The Morning Briefing - March 4, 2015
FAIR LAWN – It is time to talk state pension reform again, as Gov. Chris Christie continues his balancing act as New Jersey governor and unannounced Presidential candidate. Today, he is back in New Jersey for his 129th town hall meeting – this time at the Fair Lawn Recreation Center. With 14 state labor unions ready to sue to ensure he does not shortchange the pension system again, Christie will be talking about tough choices and an unwinnable situation.
LAWRENCEVILLE – The New Jersey Lottery makes its profits depending on how much money people are willing to gamble. There are ads all over the place, encouraging anyone with a dollar and a dream to drop it on the lottery. Yet the state lottery will be marking “Gambling Addiction Month” today, holding a news conference with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey to publicize a statewide awareness campaign. Never understood this; like Coors urging people not to binge drink, but hoping they throw a few back every day.
STATEWIDE – Congressman Scott Garrett continues to prove he is out of step with the typical New Jerseyan, as the only Republican voting against a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. House Republicans threatened to only fund Homeland Security if President Obama backed off controversial immigrant reforms to not deport millions of illegal immigrants. While other GOP congressional members in New Jersey had the good sense to back off the reckless threat, Garrett and his ultra conservative wing, the new Freedom Caucus, held strong – no matter the effect on the vulnerability of the United States. Luckily, cooler heads prevailed and Homeland Security will be funded. Jeez.
MILLBURN – When you are stuck in a dead-end retail job at the mall, and you watch your employer selling handbags, shoes and belts for hundreds of dollars a pop, perhaps you’re tempted to get some of that cash for yourself. But, as NJ.com reports, you’ll get caught. Just like the Neiman Marcus worker who stuffed $1,900 in his sock on Feb. 25 and tried to make it look like the missing money was involved some mystery returned item. But every square inch of the Mall at Short Hills is recorded at all times, so even the sleepiest of mall security were able to crack the case.
UNION TOWNSHIP – Yet more controversy with the PARCC test, as Union Township schools need to postpone the test until Thursday because someone attempted to hack into the district’s Internet system. NJ.com reports that Comcast and the state Department of Education are trying to figure out who is trying to crack the system at the exact time PARCC is to be administered. Us old-fashioned types would like to note that no one ever tried to hack a Scantron. (Translation: those sheets of paper in which you fill the ovals with pencil.)
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
MANCHESTER, NH – Another indication you are living too long happens on your birthday, when restaurants start owing you money on their birthday promotions. Our example comes from Manchester, where a 101-year-old man reaped a refund on his meal, based under the Belmont Restaurant’s policy of offering discounts based on age. Apparently, your meal is free once you hit 100 years of age (Heck you earned it). But after that, the restaurant owner starts digging into his own pockets. Joseph Nelson enjoyed scrambled eggs and ham, with chocolate cake, earning a grand total of 7 cents – likely the cost of the meal when he was born.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was this day in 1924 that “Happy Birthday to You” was recorded by Claydon Sunny. Uh, do we sing “Happy Birthday”?
WORD OF THE DAY
Anencephalous – adjective – lacking a brain
Example: “In voting to blindly strip funding from the Department of Homeland Security, was it then discovered that Rep. Scott Garrett is anencephalous?”