamber this year.
Hannity urged Steele on Monday night to draft a new Contract with America before the November elections.
Steele did not completely commit to a new contract, but said, "I think you're going to a see a definitive document with clear definitions of who we are."
By Bob Cusack
RNC Chairman Michael Steele said Monday night that he doesn't think Republicans will win control of the House in 2010 .
Asked by Sean Hannity on the Fox News Channel whether he believes the GOP is going to take over the House, the chairman of the Republican National Committee responded, "Not this year."
Pressed on his prediction, Steele later said, "I don't know yet." Steele said, "We're going to see, I think, nice pickups in the House," but added it is difficult to provide a number because it is still early in the 2010 cycle.
Other Republicans, including House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (Va.) and House Chief Deputy Whip Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), have expressed more optimism about the chances the GOP will retake the lower chamber this year.
Hannity urged Steele on Monday night to draft a new Contract with America before the November elections.
Steele did not completely commit to a new contract, but said, "I think you're going to a see a definitive document with clear definitions of who we are."
Bob Brown Back on Strategy Room This Morning At 11:00
Old Bridge attorney and former Democratic candidate for NJ Legislative District 13, Robert"Bob" Brown will make another appearance this morning at 11:00 am on Fox News's online web program "The Strategy Room".This marks the 14th time Bob has been a guest on the show.
During the 11:00 hour Bob will be joining host Lis Weilh and fellow guests Psychiatrist Dr. Dale Archer (DrDaleArcher.com) and Personal Injury Attorney Keith Sullivan to discuss "Cops and Cases"
If you have the time to tune in you should check out the show. Anytime Bob Brown has made an appearance on the show it has always been a lively and interesting discussion that has lead to some insightful T.V.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Scharfenberger Admits "... a budget shortfall of several million dollars in the coming year."
Not many surprises happened yesterday at Re-Organization day in Middletown other than re-appointed mayor Gerry Scharfenberger admitted during his address that the Township was facing "... a budget shortfall of several million dollars in the coming year."
This statement is really quite out of character for our mayor because for the past couple of months Committeeman Sean Byrnes and former Committeeman Patrick Short have been warning everyone about this on coming problem,while Scharfenberger and his fellow GOPer's have accused the Democrats of playing "Chicken Little" .
Last months workshop meeting received a lot of headlines in local papers because Byrnes and Short would not vote for borrowing money from 2010 's budget for an emergency appropriation to pay for medical claims in 2009 without first seeing a plan on how the township planned on closing, in Byrnes's estimation, a $5 million budget shortfall 2010. Byrnes stated during the workshop meeting that layoffs throughout all departments would be necessary without some type spending plan for the coming new year.
They ultimately voted to approve $800,000 of the emergency appropriation to pay the medical claims and deferred the remainder to discuss at the next meeting with the stipulation that the township needed to come up with some sort of spending plan before than.
At the December 21st Township Committee meeting Byrnes and Short once again refused to borrow money from 2010 to pay for the outstanding claims because nothing was presented during the two week period since the previous meeting to show them that the township was taking seriously the looming budget crisis.
Now upon his re-appointment as mayor he admits that there is a looming crisis and wants to assure everyone that he will do everything in his power to make the best of it by "...a continued freeze on all township salaries, the potential sale of unneeded township assets, increased worker contributions to health benefits, new interlocal agreements and the sale of the township swim club."
We've heard all this before from Scharfenberger and his GOP buddies, the only new proposal here is to sell the swim club and that was proposed 3 years ago by Patrick Short.
Last February Patrick Short and Sean Brynes submitted budget cutting ideas to the Township Administrator and the CFO and many if not all were rejected out of hand.
Last week Sean Byrnes issued a press release to highlight some additional proposals that he believes would save the township money for 2010 and years to come. They are practical and make sense. Maybe the Committee can use these proposals as a starting point when they begin to formulate the 2010 budget and not let partisan politics get in the way of doing what's right for the residents of Middletown.
NJPP Monday Minute: 1/4/10
Every year, New Jersey gives away billions of dollars through tax credits, deductions, exemptions and cooperative agreements that - once enacted - seldom get reviewed. No one knows how much money the state forgoes because few people have been interested - until now.
Despite not being found in any appropriation line in the state budget, these "spending initiatives" represent spending. Unlike the spending that takes place in the budget, which must be reauthorized each year, these credits, deductions and exemptions - collectively known as tax expenditures - are part of the tax code. Because this form of spending is largely invisible, it gets little scrutiny.
Every program that receives no scrutiny has the potential to crowd out more important programs. That is because every dollar the state doesn't collect is a dollar that must be raised by increasing an existing tax rate, taxing something else or providing fewer services.
Like traditional spending, tax expenditures are policy decisions that reflect government's priorities. They cost state treasuries money in much the same way as direct spending for schools, health care or road construction. The only real difference is that instead of collecting and paying out money, this money isn't collected at all. One might think this is more efficient than collecting and redistributing revenues. That is the case only if the benefits of these programs are reviewed annually along with programs requiring a direct appropriation.
Some tax expenditures are good and reflect taxpayers' beliefs. In New Jersey, for instance, we do not collect sales tax on food, clothes or prescription medicine. These policy decisions cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars a year in revenue, however most New Jersey residents would agree with those choices. There would be less agreement about the decision to grant special interest tax credits to a specific business, especially if that business costs the state a lot and there was no proof of its overall benefit to every resident, not just to the few recipients of those credits.
Another costly example of a tax expenditure is the long-standing agreement between New York and New Jersey that taxes residents' income based on where they work instead of where they live. New York State actually tracks and publishes this information. Based on their reporting, in 2004, that agreement cost New Jersey about $1.5 billion a year, a number that is likely higher now. Under this agreement, most people who live in New Jersey but work in New York pay more to New York than they would to New Jersey. New Jersey has a different agreement with Pennsylvania. As a result of that agreement, New Jersey and Pennsylvania incomes are taxed where a person lives, not where he or she works. Whether that is a benefit or a cost to New Jersey is unknown because we don't collect and analyze the information.
Although most states track this information and make it public, New Jersey does not. This would change if a bill introduced by Sen. Barbara Buono, chairwoman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, becomes law. Sen. Buono's bill would require the governor's annual budget message to include a tax expenditure report, which would list each tax expenditure and its cost to the state.
In all likelihood, the totals would be significant. Washington State, for example, has reported that its 567 state and local tax expenditures cost nearly $99 billion a year in lost revenue; Oregon reports that its 362 expenditures cost nearly $29 billion; and Illinois' 214 cost nearly $7 billion.
The idea of reporting this information is nothing new, even in New Jersey. In January 2006, Gov. Corzine's transition team recommended that the state produce a tax expenditure report. Later that year, the state Division of Taxation developed a basic framework for a report, identifying 121 sales and use tax exemptions and exemptions, 44 gross income tax exclusions and 28 corporate business tax exclusions. Then, in November 2007, Gov. Corzine signed a bill into law requiring the state treasurer to produce an annual report with information on development subsidies. This report has yet to be produced.
Understanding how much the state spends through its tax code is even more critical now, as declining revenues will force New Jersey lawmakers to make more difficult decisions about how to spend taxpayer dollars. A tax expenditure budget is not a panacea. It will not automatically provide all the money the state needs to resolve its precarious fiscal situation. But, it will lead to more information, which can only lead to better choices, more appropriate spending and more accountability.
It is time for New Jersey to join the 41 other states, the District of Columbia and the federal government in recognizing that informed choices, whether they are direct appropriations in the annual budget or revenues foregone through the tax code, are ultimately better choices.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The Washington Post - Editorial: Soft on terror? Not this president
Hat tip to my Facebook friend Jorge Santos-
THERE IS, it seems evident, more than enough blame to go around in the botched handling of the botched Christmas bombing. Not for some Republicans. With former vice president Richard B. Cheney in the lead, they have embarked on an ugly course to use the incident to inflict maximum political damage on President Obama. That's bad enough, but their scurrilous line of attack is even worse. The claim that the incident shows the president's fecklessness in the war on terror is unfounded -- no matter how often it is repeated.
These critics have set up a straw Obama, a weak and naive leader who allegedly takes terrorism lightly, thinks that playing nicely with terrorists will make them stop, and fails to understand the threat that the United States faces from violent extremists. Mr. Cheney said that the incident had made "clear once again that President Obama is trying to pretend we are not at war." Likewise, Republican Study Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-Ga.) called on Mr. Obama to "recognize that we are at war with a murderous enemy who will not relent because we heed political correctness, acquiesce to international calls for deference or close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay." Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-Mich.), the ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, said that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano "and the rest of the Obama administration view their role as law enforcement, first responders dealing with the aftermath of an attack. And we believe in a forward-looking approach to stopping these attacks before they happen."
There are two ways to show how baseless these attacks are: examining Mr. Obama's words and examining his actions.
Words first. "Evil does exist in the world," Mr. Obama said in accepting the Nobel Peace Prize. "Negotiations cannot convince al-Qaeda's leaders to lay down their arms." In his weekly radio speech Saturday, he disposed of the war-vs.-law-enforcement canard, pointing out that in his inaugural address he made it clear that "0ur nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred and that we will do whatever it takes to defeat them and defend our country, even as we uphold the values that have always distinguished America among nations." "
But actions speak louder, and Mr. Obama's actions -- often at the cost of enraging his party's liberal base -- have also demonstrated tenacity and pragmatism blended with a necessary reassessment of the flawed policies of his predecessors and a recommitment to the rule of law. He wants to close the Guantanamo Bay prison, which is all to the good given its stain on the national character, but he has delayed that goal until acceptable alternatives can be found. He has brought criminal charges against some terrorists, but he has also sent others to be tried by military tribunals. He has invoked the authority of the executive to have lawsuits dismissed because they risk exposing state secrets. In addition to the new troop deployments, he has aggressively used predator drones to strike at terrorists, including outside Afghanistan. Even before the failed attack, his administration has been working aggressively with Yemeni authorities to deal with extremists there.
It is possible to disagree with the administration's decision to bring criminal charges against the suspect in the failed airplane bombing, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, although we think that was the proper course. It is possible to fault, as we have, some of the administration's public statements in the immediate aftermath of the attack. And as the president has acknowledged, the incident revealed failures in intelligence and in security screening that must be urgently identified and corrected. The country would benefit from a serious and bipartisan effort in Congress to ensure that the lessons of the Christmas attack are learned. A groundless campaign to portray Mr. Obama as soft on terror can only detract from that effort.
The Washington Post
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
THERE IS, it seems evident, more than enough blame to go around in the botched handling of the botched Christmas bombing. Not for some Republicans. With former vice president Richard B. Cheney in the lead, they have embarked on an ugly course to use the incident to inflict maximum political damage on President Obama. That's bad enough, but their scurrilous line of attack is even worse. The claim that the incident shows the president's fecklessness in the war on terror is unfounded -- no matter how often it is repeated.
These critics have set up a straw Obama, a weak and naive leader who allegedly takes terrorism lightly, thinks that playing nicely with terrorists will make them stop, and fails to understand the threat that the United States faces from violent extremists. Mr. Cheney said that the incident had made "clear once again that President Obama is trying to pretend we are not at war." Likewise, Republican Study Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-Ga.) called on Mr. Obama to "recognize that we are at war with a murderous enemy who will not relent because we heed political correctness, acquiesce to international calls for deference or close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay." Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-Mich.), the ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, said that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano "and the rest of the Obama administration view their role as law enforcement, first responders dealing with the aftermath of an attack. And we believe in a forward-looking approach to stopping these attacks before they happen."
There are two ways to show how baseless these attacks are: examining Mr. Obama's words and examining his actions.
Words first. "Evil does exist in the world," Mr. Obama said in accepting the Nobel Peace Prize. "Negotiations cannot convince al-Qaeda's leaders to lay down their arms." In his weekly radio speech Saturday, he disposed of the war-vs.-law-enforcement canard, pointing out that in his inaugural address he made it clear that "0ur nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred and that we will do whatever it takes to defeat them and defend our country, even as we uphold the values that have always distinguished America among nations." "
But actions speak louder, and Mr. Obama's actions -- often at the cost of enraging his party's liberal base -- have also demonstrated tenacity and pragmatism blended with a necessary reassessment of the flawed policies of his predecessors and a recommitment to the rule of law. He wants to close the Guantanamo Bay prison, which is all to the good given its stain on the national character, but he has delayed that goal until acceptable alternatives can be found. He has brought criminal charges against some terrorists, but he has also sent others to be tried by military tribunals. He has invoked the authority of the executive to have lawsuits dismissed because they risk exposing state secrets. In addition to the new troop deployments, he has aggressively used predator drones to strike at terrorists, including outside Afghanistan. Even before the failed attack, his administration has been working aggressively with Yemeni authorities to deal with extremists there.
It is possible to disagree with the administration's decision to bring criminal charges against the suspect in the failed airplane bombing, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, although we think that was the proper course. It is possible to fault, as we have, some of the administration's public statements in the immediate aftermath of the attack. And as the president has acknowledged, the incident revealed failures in intelligence and in security screening that must be urgently identified and corrected. The country would benefit from a serious and bipartisan effort in Congress to ensure that the lessons of the Christmas attack are learned. A groundless campaign to portray Mr. Obama as soft on terror can only detract from that effort.
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