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"The less secure a man is, the more likely he is to have extreme prejudice."

2010-06-08T09:17:00.001-04:00

-Clint Eastwood

How do the kids in Arizona feel now? On racism: Roger Ebert, How did they get to be that way?

Dear Gov. Christie...

2010-04-22T15:52:00.003-04:00

This is in response to two things from the Governor's 4/21 interview on Ask the Governor, NJ 101.5. Here's a segment of that interview, transcripted:

Eric SCOTT (NJ101.5): Peg in Rutherford writes: 'What are your issues with New Jersey's public libraries? A 74% cut indicates a clear lack of support.' And we got many similar questions to Peg as well about the reduction in support for libraries.
Governor CHRISTIE: Listen, I love public libraries, but public libraries are one of the few places where, by statute, municipalities are required to dedicate a certain amount to their public libraries. And so there is a dedicated funding stream to libraries and each and every municipality that has one. And again, I'm not looking to cut funding from libraries, but everyone is sharing in the sacrifice. Every department of state government has been reduced. For the first time in recent memory, every department has been reduced. Every program has been looked at. And libraries can't be immune to that. And so, I don't feel good about having to do it, but the fact of the matter is as one of the earlier callers said I was handed a bag of problems when I took this job. And I'm not complaining about it. I understood at least some of the problems I was inheriting when I asked for the job. And so we're just dealing with as honestly as I can. I understand. I've gotten a lot of letters from people who utilize public libraries-
SCOTT: Yeah.
CHRISTIE: And I think there's some misinformation about it too. It's not like because of this, public libraries are going to be closing. Municipalities are required to dedicate a stream of funding to libraries in their towns. And we do not believe you'll be seeing any libraries close or any significant diminution of services for people to be able to utilize. But there were a number of streams of funding that went there. We felt like in an era of tough choices, given that there was another funding stream available to public libraries across the state of New Jersey, that that was one of the areas we could aggressively cut for the time being while we are in a difficult period.

There are two parts of this to which I want to respond.

First: Yes, most of the public library funding is through a dedicated local tax. However, bill A2555 seeks to gut that by eliminating the minimum funding requirement! There are also multiple streames of funding for libraries because of shared services, regional cooperatives, and statewide programs which help ALL libraries. Your cut will result in loss of services, possibly cut hours but definitely reduced services. Your also puts funding below thresholds to get federal funding- so the cut runs even deeper than you portray.

Second: We all know how bad were the fiscal problems you inhereted were; we all did. If you didn't, I suggest in the future you read the newspaper. Be aware how utterly disingenuous you sound every time you complain about it- and then insist you're not complaining about it.

The Lupus of News

2010-04-21T21:12:00.002-04:00

Jon Stewart, doing what he does best.

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Bernie Goldberg Fires Back

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Hamilton, West Windsor Malls go solar

Tea Party

It's a little long but worth it to hang out to the end.

The best comedy IS social commentary.

Editorial

2010-04-17T12:51:00.003-04:00

In a fitting end for National Library Week, an editorial appeared in Friday's Times of Trenton explaining why library funding in Our Fair State is so imperiled and why we need to save it.

Gov. Christie's proposed budget eliminates most of the statewide services that state residents have come to expect from their local libraries. A 74 percent reduction in state funding will eliminate the core services and infrastructure that support a majority of our libraries, including access to the internet, databases and electronic resources; loans and delivery of materials between libraries; and support for summer reading programs for children. And a 50 percent reduction in state aid will affect our libraries' ability to purchase books, computers and audiovisual collections.
...
Often, the public library is the only center in the community where anyone can go for services such as finding tax forms, resume preparation, homework assistance, literacy programs, recreational reading, research and much more. Libraries serve the youngest children, starting with programs for babies and parents, where children are read to and begin learning and socializing. Programs for children and teens continue as they grow. Our youth find welcoming spaces that offer help with homework, research, their college search, books, and a place to relax in a safe environment. Most libraries offer hours until 9 p.m. on weekdays, as well as weekend service. After school hours, the library serves as a virtual gateway for education and recreation.

Read the whole story here. Then, write to your Assemblyfolk; tell them you support your local library and ask them to oppose the governor's proposed cuts and Assembly Bill A2555, which eliminates minimum libray funding. Please, write to them today!

What will we lose?

2010-04-14T14:19:00.005-04:00

I hope you are still enjoying National Library Week! Visit your local library and tell them how much you appreciate what they do.

Local libraries do so much for people. Right now, funding is stressed and politicians see libraries as an easy thing to cut, even though library programs have been flat funded for 20 years- so it is hard to believe these small programs have caused the state's current fiscal crisis!Gov. Christie's proposed cuts would cause:

Libraries will lose 50% of state aid at a time when demand for services is increasing dramatically
More than half of public libraries will lose access to the Internet
Many libraries will lose email service
Many libraries will lose their websites or access to them
The Talking Book and Braille Center (known as the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped) will close
Group contracts which bring down the cost of other electronic resources purchased by libraries will cease; regional library cooperatives will close
Access to electronic databases such as RefUSA and EBSCO will cease
Statewide interlibrary loan and delivery of library materials will cease

This is horrible. Please, make your voice heard. Write your Assemblyfolk and state Senator. Tell your legislators to STOP cuts in funding to Our Fair State's libraries. Visit ILoveNJLibraries.org for more information.

National Library Week

2010-04-12T22:52:00.001-04:00

Happy National Library Week!

Honorary chairman Neil Gaiman discusses the importance of libraries to him personally.

Champion New Jersey's libraries!

2010-04-08T14:50:00.004-04:00

Important links to defend Our Fair State's libraries:

ILoveNJLibraries.org: for more information on what services you and your town will lose, as well as why our libraries must be saved.

Become a Library Champion: Sign up to recieve information from the NJLA on legislative developments and contact points to defend your local library.

Save NJ Libraries!: Join the Facebook group for more information and updates.

Libraries prepare for budget impact: Geoff Wertime's article in the Register-News.

Libraries facing loss of extensive public services

2010-03-26T15:35:00.002-04:00

From today's NJToday.net (The NewsRecord):

The impact of Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed cuts to school and municipal aid awards has gotten the headlines this week, but libraries will also be feeling the pinch under his budget plan.
The governor’s budget proposal cuts state library funding by 74 percent – $10.4 million. Funding for the Talking Book and Braille Center would be eliminated, forcing the service to shut down.
Approximately 250 of the state’s public libraries currently receive their internet access through New Jersey’s State Library; once the money runs out, they’ll have to make other arrangements lose the service.
...
According to State Librarian Norma Blake, New Jersey’s inter-library loan program would be shut down at the end of June once the current funding runs out.
...
“The most devastating effects are the loss of statewide databases that the State Library pays for and we access,” Anderson said.“We use them to help local business people create job lists for sales prospecting and mailings. They are also used to help patrons research companies for career prospects and job interviews. We use the Ebsco databases to help people research everything from consumer health questions to educational assistance. Students access these databases as well, from home in many cases,” she said.

Support Our Fair State's libraries. Please, tell your legislators to STOP the proposed library funding cuts.

Libraries are more important than ever

2010-03-25T15:26:00.003-04:00

From the AP:

"A third of Americans — about 77 million people — use public library computers to look for jobs, connect with friends, do their homework and improve their lives, according to a new study released today.
It confirms what public libraries have been saying as they compete for public dollars to expand their services and high-speed Internet access: library use by the general public is widespread..."

An ever higher percentage of people living below the povertly line depend on their public libraries for their computers.

Your public library isn't just books! or reference services! or free children's programs! or free computer classes! or free/low-cost DVD borrowing! or free CD borrowing! or a community center! or free adult programs! There are computers, too.

Library funding should not be cut. People depend on libraries for so many things; in this economic environment, even more people depend on their local library.

Support Our Fair State's libraries. Please, tell your legislators to STOP the proposed library funding cuts.

Where's Homestar?

2010-03-09T10:43:00.004-05:00

What happened to Homestar Runner? The site hasn't been updated since December, and there wasn't even a Decemberween cartoon this year. I couldn't find any news, either. Anyone know?

What (Bill) Clinton should've done years ago

2010-01-27T22:28:00.001-05:00

This year, I will work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law
that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of
who they are.

-The President of the United States. 1/27/10

Now, how about all those massive warehouses on Cranbury Road?

2010-01-21T15:21:00.003-05:00

Developers Diversified will purchase some of the solar electricity for common area use, and tenants of Developers Diversified will have the opportunity to purchase the electricity generated by the solar power systems.
“There were no upfront costs for the developer and they are collecting roof rent,” said Jamie Smith, vice president of sales for SunEdison. “The roofs were not doing anything. Now they are turning them into cash.”

PSE&G is also considering a solar farm in Trenton, and held a town hall meeting about it recently to address resiential concerns.

Our Fair State may have lost its progressive way on some things, but on renewable energy, we are moving forward. Go Solar!

Wyatt Cenac in Trenton

2010-01-15T15:43:00.001-05:00

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Dreaded Bliss

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Yes, we are in the crowd shot, at 3:18. We saw Wyatt Cenac at a distance. This isn't his funniest work, but his point at the end is priceless.

Second Class citizens of Our Fair State

2010-01-12T10:20:00.002-05:00

From Geoff Wertime's opinion column at CentralJersey.com, titled Witnessing NJ's Shameful Vote:

My senator, Jennifer Beck, R-12th, cast that last vote with a photo of me and my boyfriend, which I handed her mere hours beforehand, either staring her in the face or — and this is more likely — buried under a stack of papers somewhere on her desk. It’s a photograph of us at a wedding this summer, one of three friends’ ceremonies we attended in the space of a month. She cast that vote after telling me earlier in the day that women had to wait for the right to vote, and that same-sex couples will have to wait as well.

It’s hard not to feel like an outcast when all of your friends are enjoying a privilege that is denied you, especially when a legislative body reaffirms that denial.

I spent part of the day chasing Senator Beck down too, with my husband (I'm part of the class that was awarded a right to marry by the genetic lottery), an old friend and a new one. The senator was quite adept at dodging us but did spend several minutes (of what was clearly a very busy day) listening to our concerns. As she had clearly heard the concerns of many in the recent past.

Yet she voted against equal rights anyway. A shameful vote, indeed. For 20 of our senators, and several who wimped out and abstained.

There shouldn't be two classes of citizenship. We've already proved separate-but-equal is never equal, why are we still allowing it?

Voters in Our Fair State don't forget votes against equal rights for all. I hope the voters in our district remember the day when Senator Beck voted how her party told her to, not how her conscience should have.

Another typical day in Trenton

2010-01-07T19:13:00.001-05:00

With today’s vote in the state Senate, the New Jersey legislature defaulted on its constitutional obligation to provide same-sex couples in New Jersey equal protection, as unanimously mandated by the New Jersey Supreme Court in 2006.

Garden State Equality has more here.

Why I am going to Trenton tomorrow

2010-01-06T20:24:00.003-05:00

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me— and there was no one left to speak out for me.

-commonly attributed to Martin Niemoller

I will not keep quiet because I am straight and was allowed to marry.
I will not keep quiet while my friends and family are denied equality.
This isn't a "gay rights" issue; it's a civil rights issue.

I am going to Trenton tomorrow. I am going to add my voice to the multitudes who demand equality for everyone.

It's about damn time.

Senate vote TOMORROW on Marriage Equality

2010-01-06T08:46:00.004-05:00

1. Call your State Senators and tell them to do what's right. (When following that link, click the "state" tab.) If you already know who your Senator is, go here for contact information.

2. Email your Senator. It can't hurt to do both.

3. If you possibly can go, go to Trenton. Garden State Equality has info here.

Now is the time for Our Fair State to step up and give everyone equal rights. Now is the time for us to show our support.

Start calling.

Happy New Year from CoNJL

2010-01-03T15:32:00.003-05:00

I'm still here, just haven't had much to say lately. Happy New Year, everybody.

Marriage equality in New Jersey?

2009-12-06T20:17:00.002-05:00

It's about damn time.

As people continue to demonstrate their support, the Senate Judiciary committee is planning on a vote tomorrow to bring this important civil rights legislation to the full State Senate.

Separate is not equal.

It's about damn time.

I'm in love... with audiobooks

2009-12-01T10:06:00.003-05:00

I love audiobooks.

I love Neil Gaiman.

I love Neil Gaiman's recordings of his own books.

Am quite fond of David Sidaris, too.

So, so happy was I when I found this; it's an NPR piece on audiobooks, reported by Gaiman, where he discusses audiobooks and interviews Sidaris, too. Only eight minutes long, and well worth the time, if you love them too.

Thanks.

2009-11-11T09:28:00.002-05:00

I heard a little of the memorial service at Ft. Hood yesterday while in the car. It was hard to listen while driving, and blinking back tears.

For all sorts of reasons, I was reminded of Dave Barry's essay Hallowed Ground. It's not the Dave Barry you expect- it's not funny, not even a little- but it does show why he's a good writer. It's about veterans of very different wars than the ones we're involved in now. And about respect. And remembrance.

Happy Veterans Day. Thanks.

2009 Election Results for New Jersey

2009-11-03T18:00:00.003-05:00

Governor's race

Local races by County:

Atlantic (look all the way to the right, in the box on top)
Bergen
Burlington
Camden
Cape May County
Cumberland
Essex
Gloucester
Hudson
Hunterdon
Mercer
Middlesex
Monmouth
Morris
Ocean
Passaic
Salem
Somerset
Sussex
Union
Warren

NOT EVERY ONE WILL UPDATE TONIGHT. The polls close at 8 PM, so some counties may start updating soon after that. (UPDATE 8:30 PM: several have started updating, and the NJ.com link for the Gov race is active.)

Keep your fingers crossed!

Did you vote?

2009-11-03T17:19:00.001-05:00

I voted about 4PM. Was #200 at my poling place.

Voting booths are open until 8 tonight. Go vote!

You must vote.

2009-11-02T16:57:00.002-05:00

Go vote. Go first thing in the morning. Go early, before there are lines. Take your neighbor with you.

Go vote.

H1N1 vaccine

2009-10-27T09:05:00.002-04:00

My kids' pediatrician has it.

I keep hearing about shortages, friends in other states with the virus rampant in their kids' schools (and sometimes in their kids!), delays in production- so I was surprized to find out that they had it. I called to see when they expected to get their shipment of seasonal flu vaccine, and while they didn't have that, they did have the FluMist H1N1 vaccine.

So maybe call your doctor, or your pediatrician.

(I get a lot of searches which lead people to this blog looking for flu shots in NJ or flu vaccine clinics- maybe this information will help.)

Vote now!

2009-10-21T08:58:00.003-04:00

Vote by mail is simple. You don't need to provide a reason to vote by mail in Our Fair State, so why wait? You have no excuses this year. Vote now!

Vote by mail application

Register to vote TODAY

2009-10-13T11:40:00.000-04:00

Today is the LAST DAY to register if you want to vote in Our Fair State's election next month. And you can even vote by mail! What fun!

You'll need to visit your county registrar's office to file the paperwork. If you need information about the upcoming election, check out NJVoterInfo.org.

Remember, if you don't vote, you can't complain about the election or the governor at all. So get registered!

Just because I like him doesn't matter

2009-10-12T12:39:00.001-04:00

I'm not voting for Chris Daggett.

The Star-Ledger loves this guy. His performance at the debate was pretty impressive. I agree with much of his position. Yet, why am I not voting for him?

This morning, the Times of Trenton ran George Amick's column (which they have unhelpfully not put up on NJ.com yet) titled "Daggett says N.J. is ready for independent gov." Two pages away, they ran a story by Linda Stein (also, unhelpfully not online) titled "Study finds every vote does count" citing Hightstown's recent Democratic primary (tie, 88-88; challenger Dimitri Musing will be on the ballot) and Southampton's school budget, defeated by 10 votes. The article is about mail-in voting, but the juxtaposition is what interests me.

I can't vote for Daggett. I can't risk Christie winning.

Daggett knows I feel this way. I'm sure he hears it from both sides. He has a nice page about how voting for him is not a wasted vote. His supporters know many feel this way; I can tell you who will respond to this post first, and what he'll say. But I still can't do it.

Al Gore came to endorse Gov. Corzine a while back. Do y'all remember the 2000 elections? If 550 people in Florida had voted for Al Gore instead of independent Ralph Nader, the world would be a different place. I'm not exaggerating: the world would be a different place now. That's the difference an independent vote makes. It can change the world.

And there are changes I can't risk.

George Amick has another recent column, helpfully online here, about how the time for instant runoff voting in Our Fair State is NOW. I wish we had it, I do.

Flu shot locator

2009-10-06T09:44:00.001-04:00

The American Lung Association provides one here. Type in your zip code and dates when you could go, and there you are! (Specifically for seasonal flu, not H1N1.)

A Most Excellent Resource

2009-09-27T09:41:00.002-04:00

Q and A NJ: http://www.qandanj.com/

It's a chat service where you can chat live with a librarian. It's staffed by a cooperative effort of Our Fair State's libraries. Per their web site:

"QandANJ is a service for New Jersey residents and students.QandANJ.org is designed to provide fast answers to your questions, using information found on the Internet and in proprietary databases funded by libraries. In most cases, QandANJ.org Librarians will provide an answer online in 15 minutes or less! If your question involves lengthy research, we'll get you started and/or provide a referral for you or your question. "

This is a most AWESOME tool, which I think libraries don't advertise enough. Librarians love to be asked questions, really they do, and this is a great way to get help writing your paper in the middle of the night, or getting the information in your blog post verified before you hit "publish" and make a fool of yourself, or myriad other uses.

I get searches- recycling edition

2009-09-06T13:38:00.002-04:00

Recycling information in Mercer County: The Mercer County Improvement Authority has links to curbside recycling schedules and hazardous waste recycling, including electronics equipment. The next electronics recycling day is scheduled for Nov. 14, 2009 9AM-2PM. More info on that here, with a link to a PDF about the plan.

Don't forget about freecycling- the program of letting folks take your usable but unneeded items off your hands, while perusing the stuff of others. Mercer County Freecycle maintains a Yahoo group, where you can subscribe to their listserv and peruse their rules for use.

I've gotten a lot of serches about recycling lately. You ask, and here at CoNJL we eventually get around to attempting to deliver!

The five biggest lies in the health care debate

2009-09-02T20:01:00.000-04:00

You'll have no choice in what health benefits you receive.
No chemo for older Medicare patients.
Illegal immigrants will get free health insurance.
Death Panels will decide who lives.
The government will set doctors' wages.

LIES! ALL LIES! Newsweek breaks them down this week, with actual facts from the proposed laws. (This is a follow-up to an earlier article with Seven Falsehoods about Health Care, where they try to debunk even more ridiculous claims.)

Here's the actual bill, where folks should go to verify or disprove any wacko claims they might hear- especially before they repeat them or shout them out at town halls.

If the last month is any indication, more wacko claims will be forthcoming.

Crazies come out for Rep. Palone's meeting

2009-09-02T19:36:00.005-04:00

This is frightening. And pathetic. "Nobody's listening to the facts."

I am ashamed of the residents of Central New Jersey. When they shout down and heckle the disabled woman, I no longer want to proudly proclaim my citizenship of Our Fair state. Just as pathetic is the wingnuts parroting the lies, without even knowing or caring what they mean.

Can there be any room for a centrist at a health care reform town hall meeting

Back to school!

2009-09-01T09:31:00.005-04:00

This seemed perfect for library school. From Brad Veley, found via the Funny Times.

Solar panels on the utility poles?

2009-07-30T22:02:00.001-04:00

Works for us! It will make Our Fair State the second largest generator of solar power behind California.

Go Solar!

Our Fair State is the number one producer of cranberries. And New Jersey Transit rules. Why do people forget the good things?

2009-07-29T14:48:00.002-04:00

Hey, C'Mon That's Not ... Why Would You ...Whoa!

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