The Morning Briefing - December 18, 2014
* The Morning Briefing will run its final issue of 2014 today, returning Monday, January 5. Happy Holidays to all!!
YOUR LOCAL BAR – When James Bond bellies up to the local bar to order his martini shaken, not stirred, he’ll quickly learn his drink is 127 calories. That’s because of a new law that says chain restaurants need to list the number of calories in their drinks. It’s doubtful anyone sitting in a bar is interested in such a reality check (which is why the lights are often dimmed), but the feds say the new law goes into effect by next November. So, drink that margarita now (740 calories).
TRENTON –Rutgers University and the state are often at odds, as the university continually lobbies for more money from state coffers to support programs, build buildings and offset tuition hikes. Today, the table turns, as Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg appear at noon on the steps of the Statehouse, calling for Rutgers to pay more money to union employees. OK, says Rutgers, give us more money.
LACEY TOWNSHIP – There’s good news for a transgender student: he will be allowed to use the boy’s room at the Ocean County Vocation Technical School’s Performing Arts Academy. The Asbury Park Press reports the boy – who had given up his female identity – had been using a unisex bathroom, but took to social media to protest his middle-of-the-road status. The student says this is not a victory, adding it is his full right to use the boy’s room. But it is important step, as he sets a precedent for transgender students elsewhere who gotta go.
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL – It looks as if Jeb Bush has given Gov. Chris Christie a swift kick in the pants, announcing his interest in a run for President and forcing our governor – who needs to lock up GOP donors - to make a decision. In response, Christie says he’ll talk to his family about it over the holidays and make a decision early next year. Odd remark; it makes it seem as if this has not been the prime dinner conversation at the Christie table since, say, 2011.
YOUR LOCAL THEATER – Actors and other Hollywood elite are mourning the loss of free speech, with word that hack-attacked Sony Pictures is backing down to North Korea and won’t release its controversial comedy “The Interview.” While, yes, this is a big hit to free speech, time for a reality check. North Korea, with its famously backward government and freakish focus on American pop culture, broke into Sony’s email accounts and is vowing “merciless” repercussions wherever the movie is shown. Chest-thumping aside, do we really need this? Is showing a movie really worth being dragged into a pissing match with a heavily armed recluse dictator? The movie is supposed to be pretty lousy, anyway. And it will leak out if you really need to see it.
ATLANTIC CITY – Casino owners, hiding under the jewel-encrusted desks purchased in a different era, were finally able to crack a smile yesterday, learning New York won’t open a casino on the Jersey line. NJ.com reports that New York has identified three locations for new casinos, but the closest one is about 60 miles from Bergen County. The new competition will affect Atlantic City, but nothing like the cannibalization that would have occurred if a casino opened in Orange County, NY, just across the border.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
NEW YORK – The pet police have struck again in New York. First, the state voted to ban residents from tattooing or piercing their pets. Now, the City Council has banned the sale of bunnies in pet shops – just like it has banned the sale of hyenas, wolverines and polar bears. It’s because city animal shelters are getting overrun by bunnies, after pet owners get second thoughts. And you know what happens when you get two bunnies: you get 4 bunnies, 8 bunnies, 16 bunnies. You get the picture.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
“Dammit Jim, I’m a doctor, not a television star!” Actually, Dr. McCoy of Star Trek fame was in the spotlight on this day in 1991, as the actor, DeForest Kelly, got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.