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.