Life in Violin's New Jersey

“"Nigal, someone told me they thought they saw Gotti's rat....what's his name in WA state. I think he had facial plastic surgery, but you can't change that head or his body shape or his general look if you knew what he looked like. I think I could spot him if he was in front of me.”

I don't even think Sammy Da Bull went into "The Program" or have plastic surgery. In fact I think he wrote a book.”

“He's in prison now. He was forced out of the WPP when a woman started stalking him after she recognized him (lips?).

http://www.crimelibrary.com/gangsters_outlaws/mob_bosses/gravano/index_1.html?sect=15”

“Money Magazine's list of best places to live: http://money.cnn.com/best/bplive/top100_1.html

2 of the top 10, 3 of the top 25 and 4 of the top 100? .... in Violin's New Jersey.


4 of the top 10 safest? ... in Violin's New Jersey.
http://money.cnn.com/best/bplive/topten/safest.html”

“Eh, they're all so overrated...”

“I grew up not far from this Ford Plant in the '60s and '70s. The Ramapos are where I first began hiking and backpacking when I was a kid and I spent many a day canoeing down the Ramapo River. As I got older I heard stories about the dumping, but never knew it was this bad.



New Jersey Community Endures Decades of Ford's Toxic Legacy

October 04, 2005 — By The Record, Hackensack, N.J.
A slab of bright blue lies beside a mountain stream above the Wanaque Reservoir. It's a sporty color, maybe the "Diamond Blue" that Ford sprayed on Galaxies in the late 1960s. It hardened like lava where it was dumped more than a generation ago.

When running high, the stream rinses over the slab and down the mountain, through marshes and past beaver dams, toward the reservoir.

It's everywhere, this paint.

Chunks of it jut from the driveway of a house in Ringwood where a child got lead poisoning. It is so toxic he and his mom have moved out.

Piles of it, weathered and gray and wrinkled like an elephant's skin, cling to a hillside. Nearby is the home of a boy who died of a rare tumor.

On the other side of the hill a spring-fed stream once ran clear and fresh. For generations, it quenched the thirst of the mountain's residents, the Ramapoughs. Now the water is bright orange and laced with cancer-causing benzene.

Just upstream from Mahwah, a ridge of waste paint longer than a football field slowly leaches arsenic, lead and other heavy metals into the Ramapo River.


http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=8952”

“Sorry news. The tale is told in many states. And true. Just the details are different. Lead paint, pesticide spray on cotton fields, toxic waste dumps, radioactive waste dumps. And the folks who live nearby get hit the hardest.
I recall learning how to use a canoe in the Rahway River at summer camp after we swept the 6 inch foam away from the tiny dock. We were told by adults that it was safe as long as we did not drink it.
oh dear. have we learned not to mess with nature yet? It does not seem so.

trek gently and wash your hands!”

“Unfortunately, that is the case in so many areas of the country. I reported on toxic waste nearly within spitting distance of the Blue Ridge Parkway with I worked in Virginia. Then they buried the wast in what was supposed to be a chemical landfill. A section of the landfill eroded and caused a massive fish kill.

A member of the county board of supervisors called the landfill "a nifty little time capsule." I used that phrase as the running title of the series I wrote.”

“Looks like V got his socialist wish yesterday at the poles. Enjoy your new govenor. :)”

“Like the other guy was any better? This was one of the filthiest campaigns ever launched.I don't think Ajax and gravel could get the layers of sewage, spilled in this campaign, cleaned up...”

“Tony and the Boys are pleased.”

“I saw the story about the way they campaigned Tree. Dis-fukcing-picable. The only loser was the people of NJ. But, the people have spoken and that is all that counts at the end of the day. It's funny to see the talking heads trying to read chicken intrails to predict what this means for 08. Dumbasses.”

“I agree. That's why I don't buy into all the "2008 theories" about Condi Rice, Hillary Clinton, et al. The public has a short memory and is easily distracted. Do you honestly credit the American people with the ability to remember these things a year from now? (Rhetorical question)
last edited: 11/09/05 8:18:54 AM”

“I think they are just wishfully thinking there is going to be a big swing away from the right in '08. I'm interested to see how low the turn out was for the NJ elections because of the negative ads. One ad had a quote form the other guy's ex wife saying "He abandoned his family. Can you expect any less for the public?" and the other guy was running an add with a cripled guy talking about how the other guy was against stem cell research and therefor he hated criples. Stomach turning tripe.”

“sounds like you had to determine which person was the lesser of two evils”

“Too bad there wasn't a third party candidate. I think a lot of people probably would have vote for anyone not involved in the mud slinging.”

“That happened here in Alabama a few years back. Well, sorta.

Turn the clock back 20 years. Alabama was pretty much a a one-party state then. If you wanted to hold public office in Alabama, you had to be a Democrat. So usually the election was settled in the Democratic primary. When the actual election was held, it was usually a landslide for the Dem on the ticket, against some token bozo the Repubs would sacrifice on the altar of democracy.

Then enter the nastiest, mudslingingest, ugliest primary fight between the two Dems running for Governor in 1986, I think it was. Bill Baxley, the LTG, and Charlie Graddick, the Attorney General, both ran extremely negative primary campaigns. This apparently appalled the voters of the state of Alabama so much that in November, they actually elected a Republican, Guy Hunt, a preacher and farmer from Cullman County, to be governor, for the first time since Reconstruction ended.

So, not really a third-party candidate, but back then in Alabama, the Republicans might as well have been a third party.”

“It’s pretty retarded to connect the former head of Goldman Sachs with socialism.

Actually Corzine has been a pretty good Senator. I had doubts about him when he was running for Senate, but he's represented us well. I hope he makes a good governor. Time will tell.

I know several hard core Republicans who just couldn't vote for Forrester. Something is definitely wrong with the guy. The company he owns withheld rebates that should have gone to the municipalities he had contracts with. If he’d screw taxpayers as an outsider, I’d hate to see what he’d do as governor.

Probably the best ad Corzine ran featured a photo of Forrester and Bush side-by-side. I hope Chimpy gets out and campaigns a lot for Republican candidates next year.”

““Too bad there wasn't a third party candidate. I think a lot of people probably would have vote for anyone not involved in the mud slinging.”
lumberzac

Mud slinging is what New Jersians call politics. If there had been a third party candidate, there would have been three times as much mud flying (yes, I said three times, because he would have been slinging in two directions and the other two would have been slinging at him, which is three times as much).”

“Yo violin, think Corzine would give me a loan?

In NJ, it may be more appropriate if he gave a loan to his gay lover, but I could always ask.


Corruption and nepotism, such ugly words anyplace but NJ.”

“What?

You want to be his gay lover?

Go ahead.”

“Violin, you're losing it in your old age.


Here is the proper logic syllogism for my last post:

arclite asks if violin thinks that Corzine would give him a loan

arclite states that, because of NJ's political thinking Jersey-ites may think it more appropriate if Corzine gave a loan to his gay lover, but that asking Corzine for a loan couldn't hurt.

Therefore arclite asks Corzine's gay lover, violin, if he might cut him in on some of the free loan money that’s seeping out of the festering, puss-fill sewer that is the NJ political process.


You’ve been having problems understanding logic lately. Whassamatter, butt hurting? I know that’s where you keep your brains hidden.

And we all know that you’re a complete hypocrite to point fingers at other Sates while living in the center of the cesspool universe.

NYT believing-Paul Krugman worshipping-Democrat is a synonym for hypocrite. Look it up.”

“Damn arcy, you do know how to disassemble Violin piece by piece, don't you?”

“There were actually a number of third party candidates for Gov in NJ, the only one who actually got any air time was Castillo who was advocating a spending freeze at current levels for all levels of Govt, with inflation adjustments only.
Of course this would not work either as one municipality would have a school enrollment increase but no more money, and another a decrease with the same money.

What is needed is the ability to vote "NO" to a candidate as an alternative to the current yes. Still only 1 vote per person, but a candidate only gets the balance of yes and no votes. Maybe then a 3rd party candidate might actually get elected.


The saddest was the overwhelming passage to create an office of Leutenant Governor, just what NJ needs - another beaurocratic office to soak taxpayer funds and more bloated pensions for party buddies after 2-3 years in a position with no work... well unless we get another Governor who resigns mid term, but how often do we expect that to happen?.
This after the senior Senator (Codey) demonstrated that he could run the state better than most of the elected governors.
NJ just has too much government at every level, and every level needs tax dollars to support with no benefit to the people.”

“If you feel that strongly about it Manuka, you should get a petition together, get the signatures needed, and propose eliminating the Lt. Gov. position on the ballot so everyone can vote on it.

It's called democracy. Hell, it would prolly pass if you got the swift boat liars to run the campaign for it.”

“Tisk tisk Buddha. Bashing veterans? Shame on you. (couldn't help it!)

I do agree about the democracy thing though.”

“Buddha Bear - the establishment WAS on the ballot and passed two days ago by about 70%.

Did not need a petition, just needed to convince people that this was not needed and a waste of time and money, but the sheeple voted it in.

And this is a democracy, so I accept their decision even if I do not agree with it.”

“Codey did a great job. I wish he had run.

I (as did many of my fellow citizens) thought that the office of Senate President/Governor put too much power in one person’s hands and violates the principle of separation of powers. He was not elected in a statewide election but could propose legislation, vote on it and then sign it into law.

The idea of a lieutenant governor was discussed after Whitman went to the EPA. Nothing was done and we ended up in the same situation for the second time in just a few years.

It was a no-brainer.”

“What happens in New Jersey stays all over the world.”

“Actually back in 2002, we had five governors in 8 days, with just one elected to the job. http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/eight_nj_gov.htm

Yeah manuka, the sheeple are really dumb.”

““Buddha Bear - the establishment WAS on the ballot and passed two days ago by about 70%.

Did not need a petition, just needed to convince people that this was not needed and a waste of time and money, but the sheeple voted it in."

Well the only thing there is to do now is run around talking about the 70% of brain-dead voters who are too stupid they shouldn't even be allowed to vote. At least that's the final step in democracy for Buddha Bear. LOL!”

“"I (as did many of my fellow citizens) thought that the office of Senate President/Governor put too much power in one person’s hands and violates the principle of separation of powers. He was not elected in a statewide election but could propose legislation, vote on it and then sign it into law. "

I'm so sorry, I (silly me) though that NJ still had a House and Senate, and that BOTH houses had to approve a law before it was sent to the Governor for ratification.
Now if NJ adopted a Uni carmel government like Nebraska, I would happily agree to one Leutenant Governor to replace either the 40 member Senate, or the 80 Member General Assembly as we sure as heck do not need both.
This would retain separation of powers.

Or we could do away with both Governor and Leutenant Governor and just make the senior Senator the final ratification for all laws. We would still have separation between the Senate and the General Assembly.

When everyone is (finally) employed by the government, there will be no one left to pay for it.”

“Get a Load of This! N.J. Seeks New Slogan
Nov 14 6:40 PM US/Eastern

By JOHN CURRAN
Associated Press Writer


ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.


Make us a slogan we can't refuse, the state of New Jersey said. We got your slogan right here, the people replied.

A push to come up with a new slogan for the Garden State has become an excuse to crack New Jersey jokes. Among the not-so-serious entries:



"New Jersey: You Got a Problem With That?"

"NJ: How You Doin'?!"

And "Most of Our Elected Officials Have Not Been Indicted."

The search yielded nearly 6,200 possibilities in all, many of them attempts to sum up the land of Bruce Springsteen, "The Sopranos" and smelly interstates in one pithy phrase. The deadline for submissions was Monday.

"We're really pleased with the response and proud that New Jersey residents take so much pride in their state," said Kelley Heck, a spokeswoman for acting Gov. Richard J. Codey.

The program began last month after Codey rejected a consultant's recommendation _ "New Jersey: We'll Win You Over" _ as too negative. That slogan, developed as part of a $260,000 contract by global image consultants Lippincott Mercer, was shelved a day before it was to be unveiled.

Instead, the state opened the process to the public, establishing a Web site and telephone hot line to receive suggestions, which included the lyrical ("The Ocean, The Motion, The Magic") along with the satirical.

New Jersey, which once used "New Jersey and You: Perfect Together," has not had a new marketing slogan in four years. "Get Away, Without Going Far Away" has been used in the interim, but tourism officials say it does not resonate with out-of-staters.

"We have the opportunity to craft a new message for our tourist literature to reflect the pride we have in our many parks, open spaces, farmlands, quaint villages, boardwalks and beaches and our exciting cities," Codey implored would-be slogan writers on the Web site.

The governor and the state Commerce, Economic Growth and Tourism Commission will "pare down the suggestions and go from there," said Karen Wolfe, a commission spokeswoman.

The state's musical legacy _ Frank Sinatra called New Jersey home, Springsteen still does _ led one person to suggest "From Ol' Blue Eyes to the Boss: Jersey Is Singing Your Song." Another entry: "Born to Fun."

Others found New Jersey's reputation for mobsters, toxic waste sites and lowbrow taste fair game. "Bada Bing! Choose New Jersey" was one suggestion.

The campaign was run by the state, but newspaper columnists, talk radio and "Saturday Night Live" got into the spirit, too.

"New Jersey: It Always Smells Like This," one Philadelphia Inquirer reader suggested. "New Jersey: Come Glow With Us," another said.

Codey and his staff will evaluate the slogan proposals and within two weeks pick five or 10 that will be put to a public vote, perhaps in the same way the suggestions were collected.

The governor, who is filling an unexpired term, expects to announce the new slogan by the time he leaves office in January, Heck said.



http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/11/14/D8DSI0UG6.html”

“New Jersey: We'll win you over

New Jersey: I love New York

New Jersey: What exit?

New Jersey: Most of our elected officials have not been indicted

We're the Garden State because they couldn't fit 'Oil and Petrochemical Refinery State' on the license plate

New Jersey: Leave the gun, take the cannolis

New Jersey: It always smells like this

New Jersey: If it's good enough for 'The Sopranos' it's good enough for you

New Jersey: I got your slogan RIGHT HERE!”

“New Jersey: Still better than "Old Jersey"”

“This is an insult from the guy from the "Come Feel Better About Your Own State" state?”

“NJ: "I'd bury a body there but I wouldn't wanna live there."”

“New Jersey: Most of our elected officials have not been indicted

LOL”

““New Jersey: Most of our elected officials have not been indicted...or willingly buggered.”

“Normally, I try to avoid these types of jokes that feed on stereotypes (except for the French), but it's from the State itself so I guess it's OK.”

“New Jersey: You Got a Problem With That? came from Joe Pesci and Robert DeNiro. I actually like it.

Others include:

"We Don't Need No Stinkin' Slogan."

"The Traffic Will Kill You, Have a Nice Day."

"We've Got Three Really, Really Big Roads."

"If Living Here Were Easy, It Would Be Another State."

"Great Place to Visit, You Just Can't Afford to Move Here."

"Three-quarters of the State Is Really Nice."

"The State That Looks Like George Washington."

"What's It To You?"

"Big Hair, Big Heart, Big Fun."

"We're Not Just Tomatoes"

"From the Vibrant Leaves of Fall To the Warm Ocean Waves of Summer We Embrace Diversity".


http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1131948929242630.xml&coll=1”

“What's the deal with 'Tomatoes'?”

“"or willingly buggered."


Wrongo, Nigal. Remember James McGreevey?





In NJ, the state is controlled by Democrats. That means the politicians are all either corrupt, or gay, or both.”

“Gee arc, what's with your fascination with all things gay?


Stovie - Nobody grows better tomatoes than NJ. The Cambell's Soup Company started here and Rutgers did a lot of work on tomato breeding. It was our best known crop for many, many years.”

“Kewl, I learned something today. ;-)”

“"Wrongo, Nigal. Remember James McGreevey?"

Right, he was willingly buggered.”

“Oh. I thought they meant the other kind of tomatoes.
Which, if it were just the other kind of tomatoes, that would be enough.”

“Geezeeeeeeee Nigal, took ya long enough to figure that out. LOL”

“I like tomatoes. ;-)”

“NJ has very rich dark soil. It does make for great farm products.

Not only tomatoes, but NJ has the most incredible corn. We used to buy what they call salt-and-pepper corn every summer. It's a mixure of yellow and sweet corn. Lord I used to eat a dozen ears of that stuff in one sitting. I've never had any produce as good as NJ tomatoes and corn.


I'm just fascinated to imagine what you do with those corn cobs violin...

In the privacy of your own home of course...

With your buddy James”