Consumers estimate they will spend $704 on gifts, down from $786 in October
by Lydia Saad
PRINCETON, NJ — U.S. consumers now estimate they will spend $704 on Christmas gifts this season, down from their $786 average prediction in October. Americans’ latest estimate is also significantly below the $770 they forecasted at this time last year — a particularly worrisome sign for retailers.
‘Fairy Tale’ Continues as Obama Proposes Extralegal Obamacare Fix
12:12 PM, Nov 14, 2013 • By DANIEL HALPER
Earlier this week, former President Bill Clinton advised President Obama to “honor the commitment” he made and to allow Americans to keep their health care plans, if they like them. That was a central promise Obama made when he sold Obamacare, but one that turned out not to be true when Obamacare began to be implemented last month.
“So I personally believe, even if it takes a change to the law, the president should honor the commitment the federal government made to those people and let them keep what they got,” Clinton in an interview released Tuesday.
Now President Obama is taking Clinton’s advice and trying to honor that commitment. In remarks today at the White House today, Obama said, “I completely get how upsetting this can be” to lose insurance plans that I promised Americans would be able to keep. “To those Americans, I hear you loud and clear.”
C.I.A. Collecting Data on International Money Transfers, Officials Say
By CHARLIE SAVAGE and MARK MAZZETTI
Published: November 14, 2013
WASHINGTON — The Central Intelligence Agency is secretly collecting bulk records of international money transfers handled by companies like Western Union — including transactions into and out of the United States — under the same law that the National Security Agency uses for its huge database of Americans’ phone records, according to current and former government officials.
The C.I.A. financial records program, which the officials said was authorized by provisions in the Patriot Act and overseen by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, offers evidence that the extent of government data collection programs is not fully known and that the national debate over privacy and security may be incomplete.
Some details of the C.I.A. program were not clear. But it was confirmed by several current and former officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the matter is classified.
Caption information: #7271 – Officer interviewing Carlo’s employee is Ridgewood PD Patrol Officer W. Mark Bultler
“Cake Boss” store in Ridgewood evacuated due to bomb threat
November 15,20013
Boyd A. Loving
1:24 PM
Ridgewood NJ, Shortly after 11:30 AM on Friday, a female employee of Carlo’s Bakery at 12 Wilsey Square in Ridgewood telephoned 911 to report having received an anonymous bomb threat on the store’s main telephone line. Ridgewood PD and FD personnel responded to the scene to evacuate the bakery and nearby buildings. Several streets in the area were also closed as were sidewalks and a nearby pedestrian underpass. A Bergen County PD bomb sniffing dog was summoned, and arrived at the scene within minutes, accompanied also by Bergen County PD Chief Brian Higgins. The store was searched an no explosive devices were found. RIdgewood Police are continuing to investigate the threat. Ridgewood FD and EMS units were placed on standby. Ridgewood Emergency Services units, along with personnel from Midland Park PD, assisted with traffic control.
Last week, President Obama apologized for misleading the American public with his false claim that “if you like your insurance, you can keep it.” Without this assurance, it is unlikely ObamaCare would have passed. Obama was not the only politician fudging the truth. Most Democrat lawmakers repeated this claim on the campaign trail and in meetings with constituents. If Obama apologized, they should as well, as they are equally culpable.
Breitbart News has compiled a list of the Top 10 Senate Democrats who should follow Obama’s lead and apologize to the American public. These particular lawmakers either went all-in on the false claim for partisan reasons or were in a position to know that millions of Americans would not be able to keep their health insurance.
If a reader interprets this list as a guide for whom to call in Congress, so be it.
10. SEN. MARY LANDRIEU (D-LA): 9. SEN. KAY HAGAN (D-NC):. 8. SEN. MARK BEGICH (D-AK): 7. SEN. MICHAEL BENNET (D-CO): 6. SEN. PATTY MURRAY (D-WA): 5. SEN. TOM HARKIN (D-IA): “ 4. SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): 3. SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): 2.SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV): 1. SEN. MAX BAUCUS (D-MT):
We refuse to reinforce the meme that President Obama cares about the American people. We particularly take offense that he cares about our health. So from now on, we are calling this monstrous, unconstitutional legislation what it is – CommieCare. The Editors
Nearly 5 million American families lost their health insurance this week. But a small cadre of Obama cronies cashed in and landed big pay days when CommieCare rolled out.
Who are these fortunate souls?
Peter Schweizer author of New York Times bestseller, “Extortion: How Politicians Extract Your Money, Buy Votes, and Line Their Own Pockets” chronicles the list of Obama donors who just so happened to be in the right place, at the right time to cash in their chips and benefit from CommieCare –
741 New Jerseyans enrolled in health exchange plans in first month
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 Last updated: Thursday November 14, 2013, 12:25 AM
BY COLLEEN DISKIN AND BARBARA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITERS
The Record
Fewer than 750 New Jersey residents and about 106,000 people nationwide have enrolled in a health insurance plan through the Affordable Care Act — lackluster numbers that are sure to fuel critics’ attempts to rollback key provisions of the nation’s new health care law.
Millions of individuals nationwide have tried to access the trouble-plagued federal website to shop for insurance, but many have been stymied by technical glitches. In New Jersey, only 23,000 applications – which would cover about 42,000 people — were filed by residents seeking individual or family policies. But just 741 of those applicants have chosen specific health coverage, a necessary step to complete the enrollment process, according to a report released Wednesday from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There are some 900,000 residents in the state that are uninsured and must get coverage or face a fine.
Bergen County Executive race begins with Yudin’s silence; Donovan is ‘definitely running’
HACKENSACK – The opening words of the 2014 Bergen County Executive race were few, but spoke volumes.
“I do not wish to comment on that race at this time,” Bergen County Republican Chairman Bob Yudin told PolitickerNJ.com when asked about GOP incumbent Kathleen Donovan’s chances next November. “I won’t even talk to you on background.”
The fact that the normally-voluble Yudin did not immediately defend the top of his party’s ticket for the next election appears counter-intuitive unless the Gordian knot that is Bergen Republican politics is considered.
Donovan and Yudin have been longtime rivals for control of the Bergen Republicans, a battle magnified by the fact that Bergen, New Jersey’s most populous county, is seen as the bellwether county in statewide elections. The flak between the two was evident three months ago, when Donovan, the county’s top Republican elected officeholder, was not listed on the host committee set to greet Gov. Chris Christie at a Bergen County Republican Organization fundraiser in August. (Bonamo/PolitickerNJ)
Desperate Democrat Sen. Kay Hagan calls for ObamaCare probe
Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) will ask two oversight agencies for a full-blown investigation into the problems surrounding the ObamaCare launch.
Hagan, who is up for reelection in 2014, is asking her Senate colleagues to co-sign a letter asking two agencies to conduct “a complete, thorough investigation to determine the causes of the design and implementation failures of HealthCare.Gov.”
“These problems are simply unacceptable, and Americans deserve answers and swift solutions,” Hagan writes in a letter obtained by The Hill. “Taxpayers are owed a full and transparent accounting of how the vendors contracted to build the site failed to launch it successfully.”
The letter, which is in draft form and could be changed, is addressed to the Government Accountability Office and the inspector general for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving Electrical fire destroys facade of Ridgewood office building
November 13,2013
Boyd A. Loving
9:52 AM
Ridgewood NJ, A smoky “all hands” blaze sparked by a electrical short circuit destroyed a wooden facade of an office building (Gilsenan and Company, (201) 445-1600) located at 219 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood shortly after 9 AM on Wednesday morning. No one was injured in the blaze and Ridgewood firefighters had it completely extinguished within 30 minutes.
Traffic in both directions of East Ridgewood Avenue between Maple Avenue and Cottage Place remains blocked to all traffic while crews work to clean up debris left behind from the blaze and apply rock salt to portions of the street where water from fire hoses froze. Fire officials at the scene reported light smoke damage to interior portions of the building. Ridgewood EMS and Emergency Services Units provided assistance at the scene.
TYLER CLEMENTI FOUNDATION TO HOST THE 2013 UPSTANDER LEGACY CELEBRATION
November 12, 2013
Tyler Clementi Foundation will proudly honor Bruce Cohen,Dr. Paul Boskind, and Prudential Financial on November 18th
Ridgewood, N.J. –Co-Chairs Alan Cumming and David Mixner along with the Clementi Family will host the Tyler Clementi Foundation’s first annual Upstander Legacy Celebration on Monday, November 18th, 2013.
Taking place in the New York Times building’s Conference Center, overlooking Tyler’s home state of New Jersey, the event will honor Bruce Cohen, Oscar-winning producer of American Beauty, Milk, Silver Linings Playback and Big Fish on Broadway, Dr. Paul Boskind, renowned psychologist, activist, and Tony-winning producer of The Normal Heart, and financial services leader Prudential Financial for its continued support of the LGBT community in and out of the workplace.
“Over the past year we have made epic strides to connect the issues that impacted Tyler with relevant partnerships and programs, allowing us to continue a conversation
amongst families, educators, legislators and faith leaders for the benefit of all youth”
said Executive Director Steven Guy. “We are thrilled to take a moment to celebrate how far we have come, and to honor the leaders and partners who join the Foundation in its dedication to creating safe and inclusive spaces for LGBT youth, vulnerable youth and their allies.”
Joining co-chairs Alan Cumming and David Mixner, film and Broadway star Zachary Quinto and Broadway’s Tony-nominated Bobby Steggert of Ragtime and Big Fish fame will present the Upstander Legacy Award to Bruce Cohen. The evening will also feature a performance by the all-male string quartet Well-Strung. Proceeds from the
event will allow the Tyler Clementi Foundation to continue their vital work changing
hearts and minds at all levels of society., 2013
About the Tyler Clementi Foundation: The Tyler Clementi Foundation (TCF)is a registered 501(c)3 founded in 2011. The foundation promotes safe, inclusive
and respectful social environments in homes, schools, campuses, churches and the
digital world for vulnerable youth, LGBT youth and their allies. Through educational
partnerships, research, public dialogue and awareness programs, TCF fosters empathetic,constructive discussions of respect and dignity for youth and families at all levels of society. To learn more about the Foundation’s work, please visit www.tylerclementi.org.
About Prudential: Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader,
has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s
diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional
customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services,
including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and
investment management. In the U.S., Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood
for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more
information, please visit https://www.news.prudential.com/.
Americans’ Participation in Labor Force Hits 35-Year Low
November 12, 2013 – 11:33 AM
By Ali Meyer
(CNSNews.com) The percentage of American civilians 16 or older who have a job or are actively seeking one dropped to a 35-year low in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In September, the labor force participation rate was 63.2 percent, but in October it dropped to 62.8 percent—the lowest it has been since February 1978, when Jimmy Carter was president.
The labor force, according to BLS, is that part of the civilian noninstitutional population that either has a job or has actively sought one in the last four weeks. The civilian noninstitutional population consists of people 16 or older, who are not on active-duty in the military or in an institution.
Veterans Day – Ridgewood, NJ – November 11, 2013 – American Legion Post 53
Nov 11, 2013
by Joe Burns
Ridgewood NJ, Selected pictures from yesterdays Veterans Day Ceremonies at Veterans Field in Ridgewood.
The focus of this year’s ceremony was the Korean War. The Master of Ceremonies was Bob Paoli, Commander of American Legion Post 53; The National Anthem was sung by the Harmony Celebration Chorus; Reverand Kyu Tae Pak, Midland Park United Methodist Church opened the ceremonies with a prayer; Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn made opening remarks; Sgt. 1st Class Ron Zier spoke about the Korean War and his service there; Retired HoHoKus Police Chief Robert Re spoke about the war and his service in Korea at that time; veterans in the audience were honored for their military service, and Sally Ann Tumas-Skoric sang “God Bless America” with the audience joining in. Many students from Benjamin Franklin Middle School and Ridgewood High School were in the audience.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving Veterans Day 2013 Ceremony in Ridgewood
November 11,2013
Boyd A. Loving
12:39 PM
Ridgewood NJ, Village of Ridgewood 2013 Veterans Day services began at 11 AM on Monday on Veterans Field in Ridgewood. The ceremony was coordinated by members of American Legion Post 53 based in Ridgewood. This year’s event was held, as always, to honor all veterans, but especially those from the Korean War era military.
Early numbers show 3% enrollment in Obamacare among 12 exchanges
November 11, 2013, 2:15 PM
By Russ Britt
If you’re expecting a low number of enrollees when the Department of Health and Human Services announces its first round of Obamacare registrant figures this week, here’s a sneak peek into what to expect.
Health-care consultant Avalere Health reported Monday that 3% of the expected 2014 enrollment figure was met as of last week, or 49,100 registrants out of 1.4 million, for 12 of the 15 exchanges available in 14 states and the District of Columbia. No figures were available for California, Massachusetts and Oregon and aren’t included in the totals. Also not included are figures from HealthCare.gov, the troubled online registration system for President Obama’s health-care overhaul in 36 states.
The exchanges for which data are available — Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington — showed weaker-than-expected enrollment since their debut Oct. 1, says Dan Mendelson, chief executive of Avalere.
