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News Roundup and Open Thread for Wednesday, May 2, 2007

by: Hopeful

Wed May 02, 2007 at 10:14:14 AM EDT

There was a rally in Morristown to support immigrants.

Politicnj.com reports that Representative Mike Ferguson is serving on Anne Estabrook's U.S. Senate exploratory committee.

Oddly enough, the very same Republican who called to outlaw anonymous comments on the internet for the sake of "civility" has now been caught forwarding racist jokes.

Rent-a-Center is settling a lawsuit for $109 million, having deceptively stuck customers with hundred percent interest rates loans. It's astounding how companies feel free to flout the law.

Louis Magazzu explains the burdens of "unfunded mandates" and the complete ineffectiveness of the Council on Local Mandates.

The Asbury Park Press points out that legislators could change the law on part-time pension benefits:

More than 30 percent of the 830 staffers in state legislative offices earn an annual salary between $1,500 ? the minimum to garner a year of pension credit ? and $5,000.
Because it's an easy way to build up pension credits. A no-work or low-work job with a stipend of $1,500 buys you a year's credit. Legislators build loyalty and reward favors by spreading around undemanding jobs to fatten the pensions of hacks. It's an outrageous practice. Pensions should be limited only to those who work a full-time job, not cronies who stuff a few envelopes.

Middlesex county is the home to over 300 bird species, including the American bald eagle and peregrine falcon. The Edison Wetlands Association full report is available online. The recovery of these endangeredbird populations is an example of how environmental regulations of the seventies worked.

Here's an interesting article on how independent truckers are organizing. They named their center after Jose Gilberto Soto, a New Jersey union organizer who was assassinated.

Liberals are not the only ones calling for Attorney General Gonzalez's resignation. A second amendment group denounced him for seeking the power to block gun sales to suspected terrorists: Senator Frank Lautenberg introduced the measure at his request. As the Senator explains (emphasis added):

Under the federal Brady Act, a licensed firearms dealer must request a background check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation?s (FBI) National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) before an unlicensed individual may purchase a weapon. However, even if a NICS check reveals that the prospective purchaser is a known or suspected terrorist, nothing in current law prevents that person from purchasing a gun unless he or she meets one of the other disqualifying factors, including felony or domestic abuse convictions.

Hopeful :: News Roundup and Open Thread for Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Tags: Pensions, Anne Estabrook, Middlesex County, News Roundup, (All Tags)

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News Roundup and Open Thread for Wednesday, May 2, 2007 | 14 comments

The Ferguson story... (0.00 / 0)

Is interesting, but not a surprise. The understanding I have is that Mikey does not have a lot of fans in the Republican Party establishment. I am gonna be really surprised if he gets the nom. His base of support is essentially Warren and Hunterdon's more rural area.

The nom de plume has a long and distinguished history.

by: Tandalayo Scheisskopf @ Wed May 02, 2007 at 14:57:27 PM UTC

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Special Election Win! (0.00 / 0)

I know this had it's own diary, but thought it should be in the round up too.

Morris Township's special election led to a <a href="http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1178086135123490.xml&coll=1"> win yesterday </a> for Democrat Jeffrey Grayzel, after months of uncertainty and seesawing ballot counts.

Grayzel won 2,227 to 1,786 over Republican first-time committee member Joseph Calvanelli, whose election in November was thrown into doubt after that contest ended in a tie.

Grayzel will be the first Democrat on the township committee in 30 years, according to officials.

by: agr @ Wed May 02, 2007 at 15:21:19 PM UTC

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what did I do wrong with that link? (0.00 / 0)

I tried the same text out in a diary, and it seemed to work there, is there something special with comments?

by: agr @ Wed May 02, 2007 at 15:22:36 PM UTC

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hmmm.... (0.00 / 0)

works for me (see test below). It could be that you had a return (enter) after the

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

by: Hopeful @ Wed May 02, 2007 at 15:35:29 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

this is a test (0.00 / 0)

win yesterday .

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

by: Hopeful @ Wed May 02, 2007 at 15:33:45 PM UTC

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Re: Rally in Morristown. (0.00 / 0)

The rally in Morristown wasn't to support "immigrants' rights." It was to support a group of people who broke the law and often forged documents to illegally enter the United States, and now want to be forgiven for their crime.

The Morristown rally was an insult to every legimite immigrant who entered this country legally, as well as those thousands waiting on lists to do the same.

by: karenV @ Wed May 02, 2007 at 16:38:22 PM UTC

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Re: Rally in Morristown. (4.00 / 1)

The Morristown rally was an insult to every legimite immigrant who entered this country legally, as well as those thousands waiting on lists to do the same.

Sorry KarenV, but I'm a "legitimate" immigrant and now nationalized citizen and you don't speak for me. National polling indicates that your comment does not accurately represent the majority of "legitimate" immigrants, either.

by: Juan Melli @ Wed May 02, 2007 at 17:06:40 PM UTC

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you're entitled to your opinion (0.00 / 0)

but I think it is reasonable to describe their march that way, since that is what the organizers say:

"The most important thing for people to know (about) is the contribution of immigrant workers to the town and to the community," Mejia said. "We really care about this town, we love this town. We would like to see the town celebrate diversity, inclusion."

from the article above.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

by: Hopeful @ Wed May 02, 2007 at 20:48:56 PM UTC

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You polled them all? (0.00 / 0)

Wow. How did you have time to spew your small minded bigotry?

by: Hudson Observer @ Tue Jun 26, 2007 at 03:58:06 AM UTC

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Princeton primary election - comments/thoughts? (0.00 / 0)

Since this is an open thread- does anyone have thoughts or comments on the upcoming mayoral primary in Princeton Borough between Mildred Trotman and Kim Pimley?

What do you see as the key issues for Princeton Borough- affordable housing? taxes?

by: pwolanin @ Wed May 02, 2007 at 18:20:10 PM UTC

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"Racist Jokes" (0.00 / 0)

I went to the article from the Star-Ledger about the GOP Assemblyman who forwarded "racist jokes" to a group of friends. Is there a reason the paper doesn't post the actual email, so we can judge its appropriateness for ourselves?

by: Moxie Sebright @ Wed May 02, 2007 at 19:23:55 PM UTC

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I suppose (0.00 / 0)

the paper did not think it was appropriate. As you know, they do say:

One of the jokes denigrated civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, and the other had a punchline that alluded to lynching

which I imagine the author or editor thought was adequate. I didn't really think about the idea that they should have printed them, and after reflection I don't think they should.

Do you think they should have printed the jokes? Or perhaps made them available online to those interested?

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

by: Hopeful @ Wed May 02, 2007 at 20:55:12 PM UTC

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Well, Moxie (4.00 / 1)

you shudda been listening to The Jersey Boys, then you would have heard the jokes. Me, I'll take their word for it. If they read them, they probably were racist.

"The jokes don't reflect who I am...."

Well, Mr. Biondi, I don't know who you are. Maybe you are a racist or a bigot, maybe not.

But you sure are stupid. Any 4th grader knows that an e-mail can be "forwarded" around the world. And printed out, too, so it can be sent to The Jersey Boys and the Star Ledger.

What were you thinking?

by: SmartyJones @ Wed May 02, 2007 at 21:38:26 PM UTC

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check this movie out about the (0.00 / 0)

new truckers union.. http://www.salonchingon.com/cinema/wobblies.php?city=ny

by: jeremythensaid @ Tue May 08, 2007 at 05:41:29 AM UTC

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