>State’s pension gap looms large
State leaders began to debate again this week how much money they should put into New Jersey’s beleaguered pension system. (Method, Gannett)
https://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20101126/NEWS01/11260326/State-s-pension-gap-looms-large
>Two Thirds of Americans Favor Pay Cut for Federal Workers
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
By Matt Cover
Job seekers check job listings at a state-managed employment center in Providence, R.I., on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
(CNSNews.com) – Sixty-six percent of American voters favor a proposal to cut federal payrolls by 10 percent over the next decade, a new Rasmussen Reports survey found.
The survey, conducted Nov. 8 to 15, found that a vast majority of the country favored the 10 percent reduction in federal payrolls. Only 22 percent were opposed, and 12 percent were unsure.
more: https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/two-thirds-americans-favor-pay-cut-feder
>
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you from PJ Blogger and the Staff of the Ridgewood blog
>Poll finds 61% oppose new airport security measures
November 23, 2010 | 11:41 am
On the eve of one of the nation’s busiest travel days, a poll has found that 61% of likely voters oppose the newly enhanced security measures at the country’s airports.
The poll by Zogby International of 2,032 likely voters also found that 48% said they would probably seek alternatives to flying because of the new measures.
https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2010/11/new-poll-says-61-oppose-new-airport-security-measures.html
>The Great Thanksgiving Hoax
Mises Daily: Saturday, November 20, 1999 by Richard J. Maybury
Each year at this time school children all over America are taught the official Thanksgiving story, and newspapers, radio, TV, and magazines devote vast amounts of time and space to it. It is all very colorful and fascinating.
It is also very deceiving. This official story is nothing like what really happened. It is a fairy tale, a whitewashed and sanitized collection of half-truths which divert attention away from Thanksgiving’s real meaning.
The official story has the pilgrims boarding the Mayflower, coming to America and establishing the Plymouth colony in the winter of 1620-21. This first winter is hard, and half the colonists die. But the survivors are hard working and tenacious, and they learn new farming techniques from the Indians. The harvest of 1621 is bountiful. The Pilgrims hold a celebration, and give thanks to God. They are grateful for the wonderful new abundant land He has given them.
The official story then has the Pilgrims living more or less happily ever after, each year repeating the first Thanksgiving. Other early colonies also have hard times at first, but they soon prosper and adopt the annual tradition of giving thanks for this prosperous new land called America.
The problem with this official story is that the harvest of 1621 was not bountiful, nor were the colonists hardworking or tenacious. 1621 was a famine year and many of the colonists were lazy thieves.
In his ‘History of Plymouth Plantation,’ the governor of the colony, William Bradford, reported that the colonists went hungry for years, because they refused to work in the fields. They preferred instead to steal food. He says the colony was riddled with “corruption,” and with “confusion and discontent.” The crops were small because “much was stolen both by night and day, before it became scarce eatable.”
In the harvest feasts of 1621 and 1622, “all had their hungry bellies filled,” but only briefly. The prevailing condition during those years was not the abundance the official story claims, it was famine and death. The first “Thanksgiving” was not so much a celebration as it was the last meal of condemned men.
But in subsequent years something changes. The harvest of 1623 was different. Suddenly, “instead of famine now God gave them plenty,” Bradford wrote, “and the face of things was changed, to the rejoicing of the hearts of many, for which they blessed God.” Thereafter, he wrote, “any general want or famine hath not been amongst them since to this day.” In fact, in 1624, so much food was produced that the colonists were able to begin exporting corn.
What happened?
After the poor harvest of 1622, writes Bradford, “they began to think how they might raise as much corn as they could, and obtain a better crop.” They began to question their form of economic organization.
This had required that “all profits & benefits that are got by trade, working, fishing, or any other means” were to be placed in the common stock of the colony, and that, “all such persons as are of this colony, are to have their meat, drink, apparel, and all provisions out of the common stock.” A person was to put into the common stock all he could, and take out only what he needed.
This “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need” was an early form of socialism, and it is why the Pilgrims were starving. Bradford writes that “young men that are most able and fit for labor and service” complained about being forced to “spend their time and strength to work for other men’s wives and children.” Also, “the strong, or man of parts, had no more in division of victuals and clothes, than he that was weak.” So the young and strong refused to work and the total amount of food produced was never adequate.
To rectify this situation, in 1623 Bradford abolished socialism. He gave each household a parcel of land and told them they could keep what they produced, or trade it away as they saw fit. In other words, he replaced socialism with a free market, and that was the end of famines.
Many early groups of colonists set up socialist states, all with the same terrible results. At Jamestown, established in 1607, out of every shipload of settlers that arrived, less than half would survive their first twelve months in America. Most of the work was being done by only one-fifth of the men, the other four-fifths choosing to be parasites. In the winter of 1609-10, called “The Starving Time,” the population fell from five-hundred to sixty.
Then the Jamestown colony was converted to a free market, and the results were every bit as dramatic as those at Plymouth. In 1614, Colony Secretary Ralph Hamor wrote that after the switch there was “plenty of food, which every man by his own industry may easily and doth procure.” He said that when the socialist system had prevailed, “we reaped not so much corn from the labors of thirty men as three men have done for themselves now.”
Before these free markets were established, the colonists had nothing for which to be thankful. They were in the same situation as Ethiopians are today, and for the same reasons. But after free markets were established, the resulting abundance was so dramatic that the annual Thanksgiving celebrations became common throughout the colonies, and in 1863, Thanksgiving became a national holiday.
Thus the real reason for Thanksgiving, deleted from the official story, is: Socialism does not work; the one and only source of abundance is free markets, and we thank God we live in a country where we can have them.
* * * * *
Mr. Maybury writes on investments.
This article originally appeared in The Free Market, November 1985.
>NJ Assemblyman vows study of special education
Assemblyman David P. Rible, R-Monmouth, announced Tuesday that he will draft legislation to examine the special-education system in New Jersey. (Staff, Home News Tribune)
>DiGaetano starts 36th District comeback
DiGaetano starts 36th District comeback facing GOP connective tissue challenges
A fundraiser at the Brownstone in Paterson last night yielded handfuls of supporters intent on re-electing former Assembly Majority Leader Paul DiGaetano to public office, this time to the state senate. (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)
https://www.politickernj.com/43106/digaetano-starts-36th-district-comeback-facing-gop-connective-tissue-challenges
>
the Village of Ridgewood : Downtown For The Holidays
Sponsored by Chamber of Commerce
Friday, December 3 from 5:30PM to 12AM, Ridgewood Annual tree lighting ceremony celebrates its 25th Anniversary! Bring the whole family and all your friends for this special evening, featuring live musical and theatrical performances, food, games and lots of holiday cheer! Lighting of tree takes place at 7:30PM.
Santa Arrives in Ridgewood!
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh
At 8:15PM – Santa will be in the Park, after tree lighting and the stage performance. Look for Santa’s elves ringing the bells leading everyone from the tree to the Park! Santa will be in the park Saturday, December 11th, 18th, 24th from 10am to 3pm. After visiting Santa take a ride on the trolley on the 11th and 18th.
>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.
>
Fuente Holiday Cigars Now in Stock @ Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood
They’re back and just in time for Thanksgiving! Treat yourself to a Fuente Fuente Opus X & Anejo after your holiday meal!
Available now at The Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood for a limited time only so come on down.
Strict limit of 2 per customer
The Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood | 10 Chestnut Street | Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450 Phone: 201-447-2204 | Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00AM – 5:30PM and Thursday Night 6:30PM – 8:30PM
>New Jersey Choral Society presents “Peace on Earth”
Bergen & Essex County –Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with tranquil and joyful music as the New Jersey Choral Society presents “Peace on Earth” on Saturday, December 4 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, December 5 at 3:00 pm in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 30 North Fullerton Ave., Montclair. A third performance will be presented on Sunday, December 12 at 5:00 pm in the West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 South Monroe St, Ridgewood.
Under the direction of dynamic conductor Eric Dale Knapp, the New Jersey Choral Society marks its 30th Anniversary with a festive program featuring Ralph Vaughan Williams’ contemplative Mass in G minor, Steven Sametz’s Peace on Earth, Mendelssohn’s How Lovely Are the Messengers, the Swedish carol Wonderful Peace by Gustaf Nordqvist and selections from Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. Some seasonal favorites such as God Rest You Merry Gentlemen, First Nowell, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and Peace, Peace (Silent Night) will also be included as well as Betelehemu (a Nigerian Carol) and Light the Legend (a song for Chanukah). Linda Sweetman-Waters will be featured on the organ and a brass consort will also accompany the chorus.
The Inside Line, a complimentary pre-concert lecture for the enrichment of the audience will be held one hour before each concert. John Robert Liepold will present insights into Ralph Vaughan Williams’ stunning Mass in G minor.
The New Jersey Choral Society is one of the state’s most prestigious choral groups, well-known for presenting outstanding and unique programs. They have performed at the White House and Carnegie Hall and have also given international tour performances in Austria, China, Australia, the Czech Republic, Germany and Italy. In July 2011, they will perform in an international music festival at the Sydney Opera House in Australia.
In support of the Center for Food Action, the New Jersey Choral Society will be collecting nonperishable food items at each concert. Donated food items can be deposited in one of the receptacles in the lobby. The Center for Food Action is a non-profit organization that provides emergency food, rental and utility assistance, counseling and advocacy for people in need.
Advance tickets are $20.00 for general admission, $17.00 for students, seniors, and patrons with disabilities, and $12 for children 12 and under (Add $5.00 at the door). Season subscriptions and group discounts are available. All venues are wheelchair accessible and large print and Braille programs are available with two weeks notice. For reservations or more information, call the New Jersey Choral Society at (201) 379-7719 or visit https://www.njcs.org. Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, through grant funds administered by the Bergen County Department of Parks, Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs.
>Christie administration advances school-aid arguments
With the latest Abbott v. Burke court proceedings still in limbo, the Christie administration further laid out its upcoming legal argument by saying that additional federal and even philanthropic money to the state-run Newark school district should be counted in helping offset its state-aid cuts. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/10/1122/2305/
>Controversial energy bill clears Senate
New Jersey took a step toward encouraging new power plant construction yesterday, with the Senate passing a controversial bill that guarantees developers receive ratepayer subsidies to help get a project built. (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)
https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/10/1122/2258/
>Wednesday, November 24, 2010 is NATIONAL OPT-OUT DAY!
It’s the day ordinary citizens stand up for their rights, stand up for liberty, and protest the federal government’s desire to virtually strip us naked or submit to an “enhanced pat down” that touches people’s breasts and genitals in an aggressive manner. You should never have to explain to your children, “Remember that no stranger can touch or see your private area, unless it’s a government employee, then it’s OK.”
The goal of National Opt Out Day is to send a message to our lawmakers that we demand change. We have a right to privacy and buying a plane ticket should not mean that we’re guilty until proven innocent. This day is needed because many people do not understand what they consent to when choosing to fly.
more:
https://www.optoutday.com/
>Security protest could disrupt Thanksgiving travel
Nov 22, 7:03 AM (ET)
By MICHAEL TARMCHICAGO (AP) – As if air travel over the Thanksgiving holiday isn’t tough enough, it could be even worse this year: Airports could see even more disruptions because of a loosely organized Internet boycott of full-body scans.
Even if only a small percentage of passengers participate, experts say it could mean longer lines, bigger delays and hotter tempers.
The protest, National Opt-Out Day, is scheduled for Wednesday to coincide with the busiest travel day of the year.
“Just one or two recalcitrant passengers at an airport is all it takes to cause huge delays,” said Paul Ruden, a spokesman for the American Society of Travel Agents, which has warned its more than 8,000 members about delays resulting from the body-scanner boycott.
https://apnews.myway.com/article/20101122/D9JL5O2G1.html
