The Morning Briefing - March 2, 2016
NOT IN TRENTON - There's endless good news this morning from Gov. Chris Christie, who is scoring more national press now than when was running for President. While we assumed his attention would now turn to fixing New Jersey; focusing on his legacy; and recapturing some of the magic that once made him popular - it's obvious the governor is more successful jet-setting around the country and getting people to write about him, like us. Kudos to Christie for being able to cling to the national spotlight by his fingernails, no matter his well-chronicled self-servitude in supporting "Mr. Trump," or how it is destroying the final tatters of his credibility as a former frontrunner.
NOT IN TRENTON - More good news for Gov. Chris Christie this morning. There are at least 15 daily newspapers in New Jersey not calling for his resignation today. The other six newspapers are from the Gannett chain, ticked off about a Monday press conference when Christie refused to answer legitimate questions about his nomination of a judge to the state Supreme Court. Why? Christie replied, "Because I don't want to." In the joint editorial, the six newspapers wrote: "We're fed up with Gov. Chris Christie's arrogance. We're fed up with his opportunism. We're fed up with his hypocrisy." Meanwhile, New Hampshire leading daily newspaper, the Union Leader, is begging forgiveness, after endorsing Christie in the primary. The publisher writes today, "Boy, were we wrong." The Boston Herald is admitting buyer's remorse as well, saying it was "foolish" to support the Jersey guy. Again, what spectacular news for Christie, who is still scoring media coverage in New Hampshire, as well as top billing in today's USA Today.
NOT IN TRENTON - Some huge social media victories for Gov. Chris Christie this morning. The Christie camp must be celebrating that its fearless leader is trending like wildfire, after his performance last night standing behind Donald Trump and looking as if he ate a wheelbarrow of spoiled sardines. So many great Twitter remarks, with some appearing on national television. One tweets Christie appears to be "in a hostage video," while another suggests that President Obama bring in the Navy SEALS to rescue him. Others tweet that a Kickstarter campaign should raise money for Christie to buy some credibility. Another notes the governor's face shows "America's confusion." Sure, pundits are amazed that this ill-fated endorsement has backfired for Christie, but, hey, can you beat all these news hits? Another win!
NOT IN TRENTON - My God! Could there been any more good news for Gov. Chris Christie? You betcha! The governor's poll numbers are not at the lowest point in New Jersey. Rather, his latest numbers are only tied with his lowest point since taking office, tying the 30 percent mark registered last June, according to the latest poll from Fairleigh Dickinson University's Public Mind, released today. Christie's disapproval rating is only at 61 percent, the polls found, showing 39 percent can still stand him, have no opinion or have no idea who he is. That means the governor can head into an IHOP and only get mean stares from six out of 10 pancake eaters. That is a win in our book.
IN NEWS UNRELATED TO CHRIS CHRISTIE
PATERSON - If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. That's what David Gilmore did. Once a pesky gadfly, Gilmore became head of the city's code enforcement division this week. For years, the semi-retired Gilmore used Facebook to expose code violations, wasteful spending and other city shortcomings; he ran for mayor in 2014, finishing last among eight candidates. Then he got hired last March as a code compliance officer. Now, Gilmore - a former Westbury, Ct. housing director and one-time magazine publisher - is running the show. Asked by the Paterson Press about giving up his gadfly ways, Gilmore said: "Change more often comes from the inside than the outside."
MONTCLAIR - Bullying, stalking, insults and obscenities are now routine threats to teenage girls addicted to their cellphones. Writer Nancy Jo Sales has talked to scores of girls consumed by texting, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. Tonight, Sales discusses her disturbing findings at the Montclair Public Library to promote her book: "American Girls: Social Media and the Secret Lives of Teenagers." Sales told the Montclair Times that social media is causing the "sexualization" and "pornification" of young girls, who think they need sexy posts to lure more "followers" or get more "likes." Many teenage girls told Sales they know they're obsessed, but won't put away their phones, saying: "We'd have no social life." Perhaps, it's time for more Facetime with our teens, perhaps after hiding the phone charger.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
HAVANA, CUBA - Nothing says "détente" like a free Rolling Stones concert. So, a few days after President Obama makes his historic Havana visit this month, these septuagenarian "rock 'n' roll" ambassadors are putting on the biggest public show Cuba has seen since 1959. However, "Los Rollings," as The Stones are known, may want to pare down their March 25th playlist. Lyrics like: "And the time is right for/fighting in the street boy/Hey think the time is right/for a palace revolution," from "Street Fighting Man," may not sit well with the Castro regime. Also iffy might be "Beast of Burden," "Gimme Shelter," and "You Can't Always Get What You Want." Note to Havana-based pharmacies: Stock up now on linimentos de para los músculos (a.k.a. Ben-Gay).
DELTONA, FL. - A real crumb swiped a Girl Scout's cash box as she sold cookies outside a Wal-Mart. Parking lot surveillance videos show the suspect - with a woman and a toddler - walking from the store to mid-size Hyundai SUV with North Carolina plates, the West Volusia Beacon reported. Minutes later, the man headed back to the Girl Scout's folding table, grabbed the 12-year-old's dough, and made a beeline back to his running vehicle. Sheriff's deputies are eager to find him - as well as hoards of angry Girl Scouts eager to earn the coveted Vigilante Badge.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was this day in 1939 that the Massachusetts Legislature finally got around to ratifying the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution. Only 147 years after those 10 amendments went into effect, but, heck Massachusetts has a full agenda, OK?
WORD OF THE DAY
Ecdysiast (ek-DEZ-ee-ast) - noun
Definition: A striptease artist.
Example: You can bet there is no one at the roadside go-go who ever heard of an ecdysiast.