The Jaffe Briefing - December 5, 2017
OUR TAKE ON THE NEWS IN NEW JERSEY
TOMS RIVER - If you are a business owner, eager for guidance on workplace behavior, here's what you shouldn't do: Don't repeatedly ask a female employee about her personal shaving habits. Don't say you will bend her over the desk and spank her if she is in a bad mood. And, of course, don't repeatedly rub up against her, attempt to kiss her and continually shout obscenities. State officials have slapped the owner of this two-bit local towing company with more than $107,000 in fines, with $57,920 going to the former employee, a single mother of three, for having to deal with his ongoing nonsense over a crappy $12-an-hour job.
EDISON - See all these holiday lights everywhere? Yeah, it's a Jersey thing. NJ 101.5 delves deep into the history books to unearth fun facts about all these hanging lights. They were the brilliance of Thomas Edison in 1880, strung up through his Menlo Park compound and easily viewable by amazed commuters on the nearby train tracks. Two years later, one of Edison's underlings strung the lights around a Christmas tree, to replace the outrageous fire hazard of candles, and Voila! - modern-day Christmas, Jersey style.
STATEWIDE - A new survey shows New Jersey business is bright-eyed and eager for the new year, with almost two-thirds expecting higher sales next year. Employment is also bullish, with one third of business owners looking to add staff. The New Jersey Business & Industry Association also reports nearly 70 percent of business owners plan to give raises, between 1 and 5 percent, in the new year. Of course, there is concern about a proposed mandatory $15 an hour minimum wage, as many private business owners believe they can run their own businesses without government intervention. They say the $15 wage would result in staff cuts and price increases. And no one is thrilled with rising healthcare costs, property taxes, and all the unanticipated costs of operating a business in the great state of New Jersey. Yet, says this business group, optimism runs deep for 2018.
SOUTH JERSEY - When Rep. Scott Garrett was finally defeated,releasing New Jersey from the grip of crazy ultra-conservatism, many were relieved that the state's Congressional delegation tilted back to sanity. But there's now so much disappointment in Rep. Tom MacArthur, a Trump clone gleefully pushing through tax reform that raises taxes throughout New Jersey. MacArthur proclaims his own district is safe, saying the proposed "property tax deductions up to $10,000 - which I fought for and won - will cover nearly every taxpayer in the Third Congressional District." The Washington Post reports 24,000 taxpayers in the district are beyond that $10,000 cap, all of whom we hope remember who pushed through this bill that would hurt them and many others in New Jersey. Election Day: Nov. 6, 2018.
ONLY IN NEW JERSEY - Need a great stocking stuffer? How about some artisanal crafts containing pithy barbs from New Jersey's senior senator? NJ.comreports an enterprising teacher of drawing, art history and fiber arts at the School of Visual Arts has created a new line of artisanal crafts featuring the famous message from Sen. Bob Menendez to his political opponents: "To those who were digging my political grave so they could jump into my seat, I know who you are and I won't forget you." Nothing says "Happy Holidays" like a jibe from a thick-skinned Jersey politico.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
NAGANO, Japan - We're pleased to report that all is well in the ongoing romance between a Japanese man and his life-sized sex doll.Senji Nakajima says he is still in the "perfect" relationship with "Saori" - even taking her out to the mall to go shopping for new outfits. Sure, the 61-year-old man says, he is married with two children, The Daily Mail reports. But Nakajima says he is also engaged in a healthy, physical relationship with his silicone princess, who lives in the family apartment. It all works out well, he claims, noting Saori isn't "after only money." The businessman notes he spends a lot of time away from home and purchased his love doll strictly for sexual purposes around six years ago. But then a relationship bloomed, he said, reiterating Saori is "more than just a doll."
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was on this day in 1933 - at 5:32 p.m. EST - when America changed. Utah voted to become the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment, achieving the three-fourths majority of states. Beer flowed, champagne uncorked and grown men wept openly, as, finally, Prohibition was over. Let the party begin.
WORD OF THE DAY
Logomachy - [low-GAHM-uk-kee] - adjective
Definition: An argument or debate marked by the reckless or incorrect use of words; meaningless battle of words.
Example: The President's ongoing problem with the media is a logomachy of his own making.
WEATHER IN A WORD
Wet