The Morning Briefing - December 15, 2014
EAGLE-GATE – Perhaps Chris Christie biographers will note this is the official moment when the governor stopped caring what New Jerseyans think of him. The governor is taking plenty of lumps this morning for insulting any football fan south of West Windsor by voraciously rooting for the Cowboys in their win last night against the Eagles. Christie even sat with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, sparking plenty of social media questioning what the heck is wrong with New Jersey’s leader. Even former Pennsylvania Gov. and Philly Mayor Ed Rendell criticized Christie “ for supporting the Cowboys so visually, asking “How can a Jersey guy be a Cowboys fan?" Insult pregnant pigs all you want, but don’t mess with football.
EAGLE-GATE – But while many Eagles fans were content with just calling for Gov. Chris Christie’s impeachment, one longtime Philadelphia councilman went a bit too far. Perhaps Councilman Jim Kenney, from South Philly, was slinging back too many mugs of “Victory” beer as he slammed Christie on Twitter, saying he is “sitting on his very fat ass next to Jerry Jones…You suck!” and “Go home. Take the state helicopter. Creep!”
TRENTON – When your cost to upgrade a computer system balloon to $118 million, there’s some expectation that it will meet some basic expectations. But, as NJSpotlight reports, the state is dealing with a botched system that is delaying the delivery of food and healthcare to some of the state’s most vulnerable residents and could jeopardize future federal funding. The new computer system – envisioned in 2006 – was designed to better connect the state with county welfare offices, yet – for the moment – appears to have done the opposite.
TRENTON – Very soon, cops may no longer be able to nab you for not having your most current insurance card. The Assembly is considering a bill today that would allow motorists to use their smart phones, computers or tablets to prove they have car insurance. Assemblyman Craig Coughlin says the bill will make life considerably more convenient, although it will certainly be a disappointment for the cops and courts slapping drivers with fines for years.
TRENTON – For anyone who still has a landline and actually picks up a ringing phone, here is some good news. The slew of telemarketers who call you every five minutes must provide correct caller ID information – under a bill the Assembly will vote on today. Assemblyman Carmelo Garcia is right in saying the legislation is all about consumer protection, as these phone scammers could be facing $10,000 fines for giving bogus information. But it is interesting how this affects the whole “robo-call” industry that many politicians rely upon before an election.
FORT DIX – President Obama will be arriving at Fort Dix this afternoon to thank the troops and their families for their service and sacrifice. But don’t see this as a casual, lingering visit, as the President will depart the White House at 1:05 p.m., arriveat Fort Dix at 2:10 p.m., deliver remarks to the troops at 2:45 p.m. and leave the base at 3:55 p.m. Anyone attending the event should not attempt to wave at the President; there is no time allotted for him to wave back.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
AMSTERDAM – It is a wedding proposal that one apartment complex won’t soon forget. Romeo decided to rent a crane, descend in front of his girlfriend’s bedroom window Saturday morning, play her a song and then pop the big question. But, reports the Algemeen Dagblad newspaper, the crane toppled over, crashing into a neighbor’s roof. The blushing bride still said “yes,” and the couple quickly took off for Paris to continue the romance. But workers were stuck with the crane, which, as the men attempted to right it, fell and smashed again into the neighbor’s destroyed roof, taking out anything still holding it together and evacuating six apartment units. May the couple’s love last longer than the cleanup.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It almost seems impossible, but it was apparently this day in 1973 that the lowest-scoring NCAA basketball game occurred, with Tennessee beating Temple 11-6. With 11:44 left in the first half and Tennessee leading 7-5, Temple kept holding the ball but not shooting. Then, Tennessee didn’t take a shot in the second half, but managed four free throws. And that’s the ballgame, folks.