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Distracted driving, signs that add to your distraction

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cell phone laws

  The signs on the highway, you know the ones that can be changed routinely and distract you! I have heard all about the studies related to the signs and how they improve traffic safety. My previous post discussed a new law possibly coming to New Jersey, that will make it tougher on those who use cell phones and get into an accident. The state, is attempting to crack down on distracted driving and I do get it. What about these signs? Signs that read heavy traffic next 5 miles, turn your wipers on, to my personal favorite “TEST”. Is taking the [...] Read more »

Another First For Vermont

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democracy statue

  On Wednesday, Vermont became the first state in the United States to ban hydraulic fracturing (commonly known as “fracking”). This environmentally destructive practice of firing pressurized liquid into underground rock in order to release natural gas. The practice has come under fire for being environmentally devastating, causing damage as severe as making sink water flammable. Fracking has been a major target of those interested in preserving the environment, halt the destruction of communities and landscapes, and reign in corporate greed. When it comes to challenging corporate greed and protecting We, the People, it should come as no surprise that [...] Read more »

Cell phones, public safety, homicide and the POLICE that break the law

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image source www.copyright-free-images.com

Cell phone use while driving is prohibited by law in New Jersey. The fines, have enriched the coffers of the state and quite honestly, you see it plenty still. What could be coming in New Jersey, stricter legislation that would make it easier for prosecutors to obtain convictions in vehicular homicides if a cell phone is involved. The legislation, sponsored by State Senators Madden and Lesniak has cleared committee and soon will be headed to the floor. The issue is obviously a powder keg issue for those who have lost loved ones by such circumstances. The idea that this legislation [...] Read more »

Spreading stupidity, FOX FIVE is alive and well

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The Five on Fox

What’s up in the world of stupid? For your continued entertainment we will re-cap some of the Fox Five program from yesterday. At least the brief period that I watched. Starting with what seemed to be the outrage of the day, liberals out number conservatives 7-1 in commencement addresses. Greg Gutfeld, who basically kicked and stomped his feet at the idea that conservatives are not welcomed in college campuses. “These people who speak at your colleges are the reason you are in debt and they want it that way. When conservatives speak at colleges, they get tomatoes thrown at them” [...] Read more »

Pressure in picking the right wine? Here’s a great white below $15

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White wine

A friend of mine tasked me this past weekend to take over the wine duty that he routinely carries out and to make it my own. The task was for me to go to the liquor store and choose the bottle of wine that we enjoy with dinner on occasion. This task may not seem difficult to most but it did make me a little apprehensive for several reasons. I am in no way a connoisseur of wine and have only in the past few months been sipping it with dinner. What happens if I pick a real stinker or [...] Read more »

The right to bear arms, sight not required

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We the People

Steven Hopler, the New Jersey man who shot himself in the leg, had his guns taken away by the police, has won his court battle. Hopler who is blind was deemed a threat to himself and others by the Morris County prosecutors ,who also portrayed him as a drunk. The case which began in 2008, was argued by Hopler and his attorney Gregg Trautmann as a constitutional issue. Judge Thomas Manahan last week ruled in favor of Hopler saying, “despite being blind, he still had a right to bear arms.” The Morris County prosecutors have no plan to appeal as [...] Read more »

Jobs that don’t require college, are they hiring?

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unemployment

The reality of getting a good job without a college education, MANY WILL BE FIGHTING FOR THE FEW. The economic downturn and the Republican Agenda of cutting secondary education monies, has many looking for jobs that simply do not exist. Looking to the web for ideas on a career path for the high school diploma holder, provides idea’s with little reality. www.askmen.com has a posted article, 9 Jobs that don’t require a degree. The top three on their list, Firefighter, Police Officer and Mechanic. The article does date back to late 2011 but not much if anything has changed in [...] Read more »

California’s budget crisis, voters to decide tax increase

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Gov,Brown

California’s budget deficit projection $16 billion, up from the projected shortfall of $9.2 billion, due to lower than expected tax collections. Severe cuts are coming to public safety and education if voters do not approve tax increases in November said Governor Brown Saturday. In attempting to avoid severe cuts, Governor Brown is taking the crisis to the voters to avoid the partisan gridlock. Republican’s have not supplied the needed votes and the 2/3 needed to pass a tax increase. The Republicans believe the increase will keep the economy from growing and also have pointed to a rosy revenue forecast as [...] Read more »

Where’s all the noise now? Gas prices coming down

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Gas prices decline in April 2012

The sound of silence  and a break on our wallet! Gas prices have seen a steady decline over the past few weeks and with it the GOP has gone silent. Just a few short weeks ago, the Grand ol Party was taking advantage of the rise at the pump and hammering President Obama’s position on the XL pipeline and poor energy policy. Wholesale gas prices fell 1.7% last month taking the cost at the pump with it. In New Jersey, you have prices as low as $3.56 a gallon off their recent peak of $3.89. This is all good news [...] Read more »

Fooling consumers, lawsuit against General Mills, a case to watch

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lawsuit against General Mills fruit roll-ups

General Mills, makers of Fruit Roll-Ups and Fruit by the Foot snacks are accused in a lawsuit filed by Annie Lam a resident of California, that they have misled consumers into believing the products are made with real fruit. Moving the lawsuit forward, U.S. District Court Judge Samuel Conti said that “reasonable consumers might be misled by packaging that claimed the snacks were made with real fruit”.  Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups, contain “pears from concentrate” but no strawberries” stated Annie Lam. General Mills, of course, “stands by their products.” msn money To read about this case, you could decide that Fruit Roll-Ups, [...] Read more »

Presidential politics in 2012, should equal rights be an issue?

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first amendment being violated

What issues are important to you this presidential election? As we move towards the November election, you would hope that the candidates get down to what is really important, unlike what we have heard the last day or so? President Obama has come out and taken the position that marriage is not exclusive to a man and a woman. Followed by the story of Mitt Romney accosting an allegedly homo-sexual male while in high school. Romney has said that he does not remember the event, though he was a prankster in high school. Ironic, that this story would become public [...] Read more »

New Jersey’s Homestead Rebate, don’t qualify? THANKS for the form

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executive order

Governor Christie’s war on wasteful spending or at least what he views as waste, education, workers benefits, property tax rebates, etc, has missed the obvious. Late last week I received the unexpected, a Homestead Rebate application. Why was it unexpected? Because I do not qualify for the rebate and haven’t for quite a few years now. Since the limit for the under sixty-five was reduced to $75,000, I have not been mailed an application.  After receiving this years application, I opened it expecting to see something different. I WAS DISAPPOINTED AND I MUST SAY, THANKS CHUBBY! In the application, it states the [...] Read more »

The Hidden Epidemic

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unions

Since the late 1970s, America has been on a steady decline. The story of stagnation and the destructive force of neoliberal economics is well-known. Particularly tragic, however, has been the decline in unionism in America. Union strength and membership is at an all time low. While a portion of this can be attributed to the forces of globalization and postindustrialism, much of the decline we are seeing in unions are the result of conscious state policy enacted by the neoliberal ideologues who have run the country since the Era of Reagan. The marked decline in wages and living standards are [...] Read more »

Obesity is up 21% since Reagan

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image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/garynet/3493612263/

My normal noon time routine had me listening to Rush Limbaugh while I ate my lunch. Today, his opening rant touched on the federal government/Democrats attempting to take away your freedom to be obese. Limbaugh babbled about the government attempting to take away your ability to have bake sales to raise money for your charity or school. According to Limbaugh, the Democrats want to tell you what to eat, take away your freedoms and basically take us further toward a Nanny State. The previous is not a direct quote, I used the word rant and to directly quote his stupidity would definitely lend [...] Read more »

Alcohol will increase voter participation?

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New Jersey beaches

Ocean City, New Jersey has been a dry town since their establishment in 1879. Today, voters go to the polls to decide on allowing b.y.o.b at restaurants. The debate surrounding the issue has been hard-fought from both supporters and opponents. Yard signs, newspaper ads show the divide, as well as high participation in the democratic process. Voting at the polls is expected to be high and the vote close. The future of the beach town may be different tomorrow and whatever the result the residents should be proud. Proud because they have participated in democracy and they value their community. Looking [...] Read more »