The Morning Briefing - March 10, 2015
TRENTON – Unlike Gov. Chris Christie, we are very clear in our support of vaccinations for all children. But a proposed Senate bill may be a slippery slope. It stiffens requirements for parents claiming a religious exemption to avoid vaccinating their kids. Parents now need to just submit a letter, but the bill would call for a notarized letter detailing how vaccination specifically violates their religion, as well as a doctor’s note confirming parents are aware of the risks. Yes, the intent of such a law is obvious. But it is also the case of government intentionally creating roadblocks for people to practice religion – a no-no as per that nagging document known as the Bill of Rights.
ONLINE – There are more attacks on the First Amendment this morning. We are “feeling annoyed” and “feeling frustrated” over the fact that some self-described “body image activists” want Facebook to remove its “feeling fat” emoji as a status update. Some like the emoji, a chubby-cheeked smiling face. But a group called “Endangering Bodies” says it sends the wrong message, torturing souls already worried about their image. One activist tells ABC News that those “feeling fat” are mocking those who are actually fat. There is even an online petition of 16,000 people calling for the emoji to be removed. So apparently if you eat a cheesecake and can barely move, it is a slight on others for you to post you are “feeling fat.” The irony: Fat people are celebrated by saying they are “feeling thin,” while thin people should keep quiet.
TRENTON – Could we soon be saying goodbye to that highway car salesman? The State Senate is pushing for a bill that would allow buyers to purchase electric cars directly from the manufacturer, as opposed to dealing with the men in ill-fitting suits prowling a lot near you. The bill would be a big win for Tesla, which has mall locations in other states for buyers to order direct. It seems the next logical step in connecting manufacturers with their customers, who would no longer have to listen to a sales pitch for pin striping, window tinting, rust-proofing, silver-plated keychains and other dealer add-ons.
FREEHOLD — We still hear of many acts of bravery and generosity stemming from Superstorm Sandy. And we still hear of the many knuckleheads who saw a natural disaster as the opportune time to score a buck. Knuckleheads like a Toms River man who admitted to selling $7,700 worth of natural gas generators to two Sandy victims, but never delivered them or refunded the money. The man is looking at four years in jail, and perhaps a lifetime ban from Home Depot or wherever else quality generators are sold.
TRENTON – One of the most popular phone numbers this morning is 1-800-POTHOLE, which the state has set up as part of its effort to fill an estimated 300,000 potholes a year. To combat the growing number of potholes, and the onslaught of calls expected to hit the hotline, the state has invested in 13 pothole filling machines that are being deemed “state of the art.” One of these gizmos should spend a few weeks in Newark, but we assume it will get stuck in all the potholes.
ATLANTIC CITY — As Carl Icahn has billions and let’s assume we don’t, there must be some obvious profit in keeping the Trump name on the Taj Mahal. You would think “Trump” is synonymous with “dump” when it comes to casinos connected to his name in Atlantic City. But Icahn was somehow able to twist Trump’s arm (plus, we assume, writing a big fact check) so the bankrupt casino will continue to keep the Trump name as long as it complies with the strict Trump standards of excellence, classiness, and some other high-brow marketing terms that did not apply to Trump Plaza since 1987.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
ROME – The “Ugly American” strikes again, as two California tourists thought it made perfect sense to carve their initials in the wall of the ancient Colosseum and then take a “selfie” to record the deed. The women etched their initials in a brick wall dating to the first century A.D. A tour guide saw the deed and called the cops. The pair may have to pay a fine, although a fight to the death, gladiator-style, amid a sea of blood-thirsty Romans seems more appropriate punishment.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was this day one year ago that North Korean Dictator-for-Life Kim Jong Un shows the world that democracy really works, as he is amazingly re-elected by an impressive 100 percent of the vote. What a guy!
(This message was generously sponsored by the North Korea tourism bureau, home of the 10 Indian Rupee haircut.)
WORD OF THE DAY
Bloviate – verb
To speak pompously or brag.
Example: “My gosh, Gov. Chris Christie is certainly not one to bloviate,” said no one ever.