>N.J. Supreme Court to decide whether effort to recall Sen. Menendez can proceed
New Jersey’s Supreme Court is expected to rule today on whether a citizens group has the right to try to recall U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez. (The Associated Press)
https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/11/nj_supreme_court_to_decide_whe.html
>Bill Clinton bans Twitter, Facebook and live-blog coverage for upcoming speech
Bill Clinton has called for a ban on the use of Twitter, Facebook updates and any live blogging during his keynote at the Dreamforce Cloud Computing conference in San Francisco next month.
Maybe Al Gore, who is a member of Apple’s board of directors and possibly more tech-friendly, could get the 42nd president of the United States to embrace a bit of social media and blog coverage of his speech?
Tech blog ReadWriteWeb said it was sent this memo from Outcast, a public relations firm, regarding Clinton’s speech at the conference, sponsored by Salesforce.com:
“PLEASE NOTE: President Clinton’s representatives have mandated that there be absolutely no reporting during his session.
That includes live blogging, Tweeting, Facebook posting or use of any other social media.
We understand the inconvenience this may present, but greatly appreciate your compliance. Thank you.”
>EDITORIAL: Big Sister’s police state
TSA’s tyrannical tactics threaten American freedoms
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has crossed the line. As if subjecting millions of Americans to X-rated x-ray scans and public groping sessions weren’t bad enough, the agency now threatens $11,000 in fines against anyone refusing to submit to humiliation at the airport.
Oceanside, Calif., resident John Tyner found this out after he posted on YouTube a video of his degrading encounter with TSA screeners. Mr. Tyner’s catchy phrase, “If you touch my junk, I’ll have you arrested,” spread quickly, thanks to attention provided by the Drudge Report. TSA was not amused, and an official announced Monday that Mr. Tyner faces punishment for leaving the airport without submitting to the high-tech or low-tech molestation options.
The term is not used lightly. Under 18 U.S. Code Section 2244, ” ‘sexual contact’ means the intentional touching, either directly or through the clothing, of the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh or buttocks of any person with an intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade.” It’s no coincidence that TSA initiated sexual-contact pat-downs after fliers began to refuse the pornographic scanners. There can be no question that when threats of civil punishment are used to ensure compliance, those encounters with the TSA lose their status as a voluntary transaction. It’s even more outrageous that these unnecessary searches are being conducted on children.
MORE:
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/nov/16/big-sisters-police-state/
>Migration from high-tax states to states with lower taxes and less government spending will dramatically alter the composition of future Congresses
Low-tax states will gain seats, high-tax states will lose them
By: Barbara Hollingsworth
Local Opinion Editor
11/17/10 10:00 AM EST
Migration from high-tax states to states with lower taxes and less government spending will dramatically alter the composition of future Congresses, according to a study by Americans for Tax Reform
Eight states are projected to gain at least one congressional seat under reapportionment following the 2010 Census: Texas (four seats), Florida (two seats), Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah and Washington (one seat each). Their average top state personal income tax rate: 2.8 percent.
By contrast, New York and Ohio are likely to lose two seats each, while Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania will be down one apiece. The average top state personal income tax rate in these loser states: 6.05 percent.
The state and local tax burden is nearly a third lower in states with growing populations, ATR found. As a result, per capita government spending is also lower: $4,008 for states gaining congressional seats, $5,117 for states losing them.
And, as ATR notes, “in eight of ten losers, workers can be forced to join a union as a condition of employment. In 7 of the 8 gainers, workers are given a choice whether to join or contribute financially to a union
Read more at the Washington Examiner: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/low-tax-states-will-gain-seats-high-tax-states-will-lose-them-108681159.html#ixzz15aTdzCXY
>DeMint: Obama, Pelosi Not ‘Free Market Americans As I Understand It’
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
By Dan Joseph
(CNSNews.com) – In an interview with CNSNews.com on Monday, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) would not say whether he thinks President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) are “extremists,” but he said he thinks they are not “free market Americans.”
In a Gallup poll from August, 40 percent of Americans defined themselves as “conservative,” nine percent of whom said “very conservative,” and only 21 percent said they were “liberal,” five percent of whom said “very liberal.” Thirty-five percent said they were moderate.
On Monday, at a rally on Capitol Hill held by the conservative group Americans For Prosperity, CNSNews.com asked DeMint, “Given that most Americans consider themselves to be conservative – upwards of 40 percent these days in most polls – do you consider Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi ‘extremists’”?
DeMint said, “Well, I think the labels sometimes aren’t helpful, but they certainly aren’t free market Americans as I understand it. Freedom comes from millions of people making their own decisions. The folks in power now think that a few people should be making the decisions for everybody else, whether it’s education, health care, whatever. It’s just a different worldview that doesn’t fit with American philosophy.”
MORE:
https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/demint-obama-pelosi-not-free-market-amer
>Department of Education Audit adds to New Jersey school district chaos
Audit adds to New Jersey school district chaos
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
By Matt Huisman
and Dan Goldberg For the Star-Ledger
Confusion reigned Tuesday among school districts around the state.
Some had completed contract negotiations with their superintendents that exceeded Gov. Chris Christie’s salary cap prior to its implementation next year. They had even received the blessing from their county’s executive superintendent.
But an audit now being conducted by the state Department of Education of all recently signed contracts has left many districts scratching their heads over the entire process. The review will be completed by Dec. 3, said education department spokesman Alan Guenther.
The audit sparked howls of protest from local school officials, who said they were acting under the current law, not a salary cap that will go into effect on Feb. 7
MORE:
https://www.nj.com/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-6/1289980525194640.xml&coll=8
>“Parent trigger” could restructure or shut down low-performing schools
New Jersey parents with children in low-performing schools could see vast new powers to overhaul those schools, under legislation now being prepared by the Senate Republican leader, Sen. Joseph Kyrillos. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/10/1116/2330/
>New Jersey State League of Municipalities wants union officials out of state pension
Most agree lobbying groups should not be in the state pension and health-benefits system. One such lobbying organization, the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, fires back the same goes for union officials; they should be out too. (Ingle, Asbury Park Press)
>To cut costs, Gov. Christie’s toolbox just a start
More than 80,800 fans were at the New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday to watch the Giants play the Dallas Cowboys. The number of fans in that stadium exceeded the population of all but nine of New Jersey’s 566 municipalities. (Former Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts Jr., guest columnist for The Star-Ledger)
https://blog.nj.com/njv_guest_blog/2010/11/to_cut_costs_christie_toolbox.html
>School bus ads approved by panel
TRENTON — A bill to allow school districts to sell ads on the sides of school buses passed the Senate Education Committee Monday. (State Bureau, Gannett)
https://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20101116/NEWS01/11160339/School-bus-ads-approved-by-panel
>Christie chides legislators for failing to consider property-tax measures
Gov. Christie mocked the Legislature at a town-hall meeting Monday in Gloucester County, saying that with only 36 days left until they break for the holidays, lawmakers had yet to take up the most significant bills in his property-tax package. (Lu, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
>BOOKENDS : UPCOMING AUTHOR Signings
Jane Seymour Tuesday, November 30th @ 7:00pmStar of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, Jane Seymour, will sign her new book: Among Angels
Mike Huckabee Saturday, December 4th @ 6:30pmFormer Presidential Candidate, Mike Huckabee, will sign his new books: Can’t Wait till Christmas (Available Now) and a Simple Christmas (Available Nov. 16th.
Dennis LearyMonday, December 6th @ 7:30pm Star of Rescue Me, Denis Leary, will sign his new book: Suck on This Year. Books available Dec. 2nd
BOOKENDS 211 East Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Tel: (201)445-0726 https://www.book-ends.com/
>Ridgewood Knights of Columbus to Host Thanksgiving Eve Fundraiser
Ridgewood-NJ-November 15, 2010: The Ridgewood Knights of Columbus Council #1736 is proud to be hosting a Thanksgiving Eve fundraiser. All proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, which is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors of the United States Armed Forces. The Wounded Warrior Project works to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs.
As a special treat, renowned New York City musicians Bob and Norm will be playing the best of music from the ‘60s through the ‘80s. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 24th at the Knights of Columbus Hall, which is on Hudson Street behind Mount Carmel Church. “This is a great opportunity to show your support for our wounded Veterans while having a great time”, said Brian Conn, head of the Ridgewood Knights Council.
All are welcome. The cover charge is $5 at the door. To reserve a table for eight or more, please call Joe Antonacci at (201) 543-7024.
>Stephen Wellinghorst was sworn in to the Village Council
New Ridgewood council member is sworn in
Friday, November 12, 2010
Last updated: Friday November 12, 2010, 6:43 PM
The Ridgewood News
Stephen Wellinghorst was sworn in to the Village Council at a ceremony on Friday afternoon.
Wellinghorst won the seat over three other candidates in last week’s election. He will fill the seat left vacant by the death of Councilwoman Anne Zusy earlier this year.
full story:
https://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen/107574223_New_Ridgewood_council_member_is_sworn_in.html
>New Jersey Republican State Committee Chairman Jay Webber names redistricting team members
Webber names redistricting team members
Heading into a redistricting year, players for both teams now stand on the giant chess board in the attack position since New Jersey Republican State Committee Chairman Jay Webber moments ago announced the GOP members of the 2011 Legislative Apportionment Commission. (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)
https://www.politickernj.com/42947/webber-names-redistricting-team-members
