FCC eyes tax on Internet service
By Brendan Sasso – 08/26/12 06:00 AM ET
The Federal Communications Commission is eyeing a proposal to tax broadband Internet service.
The move would funnel money to the Connect America Fund, a subsidy the agency created last year to expand Internet access.
The FCC issued a request for comments on the proposal in April. Dozens of companies and trade associations have weighed in, but the issue has largely flown under the public’s radar.
The Ridgewood Board of Education will meet Monday, August 27 at 5 p.m. at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, floor 3.
Ridgewood Board of Education public meetings may be viewed as live Webcasts by pasting the following link into your computer browser:
https://www.web2.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/ilife/lhowells/boelive/
Or, link in via the Link in Live tab on the district website (www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us).
Meetings continue to be televised live on Optimum channel 77, and FiOS channel 33.
After the live streaming event, Board meetings will be archived and can be found in the BOE section of the website under “Board of Ed Webcasts.”
Gritty N.J. city of Camden to scrap police department amid budget woes
By Perry Chiaramonte
Published August 26, 2012
FoxNews.com
Crime-ridden Camden, New Jersey – often referred to as the most dangerous city in the United States—is getting rid of its police department.
In the latest example of a cash-strapped municipality taking drastic measures to deal with swollen public sector liabilities and shrinking budgets, the city plans to disband its 460-member police department and replace it with a non-union “Metro Division” of the Camden County Police. Backers of the plan say it will save millions of dollars for taxpayers while ensuring public safety, but police unions say it is simply a way to get out of collective bargaining with the men and women in blue.
“This is definitely a form of union-busting,” Camden Fraternal Order of Police President John Williamson told FoxNews.com. “This method is unproven and untested, to put your faith in an agency that doesn’t even [yet] exist.”
Ridgewood’s application for Graydon ADA ramp grant approved by county
August 27,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, while other town have pursued other more aesthetically pleasing alternatives to meeting ADA requirements despite multiple options the Village continues to push forward with the most expensive some say the union alternative .
Village attorney Matt Rogers has previously outlined the legal responsibilities of the Village to ensure that the entire facility at Graydon Park conforms to all regulations set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (https://www.northjersey.com/news/166883966_Attorney_says_Ridgewood_is_required_to_make_Graydon_Park_accessible.html )
With this in mind Village officials submitted their preliminary outline for the Graydon ramp along with their application for funding.According to the Ridgewood News ( https://www.northjersey.com/news/167352315_Ridgewood_s_application_for_Graydon_ramp_approved_by_county.html ) The design incorporates a “more stable and gradual cement incline” into the pool, as well as an accompanying aluminum railing and a new concrete sidewalk.
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding will be included in Bergen County’s 2012 Action Plan that will be filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), If approved by HUD, funding in the amount of $55,000 .
The village initially sought $60,000 in grants to cover the roughly $76,000 project. With Village Taxpayers picking up the tab for the portion of the bill not covered by grant money.
The village manager’s office received the news that Ridgewood’s CDBG application got the county approval on Aug. 20.
Back to School: Self-sufficiency elusive to young adults of hovering parents
By Anita Bruzzese, Gannett
Helicopter parents— those folks who hover over their offspring continually — have prompted much debate, and nowhere may their influence become more evident than in the next generation of workers.
While some managers have complained for years about the need for the youngest generation of workers to be rewarded and mentored constantly, the truth is they may not have seen anything yet.
The generation in elementary school when 9/11 happened that has grown up with “stranger danger” now has experienced the Great Recession. Many are graduating from college and attempting to get their first jobs with expensive educations that have cost their parents dearly.
Ex-NPR Hill reporter: Lied to daily
By PATRICK GAVIN | 8/22/12 2:44 PM EDT Updated: 8/23/12 1:42 PM EDT
After 14 years at National Public Radio, Andrea Seabrook left in July and, to hear her talk about her experience covering Capitol Hill, it’s clear that she had one takeaway: It’s damn frustrating.
“I realized that there is a part of covering Congress, if you’re doing daily coverage, that is actually sort of colluding with the politicians themselves because so much of what I was doing was actually recording and playing what they say or repeating what they say,” Seabrook told POLITICO. “And I feel like the real story of Congress right now is very much removed from any of that, from the sort of theater of the policy debate in Congress, and it has become such a complete theater that none of it is real. … I feel like I am, as a reporter in the Capitol, lied to every day, all day. There is so little genuine discussion going on with the reporters. … To me, as a reporter, everything is spin.”
Box Office: Anti-Obama Movie Stuns Hollywood For #4
Anti-Obama Movie Stuns Hollywood For #4; Other Newcomers & Holdovers Weak Friday; Only ‘The Expendables 2′ Can Break $10M
By NIKKI FINKE | Saturday August 25, 2012 @ 12:52am PDT
SATURDAY AM, 3RD UPDATE: Because of Friday’s very weak box office, there was finally clarity for the Top 10 film rankings this morning. As predicted, Millenium/Lionsgate’s holdover The Expendables 2 finished in first place Friday and this weekend. It’s followed by Universal’s 2-week-old The Bourne Legacy in second place.
New movies didn’t perform. But the shocker was Rocky Mountain Pictures’ political documentary 2016 Obama’s America which expanded into theaters across America this weekend after a very limited release and wound up in 4th place. That’s stunning because it’s playing in 2/3 fewer theaters across North American than the other wide release actioners. (See below for more details). Due to its hot pre-sales, the pic is proving frontloaded, and its ranking will fall steeply by end of Sunday. But the doc made its point: its new cume after this weekend should make it the #1 conservative documentary (besting Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed’s $7.7M).
The pic is based on conservative author and commentator Dinesh D’Souza’s New York Times bestselling 2010 book The Roots Of Obama’s Rage and co-directed by D’Souza and John Sullivan and produced by Academy Award winner Gerald R. Molen (co-producer of Schindler’s List). Its success comes because of savvy marketing on the eve of the Republican National Convention August 27-30. Exhibitors are reporting busloads arriving at theaters around the country in pre-organized trips. It also employed much of the same marketing techniques used to garner attention and support for faith-based films, understandable since the audience is overlapping. Its campaign included advertising nationally over the past two weeks on talk radio and cable news channels including Fox News Channel, A&E, History and MSNBC. ”Yes, I also didn’t believe it when I first saw the film taking off in pre-sales on Tuesday,” an exhibition insider tells me. “Because there’s not a lot of new product that’s taking off.”
Private Tea Party Showing , 2016 Obama’s America, AMC Garden State Plaza , 7 pm Thursday, September 6, Tickets $12.50 each .Tickets not available from the box office .Consult your local Tea Party or contact [email protected] or Phone 201 891-5918.
Tyler Clementi
August 26, 2012
PJ Blogger and the Staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, While it is said there is no greater sadness than the loss of child for a parent , we were truly taken back with the Ridgewiood News article ,”Tyler Clementi’s parents leave their Ridgewood church” ( https://www.northjersey.com/ridgewood/Tyler_Clementis_parents_decide_to_leave_their_Ridgewood_church_webcam_spying.html ) The News it seems looked to get on the band wagon making cheap political points out off a grieving mother and death of her child.
We have come to expect this kind of hack ” journalism” or propaganda from much of the mainstream media like the New York Times or the the “creepers” at the “Ridgewood Views” , the misguided flaunting of a grieving ,heartbroken mother is in poor taste and seems a bit out of character showing a clear lack of judgement by the Ridgewood News. While we don’t often agree with the News on things they usually look to protect the Village and its residents while showing a little class.
The Village is still reeling from the sudden loss of a Tyler Clementi leaving everyone in town to question weather they could have done more ;taking the whole tragedy as a personal failing of the Village itself. It is and has been a feeling that comes every time we lose a young person under any circumstances and has happened far too often , far more than any of us would like to admit. Readers have commented directly to this blog saying ,”the Clementi’s sadness left (them) almost cringing with a feeling of sorrow .” and we agree.
come on people….
After Gay Son’s Suicide, Mother Finds Blame in Herself and in Her Church
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/25/nyregion/after-tyler-clementis-suicide-his-parents-make-painful-changes-in-the-search-for-why.html?pagewanted=all
Tyler Clementi’s Mother Blames Herself & Evangelical Beliefs For Alienating Her Son
https://gothamist.com/2012/08/26/tyler_clementis_mother_blames_herse.php
Tyler Clementi’s parents leave their Ridgewood church
https://www.trentonian.com/article/20120825/NEWS03/120829684/tyler-clementi-s-parents-leave-their-ridgewood-church
Tyler Clementi’s parents leave Ridgewood church over views on homosexuality
https://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2012/08/tyler_clementis_parents_leave_ridgewood_church_over_views_on_homosexuality.html
A high-profile suicide stirs a mother’s guilt
https://www.bendbulletin.com/article/20120826/NEWS0107/208260394/
The parents of Tyler Clementi say they have left their longtime village church due to its views on homosexuality
https://www.therepublic.com/view/story/20191647681c49dea6c16d5f29d2a450/NJ–Rutgers-Suicide
Webcam spying victim’s parents leave their church
https://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20120825_ap_webcamspyingvictimsparentsleavetheirchurch.html
Tyler Clementi’s parents leave Ridgewood church over views on homosexuality
https://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2012/08/tyler_clementis_parents_leave_ridgewood_church_over_views_on_homosexuality.html
Garrett Statement on Treasury Decision to Amend Terms of Fannie and Freddie Bailout
Aug 17, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government-Sponsored Enterprises issued the following statement today after the Treasury Department announced a plan to reduce the dividend rate paid to the Secretary of the Treasury on senior preferred stock of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac:
instead of working with Congress to enact meaningful reform. The reduction of the dividend payments for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will ensure the American taxpayers remain on the hook for the bailout of these two failed institutions for the foreseeable future. The crony-capitalism that has become a centerpiece of the Administration’s failed economic policy must come to an end. This decision is a slap in the face to the hardworking American taxpayers who deserve to be compensated and fully repaid for their dollars that fueled the government takeover of the mortgage twins. Instead of devoting time and energy towards prolonging bailouts, the Obama Administration should work with Congress to wind these companies down and create a new and sustainable housing finance system where taxpayers are not at risk.
Apple’s $1 Billion Verdict May Lead To Samsung Sales Ban
By Joel Rosenblatt – Aug 26, 2012 2:03 AM ET
Apple Inc. (AAPL) won more than $1 billion after a jury found Samsung Electronics Co. infringed six of seven patents for its mobile devices in a verdict that may lead to a ban on U.S. sales of handheld electronics a judge deems to violate Apple’s rights.
Apple won less than half of what it sought in damages in the first lawsuit to go before a U.S. jury in the fight to dominate the global smartphone market, though U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh may later triple the damages against Samsung under federal law. Samsung avoided a finding of damages for antitrust law violations or breach of contract.
Neil Armstrong dead at 82
August 26,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ and beyond, Neil Armstrong the first man on the moon died at 82 on Friday and marks the passing of one of American’s greatest heroes. Armstrong was know as a “reluctant American hero,” and embodied the spirit of discovery .
Armstrong’s death followed complications from heart-bypass surgery he underwent earlier this month, Armstrong’s family said today in a statement released by NASA.
Armstrong has been immortalized in human history as the first human to set foot on a celestial body beyond Earth and is best know for his words , “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind,” that he radioed back to Earth from the moon on July 20, 1969.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan to give Republican convention benediction
By Justin Sink – 08/22/12 06:50 PM ET
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York and the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, will give the benediction at the concluding night of the Republican National Convention, Mitt Romney revealed Wednesday night.
Romney was asked about a new regulation, implemented earlier this year by the Obama Administration, that would require employers to provide free access to birth control through their health insurance. During his response, Romney revealed Dolan had been tabbed to give the benediction.
“Well, first of all I’ll continue to meet with to Cardinal Dolan – who by the way is going to offer the benediction on the last evening of the Republican Convention after my acceptance speak,” Romney told radio host Raymond Arroyo. “So I am making it very clear that the interest of religious freedom is something I support wholeheartedly and will work with him and with others to assure that each piece of legislation that we consider is thought also in terms of its impact on religious freedom and tolerance.”
We don’t normally agree with the Ridgewood News but in this case we think the Villages cornucopia of religions and spiritual options is defiantly one of its strengths
President Obama has millions of fake Twitter followers
President Obama’s Twitter account has 18.8 million followers — but more than half of them really don’t exist, according to reports.
A new Web tool has determined that 70% of Obama’s crowd includes “fake followers,” The New York Timesreports in a story about how Twitter followers can be purchased.
“The practice has become so widespread that StatusPeople, a social media management company in London, released a Web tool last month called the Fake Follower Check that it says can ascertain how many fake followers you and your friends have,” the Times reports.
“Fake accounts tend to follow a lot of people but have few followers,” said Rob Waller, a founder of StatusPeople. “We then combine that with a few other metrics to confirm the account is fake.”
Who inherits your iTunes library? Why your digital books and music may go to the grave
Someone who owned 10,000 hardcover books and the same number of vinyl records could bequeath them to descendants, but legal experts say passing on iTunes and Kindle libraries would be much more complicated.
And one’s heirs stand to lose huge sums of money. “I find it hard to imagine a situation where a family would be OK with losing a collection of 10,000 books and songs,” says Evan Carroll, co-author of “Your Digital Afterlife.” “Legally dividing one account among several heirs would also be extremely difficult.”
Part of the problem is that with digital content, one doesn’t have the same rights as with print books and CDs. Customers own a license to use the digital files—but they don’t actually own them.
