Show Me Yours; I'll Show You Mine

Hello, Blogolanders.  I meant to post this sooner but have spent the last several days researching the financial health of our presidents.  This is probably an impossible task as land values have changed, and there is debate as to the value of slaves.  Yes, many of our earlier presidents owned slaves.  And I have neither the time nor the patience to check every bit of information.  One site had a glaring boo boo.  Jackie Kennedy was described as, "an oil heiress."  She was no such thing; the only heiress was Ethel.  Her family founded Great Lakes Carbon. 

What does seem to be the case is that many of our presidents died broke.  A prime case is Thomas Jefferson, one of our greater presidents.  He was not only broke, but also in debt.  Yet this guy brokered one of the greatest land deals in history - The Louisiana Purchase!  He couldn't pay his own bills, but he left us a fortune. 

As for George Washington, I'm sure he would have had a great credit profile/credit score.  But when it came to the finances of the new government, he needed Alexander Hamilton to put the nation on a firm financial footing. 

Of course, you've heard about Bernie Madoff.  Ten years ago, a report from Equifax would have made him look golden - the man was a thief. 

Now why is the Tony Mack mess such a surprise?  Back in 2006 when he first ran for mayor, he paid his campaign workers with bad checks.  That should have been a wake-up call. 

The reason I found this requirement so distasteful is that based on Anglo-Saxon common law, one is innocent until proven guilty.  We are trying to say to candidates, "You are guilty (you're a crook) until you prove otherwise. 

If you want to snoop around the a candidate's finances, why not ask where donations are coming from?  Doesn't anyone find it interesting that Walker Worthy has some $23,000 in his war chest  I know I do. 

And, in closing, you could have a candidate with a stellar financial history, but what about the folks around the candidate?  Does anyone believe JoJo has an 800 credit score? 

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!!!!

Macy's LOOK OUT!!!

Both papers published pictures of the Trenton Thanksgiving Parade.  No matter how closely I looked, I didn't see many Trentonian lining the parade route.  Why no story about this wonderful event?  After all, we paid $10,000 plus overtime for this, "non," event.  Blogolanders, do not believe for one minute that private donors coughed up the cash - if that were so, we would be told who these generous folks are.  Anthony Roberts just mumbles and fumbles whenever asked about this. 

It's All a Plot!!

Good morning, Blogolanders.  The last few days have been devoted to various news articles and television programs remembering the 50th anniversary of the shooting of John Kennedy.  Those of you who were alive then no doubt still remember exactly where you were and what you were doing on that Friday.  What still amazes me is the number of people who believe there was some conspiracy; that Oswald could not and did not act alone; that the U.S. government lied to us and still keeps information hidden. 

Perhaps the biggest argument against anyone but Oswald pulling the trigger is that the Kennedy family accepted the Warren report.  Think, Blogolanders, please.  Do any of you really believe Robert Kennedy would have rested if he thought there was more to his adored brother's murder than one lone nut case?  Hell, Bobby even said, "...my brother was killed by a white man."  He was speaking to an angry crowd after the murder of Martin Luther King. 

The great and powerful can be struck by the weak and unknown.  Both Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan were shot at by unknown, unbalanced people.  James Garfield (one of our more forgotten presidents) was killed by a fellow pissed that he didn't get a job. 

Which brings us to Jack Ruby.  Far too many believe he was sent to silence Oswald.  Let's take a look Ruby's activities that day.  Yes, he was off to the police station where he loved to hang out with the cops and schmooz.  He did, however, bring his pet poodle along.  Now if I were off to kill someone, I'd leave the pooch home.  On his way to the police station, Ruby stopped off at Western Union to send fifteen dollars to one his strippers.  There was no guarantee that this errand would be an, "in & out."  There could have been a line.  Then Ruby would have missed the transfer of Oswald.  And what about his drive to the station?  What if he had hit a traffic light or two?  That would have delayed him.  And I understand that the Oswald transfer was delayed a few minutes because Oswald asked for a sweather.  All of this leads me to believe Ruby would not have had a chance - fate just fell into his lap. 

But conspracies are really more fun; they also make more money.  My favorite current conspiracy is that Princess Di was killed on orders from Buckingham Palace.  She died because the car in which she rode was driven by a drunk who was speeding - AND only one passenger was wearing a seat belt.  He was the only one to survive. 

Yes, much of the shooting of John Kennedy was handled in sloppy manner.  Very few are aware that Kennedy was wearing his back brace which would have forced a back head wound to make his body jerk back, not forward.  Finis

A Dull Day!

Yesterday's Trenton Times proved a joy.  No screaming headlines about crime, corruption, moronic behavior, cheating officials, etc.  The lead story was about Trehune Orchards and their winery!!!  A very pleasant surprise - Trenton can do it.  Later, Blogolanders.

Post Election

Nothing happened yesterday that surprised me.  Perhaps Barbara Buono's concessation speech, but that's all.  I am, however, saddened that New Jersey voted to increase the minimum wage and have future increases required by the state consitution.  While increasing wages sounds nice, where is the money coming from?  By the way, when wages go up, so does the FICA contribution from an employer. 

One of two things will happen.  Businesses that employ minimum wage folks with let someone go OR the business will raise prices.  Possibly both.  We shall see.  And my fellow New Jerseyites - what of the people who work for nursing homes* - school districts - local governments?  Where are the funds to be found to meet these new requirements? 

Surprise!!  Higher taxes!!

*Many nursing homes are privately owned - I know that.  But they are still costly and are not known for their princeley pay scales.  So if you plan to drop an aging parent off somewhere be prepared for a greater cost and lesser care. 

Pay seems to rise quickly whenever there is a labor shortage.  You know, more jobs than workers.  Right now we have more workers than jobs. 

Sue First; Think Later

Good morning, Blogolanders.  Over the weekend a woman named Christine Brown announced she was suing the City of Trenton - Police Department for death of her nephew, Eric McNeil.  The late Eric was shot by a Trenton police officer when he came charging at two officers with a gun blasting.  Eric hit both officers - one nearly died.  Interestingly, Eric was on parole for a felony conviction. 

When a prisoner is paroled that are certain rules that must be followed.  The most obvious is do not commit another crime.  Eric not only beat the crap out of his former girlfriend, but he also killed her puppy.  And those on parole are not to own weapons.  Somehow, Eric got a gun.  Wheather he bought it or borrowed it, not important.  He had it, and he used it.  He shot two police officers. 

Yes, the police officers would come first.  Too bad Eric was lying there as the medics handled a call for, "Officers down!"  If Eric had followed the rules of his parole, he'd probably still be alive.  By the way, if he had lived,  Eric would be off to prison for a VERY long time. 

To Christine Brown,  I can only say, "Lady, you've got gall!"  As a taxpayer here in Trenton, I can only hope the courts throw out her suit.  I would also suggest the lady consider some embarassment at the behavior of her nephew. 

Advice from Good Ole Dad

Good morning, Blogolanders.  It seems there was another flap in Trenton over the weekend involving citizens and the police.  I wan't there, but the news accounts seem truthful based on my experience.  Let me begin by writing that I do not believe the members of the Trenton police are a bunch of boy scouts.  They can be, and often are, rude and obnxious.  Hell, I've had a few run-ins with them. 

Before I go any further, Blogolanders, please note (for those who don't know already) I am a WASP.  When I first got my driver's license, Dear Ole Dad gave me a piece of advice I've have not forgotten - NEVER EVER MOUTH OFF TO A COP!!  Not every unpleasant contact with the police is motivated by race - believe me.  My favorite war story is walking into police headquarters, approaching the officer in the lobby and being greeted with, "Yeah, whadda you want?" 

Now for my advice - NEVER EVER INTERFER WITH AN ARREST.  Even if you believe it is wrong, unlawful, racist, etc., etc.  Keep calm.  Settle the problem at the police station.