The Morning Briefing - December 11, 2014
PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP – U.S. customs officials will be inviting the media to watch them destroy an Austin Mini car in grand fashion today. The imported car will be turned to scrap at a junkyard to send a message: cars that don’t meet federal safety and emissions standards won’t be allowed into the U.S. Apparently, it is much more fun to pulverize a car in front of the media, rather than send a strongly-worded letter.
NEWARK – Any GOP candidate looking to take on Gov. Chris Christie in a primary will be eagerly combing through a new Quinnipiac University poll, which shows the majority of voters in the governor’s home state don’t think he is the right person for the Oval Office. The survey out this morning shows 53 percent of polled voters feel that way, while 40 percent believe Christie would do well. Those polled were also split on the question if the American electorate is ready for Jersey attitude in the White House. Doubtful this was a concern of President Woodrow Wilson (of Princeton).
ON THE RAILS – It is certainly an interesting suggestion: a $1.5 billion PATH line extending from lower Manhattan out to Newark Liberty International Airport. But as the Port Authority launches a $6 million feasibility study, as NJ.com reports, is the typical rush-hour PATH rider going to have the temperament to deal with a family of four, including their eight suitcases, two strollers, three camera bags and all those extra juice boxes? Perhaps that will be addressed in Chapter 9 of the report.
TRENTON – Amazing the state pension boards took this long to announce litigation against Gov. Chris Christie, after he slashed $2.4 billion in pension fund payments he vowed to pay as part of a 2011 pension reform agreement. The pension boards are demanding the Governor work with the state Legislature to restore money to the $80 billion fund they contend was diverted for more “politically popular causes.” Pension officials make compelling points, but how would Christie produce money that no longer seems unspent?
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Perhaps dinners at the University of Vermont dining hall are inedible. That could be a reason why three students stole a chicken from a fraternity house, killed and skinned it, and then enjoyed a lovely meal in their dormitory. The Chittenden County prosecutor won’t prosecute the chicken eaters for trespassing on the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, and the former chicken owner – while crying fowl – won’t file charges. But the trio should not expect an invite to the next big rush event.
JACKSONVILLE, FL. – A Houston Texans fan was so excited to fly to Jacksonville for a game last Sunday against the Jaguars that he posted the boarding passes on a Facebook page, KHOU 11 News reports. But then a Jaguars fan saw the post, with the confirmation number of the flight, and called the airline to cancel the tickets. The downfall of the prankster was bragging about it online. The airline eventually reinstated the tickets, and the Texans fan was given the royal treatment by the Jaguars, and was even offered invites to rival tailgates and sideline passes. And the Texans fan got the last laugh. Final score: 27-13.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was this day in 1981 that Muhammad Ali was no longer the greatest, losing to Trevor Berbick and never returning to the ring. The 10-round fight, in Nassau, was billed as the “Drama in Bahama.”