From the AP:
NJ adds record 30,900 private jobs in December
Private employers in New Jersey added 30,900 jobs in December, the largest one-month gain since the current system of employment tracking began in 1990, the state Labor Department reported Thursday.
Economists say that cleaning up from Superstorm Sandy and the start of rebuilding were factors, but there was strong growth in areas that seem to have been unaffected by the storm.
“Do you believe in miracles?” asked James Hughes, dean of the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. “It’s kind of spectacular job growth for December.”
But it comes with caveats.
The strong month capped a sluggish year and accounted for about two-thirds of the state’s total job growth for 2012. Even with the new jobs, the unemployment rate was a stubbornly high 9.6 percent. That’s the same as the rate initially reported for November. But on Thursday, November’s rate was adjusted upward to 9.7 percent.
The unemployment rate remained nearly 2 points higher in New Jersey than the national December rate of 7.8 percent.
…
“New Jersey has 1.2 percent more jobs today than it did a year ago,” said Patrick O’Keefe, director of economic research at J.H. Cohn. “That’s better than going backward, but it’s still not very robust.”O’Keefe said that at the current growth rate, it would take three more years for the state to get back to the number of jobs it had in December 2007, just before the Great Recession began taking its toll on jobs.
…
A preliminary analysis shows that from December 2011 to December 2012, employment grew by 48,000 jobs, with the private sector accounting for more than 46,000. The Labor Department said that figure represents the largest over-the-year private sector increase in jobs since December 1999 to December 2000, when more than 64,000 jobs were added.It will not be clear until March whether the major one-month growth can be sustained. The Labor Department does not release a monthly report in February.
From the NY Times:
Jobs and Housing Reports Show Resilience in Recovery
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits hit a five-year low last week and residential construction surged in December, the latest signs that the American economic recovery remains on track.
The reports on Thursday showed the economy was weathering an uncertain fiscal environment surprisingly well. Still, growth in the fourth quarter was most likely subdued, and only a modest pickup was expected in the first three months of this year.
…
A separate report from the Commerce Department showed housing starts jumped 12.1 percent last month to their highest level since June 2008. Permits for home construction were also the highest in about 4 1/2 years.
The data was confirmation that the housing market was improving, aided in part by favorable weather, with gains in home building across all four regions in the survey. Groundbreaking increased for both single-family homes and multifamily units.
Housing appeared to no longer be a drag on the economy and residential construction was expected to have contributed to growth last year for the first time since 2005.
Get to work you bums!!!!
Good Morning New Jersey
Santa Claus & manufacturer’s to make his outfits, seasonal retail workers, temporary FEMA inspectors, laborers for Sandy cleanup.
Look at food stamp rolls and applications for SS disability.
All else is noise.
Hungry don’t lie.
Still alive… most stressful job ever. We’re going live into production starting Monday and most of the team is still trying to get on-boarded. This certainly redefines “hit the ground running.” Welcome to the new economy. I also notice friends, and friends of friends are freaking out over lighter paychecks due to tax increases. Why, I don’t know. Most wished for a communal society so what’s the problem? Either that, are all of us applying for the government benefit package twice a month is really taking a toll on resources. I have some really good links to free government cheese handouts if you want it. We’ll never get a pony or Bomma phone but grinding the resources into dust is, after all, our right.
My son got a promotion as an associate at MS .the increase is just enough to cover payroll tax increase and no more paid overtime. He will be making less. Hopefully there is no increase on his health insurance premium
Gary, grinding US into dust is the stated goal.
“We’ll never get a pony or Bomma phone but grinding the resources into dust is, after all, our right.”
Richard Fisher better hire himself a food taster.
http://www.testosteronepit.com/home/2013/1/17/how-big-is-big.html
Just when you thought everything has been invented http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Z1YoCfm7nxU
5 – If you look at the data, SNAP usage (food stamps) should have been the big story in 2009 and 2010. SNAP usage in NJ is starting to taper off, last month of data we have, October, shows the smallest YOY increase in SNAP in the last 6 years or so.
2009 started off with a 13% YOY increase and ended the year at 23%, by the end of 2010 that was up to 24%, with a peak of 28% in July of 2010. By the end of 2011, that dropped to 12.1%, by July of 2012 that was down to 7%, and this past October down to 2%.
Highly likely that we’ll start to see SNAP usage in NJ start dropping in 2013 as the labor market picks up.
Good to see someone besides me has a real job. Good to see you bred an alpha male who is soon to be a master of his own universe.
Money is never important at Morgan. He needs to climb ladder to get to Managing Director by 40. Every step and rung in ladder is important. In lean times I always tell my boss, skip my raise or bonus give give me a promotion, cause I know in fat times when the money tree is shaking you want that higher title.
What is guys new base>
yome says:
January 18, 2013 at 7:45 am
My son got a promotion as an associate at MS .the increase is just enough to cover payroll tax increase and no more paid overtime. He will be making less. Hopefully there is no increase on his health insurance premium
Clot – If you really want to tell the story in NJ. Just look at the geographic patterns of poverty in the state, overlay foreclosures, overlay food stamps, and overlay unemployment.
What you’ll see is that the lower-rung urban and rural communities continue to get worse, while the upper-rung communities continue to move along almost untouched. Carve out the lower-rung areas from NJ’s statistics, and you are going to get a vastly different picture of the state economy.
Brazilification is really the only way to describe it. In terms of long-term real estate values, the war is being fought in the middle-tier, whose definition at this point becomes extremely wide between the polarized top and bottom tiers.
13 Guess this is the picture I’m looking at “What you’ll see is that the lower-rung urban and rural communities continue to get worse”
Baseball and Housing
The Steroids Era Was Just Like The Housing Bubble: How MLB Incentivized Widespread Fraud
http://deadspin.com/5927199/the-steroids-era-was-just-like-the-housing-bubble-how-mlb-incentivized-widespread-fraud
The End Is Nigh (JJ’s Daughter Edition):
http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/zac_efron_embarrassed_by_sex_shop_Jh0xvqI5uzSPSrTPo9JZtO
Nom – I think the NRA is the perfect club for you; they love whiners and winers
http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/01/guns-nra-wine-club
The new MS employees.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/17/business/chinas-ambitious-goal-for-boom-in-college-graduates.html?src=me&ref=general
[17] dope,
Too bad you’re anti gun. With all the snarking and puling attached to your handle, I doubt there’s a bigger whiner here than you (tho Clot can contend for that award).
And I’ve got you pegged as a Brie-nibbling, Chardonnay-sipping type. So for the next GTG, you bring the wine, with and without the h, and I’ll bring the ammo (metaphorical unless we are at the range).
[17] dope,
I liked how the web page had ads for shooting gear. Guess even MJ has to pay the bills.
#12 JJ
That was insightful.Thanks, I will relay it to him. I believe he understands what you just mentioned.What is killing him is no job security.This is happening annually.He have no obligations,no college loans to pay,lives at home and saves most his salary.So, he can hold on and wait for the fat cat to come along.
The kid even bags his lunch
Speaking of daughters, my oldest daughter who has no interest in football at all asked me other day when she can go to a Jet game with me in the Spring. I am like they dont play football in Spring, she is like when do they play I am like later in year when it is colder.
I took her to 49ers game last year first game and we were on field at begining, saw girl from glee and some minor celebs and now all at once she wants to go.
Later I find out it is photo ops only. These kids crack me up . She was instragraming and texting shots at games. Apparantly she was also a little shocked at game when I said I know Kate Upton and Arian Foster and had pictures, now I am going to get her texting next to me at a game or two forever. I already get this smoking hot asian girl who sometimes sits next to me who is a trader’s assistant at a inter-broker dealer and she brings her chatty hot secretary friend to games wearing short shorts. Usually with two of the actual traders. Last game I went to I had those two and my daughter next to me. And the guys next to me whose 14 year old daughter goes now.
What the girls dont realize there is a game going on!!!! Forget Zac Efforn the girls today want to see obsure name dropping starts. You cant twitter non interesting stuff.
CSI writer, producer of not what to wear, prz Obama, Billy Joel, Star of Glee are all folks kids in school have met and bragged out in last year. My favorite was the ten year old girl up the block whose dad does taxes for folks in entertainment industry told Billy Joel he peaked at Piano Man and does not like all the commerical stuff he had put out since the 1980s. Ouch. Piano Man smack down by a ten year old.
Zac Efforn is a nobody to a ten year old.
23 JJ I was at that game too and also on the field. Was part of the letter “T” during the chant. What about you?
I am a peaceful AR-15 rifle owner
By Marc J. Victor, December, 2012
“Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence. From the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurrences and tendencies prove that to ensure peace security and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable. The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere restrains evil interference – they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good.” George Washington
I can’t think of any reason I need to own my AR-15 rifle. I don’t pretend to need it for self-defense. I also own several handguns. Any one of my handguns would be adequate to allow me an opportunity to defend myself, or another person, from virtually any act of aggression by another individual. Indeed, I could have easily halted any of the recent gun based rampages, by any of those deranged lunatics, with just one of my handguns. I wish I had been there.
I have needlessly and peacefully owned my AR-15 for many years. I keep my AR-15 securely locked in a gun safe in the very same home where my young children live. My children are aware of my AR-15. Like many other things in life, I have taught my children about guns.
Recently, some of my kids attended a private gun safety class given by a highly experienced gun expert. I enjoyed watching my kids learn about my AR-15. I admit being a bit nostalgic about my AR-15. I spent lots of time learning about every aspect of the AR-15 when I was in Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. I also carried an AR-15 when I served my country in Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia. I had it with me when I lived in a dirt hole on the border of Kuwait. It is the weapon I know better than any other.
I own lots of dangerous things I don’t need. I don’t need my highly modified 600+ hp Z06 Corvette, or my Harley Davidson motorcycle, or that crazy looking knife I sometimes jokingly say was imported directly from the Klingon Empire.[1] All of these things can be used, intentionally or accidentally, to hurt others. Because I have always been careful, peaceful and responsible, none of the things I own have ever been used to hurt another person.[2]
I am an American. As such, none of my rights depend on a showing of need. I am a free man who has the right to define and pursue my happiness in any peaceful way I see fit. The government does not grant me rights. I was born free. The legitimate role of government is to act as my agent to protect my rights; which exist independent of government. Americans do not beg the government for rights nor are they required to demonstrate a “need” for rights.
[1] See Star Trek.
[2] I realize there are some things I could own which, by their very nature, cannot be owned by me in a community without posing a substantial risk of harm to others. Reasonable people can disagree about what things truly and honestly fit into this category.
I cherish lots of my rights for which I can’t demonstrate any need. I don’t need the right to say highly offensive things to another person. Although I generally don’t try to offend other people, I cherish my right to do so. I also cherish, and would aggressively defend, your right to say highly offensive things to me. Defending the rights of people to say things most people agree with is entirely unimpressive. Liberty must always be defended at the edge.
As a criminal defense attorney, I seek out unpopular clients. When I represented Elizabeth Johnson in what is sometimes referred to as the “Baby Gabriel” case, one of the things that attracted me to the idea of representing her was the fact that she was hugely unpopular. Defending the right to a fair trial starts with the unpopular client.
Although I never have anything to hide, I cherish my 4th Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. I would never consent to a warrant less government search. Opportunities to defend the 4th Amendment usually arise in cases where people are engaging in some type of criminal activity. The cost of defending our rights in this area sometimes results in dangerous criminals going free. I frequently advocate for our right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures on behalf of people who think nothing of trespassing on others. Indeed, I always advocate for the right to refuse searches in cases where there is nothing to hide. Protecting liberty in hard cases requires the work of the most committed liberty minded Americans.
Government never has a more tempting opportunity to increase its size, power and scope, and to curtail the liberties of free people, than during or immediately after a crisis. Indeed, crisis is so tempting an opportunity for government that governments invent crisis whenever possible. This is why “emergency acts” and “wars” on anyone and anything are so popular for governments. Nothing entices people to stop thinking, act impulsively, and to relinquish liberties so easily as a “crisis” or a “tragedy” or an “emergency.” We need to be smarter if liberty is to survive.
Our world is unfortunately filled with real tragedies. The recent school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut, orchestrated by a deranged lunatic with several guns, was one of the worst tragedies I have seen in my life. However, because of the magnitude of this tragedy, much like the September 11th tragedy, it presents an almost unprecedented opportunity for government to curtail liberty. Don’t be fooled!
Banning Guns is Un-American and Immoral
“And that the said Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the Press, or the rights of Conscience; or to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms;” Samuel Adams
The right to peacefully own a gun is such an important and fundamental American concept that it was enshrined in the 2nd Amendment to our Constitution. Millions of peaceful Americans own guns for various reasons; none of which need to be justified to the government or anyone else. Peaceful people owning guns are not a problem needing a solution. Countless Americans will peacefully own and even use their AR-15 weapons today without incident.
Ignoring the obvious Constitutional problems with simply banning guns, such action would require immorally initiating force against peaceful people. People who abhor guns have no right to impose their will on peaceful gun owners. So long as peaceful gun ownership poses no harm or substantial risk of harm to others, it ought to be a protected activity like all other peaceful activities conducted by competent adults.
Attempting to punish everyone for the acts of one or several deranged lunatics is immoral. Like most AR-15 owners, my AR-15 ownership has always been peaceful. Seeking to deprive me of my AR-15 because others have irresponsibly used theirs is akin to revoking my driver’s license because others have irresponsibly driven drunk resulting in tragedy. People need to be held accountable for their own actions, but not for the actions of others.
The Idea of Banning Guns is Foolishness
“They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Ben Franklin
It is estimated there are approximately 300 million guns in the United States. I suspect that estimate is conservative. The nature of criminals is such that they do not comply with the law. As such, we can predict, with absolute certainty, that the violent criminals who currently possess guns will not comply with any law requiring them to relinquish their guns. Additionally, I suspect many peaceful gun owners would similarly never comply with any law requiring them to relinquish their guns. As such, any law banning guns would be entirely ineffective and would actually make matters worse. All peaceful law abiding gun owners would be disarmed and more vulnerable to violent criminals.
We already have laws absolutely prohibiting convicted felons from possessing guns. As a criminal defense attorney, I regularly represent such people deemed “prohibited possessors” for the crime of simply possessing guns. Nobody working in the criminal justice system could seriously assert that laws banning guns for felons have been successful. A deranged lunatic, named William Spengler, ambushed and murdered two firemen in upstate New York on December 24, 2012. He was a “prohibited possessor” who previously served 17 years in prison. The law absolutely banned him from having guns. He had several. Thankfully, Mr. Spengler terminated his killing spree by shooting himself after being confronted and engaged by an off duty armed police officer who happened to be present. There is no doubt many more would have been murdered had an armed man not been present.
Even if we strained our imaginations to think banning guns could result in abolishing all guns currently in existence, a gun ban would still be futile. If the failed war on drugs has taught us anything, it is that making something illegal, when there still exists a demand for the illegal item, absolutely results in a lucrative black market. There is no doubt a lucrative, vibrant, and violent black market in guns will immediately grow to whatever size is necessary to manufacture and supply violent criminals with guns. Such violent criminals would be enticed to engage in even more criminal endeavors knowing their law-abiding victims are entirely unable to defend themselves against such aggressions.
Whether we like the conclusion or not, like marijuana, guns are here to stay. The facts of reality are such that bad guys with guns are an unfortunate fact of life. Our focus should be on how we deal with this fact rather than wishing the fact was otherwise.
Gun Regulations Never Reduce Gun Violence and Usually Increase Violent Crime.
“The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that. It is their right and duty to be at all times armed; ” Thomas Jefferson
I realize it seems counter-intuitive, but it is true. The same unintended results occur in many other contexts as well. Just like minimum wage and rent control laws hurt the poor[3], banning alcohol results in more alcohol related problems[4], raising taxes sometimes results in less revenue for the government[5], government spending results in fewer jobs[6], banning guns usually increases gun violence and never reduces it.
The examples of gun control resulting in increased gun violence are easy to find. In 1976, after Washington D.C. instituted the toughest gun control laws in our nation, its murder rate increased dramatically during a time when the nation’s overall gun related murder rate decreased by 2%. Washington D.C., the nation’s leader in gun control, became known as the nation’s murder capital[7]. A comparison of states which allow legally concealed guns to states which outlaw concealed carrying of firearms reveals no difference in overall gun related violence.
In 1982, when Kennesaw, Georgia passed a law requiring a firearm in every home, not only did crime not escalate, but also violent crime sharply decreased[8] and has remained that way for decades. Indeed, Kennesaw, Georgia claims to have the lowest crime rate of any comparable city its size in the nation.
These counter-intuitive results are not limited to examples within the United States. Australia boldly banned all semi-automatic firearms, including many rifles and shotguns, in1997. Indeed, it was a gun grabber’s dream; approximately 640,000 firearms were confiscated and destroyed. This misguided Australian policy resulted in an armed robbery increase of 69%, an assault involving firearms increase of 28%, a gun related murder increase of 19%, and a home invasion increase of 21%. Violent criminals love gun bans.
[3] See, http://cameroneconomics.com/Books/unintendedconsequences.pdf
[4] See, http://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/pal57.pdf
[5] See, the Laffer Curve. Higher taxes inhibit economic growth and encourage people to conduct business in the black market. I am never in favor of higher taxes, and always favor less revenue for government.
[6] For a short video on this point see, http://www.cato.org/multimedia/cato-video/government-spending-doesnt-create-jobs
[7] See, http://gunowners.org/sk0601.htm for an interesting but informal investigation into the efficiency of Washington D.C.’s gun control efforts.
[8] Kennesaw City officials claim an 89% drop in the overall crime rate.
I realize the proponents of gun control also offer statistics. However, when our most respected, unbiased and professional scientific and research organizations analyze the issue, their conclusions do not support the gun control advocates. In 2004, the National Academy of Sciences reviewed 253 journal articles, 99 books and 43 government publications evaluating 80 gun-control measures. Researchers could not identify a single regulation that reduced violent crime, suicide or accidents. In 2003, the Centers for Disease Control analyzed ammunition bans, restrictions on acquisition of firearms, waiting periods, registration, licensing, child access prevention and zero tolerance laws. After their analysis, the Centers for Disease Control concluded there was no conclusive evidence that any gun control laws reduced gun violence. Foreign researchers have also come to the same conclusion.
In Australia in 2008, a peer-reviewed study at the University of Sydney reached virtually the same conclusions as both the National Academy of Sciences and the Centers for Disease Control. Gun control measures simply do not reduce gun violence. Although President Obama appears excited about the notion of banning guns, I have not heard him order a ban on the very guns used to protect him. Apparently, when it comes to his protection, President Obama prefers to be protected by people armed with guns. Indeed, I suspect none of these gun ban advocates would hesitate to call 911 and request help from people armed with guns if they were faced with an intruder in their homes in the middle of the night. I fail to understand why we can’t all agree that guns save lives.
Our Culture of Violence
“Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!” Benjamin Franklin
Unfortunately, we do have a culture of violence in America. It did not spontaneously arise. It is entirely our fault. There are several contributing factors[9]. The single biggest contributing factor to our culture of violence is that our society no longer adheres to the once basic notion that initiating force against non-aggressors is wrong. We no longer recognize the sovereignty of the individual. Our laws are replete with instances of legal trespass against peaceful people. Rather than living in a democratic republic where most decisions are left to the property[10] owner, we now have an unfettered democracy where anything goes so long as the majority of voters agree. This is not what was intended by the founders of our country, and it has no connection to freedom. Without freedom, there simply is no opportunity for peace.
Democracy and freedom are not the same. To some extent, they are incompatible. Freedom requires that the owner retain jurisdiction over his or her own body, time, money and other property. Democracy puts the voting majority in charge of whatever is up for a vote. Said another way, democracy is akin to mob rule. At the infancy of our country, few things were subject to majority vote via democracy. Today, virtually anything and everything can be put to a vote. The jurisdiction of government has far exceeded anything envisioned by our founding fathers.
[9] We have too many absentee parents. A cradle-to-grave government does not replace a a set of involved parents. Our society is too de-sensitized to violence and wars and not interested enough in fostering peace. We have strayed from the old school values of hard work, individual responsibility, honesty, integrity, discipline, tolerance, patience and respect.
[10] I refer to “property” in its most general sense to include one’s body, money, possessions and time.
The drug war is a fundamental example of government, or the voting majority, immorally exercising its jurisdiction over the bodies of competent adults. Despite the laws, many competent adults insist on controlling their own bodies. This has dramatically increased the amount of violence and conflict in our society. Indeed, until the drug war ends, and we once again start respecting the sovereignty of the individual, there is nothing that can be done to effectively end the culture of violence destroying our society. The good news is that by simply ending the drug war, we can immediately and dramatically reduce the culture of violence.
To be sure, few countries have such an intense war on drugs as we have in the United States. Indeed, our drug laws are entirely draconian, and we imprison far more people than any other country in the world. Our spending on the drug war will soon be approaching 100 billion dollars per year. As a result of all this drug war generated violence, we have a very high corresponding rate of gun violence. I have personally represented many clients charged with violent gun related crimes resulting from drug war related issues. Indeed, much of the gun related violence I see, as a criminal defense attorney working in the justice system for the past two decades, stems from the drug war.
The United States does not have the highest rate of gun violence in the world. It should not be a surprise that several countries at the forefront of the drug war have an even higher rate of gun related homicide than the United States. The firearm related homicide rate, as a percentage of population, is higher in Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Paraguay. The United States spends millions of dollars ramping up the drug war in these countries. There is no doubt that several other drug war involved countries have even higher firearm related homicide rates than the United States as well.
I would be remiss if I failed to point out that these awful homicide rates in other countries persist despite much stricter gun control laws than in the United States. Indeed, Mexico has some of the strictest gun control laws in the world. Its laws effectively prohibit gun ownership. Not only do guns remain widely available in Mexico, but also their gun related homicide rate outpaces ours. The same can be said of all these drug war countries.
Attempting to blame our culture of violence on the availability of guns is entirely erroneous. Canada has a gun culture similar to the United States. Indeed, their ratio of gun ownership as compared to the United States is roughly equivalent. However, Canada enjoys a firearm related homicide rate dramatically lower than in the United States. It is noteworthy to point out that people who live in countries like Switzerland and Israel have greater access to even fully automatic weapons and have higher rates of gun ownership than in the United States, but enjoy much lower firearm related homicide rates. The number of guns simply isn’t the problem.
Our culture of violence is more directly attributable to anti-freedom government policies, which diminish and disrespect the rights of the individual. Guns, like other tools, can be used for both good and bad purposes. Demonizing the tool, while piling on more anti-freedom regulations and laws, without getting to the root cause of the violence, is exactly the wrong approach. We will never achieve a more peaceful society until we recognize that competent adults own themselves and the drug war is reduced to an awful historical mistake.
How to Stop a Bad Guy with a Gun
“To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.” Richard Henry Lee
Dangerous violent people should not have guns. Additionally, people should not shoplift. We already have laws against both. Notwithstanding our laws, dangerous violent people continue to, and always will be able to, obtain guns. Likewise, people continue to shoplift. Regarding the shoplifting problem, major retailers have accepted that shoplifting remains a fact of life and they have endeavored to combat the problem with private security guards, cameras, RFID chips, etc. As I often represent such people accused of shoplifting, I know these rational combative measures against shoplifting are reasonably successful.
As a society, we need to accept the reality that bad guys will continue to get guns notwithstanding our laws. We need to devise appropriate, rational and effective measures to combat this foreseeable reality. Well-intentioned and famous Hollywood actors simply saying, “Never Again!” or simply passing more gun regulation laws will not combat the problem.
As the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut proves, the passing of more laws is entirely the wrong approach. Federal law prohibits the presence of guns in schools. It is clear the deranged Mr. Adam Lanza was entirely undeterred by this federal law. Indeed, this law may have encouraged Mr. Lanza to work his horrific violence at the Sandy Hook Elementary School knowing federal law provides that nobody could have the capacity to stop him. One unintended consequence of this federal law has been to create a guaranteed victim zone, comprised of children, who are unprotected sitting ducks for any deranged lunatic such as Mr. Lanza.
Additionally, Connecticut’s gun control laws also proved to be entirely ineffective. By stealing his mother’s gun, Mr. Lanza exempted himself from any laws regarding background checks, waiting periods, permits, licenses, etc. Neither unarmed security at the front door nor the presence of heroic yet unarmed adults at the school had any chance of stopping Mr. Lanza’s murderous rampage. Even the courageous school principal, who dashed toward Mr. Lanza in a heroic effort to protect her innocent students, had absolutely no chance and was therefore also tragically murdered.
There can be no legitimate criticism of the local police. Their trained and armed police officers arrived as quickly as one could reasonably expect upon learning of the tragedy. However, by the time they arrived, the incident was completely over. They were not able to save even one life. The only thing that stopped the deranged Mr. Lanza was the deranged Mr. Lanza himself. One can only wonder how many more lives would have been needlessly taken had Mr. Lanza decided to continue shooting others rather than shoot himself.
I wish I could have been there that day with my AR-15 rifle or even my .40 caliber handgun. This story would have had a different ending. What a shame that not even one peaceful, responsible, trained and armed teacher or parent could have been present, when Mr. Lanza arrived, to do the one thing that actually could have avoided this tragedy; shoot him. I can say, with absolute certainty, that one well placed round from a gun could have saved the lives of everyone at the Sandy Hook Elementary that day.
I don’t know if that well placed round would have been the first shot fired, but I do know at least there would have been a chance to stop Mr. Lanza before he decided to stop himself. As a parent of five children in school, I prefer that my children are no longer unprotected sitting ducks at a federally mandated gun free zone in school. The only way to stop these types of gun related tragedies is by force.
I recognize that some parents feel differently than I do. For reasons I do not understand, they prefer to have their children at school totally unprotected in federally mandated gun free zones. I respect their rights to have their children at schools which comply with whatever rules they deem appropriate. However, the current state of federal law prohibits parents from choosing schools which could actually protect their children against the horrendous acts of deranged bad guys like Mr. Lanza. Just like at my home, I would prefer to have my kids in schools where responsible adults, with adequate training, have immediate and safe access to firearms. I, like many parents, don’t want my kids to be unprotected sitting ducks while they are at school.
I fail to understand why the anti-gun people find it appropriate to thwart my choice as a responsible parent. As I have stated, I respect the rights of the anti-gun parents to send their kids to schools without guns. I have heard their protestations that my plan to have armed people at school would not work. I don’t know why their judgment should be substituted for mine regarding the safety of my kids.
Some of those parents claim that armed people at the school could make no difference if such a shooting was to occur. They are entirely wrong. There are many examples of occasions where armed people successfully terminated some deranged person’s gun rampage. Here is a short list of some notable examples compiled by the Libertarian Party:
♦ 1997 high school shooting in Pearl, Mississippi was halted by the school’s vice principal after he retrieved the Colt .45 he kept in his truck.
♦ 1998 middle school shooting ended when a man living next door heard gunfire and apprehended the shooter with his shotgun.
♦ 2002 terrorist attack at an Israeli school was quickly stopped by an armed teacher and a school guard.
♦ 2002 law school shooting in Grundy, Virginia came to an abrupt conclusion when students carrying firearms confronted the shooter.
♦ 2007 mall shooting in Ogden, Utah ended when an armed off-duty police officer intervened.
♦ 2009 workplace shooting in Houston, Texas was halted by two co-workers who carried concealed handguns.
♦ 2012 church shooting in Aurora, Colorado was stopped by a member of the congregation carrying a gun.
♦ At the recent mall shooting in Portland, Oregon the gunman took his own life minutes after being confronted by a shopper carrying a concealed weapon.
Moreover, the Internet is full of videos documenting peaceful armed people thwarting a violent criminal’s attempt to victimize others[11]. I fail to understand why the anti-gun crowd refuses to acknowledge guns save lives. It is estimated, and there are several scholarly studies to support, that guns are used to prevent crimes between 700,000 and 2.5 million times each year[12]. While I agree there are examples of bad guys doing bad things with guns, we should also agree there are millions of armed good guys who successfully and frequently stop bad guys with guns as well.
Three Reasons Americans Have a Right to Own Guns
“Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense? Where is the difference between having our arms in possession and under our direction and having them under the management of Congress? If our defense be the real object of having those arms, in whose hands can they be trusted with more propriety, or equal safety to us, as in our own hands?” Patrick Henry
There are three main reasons why Americans, or any free people, should have a right to keep and bear firearms. First, free people have a right to self-defense. This is the most basic of all rights. Although government can legitimately act as one’s agent to assist in protecting against another’s aggression, the individual need not delegate or rely upon another person or entity for the exercise of that right. To deny a free and competent adult the right of self-defense is to deny such a person their sovereignty. No society can be considered a free society, or even a civilized society, without the basic right to individual defense of one’s self.
The second reason for a right to keep and bear arms is to deter possible foreign invasions. I acknowledge we live in a world where mass destruction is an option for many foreign governments. However, history has shown that foreign governments generally like to advance on territory they seek to make their own. As such, a radioactive wasteland is not the preferred trophy of most hostile governments.
[11] For one example that occurred on July 13, 2012, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpBXkvigads I enjoyed watching how fast two armed bad guys scrambled to leave when the senior citizen with the handgun emerged to protect everyone present. I bet the other people glad this peaceful and heroic man thought to bring his loaded firearm. We can only wonder what tragedy was avoided that day.
[12] See Armed: New Perspective on Gun Control, New York: Prometheus Books (2001) Kleck and Kates.
During World War II, Hitler’s Germany advanced against much of Europe. However, Switzerland, despite its vast gold resources making it an extraordinary prize, was not one of those places advanced upon by Hitler. One rational explanation for this lack of aggression by Hitler was the reasonable conclusion that Switzerland, with its exceptionally high proportion of civilian gun ownership, would have been an unusually difficult target. During the same time period, it is speculated that Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto reached a similar conclusion regarding a possible invasion of the United States. Some have attributed the comment, “You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass” to the Japanese Admiral[13]. Given our high proportion of civilian gun ownership, it also seems a reasonable conclusion. Indeed, it gives me a sense of pride, as I know it does many other veterans and other proud Americans, to know that in the unlikely event our country ever was invaded, we would not need to sit idly by, helpless, to assist in defending our country. Rather, much like the other civilian militia that was so instrumental in assisting to win our independence from King George III, we may also be able to assist in some way.
The third reason for a right to keep and bear arms is, as Thomas Jefferson stated, “The strongest reason for people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”
Citizens have a right to keep and bear arms as a defense against their own government
Further, Mr. Jefferson also stated, “When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is liberty.”
The founders of our nation believed people must always preserve their right to resistance and revolution against their own government.
“And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms …The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” Thomas Jefferson.
The founding fathers of our nation were keenly aware of the potential for governments to ban guns, then curtail liberty, enslave, torture or even murder their own naïve and trusting citizens. One can only wonder what the founding fathers would say had they been aware of the human slaughter suffered in the 20th century by unarmed people at the hands of their own gun grabbing governments. In the 20th century alone, the death toll resulting from governments murdering their own disarmed citizens after guns were legally banned is estimated at 56 million[14]. Our founding fathers knew any government, including ours, has the potential to become tyrannical and even deadly towards its own citizens. I suspect many or even most of those 56 million murdered by their own governments believed their government could always be trusted. Let’s learn from history.
“If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.” Samuel Adams
[13] There is some contraversy regarding the legitimacy of this quotation. However, the fact remains that a high proportion of civilian gun ownership may have dioscouraged the Japanese and would certainly act as a deterrent to any potential invading force.
[14] The Soviets murdered 20 million from 1929-1953; the Chinese murdered 20 million from 1948-1952; the Germans murdered 13 million from 1939-1945; the Turkish murdered 1.5 million from 1915-1918.
Grim, would you unmod #25 please?
[25] buck
He carried an AR-15 in Desert Storm? I have to wonder why. An AR is a civilian version, not always 5.56, and not full auto or mil spec. Why wouldn’t he carry what the military issued him?
For the beer lovers…
Flying Fish to release ‘F.U. Sandy” beer
Beginning in early February, beer fans will be able to grab a pint of Flying Fish’s latest beer, Forever Unloved Sandy, also known as “FU Sandy”. Every aspect of the hybrid wheat/pale ale, from the ingredients to the kegs, has been donated, so 100% of proceeds (an estimated $50,000 from the 100 kegs that will be brewed) will go towards a New Jersey-based charity dedicated to Sandy relief.
Which charity will receive the donations? That’s up to you. Visit Flying Fish on Twitter @Jerseyfreshale or on Facebook to nominate a charity.
F.U. Sandy is brewed with 2-row pale malt and white wheat, and is hopped with an experimental hop now known as ADHA 483. Flying Fish founder Gene Muller and head brewer Casey Hughes expect the final product to be “a truly one-of-a-kind ale”, with notes of mangoes and guavas and a soft mouthfeel.
F.U. Sandy will be available in draught only throughout the New Jersey and Philadelphia region beginning early next month.
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/dining/index.ssf/2013/01/flying_fish_to_release_fu_sand.html#incart_m-rpt-1
He can’t get over the barriers? I thought he was the President?
Yes, Mitt had the same b.s. that will make no difference. Say it again, no difference. Say it with me, no difference. Let it sink in.
Fabius Maximus says:
January 18, 2013 at 12:54 am
#157 Joyce
“Failure to deliver is when O says I will sign an order or day one saying “close Gitmo”. The follow up question should have been “Will that close it?” If you ask O today would you like Gimo closed tomorrow, he would say “Yes” and if it was a perfect world, he would admit he can’t get over the barriers to make that happen. Mitt had the same BS with China is a currency manipulator. Sign the EO on day one that will make no difference.”
Cheap copy of Power Surge Beer to benefit Barrier Brewing.
NJGator says:
January 18, 2013 at 9:50 am
For the beer lovers…
Flying Fish to release ‘F.U. Sandy” beer
You are cute! Naive and not too bright, but cute. Get a clue how internet advertising works, would ya?
(Hint: when I pull up that page the ads are for vaporizers and beer)
Comrade Nom Deplume, plotting his moves for 2013 says:
January 18, 2013 at 9:05 am
[17] dope,
I liked how the web page had ads for shooting gear. Guess even MJ has to pay the bills.
Power Surge?
You mean Surge Protector
http://www.blackbookmag.com/nightlife/blue-point-brewing-other-local-breweries-collaborate-on-sandy-relief-ipa-1.56920
Ok surge protector. I am going to buy a six pack when it comes out!!! I love to give
Peace, Love, Dope & Beer says:
January 18, 2013 at 10:07 am
Power Surge?
You mean Surge Protector
http://www.blackbookmag.com/nightlife/blue-point-brewing-other-local-breweries-collaborate-on-sandy-relief-ipa-1.56920
Yome,
Since October of 2007, I have been assigned the responsibilities of three other 6-figure mid-level managers. My compensation for this additional work included temporary salary cuts of 12 and 15%. In 2011 and 2012, I was finally awarded two increases that would make a public worker strike (combined total under 4%). Let’s just say NJ Transit’s 30% railfare increase on top of their prior 10% increase during this time period exceeded my net gains. The only benefit I truly received during this time period was job security. It will be much harder to remove me since the next guy will have way too much responsibility to assume. Am I complaining? Just a little. Though reviews (which I’m currently writing write now) take for f-ing ever. Did I mention that my reports work three shifts? In NJ, NY and in Chennai? I would much rather be working than sucking on the government teet.
#31
And MJ could block the ad category if they were inclined, idiot.
I bet when Dope performs a web search, advertisements for Panties and Prius’ pop-up.
Nom [27];
The quote attributed to G.Washington struck me as odd. I didn’t know the term ‘firearm’ was used in that era as we have come to know it.
A forum thread on Snopes, predictably, denigrates the veracity of the quote, but I’m not convinced they are wrong in this case. Stopped clock, and all…
Posted with no opinion
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/its-time-to-stop-whining-about-spending-cuts-2013-01-18?link=home_carousel
Fire one of there managers, make other two do work, give other two half that guys bonus and you take the other half. You Walter Whites over thing everything.
Seriously, it happens all over. Funny the folks at work who put the max in 401K all equities, never sold stock grants and kept plowing into all equities into 529 plan etc. are all pretty happy. Salary may be less but net worth is up over 100%.
Folks over leveraged on housing or risk adverse earning zero on cash are unhappy with lower salaries. They missed bull run of last three years and only see lower salary
My salary is down but it is a wash as prior grants are up. Sure it is same at JPM, MS, C etc. Those 2009,2010,2011 and 2012 stock grants are in a cycled vesting 2-3 year pattern that somewhat offsets the much lower 2013/2014 total comp, however come 2015 when the handcuffs are gone companies are going to have to either raise comp or have some serious flight risk in a strong economy
Libtard in Union says:
January 18, 2013 at 10:10 am
Yome,
Since October of 2007, I have been assigned the responsibilities of three other 6-figure mid-level managers. My compensation for this additional work included temporary salary cuts of 12 and 15%. In 2011 and 2012, I was finally awarded two increases that would make a public worker strike (combined total under 4%). Let’s just say NJ Transit’s 30% railfare increase on top of their prior 10% increase during this time period exceeded my net gains. The only benefit I truly received during this time period was job security. It will be much harder to remove me since the next guy will have way too much responsibility to assume. Am I complaining? Just a little. Though reviews (which I’m currently writing write now) take for f-ing ever. Did I mention that my reports work three shifts? In NJ, NY and in Chennai? I would much rather be working than sucking on the government teet.
JJ while you may know the ins and outs of lady parts you know nothing of beer save for the coors you used to slip chicks unsuspecting of your intentions from the secretary pool.
Gator that is going to be a fantastic brew should leave an intersting hoppy aftertaste.
Ads-blah, use ad block plus, ghostery, and no-script. Done. Faster web page responses with less clutter.
Lib or this site
http://www.allheelsformen.com/
Cross-Dressing Meth Priest Liked Sex in Rectory
http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Sources-Cross-dressing-meth-priest-liked-sex-in-4203841.php
JJ you really must be more careful!
#winning #religion #holyman
Alan Tonelson argues that US trade policies incentivize US based multinational corporations to contribute to the Trade Deficit. Proposes they be reversed.
Are Multi-National Companies Harming U.S. Growth?
http://www.bloomberg.com/video/are-multi-national-companies-harming-u-s-growth-Tt8utE5ASQqtcupmLI7qiQ.html
jj (33)-
You won’t buy that Surge Protector beer. It will cost more than $3.99 a six-pack.
Yet this guy gets to have a carry permit…
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/01/17/dc-police-officer-convicted-killing-mistress-leaving-baby-daughter-to-die-in/
Planning on using my FEMA number to get it for free.
Ernest Money says:
January 18, 2013 at 10:34 am
jj (33)-
You won’t buy that Surge Protector beer. It will cost more than $3.99 a six-pack.
I hope they come out with a t-shirt with the logo on it. Nice. I had their Exit 4 American Trippel recently. Enjoyed it.
28.NJGator says:
January 18, 2013 at 9:50 am
For the beer lovers…
Flying Fish to release ‘F.U. Sandy” beer
Can I buy FU Sandy beer with my foodstamps?
nwnj [35];
And MJ could block the ad category if they were inclined, idiot.
But then MJ wouldn’t get the money! How can they continue to afford to fight the man and rail against success if the successful don’t fund their activities?
Kind of like the trust fund babies playing Kumbaya in Zucotti knowing that they could always go home to their parents’ place in Scarsdale when its all over or if it happens to get too cold.
grim (13)-
Classic barbell- rich one one end, impoverished on the other. Middle class is being continually decimated.
And NJ is prolly in much better shape- overall- than the country as a whole.
Good times.
Hurry! Buy now! Never a better time. Bring your checkbook. Cream puff.
The end is near.
It is extremely difficult to stay middle class. If you have a middle class job you usually get promoted or get fired.
How the heck can you stay at like a 65K a year job for 35 years is beyond me.
Ernest Money says:
January 18, 2013 at 10:41 am
grim (13)-
Classic barbell- rich one one end, impoverished on the other. Middle class is being continually decimated.
And NJ is prolly in much better shape- overall- than the country as a whole.
Brian,
I met the head of Flying Fish at a beer festival a couple of years ago in Atlantic City. I suggested that they brew a malt liquor for Exit 13. After laughing for about 30 seconds, he said, “absolutely, no way!”
Been Using Ad-Block Pro since it’s inception. Haven’t seen an ad on the internet in years. In the slower modem days, ad blocking was key.
#50
I’ve been reading here long enough to see PLDB’s act. It’s almost time to for him to hit reset on his NJRE persona. Every time he starts resorting to dimwitted troll mode he usually bails for a few days and returns with a new handle. He’s there now.
Looks like they ended up making Exit 13 a Chocolate Stout. I suppose the joke was on me.
NJ Poverty map.
http://project.wnyc.org/census-maps/poverty-nj/
NJ Foreclosure heat map…
http://www.realtytrac.com/trendcenter/nj-trend.html
What the heck is that little patch (hour glass shape) of high poverty near Totowa?
And where’s Dope’s house? He’s always crying poverty.
Phoenix
(46)
What’s up with this last line in the article, “Prosecutors say Phillips faces life without the possibility of parole plus 20 years at sentencing March 22.” ??
Phoenix says:
January 18, 2013 at 10:34 am
Yet this guy gets to have a carry permit…
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/01/17/dc-police-officer-convicted-killing-mistress-leaving-baby-daughter-to-die-in/
Lib it is the round circle in Sussex county I’m gathering.
63 joyce,
You would have to ask a lawyer. Personally I would vote for public televised hanging. Or possibly beheading. Make it a PPV and maybe I will subscribe to cable again.
I find it interesting that Englewood Cliffs is shaded plum purple. What does the sign at the corner of Sylvan/Palisades say… trillion dollar mile? billion dollar mile?
Is the takeaway here that Secaucus residents are faring better?
Fine by me. I was just curious since if someone is getting death, or life without parole (the concept of a ‘life sentence’ with parole is utterly incomprehensible to begin with), why bother with anything else? If someone kills 7 people, and gets sentenced to 7 life sentences… um, why?
Is it to make each of the victim’s families feel like they got some justice… is it to “pad the stats” of the prosecutor?
Phoenix says:
January 18, 2013 at 11:12 am
63 joyce,
You would have to ask a lawyer. Personally I would vote for public televised hanging. Or possibly beheading. Make it a PPV and maybe I will subscribe to cable again.
Oblama phone coverage maps
Good one Mike!
61 – North Jersey Developmental Center is in that tract. Isn’t that long-term care/institution for disabled?
Mike,
Without those areas, where would I get my day laborers? Where will I put my payday loan office? When I put in a call for my laborer, he picks up his ObamaPhone. You trying to make things harder for me??
I like the personal attcks on me today. Boos on the road…
When did i ever cry poverty?
Libtard in Union says:
January 18, 2013 at 10:54 am
And where’s Dope’s house? He’s always crying poverty.
[31] Comrade dope O’Brien
Seriously, the whining is getting old.
I don’t have to know how it gets there. It appeared, which is the operative fact.
Besides, intention was always irrelevant to you in other arguments where you alleged guilt by association so why are you bringing it up as a defense now?
But I must concede this point and slink away because you called me cute and naive. Who can withstand such withering repartee? Oh, the shame!
Ad hominem was made for dolts like dope.
I don’t know that area very well but I thought it was interesting that certain small towns were split in two and shaded purple. Look at Newton, Dover, Boonton, Morristown, Hackettstown, etc. I wonder if that’s because of an abundance of rental stock and section 8 renters concentrated in those areas.
61.Libtard in Union says:
January 18, 2013 at 10:53 am
What the heck is that little patch (hour glass shape) of high poverty near Totowa?
“When did i ever cry poverty?”
Dope…Just referring to your frequent statements in support of socialist support programs a la Krugman and others.
Glad you at least appear to have a backbone. Which reminds me.
Any of you following the case of the kid at MSU that made fat jokes about a fellow student on you tube? He said her legs looked like bleached hams. It’s an interesting case of free speech vs. web bullying. At first the school suspended him but now the school had to eat crow and withdraw the suspension due to a rights activist group. Personally, the guy is probably a douchebag, but it’s interesting to follow the case. So many short-sighted laws are made to respond to emotional cases. This one being a response to the gay dude who killed himself down at Rutgers. Kind of like the blue-states reaction to Newtown.
73 – I don’t think you know the definition of “whining,” which is odd for a seasoned whiner.
The ads pop up because YOU have a history of searching for “shooting gear.” The internet gods know you better than you know yourself.
I always cry poverty. I am lower upper affluent.
I do not plead poverty and yes, I do support those programs and I do, I suppose, vote against my own economic interests…something I rail against poor southerners for; one of the hypocrisies that I have admitted to in the past.
76 – I had heard something about the school having suspended him per the NJ Anti-Bullying laws.
The 2010 law includes “cyber bullying” as well, which basically means Montclair had no choice but to act in the matter. And yes, the anti-bully law applies to colleges as well.
If the girl ended up committing suicide as a result, all fingers would be pointed at the school administration for not complying.
re: 380 – Bleached hams.
Yeah can’t say that anymore someone might jump off a bridge over it.
[77] dope, the Black Knight.
Oy, you don’t recognize your own argumentative style, do you?
Nancy Boy stuff. They should just let the Dads duke it out like in the Mad Man Days.
I recall once in my Dads glory days he broke up a street fight I was having and whipped out his belt. Of course I said he started it and kid down block said I started it. Dad yells out plenty of room on this belt for both of us and whack. Kid down block gets out of range and yells I am going down block to get my Dad. My Dad yells plenty of room on belt for all three, get your Dad up here so I can kick his a$$ too.
Of course I got the belt alone and that kid never came to our block again. I wonder if that kid told his dad. I could only imagine, Dad I was in a street fight up block Dad broke it up and threaten to beat with me with belt. He wants you to come back up the block so you can take your beating too. I doubt he told Dad but if he did I know he got beaten worse than me. I would not take the initiation to get my a$$ kicked by a large drunken, hot headed irish man with a belt unless I was bringing a taser, two guns and mike tyson.
grim says:
January 18, 2013 at 12:14 pm
76 – I had heard something about the school having suspended him per the NJ Anti-Bullying laws.
[76] libtard,
Emphasis on the word “appear”. Anyone can be tough online.
Don’t look for dope at a GTG in our lifetimes.
Lots of volunteer opportunities tomorrow and Monday…
January 19th, 2013 – Projects in New Jersey
http://fortheshore.org/njprojects/
Jersey Cares Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
http://www.jerseycares.org/JC_MLK_DOS
Does Oscar Mayer package a bleached ham?
I like it when Muslims make ham jokes.
[84] JJ
You got punished for a street fight? Now that’s Nancy boy material. I wasn’t big and didn’t fight much, but never got punished for sticking up for myself. In fact, one time the father of a kid I beat up (and no one expected me to survive that fight as he was a school jock) came over to get in my dad’s face and demand compensation. No brawl there but Dad sent him packing. He also got the school to waive my suspension.
[82] Juice
She should smother him with her bleached hams. Problem Solved.
Exit 14 Wild Rice Double IPA has moved from a 22oz bomber limited release to a year round regular. It’s probably the best beer they have, and one of the better double IPA’s you can buy in NJ. Definitely check it out.
Red Fish is the year round release of Exit 9 with a new name, and I think it falls very short of the original Exit 9.
I believe they are a bunch of Rutgers guys, so I try to support when I can.
———–
I hope they come out with a t-shirt with the logo on it. Nice. I had their Exit 4 American Trippel recently. Enjoyed it.
The whipping I got was not over the fight but over a bike from his apt building bike room from a tennant that moved out a year earlier and left bike in carriage room and it was chained up and covered with dust. I used a hacksaw to get it. He was mad that he noticed it a week before but could not yet get lock open so I swiped it before he could swipe it. That was what we were fighting over. Who got to keep it. Dad flung the bike against the apartment house wall during thing Funny thing laid on street for like a week as everyone was afraid to take the bike or get the belt. In the bronx you were lucky to hold onto a bike or basketball for more than a few hours. I think that 30 minutes I had a bike was the longest I had a bike. Funny stuff a eight year old with a hacksaw. We used to fight all the time over stuff like that. Kinda like shameless,
Comrade Nom Deplume: To Tax what JJ is to Sex. says:
January 18, 2013 at 12:36 pm
[84] JJ
You got punished for a street fight? Now that’s Nancy boy material. I wasn’t big and didn’t fight much, but never got punished for sticking up for myself. In fact, one time the father of a kid I beat up (and no one expected me to survive that fight as he was a school jock) came over to get in my dad’s face and demand compensation. No brawl there but Dad sent him packing. He also got the school to waive my suspension.
TigerTeam to the rescue.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/187415311_Panel_tells_Ridgewood_to_make_tough_choices.html?page=all
Bar-bell economy discussion. NJ ranks #1 in ratio to $200,000 + earners : < $10,000 earners.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-01-18/if-you-are-unemployed-these-states-move
Raised by a tough as nails single mom, was always told never throw the first punch just the last. Learned how to take a punch after getting slugged a couple of times without getting up. then again I never got in many fights that weren’t on a hockey rink.
I wonder if it was a conservative being called bleached hams for interupting a liberal speaking guests engagement if the punishment would have been the same. In the good old days he would have been told to go marry a camel or shave his wife’s back and that would have been the end of it. I hate PC crap.
From Bloomberg:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-18/housing-industry-awaits-down-payment-rule-for-mortgages.html
Anyone surprised?
Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin indicted for corruption
A federal grand jury on Friday charged former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin with 21 counts of public corruption, including bribery and fraud related to his dealings with city vendors following the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster.
Nagin, who served as mayor from 2002-2010, stirred national controversy after the powerful hurricane broke local flood walls and inundated most of the city, killing some 1,500 people and wrecking tens of thousands of homes.
After the flood, Nagin angrily denounced the federal government response, urging government officials to “get off your asses” as thousands of people who had been forced from their homes waited for help.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/18/us-usa-crime-nagin-idUSBRE90H12U20130118
phoenix (93)-
Rest assured, Ridgewood will do nothing to address their runaway budget & debt problems. They are almost as sheep-like as the PRM.
Booker Turns Bullets into Bangles
The City of Newark has raised $20,000 for its next gun buyback program thanks to an innovative idea by Cory Booker.
The mayor, with the help of with Jessica Mindich of Jewelry for a Cause, has turned 250 weapons and shell casings seized by Newark police into fashionable bracelets. The jewelry is made from the weapons’ melted metal and turned into steel or brass baubles, complete with the former gun’s serial number engraved on the outside.
On the Rachel Maddow Show Wednesday night, Booker said the jewelry was not “a cure-all” but was “one strategy” for curbing gun violence. “We’re using them as an instrument of peace,” he said.
The Caliber Collection sells for between $150-$375. According to the Star-Ledger, more than 400 items have sold since the collection went public on Nov. 28. Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio, who was initially skeptical of the enterprise, told the paper, “I’m certainly going to buy some for my wife.”
http://www.baristanet.com/2013/01/booker-turns-bullets-into-bangles/
Hockey Ring fights are not the same. I know you lose teeth and stuff. But personal fights just go on and on.
I had one guy I had an ongoing dispute with in HS who pulled my car out of its spot, put it in drive and rolled it down a hill, amazing it ended up in woods two block away with minor scrapes.
I had to track him for three months. Finally, the hot girl in school with the hot tempered dad would have a regular date night with his wife and leave his 16 year old daughter home. Like clockwork he would call home around same time every saturday night and tell daughter he was on the way home. Usually around tenish. 18 year old guy used to have a souped up 442 convertible. That night he had it top down in driveway and I used a bike value remover tool to remove all four of his tire valves and he had four flats and car flat on ground, Dad shows up and a screaming fest as the 18 year old car in driveway with four flats and he knew he was knocking out his daughters box .
It was so sweet till four weeks later at 4am I heard something and my convertible was smoking as he tried to set it on fire in my driveway.
Turns out his buddy did it and not him, as guy got enough grief over his car. Then a few weeks later I see buddies car outside bar at 4am and we paint his license plates black with a spray paint guy. So he drove home drunk as a skunk with black license plates. Man was that funny, he did not get in trouble and it ended there. But I bet if he got a chance even now and saw my car unintended I know I would get it bad.
Hockey is nice in the way you beat each other up then go for beers
Painhrtz – So Long and Thanks for all the Fish says:
January 18, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Raised by a tough as nails single mom, was always told never throw the first punch just the last. Learned how to take a punch after getting slugged a couple of times without getting up. then again I never got in many fights that weren’t on a hockey rink.
I wonder if it was a conservative being called bleached hams for interupting a liberal speaking guests engagement if the punishment would have been the same. In the good old days he would have been told to go marry a camel or shave his wife’s back and that would have been the end of it. I hate PC crap.
I challenge anyone here to a fight.
Money with or without a shiv and the king of pop dancing in a bad red jacket. Just beat it.
Gator well NOLA is a chocalte city after all. then again they are all corrupt so no it is no surprise he just made the mistake of getting caught.
JJ the reason hockey players don’t get into fights outside the rink is the same reason boxers don’t. General public will end up in the hospital and us behind bars.
I once ended up in a hockey fight with a fan. Not only did the guy jump me from behind, but when the cops came, he filed an assault charge against me. This was pretty pathetic considering that I had played in a very tiring 1-1 game and was pretty exhausted when the fight broke out. Well, I countered and we both dropped the charges. That was the last time I ever played hockey in Paterson. Fight off the rink, end up in court. Fight on the rink, end up in penalty box (or locker room if it’s bad enough). Big difference.
I never attempt or intend to “appear tough” on this board. If having different views on many issues is threatening to you, then you need to get a backbone. Members of this board constantly imply violence and gun use – my guess is that no one will ever (hopefully) use a firearm on another person. Talking about it online is paper tiger bullshit. Lighten up Francis. I don’t want to use a gun on anyone or fight anyone. It is not my style – Peace, Love, Dope and Beer…get it?
I’m splitting the office and heading to pick up a shitload of craft beer for myself. I would gladly share it with you Nom…in my home…anytime. Let me know if you’re interested. If you are interested in “smok’em peace pipe” we could do that too. Outside of political views I think we’d get along alright. Don’t be all bent out of shape because I called you a whiner earlier.
Comrade Nom Deplume: To Tax what JJ is to Sex. says:
January 18, 2013 at 12:30 pm
[76] libtard,
Emphasis on the word “appear”. Anyone can be tough online.
Don’t look for dope at a GTG in our lifetimes.
I’d put money on Ernest to win…Anyone want to take that action?
No one I’ve met at any of the GTGs scared me. Except perhaps, that hairy-chested animal that goes by the name Grim. Daddyo looked like he could hurt someone too, if he wasn’t so darned nice. Honestly, the average poster here looked more suited to fighting in a robot bottle than with their fists.
Battle, not bottle. Oops.
dope’s mind is dulled by ganja.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-18/ex-rutgers-coach-schiano-owes-school-300-000-on-unsold-house.html
I keep Hungry Hungry Hippos in the office to settle disputes. Nary an impasse that a good game of Hungry Hungry Hippos won’t fix.
JJ: This has nothing to do with running a train on the secretarial pool.
109 homes in the are are 700, 000 to 1 mil. Where does a 2 mil get comparables?
He’s not giving it away.
First loss is your best loss, idiot. Lucky you didn’t get canned during those first few years.
“Santini said that Schiano has $2.2 million invested in the home and is prepared to wait for the right buyer.”
Schiano has a better chance of meeting the Pope than getting his price.
I’m confident that the trustees at Rutgers will do the wrong thing and will buy the home to use it as a perk for the new Big Ten coach they’ll be hiring after Flood’s collapse down the stretch.
“109 homes in the are are 700, 000 to 1 mil. Where does a 2 mil get comparables?”
Rutgers is a fine Indian/Asian School.
Libtard in Union says:
January 18, 2013 at 3:26 pm
I’m confident that the trustees at Rutgers will do the wrong thing and will buy the home to use it as a perk for the new Big Ten coach they’ll be hiring after Flood’s collapse down the stretch.
“109 homes in the are are 700, 000 to 1 mil. Where does a 2 mil get comparables?”
[55] Lib – A lot of urban movie-goers were fooled into thinking This is Forty was about malt liquor.
I met the head of Flying Fish at a beer festival a couple of years ago in Atlantic City. I suggested that they brew a malt liquor for Exit 13. After laughing for about 30 seconds, he said, “absolutely, no way!”
JUST LEAKED: N(oo)de Picture of Te’o ‘s girlfriend in the shower…
http://j.b5z.net/i/u/2048250/i/611_1358515942.jpg
I was at Rutgers the other day for an event. What a f’ing freak show.
I accept. I will kill you with kindness.
Ernest Money says:
January 18, 2013 at 2:25 pm
I challenge anyone here to a fight.
when is the next GTG? I def want to meet everyone if welcomed.
I’ll be the big guy on the unicycle.
(121) Hey don’t mock that unicycle. I have a good friend who used to ride that baby often and still stores it in his garage. He’s in his 50’s now. He went to Rutgers and would ride that cycle up and down River Road for hours. I am amazed every time he gets on it and starts pedaling.
BearsFan [120];
I floated the idea of a shooting GTG at a place I’ve been to in Morris Co. So far two yea’s.
A Washington woman is accused of using her breasts to smother and kill her boyfriend after an altercation at their mobile home.
Donna Lange, a 51-year-old woman from Everett, Wash., is believed to have suffocated her boyfriend to death with her breasts on Saturday, Jan. 12, according to Seattle’s KIRO 7 Eyewitness News. Deputies, called to the Airport Inn trailer park at 12:45 a.m. for a disturbance report, found medics performing CPR on Lange’s 51-year-old alleged boyfriend, who was later pronounced dead at Swedish Hospital.
Kiro 7 reports that witnesses claims they saw Lange throw her boyfriend down in the back of the mobile home. She was later found by witnesses with her chest covering the victim’s face. Police noted the size difference between Lange and her boyfriend — she was 5-feet, 6-inches and 192 pounds, he was 5-feet, 7-inches and 175 pounds.
Other women around the world are known to have allegedly used their breasts as weapons.
In November, German lawyer Tim Schmidt claimed his girlfriend tried to smother him with her 38DD breasts. Schmidt said she pretended it was a sex game, the Daily Mail reported. “I asked her why she wanted to smother me to death with her breasts and she told me: ‘Treasure – I wanted your death to be as pleasurable as possible,'” he said.
The 33-year-old woman was reportedly accused of “attempted manslaughter with a weapon,” according to the Daily Mail.
Here’s something to brighten up everyone’s Friday:
Clooney Claims to have had “Ball Ironing” surgery to lift and tuck his nut sack.
It took funeral director 8 hours to get smile off his face.
Later Folks, I am in Europe all next week visiting a few cities for work. I will report back on european crisis. Should be over by now. I think I solved it last time I was there!!
chicagofinance says:
January 18, 2013 at 4:46 pm
A Washington woman is accused of using her breasts to smother and kill her boyfriend after an altercation at their mobile home.
Donna Lange, a 51-year-old woman from Everett, Wash., is believed to have suffocated her boyfriend to death with her breasts on Saturday, Jan. 12, according to Seattle’s KIRO 7 Eyewitness News. Deputies, called to the Airport Inn trailer park at 12:45 a.m. for a disturbance report, found medics performing CPR on Lange’s 51-year-old alleged boyfriend, who was later pronounced dead at Swedish Hospital.
117. I clicked. Hilarious.
I enjoyed the one and only GTG I attended. Nice people. Still Looking was a great chef – barbecue, lobsters, tons of stuff. As far as I know, the people who disagree with me the most weren’t there.
I’m sorry I didn’t host a big GTG while my family was out of the house (and country).
re# 125 – Who got hit in the chin with more balls Mike Piaaza or George Clooney?
Juice,
Piazza for the same reason as Clooney, of course?
Ewww.