From the NYT:
Chris Christie Claims He Will Pursue the Trans-Hudson Tunnel Project as President
Several days of severe delays for rail commuters trying to cross the Hudson River this week has been a painful reminder of the deteriorating state of the tunnels that carry the trains and brought renewed attention to a decision made years ago to halt a project that might have helped improve the situation.
In a radio interview that will be broadcast this weekend, Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey made clear his reasoning for blocking the construction of a new tunnel and other infrastructure in 2010 that was intended to increase passenger service capacity between his state and Manhattan. He said it was a regional project that would have left New Jersey taxpayers to bear the brunt of its cost.
The governor, a Republican candidate for president, added that if he were to make it to the White House, he would push for an equitable solution.
“If I am president of the United States, I call a meeting between the president, my secretary of transportation, the governor of New York and the governor of New Jersey and say, ‘Listen, if we are all in this even Steven, if we are all going to put in an equal share, then let’s go build these tunnels under the Hudson River,’ ” Mr. Christie said in an interview with the radio talk show host Larry Kudlow, which will be broadcast on Saturday on WABC-AM.
“Then, everyone has an incentive to have the project run right, to run efficiently because everybody is on the hook,” Mr. Christie added.
The governor’s comments — and his hypothetical phrasing — has attracted the attention of his critics, who say his statements emphasize how little he has done to help improve transportation.
“This is not a hypothetical issue, this is a real issue, and he could be doing something about it,” said Martin Robins, the founding director of the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University, who was the director of the tunnel project during the mid-1990s. “The question is, what has he done, what will he do in the next 18 months as the governor of New Jersey?”
FRIST
Recall and/or imprison Christie. I’m not picky.
Back to my question the other day:
Does a walkup, unheated (but insulated and warm during winter) finished attic count as a bedroom?
Anyone?
From yesterday:
We can agree to disagree. I think the cop’s behavior is terrible. Everything can be considered ‘normal’ right up to the 0:29 mark on the video below. She’s irritated at being pulled over, he asks, she explains and it concludes. At that point he should just walk away and ticket her. He ignores those duties and instead escalates the situation into a pissing match with the cigarette BS and more.
As an aside, I never understood why police ask questions like “you seem irritated, why?”. There is no good answer to that question that won’t inflame the situation. I’ll give the cop a pass, because however stupid those questions seem common enough and it occurred early where maybe he was trying to evaluate sobriety, potential for hidden substances, etc.
Her explanation to that question was perfectly fine and supported by the frame-in-frame on the left of the video. The cop very clearly is accelerating right up on her. She sees it in her rear view mirror (that’s good driving, no?) and pulls to the right to let him pass her on this two lane road. He hits the lights and pulls her over for it.
I have to admit, in her place the first thing going through my mind who be “you have got to be fcuking kidding me, I pull to the right to yield to an accelerating cop and I’m getting fcuking ticketed for it?” That, by the way, is exactly what she said in explanation – without my expletives – to the cop’s question about her irritation.
Plus, his removal of her from the vehicle had absolutely zero to do with any police matter. He was offended when she wouldn’t follow his petty request on the cigarette. As soon as she says she doesn’t have to extinguish it his response is “well you can step on out *now*”. Him exiting her from the vehicle had nothing to do with any police matter and everything to do with the cigarette which was initiated and escalated by the cop and totally irrelevant to the legal matter at hand.
I am seriously troubled that he informs her several times she is under arrest without answering her direct question why (1:26 and 2:30 onward). I though police were required to provide that information.
Would also be interested in knowing the correct legal answer – is his request for her to exit the vehicle a lawful order that needs to be obeyed absent being under arrest or probable cause?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-22/video-shows-traffic-stop-of-woman-who-died-in-texas-jail/6639798
Bottom line: Cop in a sleepy suburban town had his ego bruised by a [black] woman who knew some of her rights and he lost it.
#3 – Depends. Was a permit pulled and is it included in the tax assessment? If not it is an illegal addition and can create problems for the loan and CO.
This guy is terrible. Does he understand that he cost us more money in the long run?!?! This guy is terrible and has done nothing but attack the workers of the state and veto tax hikes. You know, because he has to look good in front of republicans instead of doing something for the state he supposedly governs. This is what happens when you elect a governor with the intentions of running for president. This tunnel could have been five years into completion already. Makes me sick.
So now we are going to have to pay for a whole new tunnel plan. All the studies that come with it. Thanks for saving us money fat ass. That tunnel could have also put a lot of money into the economy through job creation when we needed it most. This guy has cost this state billions, yes billions. Let’s not forget how he screwed up losing 400,000 million in faulty race to the top application…..that’s close to a half billion on that fudge up alone. What a loser. Beware of talkers who talk a big game, they are full of it and themselves.
Thanks Chris Christie for everything you have done. You have set the recovery back years in this state. We were much better off without you. Do the right thing and resign, if you really care about a jersey comeback.
No, it does not. You have to hit certain requirements for it to count as a bedroom, heat would be one of them if someone is legally to sleep there.
NJT says:
July 25, 2015 at 9:18 am
Back to my question the other day:
Does a walkup, unheated (but insulated and warm during winter) finished attic count as a bedroom?
Anyone?
re # 4- Sure the cop was out of line, but he did not kill her. When comes to traffic stops, or any interaction with the police best bet is to avoid confrontation at all costs. Many many cops have all kinds of issues with people in general, no matter what kind of training they have had, and according to the transcript of that stop the cop thought he was deescalating and giving lawful orders! His one year on the job and his training did not prepare him for a pissed off black woman with mental issues.
I was at a wedding a few years ago, having a good time, struck up a conversation with someone I did not know, very standoffish guy. Turns out he was a cop, older cop with a chip on his shoulder it seemed. He always looking around for perps and always playing cop even at a Wedding! The old cop told the best man that I might be on drugs because I was having such a good time carrying on and laughing. Some cops cannot be normal even under friendly circumstances, best bet is to just avoid interacting with them when all they can see is a perp. That is why cops usually only hang out with cops, they truly feel other cops are the only people they can relax with the rest of us are just one minute away from getting locked up.
You best bet is to tell it to the Judge, don’t bother trying to reason with an fool wo obviously thought he was giving lawful orders. The courtroom is the only place that matters when it comes to right and wrong and one should always be mindful that the police can and do arrest for no reason at all. I doubt that behavior will ever change, they will never train US cops to act differently we are all Perps until proven otherwise!
3. There are certain codes requirements. IIRC there needs to be a second egress from a bedroom. When building our house we had some funky room designs, engineer or architect pointed out to us that one of the rooms would not be cleared as a bedroom if we wanted to use it as such because no one window attained certain minimum measurements to count as a point of egress. Suspecting the attic has only one way in/out.
That was a while back so don’t take my word for it, check the codes.
Great post. Well said.
I agree with you about cops. Once they get brainwashed by the academy, they change. They look at the world differently. They are always on the job. No matter where they are, they are analyzing the situation. When you have a conversation with them, it’s like you are being interrogated. The questions are all focused on you and not them. Instead of being jealous of cops and their early retirement, I feel bad for them. It totally changes how they look at the world. Most of all, it changes who they are. There is a reason cops have the highest divorce rate, they are hard to have a relationship with. Between the power trip and the “always on the job mentality”, these are broken people.
Juice Box says:
July 25, 2015 at 10:15 am
re # 4- Sure the cop was out of line, but he did not kill her. When comes to traffic stops, or any interaction with the police best bet is to avoid confrontation at all costs. Many many cops have all kinds of issues with people in general, no matter what kind of training they have had, and according to the transcript of that stop the cop thought he was deescalating and giving lawful orders! His one year on the job and his training did not prepare him for a pissed off black woman with mental issues.
I was at a wedding a few years ago, having a good time, struck up a conversation with someone I did not know, very standoffish guy. Turns out he was a cop, older cop with a chip on his shoulder it seemed. He always looking around for perps and always playing cop even at a Wedding! The old cop told the best man that I might be on drugs because I was having such a good time carrying on and laughing. Some cops cannot be normal even under friendly circumstances, best bet is to just avoid interacting with them when all they can see is a perp. That is why cops usually only hang out with cops, they truly feel other cops are the only people they can relax with the rest of us are just one minute away from getting locked up.
You best bet is to tell it to the Judge, don’t bother trying to reason with an fool wo obviously thought he was giving lawful orders. The courtroom is the only place that matters when it comes to right and wrong and one should always be mindful that the police can and do arrest for no reason at all. I doubt that behavior will ever change, they will never train US cops to act differently we are all Perps until proven otherwise!
Why can’t that apply to other professions?
Ben says:
July 24, 2015 at 9:14 pm
“You have to convince them that you are worth their time. If you do, they fall in line and you never have an issue.”
“The cop chose to have her exit the vehicle to talk to her.
…
She was the one who forced the reaction with her antics.”
Bullsh!t … it was immediately and directly after she wouldn’t put out her cigarette.
and
No, the cop escalated things. I’ll turn it around on you and say if you won’t admit that I question your objectivity.
LW,
“I am seriously troubled that he informs her several times she is under arrest without answering her direct question why (1:26 and 2:30 onward). I though police were required to provide that information.”
In a sane world, that would be a requirement. And no matter how many times we see it on television, no they are not required to tell you why.
“Would also be interested in knowing the correct legal answer – is his request for her to exit the vehicle a lawful order that needs to be obeyed absent being under arrest or probable cause?”
They are ‘allowed’ to order you out for any reason they want for the holiest of concerns: ‘officer safety.’
RE: # 10 – My cousin in a PA Cop. Guy is really messed up, almost never comes to family functions now, and I would regularly see him over the years, he just went all hard inside rarely visits his own mother and sister too. Friend is a Jersey City cop even worse, not the same guy I grew up with that is for sure. Two other friends my age NYPD both live in Cop Land in Long Island and don’t associate with anyone but cops only thing all of them have going for them is they get to retire soon, all are divorced and have messed up their lives one way or another.
No, the cop escalated things. I’ll turn it around on you and say if you won’t admit that I question your objectivity.
You haven’t turned around anything. I already said two days ago that the cigarette request was stupid. I’m willing to admit the cop didn’t handle it perfectly. You aren’t willing to concede that this woman did anything wrong on any count.
In end, I just don’t care. The only reason you and everyone else are up in arms is because the woman took her own life. Had that not happened, you and everyone else wouldn’t give a crap. And the police officer had nothing to do with that.
Good discussion joyce. Especially since in the moment one doesn’t always make the right decision under pressure.
After watching everything if I’m ever in the same situation I’ll put both hands visible on the wheel (while noting doing so to have it picked up by the recording) and say something on the order of ‘officer you appear aggravated and I am concerned for my safety. Please call a supervisor and I will exit’. Let the MF tase me then on video. Pay for my kids’ college.
Last item, again troubling, is right at the end of the video (5:37) a male cop can be heard saying quickly three times in a row further away from the audio pickup ‘you need to leave’. Sounds like there were witnesses he was chasing away. Another point against them, if everything is on the up and up (and if you watch the video by that time the tape confirms the woman is cuffed and on the ground so there are no safety issues) why chase away witnesses?
I really dislike these self righteous, financial bloodsucking ‘heroes’.
Ben,
By ‘turn it around’ all I meant was to question your objectivity as you did mine the other day. I have, and will again, admit that she mouthed off and was difficult after he decided to arrest her. In the end, I don’t care either because nothing will change. All I have is another example, to add to the countless list, of public officials doing whatever the please without any meaningful oversight or punishment. If this video made it online with her still being alive, I absolutely would be up in arms as I have been on the others I’ve posted here. Lastly, you are the only one who keeps bringing up her death. Literally, no one else here has done so.
re #13 – Joyce even if the questions and arrest are not lawful you still have to comply. There is no ambiguity the courts have ruled on it, everyone should know this when interacting with police. Even if the cops are wrong you still must comply.
Here is another story of a cop who thought he was doing right. Well he was wrong.
http://articles.philly.com/2015-07-03/news/64042602_1_brandon-ruff-two-cops-excessive-force
“The only reason you and everyone else are up in arms is because the woman took her own life. Had that not happened, you and everyone else wouldn’t give a crap”
Not true, I really don’t care about the suicide. My issue is and always has been with the behavior of law enforcement.
14 JB. I truly believe the situations you describe occur because good people go in to policing with good intentions and get co-opted into a bad system and covering for bad $hit they thought they were there to prevent.
In this context your friends are the good ones – stuck in a hard place of witnessing bad stuff directly contradictory to the reason they joined and having absolutely no where to go. No wonder they sink into a shell (kind of tough to confide to your wife over the pillow that you watched your peers beat the $hit out of a defenseless restrained victim). By the time they realize what’s going on there is nowhere to go. It is very tough to quit (what do you do, mall security guard) and, yes, the only people you can then ‘relate’ to are the ones that involuntary landed you in the effective equivalent of a cult.
Unless and until it not only becomes acceptable but laudatory for good cops to out bad cops this system of abuse will persist. Irrespective of ‘perpetrator’ race, mouth, or other.
Re. Bad cops. There is no fixing it, avoiding police interaction is the correct course at all times. Your day in court is all you have and it is expensive, keep your ideals and attitude in check and you will survive police interactions.
#5 (and all others)
Yes, a permit was obtained but the property has not been reassessed. Also, there are two large windows but no fire escape. House is a small Victorian. Other Victorians in town don’t have fire escapes, though. I could run pipe and install a radiator but that’s a lot of work and time. Other renovations/additions have to be finished before I put it on the market, too.
Would an on demand electric heater cover it? Did that in a basement bedroom once and the town was OK with it (and that town’s inspectors were like Gestapo).
I know code varies (tremendously) among municipalities but what about realtors?
Never did an attic before (but just about everything else).
All that’s left to do is one last coat of paint and a floor (it’s particle board over old planks now).
NJT, if you’re renovating to list the home do it with a wink and a nod.
Advertise as “3BR (potential 4BR)”. Let the buyer worry about whether he’ll address the headaches or just ignore them. If it works for his family as a non-compliant 4BR after you close what do you care?
Kind of like septic rules based on BRs. Bunch of 10 room houses out there that somehow are 2BR plus two studies when they are sold…..
If you advert it as a 4BR you are going to need to deliver that CO’ed at closing or the buyer can walk so if you go that route I would advise being code compliant on everything to make it legit (don’t forget electric outlets). As for egress, unless it is a rental I don’t believe you need a fire escape.
The only interactions I’ve had (concerning myself) with the police since a speeding ticket back in 1982 was a few months ago. Went into the office early for a few hours on good Friday to take care of some things while no one was around.
On the way back to NJ I see a gaggle of Troopers. I’m thinking, no prob. what do I have to worry about (going the speed limit, had all my paperwork, vehicle inspected and a SNOW WHITE record as well as…). Trooper comes out of nowhere onto my tail. Siren, lights ect.
I pull over. He didn’t get out of the squad car for 10 minutes! Handed him my paperwork and he left again for…oh, about another 10 minutes. Two other troopers appear. What?
Gave me a ticket for failure to move to the left when passing a Trooper that had someone pulled over. I didn’t know such a law existed!
Fine, took it and left.
Tried to pay it online. Nope, not allowed. OK. Went in person to the Magistrates office (about a mile from mine) and told the clerk “I’m guilty, what’s the fine I’ll pay it”.
She says “Are you sure”?
Me: Why?
Her: It’s $250 and 3 weeks loss of license.
Me: WHAT!?
Her: Plead not guilty and try and work out something with the trooper. I’ll set up a
court date…
Went to court. Met with the Trooper alone before seeing the judge. Negotiated and got it lowered to a ‘failure to obey traffic devices’ ticket with a small fine. No points, no loss of license, nothing on my record. A lot of others where there cutting deals that day, too. Talk about a revenue generator.
*In my town cops could sit by the bridge over the Big D. and nail people all day for
speeding but they seldom do (and not all day when they do). More important things
to address like crime, drugs and crazies (their words) and this place is like Mayberry!
JuiceBox,
I know and agree. It’s funny I was going to say the same thing in my post but then didn’t (I was going to use the ‘duty to submit’ expression). And I would have include that that is a huge part of the problem.
http://freedominourtime.blogspot.com/2012/01/when-right-to-resist-becomes-duty-to.html
And if the person you’re submitting to happens to be impersonating a cop, sucks to be you.
“keep your ideals…in check and you will survive police interactions”
Nope.
Been blessed with some money, some intelligence (realize some here may take the opposing position), some will, and a supportive family.
It’s not a right to out these jack0ffs, it’s an obligation.
As someone that was in public safety in a very corrupt are of NJ, well….
Every police department is a political animal/machine. Cops start, but the machine tears into them, this is apart from the day to day interaction. An unofficial hierarchy can get established that can by-pass protocols and the law. National agencies (FBI, RCMP) avoid this by rotating people constantly every so many years to different geographical areas, so loyalty is to the rules/bureaucracy not the “blue” gang. They also do routine time based psychological testing, to flag issues.
In this particular area I worked, I happen to have to respond on a Sunday nite, mid 80’s to a 19y/o male that got arrested for burglarizing a store and had hanged himself. Eventually was pronounced in the hospital. I got to say no foul play happened, just a depressed kid hanging himself and no one noticing as no sound came from the intercom, after that they put cameras.
However, did see many cover ups – 2 different mayors’ son – 1 DWI (now a politician himself) and 1-Assaulting his girlfriend. Among many. Like an old counterintelligence saying goes – is not who you know, but what you know about who you know.
The one thing that stuck to me, and this I really did not noticed well until I was no longer involve in the field. Was how many of the cops’ family member seemed to have incident/accidents/tragedies, as well as how scared they usually were, once they retired – you saw them in the street and say hello and they would freak out for a few seconds until they recognize you.
Looking back with a much more adult cynical eye, you could say that possibly some of these accidents were payback for something the cop himself did to someone.
As we are not a truly “vengeance” culture most people don’t pick it up. But rest assure, that many of these “bad” cops usually get some form of comeuppance eventually. People have long memory and the more they have been hurt, they are willing to wait it out for the right unexpected time.
Just my 2cents based on over a decade of experience.
[3] NJT
From a similar question submitted to “Ask the Realtor” in the Town Journal:
“Generally speaking, a bedroom must have a closet, have its own heat, has its own door, has its own window, and be large enough to hold a bed.”
Too far down the rabbit hole with all this cop nonsense. Aggressive, on-edge, overarmed cops everywhere with all kinds of messed up minds and hair-trigger tempers.
Way too many citizens out there (unfortunately, many ordinary ones) who are equally messed up and living on the razor’s edge, mentally and emotionally. You don’t have to be black to fit into this category…just stressed out and feeling a victim of life, 24/7.
When the wrong cop and wrong suspects meet now, it just seems to combust in :01 seconds.
If a room is big enough for you to get a sleeping pill from your pocket to your mouth, then get horizontal, it’s a bedroom: my first RE manager’s definition of ‘bedroom’.
30
Lots of ‘roid freaks on the job too. My brother in laws are both cops, all of their friends too. Guys keep getting more and more jacked in their late 30 ‘s and 40’s.
Interesting read: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/in-iraq-i-raided-insurgents-in-virginia-the-police-raided-me/2015/07/24/2e114e54-2b02-11e5-bd33-395c05608059_story.html
Re: jacked – NJ police had their own roid scandal a few years ago, several hundred police supposedly diagnosed with low testosterone. Attorney General did not go after them, for you see they all work toghether and always will. Best advise as I said is to avoid them, a traffic stop is not a traffic stop it is an excuse to invade and imtimidate.
Re: #27 – sure you will…even if you were some idealistic 20 something you won’t protest, you know they can and will ruin your life. The politicians and the judges want it this way and it will never change.
#29. OK then, electric heater it is! (cheap and easy install).
Guess you missed my posts including the one about ripping up the ticket in front of the cop. Got me hauled in on a traffic stop for that one, but got the cop sanctioned. Have had a few more, not proud, but point is I’m not going to be door matted.
I know my rights, I’m well enough established to be very credible in front of a judge, and I’m not corporate. My pockets are deep enough. Plus I come from an area and background where there is very much an anti-authoritarian streak.
Most despicable people – Giuliani and Spitzer for using the power of their office to knowingly wreck lives in narrow pursuit of personal selfish goals.
One my favorite people – Ken Langone. Stood up vocally to that POS Spitzer when he tried to run Dick Grasso with a public lynching and he didn’t care what the consequences were.
Seriously, if those of us knowledgeable enough and able aren’t going to stand up what chance do others have? Toss out all this debate about Sandra Bland. It’s fcuking meaningless mental m@sturbat1on if those of us in a position to do something don’t. Just flush them all down the toilet and go back to our block parties in our NNJ nirvana.
And yeah, in my 20s, I followed a patrol car down to the local police police station after they tossed our fraternity. Had a good nose-to-nose with the senior officer in a yelling match because they decided to search of our fraternity house. Mortified the rest of our frat officers, who were scared to death I was going to get ‘arrested’ as all the cops gathered around us. Didn’t matter. We were in the right, the cops were horribly wrong, and it was an unwarranted power play by the university who could not regulate us as other houses because we actually owned our land and structure. My view was that if not that long ago (at the time) students could take over the Straight the least I could was to shove a boot up the butt of some local j@ackasses in cahoots with the university for some petty harrassment and payback.
If it wouldn’t look so juvenile I would probably throw a ‘Question Authority’ bumper sticker on my car. And in the ultimate irony I would probably get pulled over under some other pretense just for that.
Left. Cornell? What year? I was ’90.
86. Arts and Sciences.
I’ve been back a bit over the last five years. Still a soft spot for it. Still perpetually under construction.
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/07/27/nyregion/aging-infrastructure-plagues-nations-busiest-rail-corridor.html
re # 39 – 86 is a different time compared to today. Cops are now taught to aim first and intimidate, arrest first and investigate later and use overwhelming force. You may have enough money to find decent representation but that won’t stop them from messing with you. Prime example was NYC Stop and Frisk, latest examples is the new move over law and when they have two or perhaps three patrol cars at ever stop for their safety. I’ve seen police officers act with professionalism and restraint, and I have seen it go the other way, and I have seen plenty of people cuffed on the side of the parkway.As long as the politicians and judges allow it nothing however will change. The Suburban cops around here are on a power trip, they now have plate scanners and pull people over all the time. Make sure your paperwork is in order if you plan on visiting my hood, and get out of the nearest lane when they pull someone over or you could have your licence suspended. They are always out “patrolling” looking for perps and to them we are all perps and only a minute away from getting cuffed and stuffed.
So when did this all change? I’m old enough to remember when cops brought you home and talked to your parents, a fate worse than arrest I think. I remember plenty of people who walked home from dwi stops.
War on Drugs. 9/11 upped the ante.
It started with the drug war and its corruption. I saw plenty of it.
It was made permanent with 9/11 with the institutionalization of above the law behavior. Think of the things we as the USA did not do that we routinely do now. Torture, GITMO, etc.. Just think prior to 9/11 how many time did you hear about the US Empire. That doublespeak catchphrase crept up on us as soon as W started with the Iraq fiasco.
This road has only one way is going now, above the law and subject to the law. This is where things will get tense. Let me remind you of the Bergen County Police Dept that pulled over and harassed an elected free-holder because she was voting for the merging/dissolution of the department.
https://youtu.be/9lru1Qxc1l8
https://youtu.be/g7RCibEHe_o
Either things get fixed in the next few years, or we are going full police state with a very strong and nasty Mexican Narco style criminal side, that is likely to be the same people on both side. Again see Mexico.
#42 [Grim].
Remember it well. Also remember writing a letter of apology to the Dover Police.
IMHO it all changed around 1990. No, I never got a DWI/DUI but many friends and relatives did around and after that time. Luckily I was on the road to getting married and my girlfriend (now wife) or her sister drove most of the time. That or I walked.
Good Cops:
Had a former ‘business partner’ (what a mistake that was) and her SO stalking my wife and I. The B*tch actually had the balls to harass us (separately) while walking down the street in town. Said nothing and kept walking – towards the Courthouse….they turned away a block away, both times. Filed a ‘No contact’ with the Police (local and state).
Prosecutor and Police (even before trial) took our side. Judge told them “Leave these people alone or you’re going to jail. Do you understand me?”.
Got my FIOS fixed today finally, just in time too. They may go out on Strike.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/verizon-wireline-workers-authorize-strike-171149064.html
I cringe a little every time I leave my house unarmed.
48
Pretty sure everyone else feels better!
Any recommendations for a week from hell with the entire family in Duck, NC? Sort of hoping for a hurricane.
Alex, there is always h00kers and bl0w…..
Drink heavily.