The Morning Briefing - September 20, 2016

LINDEN – From Saturday’s blast in Seaside Park to yesterday’s arrest of the alleged terrorist in Linden, the cops were all over this. In a post 9/11 world, living in the shadows of where the World Trade Center once stood, we are at least comforted by the fact that our police are trained to hunt down the crazies, with the state and feds providing endless resources and fire power. The message for would-be terrorists: You will be caught.

ELIZABETH – One of the biggest victims in the terrorism scare is “First American Fried Chicken,” the family business of Ahmad Khan Rahami on Elmora Avenue. People are posting some awful, profanity-filled racist comments all over the Yelp site, to the point where Yelp has put up a notice saying it is now monitoring the reviews and will take down inappropriate material. Apparently, Yelp hadn’t gotten to the editing button by this morning, because the attacks against religion and culture were completely unrelated to fried chicken and not worth printing here.  Here is one of the tame comments: “They're as bad at making chicken as the idiot kid is at terrorism.” One star.

ELIZABETH – Now is certainly not the time to ratchet up the hate. But no one apparently informed the son of Donald Trump. “Junior” was out with a tweet yesterday, showing a bowl of Skittles with a warning. “If I had a bowl of Skittles and I told you just three would kill you, would you take a handful?” says @DonaldTrumpJr. “That's our Syrian refugee problem. This image says it all. Let's end the politically correct agenda that doesn't put America first.”  The message: A divided America is a better America, at least when it comes to choosing a megalomaniac for President.

NEW BRUNSWICK – Rutgers-Eagleton is out with its latest poll, showing Gov. Chris Christie has a favorability rating of just 23 percent – a third of what it was before Bridgegate. Politicker now has out its own poll about our radioactive governor, as well, asking if he should resign. You can choose from:

A. Yes. For the love of God, go. Now. Just go. Please!

B. No. I'm enjoying this. Stick around awhile.

C. Yes. The word of a federal prosecutor is gold in my b- No wait, wasn't Christie a federal prosecutor? Stay, Chris.

D. No. Why should he go? He didn't win the presidential nomination. He needs to stay here to FIX NJ.

E. No, he should stay. I'm going to go. I can't take New Jersey anymore. If he leaves, he may end up in the same state as me, and I can't take that risk.

F. Yes, he should go. When DONALD TRUMP BECOMES PRESIDENT AND MAKES AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! I want Christie as AG. He'll show those Democrat-appointed 'federal prosecutors' how to do the job.

G. Yes. I want Kim as my governor.

BRIDGEGATE – The only benefit of this terrorism story is that it knocked Bridgegate off as the lead story. The very tired, old story about the GWB lane closures was resuscitated again yesterday, as opening statements in the trial began. NJ.com describes Bridgegate as one of “the biggest New Jersey corruption scandals in recent memory.” Very strong words, especially when it comes to corruption in New Jersey, where we set the bar high. Breathless prosecutors are pounding away about “vindictive, mean-spirited and criminal” acts. OK, sure. But the Democrats already got what they wanted. Have you read about the governor’s most recent poll numbers? 

PERTH AMBOY – It didn't take a psychic to predict that political chicanery would be alleged by at least one of the three candidates trying to unseat Mayor Wilda Diaz. Wild accusations of campaign shenanigans and trickery get tossed around every blessed time this city has a big election. It was a bit surprising that mayoral hopeful Miguel Nunez lobbed the first claim so early in the campaign, claiming city police harassed his supporters for going door-to-door with his literature. The mayor's spokesman gave Politickernj an obligatory denial, dismissing allegations as a sign of “a desperate campaign … (making) lots of noise to conceal the fact they have no ideas and no agenda.” Get ready. That ol' favorite: “They stole our campaign signs,” is coming next.

IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS

YOUR FREEZER – OK, this lead writes itself: It is time to L’eggo the Eggo, after Kellogg is recalling 10,000 cases of Eggo waffles. Specifically, the focus is the Nutri-Grain® Whole Wheat Waffles, which may be contaminated with listeria. Check the “best if used by” dates of Nov. 21 and Nov. 22, 2017. The boxes have been sold in New Jersey, as well as elsewhere. All other Eggos are A-OK.

In unrelated news, Happy Rum Punch Day.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

It was this day in 1985 that the 200 millionth visitor arrived at Walt Disney World. Apparently, they are all waiting in line at Space Mountain. 

WORD OF THE DAY

Oenophile [EE-nuh-fyle] - noun

Definition: a lover of wine

Example: With all this talk about terrorism in Union County, it is a good time to be an oenophile.

WEATHER IN THE WORD

Humid