The Jaffe Briefing - December 8, 2021

TRENTON – Winter is coming. And that means a whole new round of debates about vaccinations for private businesses. The Asbury Park Press reports that Gov. Phil Murphy has a tough decision: Does he follow NYC and make vaccines mandatory for private companies or does he roll the dice with the emerging COVID variants? Of course, this mandate – like any other in New Jersey – would prompt a whole new round of legal, political and logistical questions, filled with plenty of special Jersey debate. Such a law would certainly go a long way to getting some stubborn holdouts to finally getting inoculated. And, also, in this nutty labor market when employers are desperate for live bodies, it may also prompt a whole new round of resignation letters, for those who extend such courtesy. Let’s all closely watch the NYC rollout, beginning Dec. 27.

TRENTON – Imagine after tough negotiations on the lease of a car, you are presented with a contract in Swahili or some other foreign language. A non-starter, right? But that is the common problem in New Jersey if you don’t happen to speak English. The state Senate is now trying to right this glaring wrong with a basic law: If you negotiate a contract in a certain language, that same language needs to be on the contract for motor vehicle contracts, consumer loans, rental contracts and leases, foreclosures, and contracts for legal services, New Jersey Monitor reports. As more than 30% of us speak a language other than English, the law is long overdue. Hopefully, the governor signs on the dotted line.

ASBURY PARK – If you’re one to enjoy live music from musicians who were all the rage about 50 years ago, you may be out of luck. Ringo Starr, who reportedly played for a somewhat popular band in the 1960s, was supposed to make his big debut at the Paramount Theater on May 31, but the show has been cancelled because of “safety concerns” in the old building. Perhaps the show could be moved to a yellow submarine. (Ok, sorry about that one.) Meanwhile, if you are a shining star, you were eager to catch the Earth, Wind & Fire concert tonight in Newark. Yep, cancelled too. Darn COVID protocols.

BRIEFING BREATHER

You lose a large percentage of your taste buds in an airplane.

TRENTON – Speaking of how the old is new again, a state lawmaker is figuring there’s renewed consumer demand for the old New Jersey license plates from the 1980s. These are the blue-and-yellow plates that were launched in 1979, as an effort to make a more attractive plate than the faded yellow ones that adorned the typical 1978 four-door, brown Chevy Nova. (We speak from experience.) NJ.com reports this “blue plate special” could be in the hands of nostalgic drivers if the state Legislature agrees about the potential for renewed popularity. The hope is the plate would be of particular interest for people still driving cars from the 1980s and want them to appear a bit more authentic. And if enough drivers are willing to plunk down $50 for the plate, and an additional $10 annually, hey, why not?

IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Lots of scandal in the annual camel beauty contest, as there are reports that some of the animals received Botox injections and other illegal touch-ups. The state-run Saudi Press Agency reported yesterday that more than 40 particularly beautiful camels have been disqualified from the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival. It’s serious stuff, as breeders compete for some $66 million in prize money. Obviously, Botox injections, facelifts and other cosmetic alterations, like somehow stretching out the noses and lips, are strictly prohibited, as judges carefully assess heads, necks, humps, dress and postures throughout the month. Now, Saudi Arabia is forced to institute “specialized and advanced” technology to weed out any of the artificially enhanced camels. You’ve been warned.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

It was this day in 2014 that the media covered struggles with Uber, reporting that it doesn’t conduct decent background checks of its drivers.

WORD OF THE DAY

Milquetoast – [MILK-tohst] – noun

Definition: A timid, meek, or unassertive person

Example: When it comes to matching wits with a warranty salesman, I am milquetoast.

WIT OF THE DAY

“The Irish gave the bagpipes to the Scotts as a joke, but the Scotts haven't seen the joke yet.”

-Oliver Herford

BIDEN BLURB

“A great American poet joked that President Kennedy had a, quote of `Irish weakness [in] the arts.’ Well, what can I say is: I think all the Irish do. I don’t have as much as others because I’m not as sophisticated, but that’s the Irish of it.”

-Joe Biden

WEATHER IN A WORD

Shiver