• Governor Christie Is In Control. Thank God we have a leader like Governor Chris Christie in charge of New Jersey during this chaos. I don’t care if you’re a Republican or a Democrat, you have to respect the way that Christie took on this situation directly and without any delay. He warned people well in advance to get out of certain areas of the state. He is on-site managing cleanup and recovery efforts. He isn’t making stupid decisions like attempting to hold a marathon in the middle of the mayhem (a rare miss by New York City’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg). Christie is doing an amazing job for the state and I’m glad that we have him on the job during this time.
• The Governor Throwing Politics to the Side. Again, unlike some of his pathetic predecessors, I have to praise Governor Christie for his direct statements about President Barack Obama and the leadership that he showed during his visit. When a FOX News reporter asked Governor Christie about how he felt about potentially giving Obama a pre-election bump in the polls after thanking him during his visit, this is what Christie said: “I endorsed Mitt Romney 13 months ago because I thought he was the best guy for the job and on Tuesday I’m voting for Mitt Romney because I think he’s the best guy for the job. But it doesn’t mean that I can’t turn the President of the United States of American and say to him ‘Thank you, sir, for providing good leadership during this crisis and for helping the people of New Jersey,’ and to extend my hand of friendship to him.” Can you imagine a liar like Governor Jim McGreevey or Governor Jon “Money Bags” Corzine giving as direct and noble an answer as Christie did?
• The Immediate Post-Hurricane Shoppers. What I really don’t get about the aftermath of the hurricane are the people who stormed the grocery stores and left with wagons and wagons filled with food. First, didn’t these people do the same thing not but two days earlier when the entire state was in a panic over the pending storm? And if they did, then did they eat through a wagon (or two) filled with groceries in just two days? Stop eating so much! Second, if these people did not fill up their pantries and refrigerators prior to the storm hitting… why not?! What part of a major storm aiming directly for our state did you not understand? Get with the program, people!
• Staten Island is Decimated. I can’t believe the pictures and video coming out of Staten Island. Seriously, if you’ve not seen these pictures, then you need to do a Bing or YouTube search and you’ll see the devastation that I’m talking about. It’s absolutely unbelievable. I’m going to comb through some of my clothes to see if I can donate some of them to the people who lost everything in the storm.
• There Are Always Dumb People. If you live in New Jersey, then you’ve probably tuned in to NJ 101.5 at some point in the last week. I heard one called say that she was really upset that there was so much focus by the utility companies on the Jersey Shore region and not where she lived up in Northwest New Jersey where she was without power, too. Typically, I’m with this woman and I think that the people in Northwest New Jersey are often overlooked when it comes to government-regulated services. But what really irked me was what this idiot mentioned in her rant. She said that the utility companies were disregarding the people in her area because “we don’t live right on top of each other like it’s the Third World like they do down the shore.” What a moron. The hosts of the radio show were quick to tell her that what she thought was her biggest selling point – that the people in Northwest New Jersey live in a geographically dispersed region – was actually what was preventing the utilities from focusing on them. Anyone with half a brain realizes that these utility companies have to get power to the most people as quick as possible. So they’re obviously going to choose to restore power to those areas that are heavily populated versus those that are widely dispersed. I wanted to call in to this woman and tell her that if she was annoyed that this happened all of the time, then she should go out and buy a generator. Yes, if you live out in the woods (like all of my family does and like I would like to do again some day), then you should be prepared to buy a generator for situations like this one. Get real, idiot.
• We’re a Strong, Hardy People. The populations of New Jersey and New York are strong. We’re a tough people, a hardy people. We’re the American versions of the British mentality of keeping a stiff upper lip. In other words, as soon as it was safe to go outside and start cleaning up and helping people recover their lives, we began working. Companies opened, neighbors helped neighbors once the power came back on, people began donating old clothes and other items in mass quantities, congregations began organizing food drives. This part of the Northeast megalopolis is packed with tough, stern individuals. We relish being challenged. We love overcoming adversity. We typify the American angst and, frankly, anger at being put off of our various courses in life. When things get bad, the New Jersey/New York population digs in fights back. This entire area will come back stronger for the effort.

I was conflicted on whether or not to add a final thought in a final bullet point up there. The final thought relates to my last sentence in these bullet points about coming back stronger for the effort. I’m not entirely sure that we should be planning to come back in the same form or with the same function as we were before the storm hit. Let’s be honest – when the people who were living below sea-level down in New Orleans were obliterated during that storm, there were voices from throughout the nation saying that they should not be rebuilding in those low-lying areas that are prone to destruction. The same chorus can be heard each year when parts of the Gulf States and Florida, in particular, get battered by hurricanes.

That same thought is running through my mind in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Should we rebuild everything as it was or should we rebuild things differently? If you think we should rebuild things differently – how so? What should be different?

Other than additional reinforcement of some of our structures, I don’t know what could have been done to protect against a storm of that nature. I’m interested in your thoughts, so please share them!

In the mean time, the New York Daily News reports that they’ve honored the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the 60th Anniversary of the Communist Takeover of China, and gay pride week. In the coming week, they plan to honor Corporate Philanthropy Day and National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Really? You’re going to honor the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Corporate Philanthropy Day and then NOT honor Cardinal Dolan?

Give me a break.

Thankfully, the much bigger, much more important Freedom Tower at 1 World Trade Center decided to make this situation right by bathing the building in red in honor of the new Cardinal. Take a look at these amazing pictures taken by Anthony Quintano and posted on Flickr.com:

I don’t know about you, but the Freedom Tower looks pretty good drenched in the red that is symbolic of the Cardinal’s new attire. Very nicely done by the team at the Port Authority.

It’s Christmas in New York City, come and experience
the sights, lights and sounds so pretty
That comprises the rhythm,beat and excitement of our
great big wonderful city.

It’s Christmas in New York City, now adorned in her Most glorious dress,
as church elders prepare the nativity scene and the Baby Jesus crèche.

Christmas trees displayed all over town adorned and decorated in
Gaily colored lights,bells,reefs and tinsel that glows and twinkle in anticipation of Kris Kringle

Sparkling brightly Day and night…boy oh boy what a magnificent sight.

Christmas tree stands gleaming bright and tall in department stores, promenades,plazas,malls, lawns, and homes.
In department stores all over town Santa is busy making his list for all the girls and boys presents and Christmas toys.

Saint Nick extends his warmest Christmas wishes to all who visit or call,
“Merry, Merry Christmas to one and all”… Here’s hoping, that on Christmas Day snow will fall.

Merry, Merry Christmas!
For, it’s Christmas in New York City.

It’s Christmas in New York City, come and experience
the sights, lights and sounds so pretty,
That comprises the rhythm,beat and excitement of our
great big and magnificent city.

It’s Christmas in New York City, now adorned in her Most glorious dress,
as church elders prepare the nativity scene and Baby Jesus crèche.

Christmas trees displayed all over town, now adorned and decorated in
Gaily colored lights,bells,reefs and tinsel that glows and twinkle in anticipation of Kris Kringle

Day and night…boy oh boy what a magnificent sight.

Christmas tree stands gleaming bright and tall in department stores, malls, front lawns, and homes.
Santa taking note of all the girls and boys list of christmas toys.

Saint Nick extends his warmest Christmas wishes to all who visit or call,
Merry, Merry Christmas to one and all… Here’s hoping, that on Christmas Day snow will fall.

Merry, Merry Christmas!
For, it’s Christmas in New York City.

Another gem, Mr. Martino. Thanks for your contributions and a Merry Christmas to you, too!

Anyway, we went on this tour back in October, but I must have forgotten to post these pictures from the tour itself. Oh, and if you’re wondering – I highly recommend signing up for the tour, which is operated by Screen Tours. This is a great day trip or birthday present for any Sopranos fan!

Enjoy the pictures!

“I have traveled far and wide but could never stay
Away for very long before feeling this yearning
Buried deep inside my soul to return to the city of
My birth, the greatest place on earth. I’m as driven
To return home as a lemming jumping off a clift,
If you get my drift.
Or a salmon swimming upstream, back to, and as fast
As possible to my beloved city by the bay.
New York City I must say.

Where else could I ride the Staten Island ferry?
Or take a breezy walk across the Brooklyn Bridge?
Visit the statue of liberty, when downtown?
The worlds symbol of freedom and liberty standing
Watch high over the harbor, elegantly dressed in her
Flowing robes torch and crown.
Where could I walk from Battery Park via Broadway’s
Canyon of heroes?
Stop off at wall street and city hall?
Eat all my favorite foods in Chinatown and little Italy,
And walk away full, but never guilty?
What a lovely way to spend a day
New York City I must say.

Where could I buy a knish or a special dish anytime
of day? Enjoy a walk through soho, the village any
“Greenwich time” of day?
Browsing and buying is an art form here, from highbrow
Galleries to vendors various works of art. talented
Artisans selling on sidewalk stands and stalls each
And every day.
New York City I must say.

The empire state building is a storied structure in more
way than one. Sitting atop 34th. street where could you go for the
Heights and see all the visionary sights in a day?
Attend an opera, ballet, recital or a play?
Walk across 42nd.street, the crosswalk of the world?
Head north up Broadway, Or as we new Yorkers refer
To as “the great white way.”
New York City I must say.

Where else could I stroll side by side, across town, up and down?
And all around the world two greatest Mecca’s of shopping in the world?
Madison and fifth, what two great streets to buy a gift!
Where else could you enter St. Patrick’s Cathedral To
Give thanks and pray?
New York City I must say.

Where could you walk, visit and attend Carnegie hall, central
Park, Columbus circle, Lincoln center and 72nd. street and the
Upper west side all in a day or two?
All just a walk or ride away. Now you know and maybe understand
This compulsion to quickly return to this great city,
When away?
For you see I have the worlds right here at my home and doorstep.
A magical city-world where everything and anything of value
And worth in this world is only a short walk, bus, taxi or
Subway ride away!
New York City I must say.”

Copyright Joseph P.Martino 2006

Thank you again to Mr. Martino for his poetic contributions to JerseySmarts.com!

Happy New Year!

Second, most of the people in Times Square seem to be tourists. This prompted one of my roommates and I to comment that all of the real New Yorkers are probably watching (and laughing) from the comfort of a local bar or their own homes! But thank God for those tourists bringing their economic power to the City. Tourists help keep local economies afloat and all local people thank tourists for their purchases!

Finally, I included “prosperous” in the title of this post because I really do hope that 2010 and the entire coming decade is a prosperous one for all of my family members, friends, and readers of this blog. The last decade saw too many people lose a lot of money in a variety of markets. First the technology and “.com” bubble burst and then the housing bubble exploded a few years later. In the past few years the stock market went on a slide, though it seems to be recovering. There are many people out there – myself included – who managed to make the best of these situations and actually wound up in a much better financial position than before these crises! But there are far too many people who are suffering economically, physically, and mentally so I hope that the wealth of prosperity and happiness (and so much more) come to more people in the next ten years.

As for the rest of today – sit back, relax, and enjoy the day off!

FOX News Projects a Christie Win

That said, I do think that it is important to remember that this is New Jersey and, even though 83% of precincts have reported and the vote stands at 49% for Christie and 44% for Corzine, anything can happen. But for now – it’s exciting to know that the voters in New Jersey made the right decision by getting rid of Jon Corzine. The Republican Governors Association has already called this win (along with the big win in Virginia earlier tonight) a turning point for the Republican Party. Their website boasts that comeback begins with Virginia and New Jersey…and so let the drums begin beating for 2010 already, huh?

It looks like the vote by mail ballots have not been counted yet in New Jersey. As a guy who votes by mail, I’m a little concerned about that. Stay tuned for additional information as the night – and the vote counting – continues… And hey, is anyone watching the Mayoral election in New York City right now? With 85% of the vote counted, incumbent Independent Mayor Michael Bloomberg is up with 50% of the vote to his opponent’s Thomson’s 47% of the vote. That’s significant when you consider that Mayor Bloomberg spent upwards of $100 million on this campaign and some estimates have Thompson’s expenses at just $3 million. Definitely something to watch in New York City.

But be wary, folks. Large portions of Camden and Essex counties and many of the New York City suburbs have not reported their election results yet. These are areas that are notorious for voting the Democratic ticket for no reason other than that it is the Democratic ticket. These are also areas where there was talk a few weeks ago about a gigantic increase in vote by mail ballot applications along with some talk about the possibility that ACORN was helping to register voters. Something tells me that if these counties come in strong for Corzine (which everyone expects them to) and in enough numbers to sway the vote that there is going to be an explosion of citizen rage in this state.

We’re tired of corruption in New Jersey and we’re tired of paying for crooked politicians and their lies.

Every time a customer purchases products with the ShopRite Partners In Caring shelf tag, they support the brands that support the fight against hunger. At ShopRite, customers are not just filling a grocery bag; they are helping to fill empty bowls for thousands of hungry families in your community.

ShopRite Partners In Caring is the Recipient of the Following Awards – among others:

• Good Neighbor Award – Food Marketing Institute (FMI)
• Retailer of the Year Award – America’s Second Harvest/Feeding America
• Outstanding Achievement Award – Hudson Valley Food Bank
• Crystal Toque Award – Philadelphia and South Jersey
• Outstanding Spirit Award – Monmouth and Ocean County Food Bank
• Connecticut Food Bank – Bill Liddell Award
• Corporate Excellence Award – Food Bank for New York City

Companies that have joined ShopRite in the fight against hunger are marked in stores with the ShopRite Partners In Caring shelf label. By choosing these products, ShopRite customers support manufacturers who contribute to the program.

Each of the 217 ShopRite stores in the six states that ShopRite serves (New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Maryland) selects qualified local organizations to benefit from the program. These local food charities use their designated funds to acquire supplies at a food bank.

Today, the ShopRite Partners In Caring program supports 23 regional food banks and more than 1,400 charitable agencies with food or meal components. With a $2 million annual donation, more than $20 million has been donated since 1999 in the fight against hunger.

For more on the program, visit www.ShopRitePartnersInCaring.org.