The Morning Briefing - February 17, 2015
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL - A Christie Administration would revise the country's tax system, adopt a national energy policy and re-establish the United States as a world leader. That's the poll-tested message of the governor during his recent campaign stop in New Hampshire, as he woos GOP support as an unannounced candidate for President. Of course, Christie is light on details and taking easy swipes to get Republicans clapping, like calling his friend, President Obama, "a man wandering around in a dark room, feeling along the wall for the light switch of leadership." Where does Chris Christie actually stand on national issues? We won't know anytime soon.
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL - Remember Mad magazine? Apparently, it is still being published, and the editors are weighing in on Gov. Chris Christie's follies, suggesting the introduction of a new flavor of Ben and Jerry's ice cream called "Career Crumble."
PRINCETON - Princeton University might not be in possession of the Magna Carta, but it can now boast ownership of the first six printed editions of the Bible, starting with the 1455 Gutenberg Bible, and the original printing of the Declaration of Independence. These priceless tomes of humanity were donated to the University as part of the Scheide Library, a collection of 2,500 rare books and documents - worth some $300 million - previously curated by philanthropist William H. Scheide, a 1936 Princeton University alumnus who died in November at age 100. Other notable items in the collection include Shakespeare's first, second, third and fourth folios and an 1856 autographed speech by Abraham Lincoln. Sadly, the collection doesn't contain an E.L. James-signed copy of "Fifty Shades of Grey," but you can't win them all.
MOUNT OLIVE - Maybe a $300 gift card was not the right bribe from the owner of a massage parlor, trying to get the local health department off her back. NJ.com reports the owner of the Asian Health Center showed up at town hall after getting slapped with some summonses. She tried to grease the wheels by offering a $300 gift card. The health official said no, and then called the cops. Officers arrived at the massage parlor and, after some investigation, discovered the gift card, charging the business owner with bribery. You expect the next line, so here it is: No happy ending.
CAMDEN - The city is gearing up for hundreds of jobs, as part of a very expensive state tax incentive program that is doing everything possible to encourage companies to relocate to one of the poorest cities in America. Mayor Dana Redd will be announcing a state program today designed to ensure that local residents have the training to fill the slots. Plenty has been invested in Camden, now it is the city's turn to show it is poised for success.
ORANGE- The Orange Housing Authority is steadily changing the landscape of the East Ward. The small but agile agency is purchasing blighted parcels and fixing them up, with the hopes of selling them at market-rate levels, and using the proceeds to support much more revitalization The housing authority is also hosting public forums about redevelopment, as the city updates its master plans for large swaths of the city. Such proactive efforts should be closely watched, perhaps Orange is creating the blueprint that other housing authorities in New Jersey should ultimately follow.
IN THE MEDIA
PLYMOUTH, Mass.-At least someone is excited about this brutal winter. Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore's raw enthusiasm for capturing an elusive strike of "thundersnow" live on camera has gone viral. You may remember Cantore for another recent hit, literally, when he kneed a drunk University of Charleston student during a live broadcast. See the tantrum here. If there is ever an award for a bad-ass weatherman, there would be no competition. Watch Jim' enthusiasm here.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
MONESSEN, Pa. - Some teacher has some explaining to do, after five middle school students were handed word search puzzles based on "Fifty Shades of Grey." The Valley Independent reports the students were busy searching for such words as "leather cuffs," "spanking," "bondage," and ''submissive." With all the snickers, a teacher realized the error and quickly snatched up the work sheets. But one kid kept a copy and, of course, posted it on social media. Red-faced school officials are apologizing, although one must wonder how the puzzles got in the school in the first place. Must be one exciting break room.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was this day in 1995 that Big Tobacco could no longer stave off decades of basic logic, as the U.S. courts finally allow lawsuits against the cigarette companies, claiming they knew all along that nicotine was addictive and intentionally tried to get people hooked.