New Jersey
updated
7:02 a.m.
"Rep. Donald M. Payne, NJ-10" Each week, Blue Jersey Radio streams LIVE with New Jersey's latest political buzz, interviews with newsmakers, and your stimulating calls. This week : Our guest is Congressman Donald M. Payne, NJ-10 , who's not only Newark's long-serving representative, but also the new Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation . He'll be talking about the CBC Fo...
Blue Jersey - 6:48 a.m.
Snowzilla v. Flakenstein (h/t philly.com) Get ready for more. A lot of more. Some parts of SJ are still struggling with the last storm's damage. Westwood Marine is laid to rest in snowy Arlington Cemetary Marine Sgt. Christopher Hrbek was killed last month by an explosive device in Afghanistan. Hrbek, whose stepfather and brothers are firefighters, also served three combat tours in ...
Blue Jersey - 6:48 a.m.
You may have seen Sarah Palin use her hand for some notes speaking at the Tea Party Convention. It seems she has started a trend and everyone is getting in on the idea of a telepalmter. On the heels of GSE announcing they would not longer donate to political parties and would focus on candidates who share their views, this is what Steve Goldstein has on his hand: ...
Blue Jersey - 3:24 a.m.
The war of words over who is responsible for the placement of the proposed Lincroft Sports Complex at West Front Street Park has just gone nuclear. This past week, the Middletown Board of Education came under attack and has been made to look like the "bad guy" for its reluctance to allow the installation of two artificial turf fields on Board of Ed property. Last week at the February 1st Townshi...
MiddletownMike - Mon 6:46 p.m.
It's been great watching Republicans spin about why Jon Runyan would be a good candidate for Congress. This latest attempt at logic has me scratching my head on why football players run and make good candidates for Congress: "They understand the importance of executing the blocking and tackling of political campaigns," said National Republican Congressional Committee Communications Director Ken ...
Blue Jersey - Mon 1:53 p.m.
I found this interview with former Governor Corzine very troublesome. Here's what Corzine said about last year's big scandal: Pointing to the colossal N.J. sting operation in July and the fallout in Hudson, Corzine said that accepting campaign contributions in cash in exchange for favors is highly unacceptable. "None of this is attractive," Corzine said. "The discussion of it undermines...
Blue Jersey - Mon 11:44 a.m. - 2 clicks 
If you haven't heard yet, Garden State Equality's Board has voted to end the practice of donating to political parties , and is now going to dedicate its donating practices to those candidates and officials who share their views. Personally, this is a great thing to see, as the Democratic Party (both on the local, state and national levels) have taken progressives for granted - using us as an ...
Blue Jersey - Mon 11:25 a.m.
From Star Ledger's editorial this morning calling for voting machines that can produce a paper record of the vote, a physical record which can be checked against the tally of the voting machine's computer. Quoting Rep. Rush Holt: Otherwise, in the words of Rep. Rush Holt (D-12th Dist.), "we have faith-based voting." ...
Blue Jersey - Mon 8:29 a.m. - 3 clicks
It will be a busy day in Trenton today as both the Assembly and Senate will have committees meeting. They will hear testimony, consider legislation and hold confirmation hearings for the new Governor's cabinet members. The Senate Judiciary Committee will consider the nomination of Paula Dow to serve as the State's Attorney General. If confirmed by the Senate, she would be the first Afric...
Blue Jersey - Mon 5:28 a.m. - 3 clicks
White Jersey 50K residents still without power in South Jersey. , with the Governor now saying he will declare a state of emergency. And are your shovels poised for more? Senate Judiciary Committee interviews Paula Dow today Loretta Weinberg wants to know if you have questions you think she should ask . Drop them in Comments if you do. Can the Tea Party people recall a United Sta...
Blue Jersey - Mon 4:07 a.m.
Hey Middletown, The latest edition of "It's Your Town Hall" Newsletter is now availible for your reading please. This latest edition is a good one. Read what happened at the February 1st Township Committee Workshop meeting when dozens of residents showed up to voice their opposition to the proposed Lincroft "Sports Complex" at West Front Street Park. That and other news can be fo...
MiddletownMike - Mon 3:18 a.m.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES: Last week I wrote about our several year sojourn to bring the many "shadow governments" in New Jersey (such as the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission) into the sunlight along with veto power for the Governor. But this past week has been really interesting. I've had the opportunity to try to translate into law these very fashionable words, "transparency and accou...
Blue Jersey - Sat 9:48 p.m.
Reiterating once again his commitment to small business as the engine of our economy, the President urges Congress to move forward immediately on steps to help them expand and create jobs. These proposals include using $30 billion in TARP funds to create a new Small Business Lending Fund to provide capital to community banks to increase lending to small businesses, offering a new tax credit fo...
MiddletownMike - Sat 7:26 a.m.
Before going out this morning to shovel the snow from the driveway, I think it's time for a cartoon and some Cheerios. (I think there may be a message here somewhere) ...
MiddletownMike - Sat 6:44 a.m.
Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (D 6th) was a guest blogger today for NJ Voices over at NJ.com. His blog post advocates for the continued push to reform the Nations health care system. " We can’t turn away from the job of finishing comprehensive health care reform for all Americans. We need to provide real choice for all Americans and lower premiums, end discrimination based on preexisting ...
MiddletownMike - Fri 4:53 p.m. - 11 clicks
There is some good news today for President Obama and the Democrats, contrary to what some had been predicting the unemployment rate did not rise as expected. The unemployment rate dropped in January from 10% to 9.7% thanks in part job growth coming from manufacturing and retail industries. 541,000 Americans left the ranks of the unemployed and found job last month. you can read about it belo...
MiddletownMike - Fri 6:44 a.m.
I know it isn't very politically correct to make fun of women but everyone loves a good "Blonde" joke every now and then to lighten up the day: CAR TROUBL E A blonde pushes her BMW into a gas station. She tells the mechanic it died.. After he works on it for a few minutes, it is idling smoothly.. She says, "What's the story?" He replies, "Just crap in the carburetor." She asks...
MiddletownMike - Fri 6:44 a.m.
A few anonymous readers left comments on yesterday's blog post about the proposed sports complex in Lincroft. I thought that they were interesting and worth posting so that others would see what a few people are thinking about this. I also would like to point out a little fact to readers about the letter that was at the end of the post. After reading it several times over I should have edited i...
MiddletownMike - Thu 7:24 a.m.
In today's edition of the Asbury Park Press there is the following story that I spoke about in yesterdays blog post having to deal with the expansion and installation of an artificial turf field at the West Front Street Park in the Lincroft area of Middletown. It's interesting to see how fast Gerry Scharfenberger has back-peddled on this seeing how he was one of the people to vote in favor o...
MiddletownMike - Thu 6:21 a.m. - 5 clicks
I am sorry at times that I have a real job and family obligations because whenever something interesting happens at township committee meetings it seems that I am not available to be there, so it's a good thing that others are there to let me know what happens. This past Monday night, February 1st, is a classic example of what I mean. About 20 people from the Lincroft area attended the Townshi...
MiddletownMike - Wed 6:46 a.m.
The following newsletter was issued Monday by the office of Congressman Rush Holt and sent to his many constituents in the 12th Congressional District via email. As usual, it has a lot of good information and show that Holt is on top of a wide array of issues that are of a concern to residents in his district: Ten years ago the Institute of Medicine issued To Err is Human , a ground-break...
MiddletownMike - Wed 4:07 a.m. - 9 clicks
I wonder if tea partiers really care that their movement has been corrupted and taken over by profiteers and charlatans? Think Progress - Republican partisans — aided by lobbyists and corporate front groups — are exploiting the legitimate feelings of anger and distrust among many struggling Americans. These operatives and profiteers, many of them experienced public relations ...
MiddletownMike - Tue 2:42 p.m. - 3 clicks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - (West Windsor, NJ) – Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today responded to the New Jersey Superior Court decision, which failed to require the expeditious deployment of paper ballots voting systems in New Jersey. The ruling found that “[s]ecurity vulnerabilities are present, to some degree, in every voting system. There is simply no such thing as a voting system that is impossible...
MiddletownMike - Tue 9:24 a.m. - 8 clicks
It seems as though the groundhogs have spoken, both the famous Punxsutawney Phil and his less than so brother from Milltown NJ, Milltown Mel, have seen their shadows this morning and are calling for 6 more weeks of winter! I was really hoping for this winter to end soon, I've had enough already and can't wait for the warmer weather, but if there is any light at the end of this long winter tun...
MiddletownMike - Tue 7:49 a.m. - 3 clicks
"We recognize that changes are needed to the COAH process, but what's really broken in this state isn't housing, but the fact that we aren't planning for our future, to link homes, jobs, transportation, and environmental protection in a way that gets us sound, sustainable growth," Staci Berger – Housing & Community Development Network in a statement to the press about a bill in the NJ Legis...
Pax Christi Summit - Feb 2 - 4 clicks
(Question - How would this new proposal be enforced to ensure that towns did not shirk their responsibilities to provide affordabled housing and if RCA's are reinstated how do you ensure that wealthier towns make timely payments to the towns receiving the compensation?) NJ.Com - By Lisa Fleisher/Statehouse Bureau TRENTON -- The state Senate began work today on a bill to transform the w...
MiddletownMike - Feb 1 - 2 clicks
"I'm tired of New Jersey getting its lunch eaten by other states, particularly by Pennsylvania," is a sentiment often expressed by some New Jerseyans when discussing the possibility that New Jersey businesses are moving to Pennsylvania. How true is the rhetoric? Are New Jersey companies and jobs really being lost to Pennsylvania because of the Keystone State's low taxes and more lucrative job s...
MiddletownMike - Feb 1 - 3 clicks
Politico.com- By: Nathan Daschle Kevin Bacon’s opening argument in “A Few Good Men,” the 1992 movie about the fictional prosecution of two Marines charged with murder, is a shining moment in the history of Hollywood. After rattling off a series of statements that, if true, would appear to doom the defendants, Bacon places his argument in the seemingly unbreakable frame: “These are t...
MiddletownMike - Feb 1 - 2 clicks
Rawstory.com - WASHINGTON -- In an interview with Raw Story, prolific Obama supporter and letter-writer "Ellie Light" slammed conservatives claiming the published writings were part of a White House "astroturf" operation, and regretted the "damage" they've done to the president. The interview was conducted before the Cleveland Plain Dealer revealed that the deep, husky-voiced "woman" publ...
MiddletownMike - Feb 1 - 2 clicks
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! ...
MiddletownMike - Jan 30 - 3 clicks
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. ...
MiddletownMike - Jan 30 - 3 clicks
He came, He spoke, He conquered...President Obama attended today's Congressional GOP Retreat outside of Baltimore and by all accounts kicked-ass! 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 C...
MiddletownMike - Jan 29 - 2 clicks
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 ...
MiddletownMike - Jan 28 - 11 clicks
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'...
MiddletownMike - Jan 28 - 2 clicks
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 s...
MiddletownMike - Jan 27 - 3 clicks
This year, I will work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are. -The President of the United States. 1/27/10 ...
The Center of NJ Life - Jan 27 - 2 clicks
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 th...
MiddletownMike - Jan 25
Listen to Grayson talk about the Citizens United decision. It is the equivalent of the Dred Scott decision from 1857. Those are might words. ...
the subversive garden - Jan 22 - 2 clicks
Hamilton, West Windsor Malls go solar Developers Diversified will purchase some of the solar electricity for common area use, and tenants of Developers Diversified will have the opportunity to purchase the electricity generated by the solar power systems. “There were no upfront costs for the developer and they are collecting roof rent,” said Jamie Smith, vice president of sales for SunEdison. ...
The Center of NJ Life - Jan 21 - 7 clicks
Today is Martin Luther King, Jr Day. Here in Summit many will be engaging in a day of service. For those of us who know only of Martin Luther King Jr's legacy with regard to civil rights for African-Americans this may seem incongruous. A society that could oppress millions of African-Americans was a society that was clearly unjust. These injustices were not limited to the oppression of whites...
Pax Christi Summit - Jan 18 - 2 clicks
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Lord Jesus Christ who reached across the ethnic boundaries of Samaritan, Roman and Jew, who offered fresh sight to the blind and freedom to captives, help us to break down the barriers in our community, enable us to see the reality of racism and bigotry, and free us to challenge and uproot it from ourselves, our society and our world. Amen. –...
Pax Christi Summit - Jan 17 - 2 clicks
"We Suffer and Rejoice with Our Brothers and Sisters." That was the theme of Pax Christi NJ's state assembly two years ago. In April of 2008 Pax Christi NJ gathered to recognize Fr. Gene Squeo for his life's work of breaking down barriers and promoting international solidarity and interfaith dialogue. We focused on his work with the local Haitian community and his advocacy on behalf of the H...
Pax Christi Summit - Jan 17 - 2 clicks
All of a sudden there is a groundswell of Republicanism in Massachusetts seems to be the media slogan. This liberal bastion of Massachusetts is going to vote in a Republican. Oh, my God!!! This is of course, a pile of shit. Yes, it is true the position of Senator has been dominated by Kennedy and Kerry for quite a while and democrats actually since 1979. But, what most of the pundits fail to und...
the subversive garden - Jan 15 - 2 clicks
Another reason the dems are losing in Massachusetts is that well, Democrats are a bunch of corporate hacks. Proof positive below: Coakley in the political fight of her life took time out to attend a Washington, DC fundraiser at $10,000 a plate. See the list for yourself. It is quite disgusting that Democrats are in bed with the likes of Pfizer, Merck, Brystol Myers, etc. Is there an...
the subversive garden - Jan 15 - 2 clicks
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c Dreaded Bliss http://www.thedailyshow.com/ Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis Yes, we are in the crowd shot, at 3:18. We saw Wyatt Cenac at a distance. This isn't his funniest work, but his point at the end is priceless. ...
The Center of NJ Life - Jan 15 - 8 clicks
Like I am sure many of you are I have been following the reports out of Haiti and considering how best to respond. Our hearts and our thoughts are with our suffering Haitian brothers and sisters. Pax Christi NJ has many long standing ties to the Haitian community in NJ and to Haiti itself. Our members, including Fr. Jack Martin, Fr. Gene Squeo and Tonie Malone, over the years have: Founded an...
Pax Christi Summit - Jan 15 - 2 clicks
On Thursday, St. Vincent’s who “accepts” both insurances requested Juliette bring the films as soon as possible. Since I work from home I volunteered. The UMDNJ is a typical hospital, white floors, white walls and white ceilings, however friendly medical staff dressed in blue pajamas smile at you and ask, “can I help you find something?” This is the same hospital I attended Physical a...
the subversive garden - Jan 13 - 2 clicks
From Geoff Wertime's opinion column at CentralJersey .com, titled Witnessing NJ's Shameful Vote : My senator, Jennifer Beck, R-12 th , cast that last vote with a photo of me and my boyfriend, which I handed her mere hours beforehand, either staring her in the face or — and this is more likely — buried under a stack of papers somewhere ...
The Center of NJ Life - Jan 12 - 3 clicks
ALIPAC, which has been classified as a hate group by the Anti-Defamation League is already calling the delay of the vote on S1036 a significant victory. According to an email sent to all of its membership they intend to add the defeat of this bill to their list of major accomplishments for 2010. Being on ALIPAC’s list of accomplishments is a distinction our state does not deserve and should no...
Pax Christi Summit - Jan 11
Yesterday, the sponsor of the In-State Tuition bill a1036 withdrew it from full Senate consideration until Monday in the hope that we can change the minds of two or three Democratic senators who currently oppose its passage. Monday is our last chance! Please everyone call the senators who are currently on the fence and urge them to vote yes. Please call each senator on this list: Senator Jeff V...
Pax Christi Summit - Jan 8 - 2 clicks
Currently there is a largely progressive coalition that is fighting for equality for students. They are fighting for parity in tuition for students who are the least likely to be able to afford in-state tuition let alone the out-of state rate. After nearly eight years the in-state tuition bill which would allow NJ students whose immigration status is undocumented to pay in-state tuition rates ...
Pax Christi Summit - Jan 8 - 2 clicks
With today’s vote in the state Senate, the New Jersey legislature defaulted on its constitutional obligation to provide same-sex couples in New Jersey equal protection, as unanimously mandated by the New Jersey Supreme Court in 2006. Garden State Equality has more here . ...
The Center of NJ Life - Jan 7 - 5 clicks
