Dispatches from Somewhere Else

By Murray Sabrin, PhD

So here I am, running for the United States Senate, to be a member of the body that approves Justices to the Supreme Court and treaties with foreign powers, only to find that the vetting process resembles those ad hoc committees formed to screen prospective tenants in a down market high rise.

Vetting process, what vetting process, my academic friends ask?  They remind me that 100 years ago, the 17th Amendment to the United States Constitution established the direct election of Senators by popular vote.

Not so fast, this is New Jersey, and New Jersey isn’t like the rest of America.

You see, New Jersey has never quite warmed up to the idea of holding an unimpeded popular vote on anything.  First, there is the filter of the party primary, but as this is New Jersey, the party bosses go one step further, they have something they call “the line”.

The party bosses get to assemble the actual government ballot in a way that benefits the candidates they select.  Then they go another step further, by actually labeling their candidate as the “approved” Republican candidate.  Try doing this to an official ballot in the rest of America and you will end up in jail.  But New Jersey really isn’t America, it is somewhere else.

The “line” is a thumb on the scale that gives an advantage to one candidate over others and what is worse is that it uses a government ballot and a government polling place to deliver that advantage on behalf of a political boss.  And all this electoral corruption is paid for by the taxpayers!

This year I entered the so-called “selection” process with open eyes.  My supporters include some very experienced people who told me up front that Governor Christie’s people would never allow someone who supported Ron Paul to be the nominee.  They told me that the Governor still wants to run for President and that he fears a challenge from Senator Rand Paul.

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Happy Earth Month from EPA!

Tuesday, April 22 is Earth Day, but we’re celebrating all month, sharing a new tip each day to help you act on climate change.

Below, we’ve listed many ways you can take action yourself and
spread the word to your friends and family.
Try one or many, but either way, let’s all #ActOnClimate!

Help us get the message out. Please help us share a message at
12PM on Earth Day, along with the link to a page full of things
everyone can do to act on climate. We’re using a new system called Thunderclap to coordinate, so a message will go out from everyone
at 12PM on Earth Day. Here’s the catch: we need 500 people to sign up or the message won’t go.

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Kovach still trying to get her name on primary ballot for 7th District seat held by Lance

Kovach still trying to get her name on primary ballot for 7th District seat held by Lance (via NJ.com)

  CLINTON — Clinton Mayor Janice Kovach continues working on appealing a decision that leaves her off the primary election ballot for Congress. She said today, “I am working with the Board of Elections to do what we need to do” and hopes to know…

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Only 2 Days Left to Register–BCC’s Helicopter Egg Drop 2014

What is an Egg Drop?
It’s tens of thousands of plastic eggs being dropped from a helicopter
onto a grass field.  After the helicopter has safely left the area, kids
will then be allowed onto the field to collect eggs!  For safety reasons,
kids are divided up into age groups for separate drops – this is why the registration form must be completed in advance and in its entirety.
Oh, did we mention that we will have a professional helicopter pilot
dropping the eggs!!!

*Here’s what you need to know…* Read the rest of this entry »

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Get a Job!!—Friday, April 4

If you are looking for a job, you should attend the
Monmouth County job fair from 10:00am to 1:00pm Friday, April 4
at the Brookdale Community Collins Arena, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft.

This job fair will provide you with access to employers seeking talented candidates in every discipline, from hospitality and health care to finance, education, telecommunications, computer science, and everything in between.
One hundred local employers and employment resource organizations
will be participating in the free event. No registration is required for jobseekers. During the job fair, a panel discussion entitled “Ask the Recruiters” will be presented by the Jersey Shore Association for Human Services.

Registration is not required for the panel discussion.

In addition, resume professionals will be available for one-on-one resume reviews. A registration table for sign-ups will be available for a 15 minute personal resume review. Job seekers are encouraged to make an appointment upon arrival as the reviews will be done on a
first-come, first-served basis.

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Christie: “The war on drugs has failed”

West Long Branch Police Chief Larry Mihlon: ..”the deadly nature of heroin doesn’t care who you are…It just kills you”

Transcript

West Long Branch Police Chief Larry Mihlon: As a police officer, you never really think about that this is going to hit you at home. Well, April 13^th of 2013, the Long Branch Police Department responded to a call of a 22-year old young man who had stopped breathing and had no pulse. That young man was in my house because it was my son. The reason why I put myself out here and I relate this story in public is that I think it’s extremely important for people to realize that the heroin epidemic and the deadly nature of heroin doesn’t care who you are. It doesn’t care what your father does. It doesn’t care whether there are good parents or bad parents. It doesn’t care if you’re a good kid or a bad kid. It just kills you. This rollout of Narcan, in my eyes, is another fantastic tool for law enforcement to do the other mission that law enforcement has and that is to save peoples’ lives.

Governor Christie: The war on drugs has failed. Read the rest of this entry »

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N.J. heroin crisis: Christie discusses new tool in battle against overdoses

N.J. heroin crisis: Christie discusses new tool in battle against overdoses (via NJ.com)

BRICK — Police officers and first responders in Ocean and Monmouth counties will begin carrying naloxone, a drug that can counter the effects of an opiate overdose, Gov. Chris Christie said today as New Jersey continues its years-long battle against…

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, April 4-6, 2014

By Greg Kelly

Friday, April 4

• Jersey Shore Restaurant Week (Many county restaurants) – MORE INFO

• The Imaginary Invalid (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

• Monmouth County Job Fair at BCC (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Date of a Lifetime at NJ Repertory Theater (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Monty Python’s SPAMALOT at BCC (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Play It Again Sam at Center Playhouse (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Aberdeen) – MORE INFO

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Young Frankenstein heading down 42nd Street–Thursday, April 3

Red Bank Regional High School Theatre Company will present

42ND STREET, beginning Thursday, April 3rd at 7:00 PM

Nominated for 8 Tony Awards in 1981, including winning the Tony for
Best Musical. With music by Harry Warren, the classic tale of a small town
girl from Allentown, Pennsylvania taking on the The Great White Way is
sure to bring entertainment to any viewer. With tap numbers that will bring you to your feet, classic songs such as “Lullaby of Broadway,” “42nd Street,” “We’re In The Money,” and “Young and Healthy,” Red Bank Regional’s production of 42nd Street is one that you will not want to miss.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.
Red Bank Regional is located at 101 Ridge Road in Little Silver
Tickets may be purchased at the door or reserved ahead by
calling 732-842-8000, x 217
Additional Shows on Friday, April 4th (7:00 PM), Saturday, April 5th (7:00 PM)and Sunday, April 6th (3:00 PM)

Also on Thursday, April 3rd, The Manasquan High School Drama Club
will present YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN beginning at 7:30 PM

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Easter is on the Way-April News

Happy Spring!!

Easter falls on Sunday, April 20th this year.
Local Easter Egg Hunts are in swing. Be sure and check your town’s
website for dates and times.
Here is where you can find a complete list of all Monmouth County Municipalities.

Although the town Easter Egg Hunts are usually for residents only.
Here is a list of fun things for everyone. You can find them all and more information on the BizEturtle Calendar of Plays & Events.
KEEP an eye on the Calendar. More added every day.

Saturday, April 5, LUNCH WITH THE EASTER BUNNY
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM at Manasquan Fire Company No. 2
111 Parker Avenue, Manasquan
RSVP: 732-223-2807, Cost: $5
.—————————————–
Saturday, April 5, EASTER EGG HUNT
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM at Eastside Park
Harrison Avenue, Red Bank
Info: 732-530-2782
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Sunday, April 6, PANCAKE BREAKFAST WITH THE EASTER BUNNY
8:30 AM – 11:30 AM at Glendola Fire Department
3404 Belmar Blvd, Wall Township
Info: 732-681-6435
Adults $6.00   Children $4.00
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