The Morning Briefing - September 23, 2016
NORTH JERSEY – The PR blitz to bring two casinos to North Jersey has been suspended, as the millionaires who want to spend billions have decided that New Jersey voters won’t approve the ballot question, the Las Vegas Review Journal reports. Apparently, it’s a bad bet to drop even more money on lobbying and PR for such a high-profile campaign, when a Rutgers Eagleton poll reported that 58 percent of voters say “no way.” You can now hear the deep, deep sigh of relief coming off the Atlantic City Expressway, as it appears the state’s gaming resort has gotten a big break for at least two more years. Then, expect the ballot question to once again surface, when the next round of investors roll the dice.
BRIDGEGATE – You haven’t been reading the daily updates from the trial here, as you can find exhausting coverage everywhere else. But there is an interesting tidbit from this week’s proceedings: Is the trial just a big show to get Gov. Chris Christie impeached? Assemblyman John Wisniewski, a leader in the bridge scandal investigation, says the evidence unearthed will direct Democrats where to go. The Assembly can call for impeachment proceedings, if discovered that the governor lied about his involvement, authorizing one heckuva trial in the state Senate. Media and other political junkies are crossing fingers.
AT HOME – That adage, “It's a dog's life” dates to the 16th Century when dogs were fed scraps, slept outside, and had short, miserable lives. Nowadays, our pampered pets eat better and see doctors more often than some of us. They sprawl on the La-Z-Boy and hog the bed sheets. Yet, Rutgers University law professors Gary Francione and Anna Charlton say it's immoral to even own pets. In an online essay for Aeon, these animal rights advocates oppose zoos, aquariums and animal testing, but also say it would be “torture” and “slavery” if we did to people, what we do dogs, cats, parakeets and goldfish. Okay, they're right. Couldn't expect your girlfriend to drink from a bowl or your buddy Stan to go for a walk whenever you damn well felt like it.
STATEWIDE – People from four New Jersey towns can beam with pride today after Money magazine named them as 2016's 50 best places to live in America. Top honors went to Parsippany – ranked No. 5 nationally and No. 1 here – chosen for its “surprisingly affordable” cost of living. Edison Township placed 19th in the nation and No. 2 in the state, with Money citing its low unemployment, top-notch public schools, and broad ethnic and cultural diversity. Also on the Garden State's list are Franklin (in Somerset County) and Cherry Hill, ranking 23rd and 26th, respectively. To make its choices, Money analyzed taxes, employment, education, health care and apparently the proximity to a shopping mall.
TRENTON – Go ahead, proudly cast your presidential vote for “Rocky” De La Fuente on Election Day. But, unless state law changes really, really soon, don't get so excited over your Reform Party pick that you take a “selfie” of your ballot for social media. You see – due to some silliness about vote coercion and ballot fraud – it's illegal in New Jersey (as in most states) to photograph and post snapshots of completed ballots. Assemblyman Raj Mukherji now hopes to change all that, making “ballot selfies” in the voting booth legal. Mukherji told the Jersey Journal: “If young people or anybody want to display their pride about being active in democracy then we shouldn't hold them back.”
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
BERLIN – They may need to rewrite a health insurance plan, as no insurer could expect covering medical costs stemming from an exploding air freshener. A 17-year-old was desperate to get rid of the cigarette smoke in the used Volkswagen he bought. He sprayed so much air freshener yesterday that the spray turned into a dangerous combustible gas, AP reports. It all exploded when he opened the car door, which turned on a light. It was such a huge explosion that the large sunroof blew out. The unidentified teen suffered burns to both arms, but it looks like he got most of the stench out of his car – once firefighters responded with hoses.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was this day in 1992 that discount retailer Bradlees announced it was taking over all Alexander’s department stories in NYC, raising questions whether New Yorkers would still be able to buy cheap shoes tied together with plastic and available only in a large bin.
WORD OF THE DAY
Adjuvant [AJ-uh-vunt] – noun
Definition: Serving to aid or contribute
Example: Gov. Chris Christie is called many, many things these days, including an adjuvant for the presidential campaign of Donald Trump.
WEATHER IN A WORD
Beach