The Jaffe Briefing - November 30, 2017
OUR TAKE ON THE NEWS IN NEW JERSEY
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL - It cost more than $12 a vote for Phil Murphy to win the big job, in what was the second most expensive gubernatorial race in New Jersey's history. NJ 101.5 reports Murphy spent $14.5 million directly; Kim Guadagno spent $5.6 million. There was a total of nearly $80 million blown on this campaign, yet had the lowest voter turnout in state history. Guadagno was only able to get 900,000 votes, the fewest for a GOP nominee since 1989. So, what do all these fun facts mean? Lots of special interest money is at play in New Jersey, and the voter is fast asleep.
MONTCLAIR - On the heels of being fired from CBS, PBS and Bloomberg last week, newscaster and alleged sex monster Charlie Rose could lose his honorary academic distinction from Montclair State University, as well, NJ.com reports. He was awarded the doctorate at the university's 2002 commencement, alongside Gov. Jim McGreevey, who, as we all famously know, was also an international news sensation who never exactly finished his term as governor. What a year.
IN THE LEFT LANE - We all know someone whose driving skills are questionable at best, and reckless at worst. Now, thankfully, there's some recourse. The always fun and frivolous DMV says anyone with issues about the driving skills of others can file a report with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission's Medical Review Unit. It makes perfect sense, as there are motorists who once took a driving test in a 1942 Studebaker and are now navigating a Route 22 jughandle near you. They can be checked out for physical and mental abilities. But, unfortunately, this unit has no say over that idiot wildly swerving on the highway, texting, eating and talking.
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL - Unclear how many Ted Cruz fans live in New Jersey, but perennial political candidate Steve Lonegan thinks it is a big deal that he has scored the Texas senator's endorsement for Congress. Lonegan is competing in the primary for the 5th Congressional District, a seat now occupied by Democrat Josh Gottheimer. Cruz says he is proud to endorse Lonegan, who just happened to be the New Jersey chair of Cruz's failed presidential campaign last year.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
BANGKOK - Thai officials have little patience for American tourists - especially those who think it is hysterical to drop their drawers in one of the country's most treasured Buddhist temples so they can take photos of their butts. Thai officials happily arrested the two men at the airport, fining them $154 for their antics last week at Bangkok's Wat Arun, or Temple of the Dawn. The butt selfie was posted on Instagram, under the pair's page called "traveling_butts." The account, with 14,000 followers, has since been deleted, as the pair has mercifully left Thailand and are now likely heading to the "Jersey Shore" set.
NEWARK - Looking to travel over the holidays? Good for you. There are plenty of flights at your local airport, just no pilots to fly them. A very embarrassed American Airlines is scrambling to find people who can somehow fly planes over the busy holiday season. There are about 15,000 flights scheduled, but not without a captain, a co-pilot, or both. It was all a "scheduling glitch," with the airlines giving out vacation time with the verve of a mom with fresh-baked gingerbread cookies. The pilots' union estimates there are about 19,000 cockpit seats now empty between Dec. 17 and Dec. 31, perhaps a good opportunity for a teen and a newly-acquired learner's permit.
NEWARK - As you sit in the airport, and hope your airline finds a piloton Craigslist, there's some good news: Terminal C is now home to "Tsukiji Fishroom," an eatery with high-grade sushi. The Daily Meal reports that people in Tokyo begin lining up at 4 a.m. at the original Tsukiji fish market and wait for hours. You'll be waiting for hours, too. But at least not for the fish.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was on this day in 1965 that Ralph Nader published his muckracking tell-all, "Unsafe at Any Speed," slamming the Chevy Corvair. This bestseller - which ultimately prompted seat belt laws - told how "the automobile has brought death, injury, and the most inestimable sorrow and deprivation to millions of people." Carmakers could easily make safer vehicles, Nader argued, but this industry fuels "doctors, lawyers, police officers, morticians - and there is little in the dynamics of the automobile accident industry that works for its reduction." Meanwhile, in 1965, only 2 percent of Ford buyers were willing to pay an extra $27 for seatbelts.
WORD OF THE DAY
Nostrum - [NOSS-trum] - noun
Definition: A scheme, theory of device to remedy social or political ills
Example: What will be the American Airlines nostrum to calm its passengers?
WEATHER IN A WORD
Cooler