The Morning Briefing - July 13, 2016
TRENTON – National media is pouncing on the story of a young New Jersey man murdered last year, yet the state won’t forgive his college loans from the University of Vermont. After The New York Times covered the story in early July, it hit the national CBS airwaves this morning. The story focuses on how the federal loans were forgiven, yet the state’s Higher Education Student Assistance Authority told his grieving mother: “Please accept our condolences on your loss. After careful consideration of the information you provided, the authority has determined that your request does not meet the threshold for loan forgiveness. Monthly bill statements will continue to be sent to you.” New Jersey can garnish mom's wages, rescind state income tax refunds and revoke any professional licenses – until she pays the final 92 monthly bills, plus interest. With all this news coverage, eager to see how the state Legislature reacts.
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL – With plenty of speculation about who Donald Trump will select as his Number Two on Friday, the name of our governor continues to cross the lips of many pundits. There are many positives to having Gov. Chris Christie on the ticket, as his blind loyalty and ambition are key traits that fuel a guy like Trump. But, as WNYC reports, in its unsolicited memo to the presumptive GOP candidate, there are many factors that must be weighed before anyone slaps on a Trump/Christie bumper sticker. Read it all here.
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL – For the first time in 52 years, the Republican National Convention will be missing one of its standard-bearers: former Gov. Tom Kean. The Record reports that Kean is sitting this one out, saying there are just too many differences on immigration and economic policy with the presumptive nominee. The media is quick to note the many others aren’t booking flights next week to Cleveland, like Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, as well as Mitt Romney and former Gov. Christie Whitman. This convention – with media spotlighting who is there and who is not – is shaping up to be the must-see reality show of the year.
HACKENSACK – Small, simple gestures go a long way. Like last night, when two Bergen County Sheriff’s Officers dropped by a “Black Lives Matter” protest outside the county courthouse, the Record reports. Not to intimidate, or monitor, or to frown. But to bring two large large bins, each filled with ice and spring water, to about 100 protesters on a warm night. Again, the simple things.
IN THE MEDIA
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL – Perhaps “Dishonest Don” is the best nickname to slap on the carrot-colored mogul who insists on calling his opponent “Crooked Hillary.” As of July 8, Pulitzer Prize winning Politifact scrupulously fact-checked 178 of Donald Trump's public statements (Tweets too). Of those, only four were completely true and 14 mostly true. Another 55 were half-true or mostly false; 70 were outright lies and 34 were such obscene lies they got labeled “pants on fire.” In fact, Trump has lied about almost everything from his net worth to facts from American history. On the other side, Politifact editor Angie Drobnic Holan tells WHYY's On the Media when 222 of Hillary Clinton's public statements were carefully fact-checked, 114 were true or mostly true; 47 were half-true and 55 were mostly false. Only three were such boldface lies that they earned Clinton a “pantsuit on fire” rating.We assume this is a good thing? Listen to On the Media for more.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
NAPLES, ITALY – The newly-elected mayor of a small town outside Naples is making a startling request: Town hall employees must show up for work. Cops arrested 23 members of his staff yesterday, following a not-so-surprising investigation showing chronic absenteeism, Reuters reports. It became so rampant that the video shows workers clocking in for work, and then heading off on their personal business. Others would swipe cards to clock in their colleagues who were A.W.O.L. One worker even put a cardboard box over his head, as he swiped in his pals. “I'll probably have to shut down the town hall,” the mayor admits. Amazingly, the workers are looking at suspensions, rather than getting fired for blatantly screwing the taxpayers. Another benefit of public service.
DALLAS – At a solemn interfaith memorial service in Dallas yesterday, was there a former U.S. President who seemed, well, joyful, in his choice of attire and desire to swing to the choir music? Boy, how we miss this man.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was this day in 1865 that P.T. Barnum’s museum burned down. More good news for a guy always eager for news coverage.
WORD OF THE DAY
Prevaricator [pri-var-i-key-ter] – noun
Definition: A liar or a person who avoids the precise truth; a quibbler.
Example: Could Donald Trump be deemed a prevaricator for repeatedly saying America is the “highest taxed country in the world”? That distinction goes to Denmark; the U.S. ranks 27th out of the top 30 nations for highest taxes, Politifact reports.
WORD OF THE DAY
Sunscreen.