HAVE WE NOT ALL ONE FATHER? DID NOT ONE GOD CREATE US ALL? WHY THEN DO WE DEAL UNKINDLY WITH ONE ANOTHER? (Malachi 2:10)

BOYCOTT THE SALVATION ARMY & THE ATLANTIC COUNTY UNITED WAY

Tis the holiday season and the time of fellowship and good will towards others and for many that means charity. As Andrew Carnegie noted: ONE OF THE SERIOUS OBSTACLES TO THE IMPROVMEMENT OF OUR RACE IS INDISCRIMINATE CHARITY. Just as undoubtedly most good Muslims will not be donating to charities that promote hate, bigotry and violence aimed at others, so too it is hoped that we all will choose selectively the charities we donate money to during this holiday season.

At this time of celebration and good feeling towards others we should hear the words of the Prophet Mohammed: DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS BETTER THAN CHARITY AND FASTING AND PRAYER? IT IS KEEPING PEACE AND GOOD RELATIONS BETWEEN PEOPLE, AS QUARRELS AND BAD FEELINGS DESTROY MANKIND.

Thus we should all remember at this time that there are charities that mask their judgmental hatred of those who are different in hypocrical rhetoric or religious dogma and thus are undeserving of our charity. While there may seem to be many Muslim charities that fall within these ugly parameters, we too have our seemingly respectable charities that also are focal points of hatred and bigotry. The Atlantic County United Way and the Salvation Army are two such charities. Both mask their judgmental bigotry in self-righteous intolerance and should be boycotted this holiday season.

Francis Maitland Balfour said: The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity.

Subject: The Scary Republican Health Care Scam: I hope my fellow seniors will beware of the Medicare drug benefit deal being proposed in Congress. The proposal seems to further complicate the health care insurance system and put health care services in the hands of private insurers whose primary interest is in profits, not the health needs of seniors. For all Medicare recipients, the proposal will require extensive changes in their current supplementary policies, causing further confusion in an already difficult to understand health benefits system. New premiums will have to be paid. Most importantly, the proposal will include financial incentives to get seniors to move from traditional Medicare, where they have freedom of choice of providers, to restrictive managed care companies. One question that must be answered is whether a beneficiary choosing a managed care company will be subject to the prescription drugs listed in that companies formulary or whether all beneficiaries in or out of traditional Medicare will have access to the same prescription drugs. MH

Subject: WHY FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS VOTE REPUBLICAN: The collapse of the president's energy bill in the Senate was welcome news to little Bel Aire, Kan. Kansans in Park City and Dodge City were relieved, too, as well as folks in Ida Grove, Iowa, and nearby Sioux City. But the celebration over a bipartisan filibuster that stopped the bill — for now — echoed beyond the heartland. Towns large and small, from Sacramento, Calif., to Avon, Mass., had a financial stake in ensuring that the mammoth and complex $31 billion bill never made it out of the Senate. Their concern was a provision that would prevent communities from collecting damages from the makers of MTBE, a gasoline additive designed to reduce air pollution. More than 1,500 cities and towns claim that it has contaminated their drinking water. The communities and several local water systems want the largely Texas- and Louisiana-based petrochemical companies that make MTBE to help pay the cleanup costs. "The cost of remediation is very expensive," said Andrew Hutton, a Wichita, Kan., lawyer representing Bel Aire, Park City, Dodge City and the Chisolm Creek Utility Authority in their lawsuits. "This stuff is hard to clean up. It's kind of an issue of who is going to pay for this, the ratepayers or the oil companies." That question proved to be the undoing of the bill, although Senate Republicans have promised a second attempt at passage. The bill was a centerpiece of the Bush administration's legislative agenda. Critics called it a "grab-bag of special interests," while supporters said that it would allow "this country to get back into the business of producing energy." The bill would ban MTBE by 2015 but create a $2 billion transition fund to help manufacturers move to alternative products. John Kneiss, vice president for regulatory and technical affairs for the Oxygenated Fuels Association, said that the Clean Air Act of 1990 required oil companies to develop cleaner gasoline. If Congress now "changes the rules" and bans MTBE, he said, the transition to an alternative product could cost from $30 million to $100 million per plant. Supporters argued that it was wrong to hold petrochemical companies accountable for pollution possibly caused by their product. "If somebody takes a can of Campbell's Soup and smashes another guy on the head with it, is the maker of the can of soup liable?" said Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala. "Certainly not." But many senators were outraged that the government might not only free the petrochemical companies of liability, but also award them $2 billion when communities were facing millions in cleanup costs. "How perverse can public policy be?" said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., was more pointed: "I can't understand how anybody can go home from this body and go back to wherever they represent and look in the eyes of their fellow citizens and say, 'Not only did we tell your mayor and your city council and your county leaders that they couldn't sue, we're giving $2 billion to the folks who polluted our water, but not a penny to you.' " MTBE — methyl tertiary butyl ether — has contaminated public and private water supplies in at least 28 states. The cause often is leaking underground gasoline storage tanks. The plume from MTBE can exist beneath the surface for years. MTBE also is drawn toward water and dissolves easily. In high concentrations, the water becomes undrinkable because of an overpowering odor similar to that of turpentine. MTBE also is thought to be a possible cause of cancer. For Bel Aire, Dodge City and others among the 130 communities and water systems that have filed lawsuits since September, court was the only option. The problem, however, was that deep within the energy bill's 1,200 pages was a provision that would have given MTBE manufacturers liability protection from any lawsuits retroactive to Sept. 5 of this year. MTBE manufacturers sought protection from the kinds of lawsuits with which they have been swamped this fall after a contamination case in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., last year led to a $69 million settlement. More recently, Shell, Exxon Mobil and several other companies reached an MTBE cleanup settlement with Santa Monica, Calif., that could cost $400 million. Bel Aire filed suit this month. City officials acknowledge that only trace amounts of MTBE have been found. But test wells indicate that larger quantities could be present. "Our water supply is safe and secure," Bel Aire City Attorney Lee Parker said. "But the thing with MTBE is, once it's down in the water supply it does not ever dissipate on its own. It's something that has to be dealt with. That's the problem."

MY THEORY OF EVOLUTION IS THAT DARWIN WAS ADOPTED (Steven Wright)

MULLICA 2003, AN IN DEPTH LOOK AT 8TH GRADE TEST SCORES

There are 93 students in 8th grade in Mullica….52 females & 41 males. In reading (Language Arts Literacy) only 3.8% of the girls failed the GEPA test and 19.2% scored Advanced Proficient. For the boys 26.8% failed and only 4.9% scored Advanced Proficient.

In Math 34.6% of the girls failed but 21.2% scored Advanced Proficient. The GEPA scores in Math for the boys show 48.8% of the boys failing and 22% scoring Advanced Proficient. And in Science for the girls 21.2% failed, while 21.2% also scored Advance Proficient. For the boys in Science 17.1% failed and 24.4% scored Advanced Proficient.

The sub group of "economically disadvantaged" students for Mullica’s 8th grade is 27 students out of 93; of the 27 "economically disadvantaged" students 29.6% failed reading and 18.5% tested Advanced Proficient. In Math for this group of 27, 63% failed and 11.1% scored Advance Proficient. It is this 63% failure in Math that has caused Mullica’s Middle School to receive an early warning letter from the State. Clearly this has spotlighted an area where Mullica’s educators need to focus more of their efforts.

In Science the "Economically Disadvantaged" 27 had 42.7% fail and only 7.4% score Advance Proficient.

The break down of the 8th grade’s 93 students was; 61 White, 11 Black, 2 Asian, and 19 Hispanic. All of these sub-groups met the benchmark pass criteria in both Math and Reading. We as a community clearly need to focus more of our energy in helping our "economically disadvantaged" students. As H.G. Wells noted; HUMAN HISTORY BECOMES MORE AND MORE A RACE BETWEEN EDUCATION AND CATASTROPHE.

It needs to be emphasised that internationally American students scored 19th in Math...that means 18 countries' students out scored us. In Science internationally it is equally bad as American students scored 17th...16 countries' students scoring better than Americans.

Subject: Fiscal Bizarro World: Once the leaders of the current administration are deposed, they will leave behind a fiscal catastrophe. This is being done intentionally at the Federal level in an effort to wreck social services here, so that congress will have to be "fiscally responsible" and cut wildly successful and important programs. California faces similar problems after being robbed by friends of the Bushes who remain free. What will the result of all this be? What happens when you've mortgaged the whole country? This is essentially what happened in Argentina. Every year, over 85% of Argentina's economic output goes to debt service. Can you imagine what that's like? According to the CIA world factbook, things haven't improved much there since 1999, when the World Bank repossesed the country. This past year for example, their GDP shrank by 14%. This was once the richest country in South America. Could it happen here? It's already happening here. Mathew

HEMP! HEMP! HORRAY!

The list of public political movers and shakers who admit to having used pot continues to grow. In addition to President Clinton and former Vice President Gore we have Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and several past senators and cabinet officers who have admitted to at least trying marijuana. New York Gov. Pataki and New York City Mayor Bloomberg inhaled as did newly elected California governor Schwarzenegger whose pot smoking was caught on film and that fact did not cause a ripple in the recent California election.

Then of course there is THE LESSER BUSH who simply not wishing to upset his ultra-right wing Christian base simply declines to answer specific questions about his past behavior. Among that base being an irresponsible drinker is quite acceptable so we do have THE LESSER acknowledging having overcome an alcohol problem. Perhaps Lilly Tomlin was thinking of folks like THE LESSER when she quipped: REALITY IS A CRUTCH FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN’T COPE WITH DRUGS.

Of the eight Democratic candidates this time around for President it says something worthy of noting regarding who did and did not use pot. Wesley Clark, Lieberman, Sharpton, and Kucinich all said they had never tried pot. While Kerry, Dean, and Edwards said they had inhaled.

Supporters of the legalization of marijuana who have had a number of recent victories are saying: “Given the fact that we have so many prominent people in this country who have acknowledged using marijuana and didn’t become junkies, derelicts, have their lives ruined, we are at a point where we need to have a conversation about do these laws that criminalize marijuana make any sense.”

However for parents the proliferation of “everybody did it” excuses among national figures raises the question of how to convince teenagers that marijuana is risky. Bill Bennet cochairman of Partnership for a Drug Free America recommends describing the dangers honestly in the same vein as warning against speeding or drunken driving.

Once again maybe Frank Zappa got it right: I'll give you a simple formula for straightening out the problems of the United States. First, you tax the churches. You take the tax off of capital gains and the tax off of savings. You decriminalize all drugs and tax them same way as you do alcohol. You decriminalize prostitution. You make gambling legal. That will put the budget back on the road to recovery, and you'll have plenty of tax revenue coming in for all of your social programs, and to run the army.

Subject: The Second Coming is near: Jesus attributes delay of Second Coming to Being in Closet from the pulpit of heaven In a declaration from Heaven earlier today, Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior shocked millions of his followers today by openly declaring himself to be a homosexual. "Those who know me, know that my Name is Lord, and that I am gay." He has reportedly scheduled the announcement due to revelations concerning his appearance in numerous San Francisco area bars, as well as alleged reports of a relationship with magician David Blain. Our Lord has urged his followers not to lose faith. "I'm still the same Messiah I was 2,000 years ago, and I'm just as God made me. In fact, I am God in a way." This has not stopped numerous religious leaders from announcing their intentions to discuss certain key indoctrines, including a convergence in Vatican City to discuss whether He could be ex-communicated. "There's a lot of back-peddling we're going to have to do now, in order to decide whether we really want to teach our kids about a Savior prone to Original Sin" commented Cardinal Jose Luis Opiscipo. Asked to comment on His relationship with God Our Father, Jesus admitted the situation "is still tense, but He's taking it well. He told Me that in a way He knew it all along, being omnipotent and all that." Despite the situation, Jesus assures us that after a brief vacation with Blain in South Beach He will be "back to buisness. I didn't mean to take so long in bringing forth the end of the world, but I had to be sure My Gospel, as well as My sexuality, would still be accepted." While vacationing, the Lord assured reporters that the tasks of judging souls and attributing salvation would be taken care of by long-time friend and ardent follower George W. Bush, who He declared is also making sure that the Second Coming "won't be too long now." Charles


 

Subject: Listed below are the actual voting records of various Arabic/Islamic States. These voting records are recorded in both the US State Department and United Nations' records: Kuwait votes against the United States 67% of the time. Qatar votes against the United States 67% of the time. Morocco votes against the United States 70% of the time. United Arab Emirates votes against the U. S. 70% of the time. Jordan votes against the United States 71% of the time. Tunisia votes against the United States 71% of the time. Saudi Arabia votes against the United States 73% of the time. Yemen votes against the United States 74% of the time. Algeria votes against the United States 74% of the! time. Oman votes against the United States 74% of the time. Sudan votes against the United States 75% of the time. Pakistan votes against the United States 75% of the time. Libya votes against the United States 76% of the time. Egypt votes against the United States 79% of the time. Lebanon votes against the United States 80% of the time. India votes against the United States 81% of the time. Syria votes against the United States 84% of the ti! me. Mauritania votes against the United States 87% of the time. US Foreign Aid to those that hate us: Egypt, for example, after voting 79% of the time against the United States, still receives $2 billion annually in US Foreign Aid. Jordan votes 71% against the United States and receives $192,814,000 annually in US Foreign Aid. Pakistan votes 75% against th! e United States receives $6,721,000 annually in US Foreign Aid. India votes 81% against the United States receives $ 143,699,000 annually in US Foreign Aid. In the last year The Taliban terrorized the people of Afghanistan and gave safe haven to Osama Bin Laden, they received $143,000,000 in US Foreign Aid. Sudan voted 75% against the United States and received $1, 121,000 in US Foreign Aid. (The US State Department stated that the Sudanese government is guilty of providing a haven for a variety of terrorist groups including Osama Bin Laden's organization, The Egyptian Jihad, The Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hamas. The Islamic government has also conducted a literal reign of terror against the Christians living in the southern part of the country.) The Palestinian Authority will receive $500 million dollars in US Foreign Aid over the next five years(!!!) This happened due to the Oslo "Agreement" of 1993, a deal which was endorsed and avidly supported by now New York Senator Hillary Clinton, who was then First Lady. The Clinton Administration sought to establish good relations with terrorist groups despite their support of terrorism and anti-Western stances. The Palestinians were seen on ABC News openly celebrating and dancing in the streets at the news of both suicide bombings on Sept. 11th. Israel, it must be noted, receives three billion in US Foreign Aid. However, for the last five years it has an average record of voting with the United States 94% of the time. There is clearly no incentive for most countries to support the United States, as they will receive US Foreign Aid regardless of their stances. Perhaps it is time for the United States to deny things such as money, scientific, technological, medical expertise, and education to nations who simply will not assist or protect American interests? Worse yet, your Federal dollars go to and support all of the anti-American groups trying to destroy the "American way of life". This may still not balance the budget, but it seems a good place to start. Send this to all your congress people and have your friends do the same. MC

I FEEL ALL WE HAVE DONE IS TO AWAKEN A SLEEPING GIANT AND FILL HIM WITH A TERRIBLE RESOLVE (Isoroku Yamamoto) Our attack on Iraq brings back these perhaps all to analogous words.

Subject: Cheney's Patriotism?: Perhaps if Dick Cheney’s other priorities (getting rich) during Vietnam had been side tracked by his being drafted like those or us who served, he would know it was not the intelligence community that failed us it was the politicians. MH

TO RAISE THE GAS TAX OR NOT

THE BITCH Whitman kept her word and lowered income taxes 30%, primarily benefiting the wealthy. As we’ve seen; for the average Atlantic County resident the saving was less than $100 and for the wealthy, in THE BITCH’s tax bracket the saving was $32,000. Property taxes at least for the average Mullica resident went up $660 just this year and these same folks continued to support the republicans...go figure...or maybe Mullica residents just can't figure. As John Maynard Keynes said: THE AVOIDANCE OF TAXES IS THE ONLY PURSUIT THAT CARRIES ANY REWARD…and the republicans have certainly rewarded the rich at the expense of middle class.

In 1998 the economic chickens began to come home and THE BITCH responsibly proposed raising gasoline taxes by 5 cents. The State was starting to show a large debt in its Transportation Fund as a result of borrowing from it for other purposes to hide Republican fiscal mismangment. The debt was a result of her tax cuts for the wealthy and as one might suspect the cowardly Democrats seeing a political advantage opposed the gas tax increase saying it would fall too heavily on the middle class.

Now political irresponsibility is about to bite the Democrats back, as the Transportation Trust Fund which is financed by the extant gas tax; and before THE BITCH'S rob Peter to pay Paul tax policies was self replenishing; now however the Republican scam of a reliance on borrowing through bonds has so increased debt service that the fund is likely be broke by 2006. So now we have a crumbling infra structue and a panel of experts proposing for the Democrats in charge a 12.5-cent gas tax increase to fix it…and Republicans are likely to oppose and blame Democrats for attempting to raise taxes. Once again quoting Keynes: CAPITALISM IS THE EXTARODINARY BELIEF THAT THE NASTIEST OF MEN, FOR THE NASTIEST OF REASONS, WILL SOME HOW WORK FOR THE BENEFIT OF US ALL.

There really is no choice here for the State will loose millions in federal transportation money because it lacks the required matching dollars in the Transportation Fund and may not even be able to pay the massive interest and debt payments that are now coming due. Pay now or pay later...the Republi CON has been spend now and pay later...stated another way; cut taxes now and not expenses and let the someone else take reponsiblity for paying the bills...well, it has been effective politically in both Mullica and the County.

Democrats want some Republicans to vote for the gas tax increase so they can claim bipartisanship vis-à-vis this necessary tax increase. This by the way would be a dedicated tax, a user fee that will be solely used for state road, bridge and other forms of public transportation systems that are in disrepair. An increase that will ultimately benefit those who directly use the system and be paid by only by the users. Will Democrats find any Republicans to come on board during the lame duck session? Winston Churchill noted; THE PRICE OF GREATNESS IS RESPONSIBLIBITY. We will see.

Besides the Democrats will control the governor’s office and both houses come January and had they supported the gas tax increase under THE BITCH maybe the total responsibility would not fall so heavily on their shoulders. The price of cowardliness Anais Nin said: LIFE SHRINKS OR EXPANDS IN PROPORTION TO ONE’S COURAGE. But if truth were known politicians are not a brave lot. It is likely once again fiscal responsiblility...the necessity of raising taxes to pay the bills for Repbulican fiscal irresponsibility will fall on a Democratic governor and legislature...and more than likely many people will just not be able to connect the dots of fiscal irresponsibility...the successful Republi CON continues.

Read my lips--NO NEW TAXES!
George Herbert Walker Bush, Nov. 1988

I'm not going to raise taxes on middle-class Americans to pay for the programs I've recommended.
Bill Clinton (1946 - ), Presidential Debate, October 19, 1992

[George Bush] has raised taxes on the people driving pickup trucks and lowered taxes on the people riding in limousines. We can do better.
Bill Clinton (1946 - ), Democratic National Convention, July 16, 1992

We have to ask the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share again. Their incomes went up in the 1980s and their taxes went down. We can't ask the middle class to pay more; their incomes went down and their taxes went up.
Bill Clinton (1946 - ), U.S. Conference Of Mayors, Houston, June 22, 1992

Opportunity for all means making taxes fair. I'm not out to soak the rich. But I do believe the rich should pay their fair share. For twelve years, the Republicans have raised taxes on the middle class. It's time to give the middle class tax relief.
Bill Clinton (1946 - ), Announcement Speech, October 3, 1991

FOLLOW THE PATH OF THE UNSAFE, INDEPENDAENT THINKER. EXPOSE YOUR IDEAS TO THE DANGERS OF CONTROVERSY. SPEAK YOU MIND AND FEAR LESS THE LABEL OF “CRACKPOT" THAN THE STIGMA OF CONFORMITY. AND ON ISSUES THAT SEEM IMPORTANT TO YOU, STAND UP AND BE COUNTED AT ANY COST. (Thomas J. Watson)

Subject: Cheney’s Heroism: Vice President Cheney ably and successfully represents the interests of the energy industry, as evidenced by his disdain for the democratic process, including his secret energy policies, contempt for any kind of energy conservation and continued exploitation of the 9/11 tragedy. And you neglected to mention his involvement with the neo conservative Project for the New American Century and the fact that Cheney who is promoted as genuinely concerned about national security, managed to secure five deferments from service in Vietnam. MC

Subject: Question? What the heck are these orange ribbons up and down ELwood road? Dont tell me out local realitor is working her magic already? (LOL) And another question, since when did i have to startt buying a permit to take a refridgeator to the dump? Not being a smartass, just wondering when that went into effect and why? I coulndt believe that, I dont have trash pickup and now they are charging for dropoff!! What the heck do they do with that money?

MULLICA SCHOOLS TEST SCORES (a series)

Note the drastic lowering of pass standards for schools in New Jersey. The previous standard was that 75% pass the Math, Language Arts Literacy (Reading), Science; for a School District to be judged as meeting State standards. Previously a School District only was required to test its General Education Students and thus omitted Learning Disabled students and English as a Second Language students. NO MORE…now all students are tested and the pass standards for school districts have been dramatically lowered. The reading pass benchmark for 4th graders has been lowered from 75% to 68%…really not that bad. For 8th graders the pass standard has been lowered to 58% of students needing to be proficient in reading for a District not to be judged as not doing its job. This standard for the 8th grade is way too low. Mullica should note with pride that in 2003, 86% of our 8th graders tested Proficient and/or Advanced Proficient…well above the 58% benchmark. In the 4th grade too, in reading 85.5% met or surpassed the proficient standard…more pride here. IF YOU THINK EDUCATION IS EXPENSIVE, TRY IGNORANCE.

In Math the 75% pass benchmark for school districts has been lowered; for 8th graders to 39%…that’s despicably low. For 4th graders the pass standard for districts has been lowered from 75% to 53%…also way too low a standard. Mullica’s 8th graders for 2003 had a 59.1% of its 93 students test proficient or advanced proficient…well above the 39% despicably low State benchmark. For Mullica’s 4th graders 71.1% tested proficient or advanced proficient in 2003…well above the 53% pass benchmark State standard for math.

It is further noted that Mullica 8th graders tested 80.7% proficient or advanced proficient in Science in 2003. Much to be proud of here for Mullica…but some areas of weakness will be highlighted in another posting. The words of Diogenes Laertus: WHEN ASKED HOW MUCH EDUCATED MEN WERE SUPERIOR TO THOSE UNEDUCATED, ARISTOTLE ANSWERED, "AS MUCH AS THE LIVING ARE TO THE DEAD."

Subject; "1984"; F.B.I.'s Reach Into Records Is Set to Grow: "A little-noticed measure approved by both the House and Senate would significantly expand the F.B.I.'s power to demand financial records, without a judge's approval, from car dealers, travel agents, pawnbrokers and many other businesses, officials said on Tuesday." Traditional financial institutions like banks and credit unions are frequently subject to administrative subpoenas from the Federal Bureau of Investigation to produce financial records in terrorism and espionage investigations. Such subpoenas, which are known as national security letters, do not require the bureau to seek a judge's approval before issuing them. The measure now awaiting final approval in Congress would significantly broaden the law to include securities dealers, currency exchanges, car dealers, travel agencies, post offices, casinos, pawnbrokers and any other institution doing cash transactions with "a high degree of usefulness in criminal, tax or regulatory matters." Officials said the measure, which is tucked away in the intelligence community's authorization bill for 2004, gives agents greater flexibility and speed in seeking to trace the financial assets of people suspected of terrorism and espionage. It mirrors a proposal that President Bush outlined in a speech two months ago to expand the use of administrative subpoenas in terrorism cases. Critics said the measure would give the federal government greater power to pry into people's private lives. "This dramatically expands the government's authority to get private business records," said Timothy H. Edgar, legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union. "You buy a ring for your grandmother from a pawnbroker, and the record on that will now be considered a financial record that the government can get." The provision is in the authorization bills passed by both houses of Congress. Some Democrats have begun to question whether the measure goes too far and have hinted that they may try to have it pulled when the bill comes before a House-Senate conference committee. Other officials predicted that the measure would probably survive any challenges in conference and be signed into law by President Bush, in part because the provisions already approved in the House and the Senate are identical. The intelligence committees considered the proposal at the request of George J. Tenet, the director of central intelligence, officials said. Officials at the C.I.A. and the Justice Department declined to comment on Tuesday about the measure..

TIME IS AN ILLUSION. LUNCHTIME DOUBLY SO!
(Douglas Adams)

ON TO ALASKA

While the Republican Energy Bill seems stalled for the moment in the Senate THE BUSH THE LESSER sell out has turned its rapacious eyes on Alaska and what it can give to its oil industry cronies by fiat…by passing Congress all together. Remember the crafting of Energy Policy that occurred in secret with Vice President Cheney who has refused Congressional requests for documents regarding those secret meetings; the bill emerging totally without consulting a single Democrat or environmental group as a massive give away to the energy industry…now hopefully dead in the Senate. FDR spoke for Democrats; WE HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN THAT HEEDLES SELF INTEREST WAS BAD MORALS, WE KNOW NOW THAT IT IS BAD ECONOMICS. It is noted here parenthetically that in the House our Republican Congressman Frank LoBiondo voted against this travesty of a bill.

Never stymied when it comes to selling out the environment for personal cash donations to Republican candidates the BUSH THE LESSER Interior Department has announced its plans to open 8.8 million acres of Alaska’s North Slope by decree to oil and gas drilling. This will include areas considered environmentally sensitive though none of this land is in the ANWAR wildlife refuge, for that would need Congressional approval.

Environmentalists once again outraged by THE LESSER’S caviler distain for environmental concerns said the plan would jeopardize Arctic tundra, lakes and ponds that provide sanctuary for wildlife and migratory birds. But anyone who has any concern for the environment has to realize that these Republicans (not all Republicans) would sell their first born for money and power. Dante said: NATURE IS THE ART OF GOD; but for Bush & Cheney their only god is money.

Subject: just a observation? While out and about last weekend, I was going down Moss Mill towards Hammonton and in the Wharton Park area I seen s young man changing the oil in a few cars. I thought nothing of this because we all change oil. On the way back however I seen this same person carrying a large jug of oil across the road into the woods and though I did not actually see him dump it, I am sure that's why he was crossing the road with the oil!!! Isn't there a law against this. I know we take ours to the dump for recycling. Do people not realize what kind of shit they are dumping into our grounds and think about where it eventually has to go. If this guy did this out in the open, I wonder how many do it right in their own backyards? This country is really getting lazy.

NOTHING IS SO DANGEROUS AS AN IGNORANT FRIEND; A WISE ENEMY IS WORTH MORE
(Jean De la Fontaine)

Subject: Republican Energy Bill: The latest energy bill drafted by congressional leaders proves once again that we have the best legislators that lobbyists can buy. In an effort to assure that oil, gas, coal and nuclear industries line their pockets with billions in tax breaks, our elected officials have proven unequivocally that money talks and everything else walks. Since 1999, this country has added 200,000 megawatts of new electric generating capacity, boosting totals by 24%. The boom in power plant construction peaked after industry deregulation and just before demand flattened due to weakening economic conditions. With this bill, Congress would lay the burden of poor industry management at the feet of the American taxpayer. Furthermore, the Aug. 14 blackout seems related to problems in how the electric transmission systems are managed. This bill would have the public believe that it was caused by a lack of generating capacity. Finally, this bill is woefully inadequate in dealing with conservation. There are no revisions in the automobile fuel-efficiency standards, which would not only reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil but cut the greenhouse gas emissions as well. However, conservation will never contribute to a legislator's reelection war chest. MC

PLAYGROUND CANCER LINKS

A recent study shows a higher than expected cancer risk for children exposed to wood preserved with arsenic and often used in playground equipment and decks.. The new study suggests the risk to children is considerably greater than EPA officials indicated last year in announcing the products were being taken off the market. Such woods however remain in many play grounds and backyards.

The problem appears to be greater in the warmer climates of Southern states, where children tend to spend more time playing outdoors. There, 10% of all children face a cancer risk that is 100 times higher than that for children in the general population. As Elie Wiesel said: INDIFFERENCE....IS NOT ONLY A SIN, IT IS A PUNISHMENT.

Of course, under christie THE BITCH whitman's mantra of; we care more about business than children; the EPA's position last year was a 2 year phase out of the treated wood and an urging of precautions such as washing hands after coming in contact with CAA treated wood and never placing food directly on a deck or out door table surface. THE BITCH stating; "EPA does not believe there is any reason to remove or replace CCA treated structures, including decks or playground equipment." In the words of Edmund Burke: IT IS NECESSARY ONLY FOR THE GOOD MAN TO DO NOTHING FOR EVIL TO TRIUMPH.

But the new study contradicts the EPA's and THE BITCH's assurances last year. The EPA now makes excuses, stating: "At the time we didn't have a risk assessment...we had no reason to believe there was an increase in risk associated with it."

Children don't vote or contribute money, so why should Republicans care anyway. WHEN REPUBLICANS SAY JUSTICE--THEY MEAN JUST US (the rich)!

Subject: nesco resident spill it: UMMMM UNDETERMINED? LOL Some of us know the truth! NESCO Resident. Well whats the truth ????? lets here it ... F.J.

BULL SHIT

FOR THE RICH ANOTHER...MASSIVE TAX BREAK; EGAD!!...that's MTBE

Okay, it's methyl teritaiary butyl ether or MTBE for short; the additive added to gasoline by the oil industry to curb air pollution and make the air cleaner as it facilitates the burning of gasoline in one's car. Now however, as a suspected carcinogen and blamed for increases in asthma cases; 17 States including New York and Connecticut have banned or are phasing out MTBE. New Jersey is not one and simply has no plans to limit MTBE use.

The fact is, that with an MTBE gas spill there is substantially more difficulty and of course cost in the clean up. This because the additive bonds to water and moves quickly through the ground. In fact, a 1997-98 study found that about 15% of community water systems tested in New Jersey tested positive for MTBE. It should be noted that according to the Atlantic County Health Department MTBE is not something that is normally tested for or done as a part of water quality testing by the County. Benzene, a proven carcinogen and other volatile chemicals is what is tested for when a gas tank leak is suspected, not MTBE in New Jersey.

BUSH THE LESSER and the Republicans have crafted an Energy Bill that not only gives massive tax breaks to his Texas cronies and other wealthy oil men, but also shockingly contains a retroactive granting to manufactures of MTBE (mostly Texas oil cronies) immunity from being sued for cleanup or contamination costs. According to one source, this in effect "represents a huge new tax on citizens, because the average citizen is going to end up paying for cleanup."

As John Milton noted: HYPOCRISY, THE ONLY EVIL THAT WALKS INVISIBLE, EXCEPT TO GOD ALONE. The Republic CON is to talk about a belief in the market, but in fact, to act to protect their wealthy business contributors from honest litigation when they act irresponsibly and further to pass all costs and burdens financial and health on to the middle class and see to it that the wealthy avoid paying their fair share or for their mistakes. FALSE FACE MUST HIDE WHAT THE FALSE HEART DOTH KNOW. (Shakespeare)

FROM THE MULLICA POLICE BLOTTER

Sunday morning (Nov. 23rd) around 11:30 A.M. a car being driven by a 26 year old Atlantic City resident, traveling east on Colombia Rd. hit two motorcycles at Colombia's intersection with Moss Mill Rd. The two parallel motorcyclists had the right of way as at the Moss Mill intersection with Colombia, it is Colombia only that has a stop sign. The 26 year old who was headed to Mullica's recreation fields for a soccer game fled the scene of the accident and was apprehended a short distance away by Mullica police and cited. One of the two motorcyclists had serious head injuries and was medi-vaced to the Atlantic City trauma center in Atlantic City, the other motorcyclist was much less seriously injured. Mullica police describe this intersection; Moss Mill and Colombia as a bad intersection because of the angle the two streets cross. It is not the typical right angle and thus does not allow for a good view of on coming traffic after stopping for the stop sign on Colombia at Moss Mill.

MEND YOUR FUELISH WAYS

"SHOOT THIS TURKEY: The energy bill is a pork laden industry payoff that promotes yesterday’s technology; scars sensitive landscapes, and pushes America further into a budget deficit. It’s a turkey. Senators can talk from now through pumpkin pie next Thursday, and this bill isn’t getting any better. They should vote it down. Sen. Pete Domenici (R, NM) who helped shape the final bill, rightly confessed last week that “as soon as you start reading the language, we’re duck soup.” What worried him? Maybe the $23.5 billion in tax breaks to fossil fuel interests. Or payoffs to farm states through ethanol subsidies. Or the grab bag of goodies to buy individual votes. Perhaps it’s because republicans punted instead of tackling the long term reliability of the nation’s electrical grid. And gave a “get out of jail free” card to makers of MTBE, which has polluted the water supply of 1,500 communities. Domenici spent much of yesterday sidestepping tough questions on the Senate floor. He absurdly claimed this omnibus bill was Congress’ sole chance to address energy issues—as if the issues couldn’t come up again in separate bills, as they should have in the first place. This bill isn’t good energy, fiscal or environmental policy. It pits region versus region—with the Northeast have the least to gain and the most to lose. Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware’s senators should do what’s right for their states. Vote no on it. " (Philadelphia Inquirer’s position)

Subject: Fuel Conservation: There is a hole in the national energy bill that one could drive a large truck through. That is the lack of a very basic and easy to address issue, namely fuel conservation. We as a nation are just consuming too much fuel in our daily lives. SUVs that get gallons per mile in the low teens, plus other vehicles that are barely in the mid teens, are just unacceptable if we are serious about fighting “terrorism.” America has as a core strength the ability to address difficult technical problems and solve them. A simple challenge to automobile manufacturers to have gas mileage in the low 20s within two or three years is all that is needed. The Europeans have addressed this issue already. Why has the administration not challenged the automotive industry to rise to the occasion and aggressively address the situation? Carl S

Subject : Mrs/Mr. "winey" firefighter...lol: No, I wouldn't be pissed!!! I would be happy to know that we combined the four companies to 2 and you are using the most advanced equipment and have the best training available because we saved money and were able to purchase better eqipment. You would be very well trained with the best money could buy... I am not as good as Larry at quoting who said what but I know someone somewhere said Think before you speak.

Subject: AARP Sells out: This morning I tore my AARP card in half and mailed the pieces back. Having sold out its 35 million members to a Medicare reform bill that provides a multibillion dollar gift to insurance and pharmaceutical companies, AARP no longer represents the interests of senior citizens. The legislation may be the opening round in the administration’s clear desire to privatize all entitlements to the benefit of the private sector. Instead of mobilizing its membership in support of their interests, the AARP has chosen to renounce its responsibility and revert to “it’s better than nothing.” Steve

Subject : Whiny Firefighters: Larry, I surely though you knew the difference between "wining" about An issue and making a case for ones point of view. I guess this not being the case maybe you should stop all of your "wining" and "bitching" about all of your perceived injustices in the world! Back to making a case on fire companies and the number needed in Mullica Twsp. It's always easy to say we could get by with one or two less fire companies in the township, the simple fact of the matter is that we probably could. But then the issues of which ones to shut down come into play. Which village is willing to give up their fire company? Which residents are willing to wait a few more minutes for a fire truck to show up at their burning house because the fire company in their town was shut down? What do the fire companies actually cost each tax payer? That's the question one has to be answered first! Is it really worth shutting any down? Is the savings in ones tax bill going to replace the peace of mind of having a fire company in ones town? Will homeowner insurance policy premiums go up because they no longer have a fire company within "X" amount of miles of their homes? If so, then are they really saving anything? I can't deny the appeal of the idea of having one or two fully funded fire companies in the township. As you can tell from my past "whiny" articles I don't like raising funds. Oh and please stop referring to Gary Franklin as the leader of the fire companies, that is a farce. Before Gary, we had an ambulance squad who made 90+% of their calls, we had four fire companies who worked and drilled well together. We had a township fire association that was open to all of the members of all of the fire companies. It would meet once a month, critique any fires that happened to occur since the last meeting, plan future drills, discuss general business, and even attempt to buy mutually needed equipment and supplies in bulk in order to get the best prices. We would hold elections once a year and vote in a President, Treasurer, Secretary,etc., etc. The association would also vote on a township fire coordinator, someone to help the commanding chief on a fire coordinate and manage needed resources. Typically this township coordinator would also be named "township chief", a liaison to handle communications with the press and town council. The title "township chief" was just a label, at no time was this "township chief" above any of the chiefs of the other fire companies. Gary took this title, got the geniuses on town council to draft a letter naming him "Supreme Commander" and then preceded to dismantle anything that might be a threat to his position. First he abolished the township fire association meetings by renaming them chief meetings, where only the chiefs of each fire company are allowed to attend(chief meetings were always separate from association meetings). That effectively did away with the whole democratic process which used to take place at the association meetings. Locking Gary in as "township chief", I guess for ever. A township chief should be voted in by the members of the fire companies not appointed by some political council who by their own admission "have no idea what it takes to run a fire/rescue company". Then and only then would Gary have the respect of the fire company members as a true leader and chief. jdf

RESPONSE: Always appreciate your insights here, as opposed to the titular head of Mullica’s fire companies gary THE MUKTAR franklyn who is obviously aware of the debate here but chooses to cowardly remain silent. You raise issues that are worthy of debating and have been addressed here.

Taxes are obscenely too high in Mullica and the prognosis with one party government, bodes for another large increase in property taxes next year. To quote Phlil Gramm: BALANCING THE BUDGET IS LIKE GOING TO HEAVEN. EVERYBODY WANTS TO DO IT, BUT NOODY WANTS TO DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO TO GET THERE.

You can’t be responsible and just say don’t cut my budget in tight budgetry times. Everybody; the police, the fire fighters, the road department, the clerical staff, the school need for the good of our community to make some cuts.

This site has porposed cuts in all of those areas. Cuts need to be made NOW. As the African proverb goes: IF YOU WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW, TOMORROW COMES. IF YOU DON'T WAIT FOR TOMORROW, TOMORROW COMES. As your interest is just in the fire company, maybe the compromise position for the fire company is to restructure the companies as proposed here as Mullica 1 & 2, with the four buildings but with less vehicles…that is where the big wasted expense is.

Hammonton with double our population and perhaps five times the commercial ratables has only two fire companies. As noted here by one contributor (Sweetwater Resident) Shamong with about the same type of community in terms of rurality and landmass and population; has only one Fire Company. As edmund Burke noted: TO TAX AND TO PLEASE, NO MORE THAN TO LOVE AND BE WISE, IS NOT GIVEN TO MEN.

Subject: Packing the Courts: Senate Republicans are hurling absurd accusations of anti-Catholic, anti-Hispanic, anti-African American bias against Senate Democrats because they refuse to roll over and allow President Bush to pack the courts with right wing ideologues. The GOP tries to convince the American public of a “judicial vacancy crisis.” If there is a crisis, it is of the GOP’s own making. Unlike the Democrats, who have taken the high road by blocking only 4 Republican nominees while approving 16, the republicans blocked dozens of President Clinton’s nominees. The candidates the Democrats object o are people who profess an extreme right wing philosophy, which will threaten 75 years of social progress, including protections for civil rights, privacy rights, reproductive rights and labor rights. DC

ANTI SPRAWL LEGISLATION IN NJ

It seems possible that during the 2-month lame duck session that 2 anti sprawl bills may pass the N.J. legislature. Surprising support from builders increased their chances. One bill would allow towns the right to charge residential developers so called impact fees to help offset hidden costs of development, such as the need for more schools, roads and other municipal services. The other bill would give growing municipalities more ability to steer developments to areas that already have sewers and water hookups. As Lao tsu noted: THE JOURNEY OF A THOUSNAND MILES BEGINS WITH A SINGLE STEP.

The builder’s acquiescence is surprising as the New Jersey Builders Association has opposed the McGreevey administrations’ anti-sprawl policies claiming that they would boost the state’s average housing cost by more than $120,000 and cost 42,806 jobs and $17 billion in lost income. McGreevey has had more success with anti-sprawl policies by implementing DEP regulation changes such as tough storm water management and provisions protecting pristine waterways from construction.

McGreevey has sought to link the impact fee bill to a requirement that municipalities follow the mandates of the larger State plan. Elected officials in towns and municipalities are so often a cheaper buy for greedy builders that it is not surprising that the League of Municipalities seems reluctant to endorse this policy.

This recent quote from the Sierra Club: “Builders saying they support smart growth is like Ben & Jerry’s running a weight loss clinic…these bills are just a smoke screen.”

AVOID AIRPORT SECURITY; FLY NAKED

Sufject: Fire and Ambulance: Larry, while we talk about this--- way to many fire depts, what can we do about it? I wrote a letter of complaint to the township and the very intelligent committee NEVER even read it during a meeting as they were in fear of alerting the public to the BS that goes on in that firehouse!!!! This committee to date STILL has NOT addressed the problems going on in Nesco. Are they afraid of something or someone? This is ridiculous to build this HUGE firehouse when the DICKTATOR and little DICKTATOR are in there... OUT WITH THE OLD! If we are wasting money lets do that with new people running the show...Otherwise this firehouse will be run into the GROUND just like the last one. Nesco residents need to stand up and stop whining about those taxes and do something about it. Stop the building of another DRINKING place and divide the monies between the other fire depts. Are they gonna let the same electrician do the work...You know the one without a license, hey but what the hell BIG DICKTATOR saved money? I think? What was the cause of the fire again? UMMMM UNDETERMINED? LOL Some of us know the truth! NESCO Resident

Subject: "winey" firefighters": you won't be calling me winey when I am cutting you out of a car ... or performing cpr on your daughter after I pull her from her burning bedroom .... The pissed off firefighter

RESPONSE: As you no doubt understand, the goal of this site is to provide a public forum, to provoke thought and debate about local, national and international issues that effect us all. HONEST CRITICISM IS HARD TO TAKE, PARTICULARYLY FROM A RELATIVE, A FRIEND, AN ACQUAINTANCE, OR A STRANGER…so said Franklin P Jones.

To that end and too for the entertainment value; the use of “insult”, or ad-homen characterization has been employed by the shallow host. And once again it is pointed out that all comments have been published.

Cato the Elder noted that: ANGER SO CLOUDS THE MIND, THAT IT CANNOT PERCEIVE THE TRUTH. Respectfully; were some tin horn dictator to say to the complaint about his brutality or wrong headed policy, or unwillingness to debate an issue on its own merits; that because the trains run on time, or fire and ambulance service is prompt; when one needs those services that in someway excuses or justifies some other bad policy or decision and that makes it all okay…most would see these things don’t connect.

If being pissed off provokes an honest dialogue than I believe we all benefit. I note parenthetically the cowardliness of THE CORRUPT MULLICA 5 & gary THE MUKTAR franklyn in their unwillingness to debate or dialogue on the issues in question. So in closing let me quote William Arthur Ward: IT IS WISE TO DIRECT YOUR ANGER TOWARDS PROBLEMS—NOT PEOPLE; TO FOCUS YOUR ENERGIES ON ANSWERS—NOT EXCUSES.

MULLICA TEST SCORES FOR 4TH GRADE

The good news is that Mullica’s Elementary School did NOT receive an Early Warning letter based on 4th grade test scores for Reading and Math. All 4th graders took the tests with the required pass rate being 68% for Reading and 53% for Math. Mullica’s 4th grade total student scores showed a pass rate for Reading 85.5% and for Math 71%.

Of the total 4th grade student population of 83 children, 36 fall into the sub-group of economically disadvantaged. This all-important sub-group also met the mandated State pass standard in both Math and Reading.

If you recall it was the failure of this sub-group (economically disadvantaged students) at the 8th grade level (in Math) to meet the State pass standard that generated an early warning letter for Mullica’s Middle School. The 8th grade student population here was 93 students with 27 falling into the economic disadvantaged sub-group. As noted by John Adams: THE PRESEVATION OF THE MEANS OF KNOWLEDGE AMONG THE LOWEST RANKS IS OF MORE IMPORTANCE TO THE PUBLIC THAN ALL THE PROPERTY OF ALL THE RICH MEN IN THE COUNTRY.

ANOTHER NOTE ON EDUCATION: "Republican Senate leaders plan to force a vote this week on the nation's first federally funded school voucher experiment, tucking the program into broader spending legislation that would be politically difficult for Democrats to block ... The House already passed its version of the plan, and the private-school-choice idea is backed by President Bush, which means federally backed vouchers appear as likely as ever. Slowly, the system of public education is being destroyed so that some sort of political agenda can be advanced."

BUCKLE UP for as Henry David Thoreau; AS IF THERE WERE SAFETY IN STUPIDY ALONE

The national Safety Council, estimates that more than 12,000 people died between 1995 and 2000 because their states lacked laws that allow police to ticket motorists solely for failing to buckle up. 20 States including New Jersey have these types of primary seat belt laws. 29 States allow police to issue tickets for failure to wear a seat belt only after they stop a motorist for another violation. New Hampshire has no seat belt law. It was Dudley Morre who wryly noted: THE BEST CAR SAFETY DEVICE IS A REAR VIEW MIRROR WITH A COP IN IT

Subject: paid ambulance? My question on this is what if a resident does not have insurance for the Company to bill? I am not sure if I am for or against this yet. But that is one question that needs an answer prior to decision-making. AW


RESPONSE: Nearly everyone seems to agree that the present system under the leadership of gary THE MUKTAR franklyn is not working…at a 60% response record that puts lives at risk. The obvious reason that more and more communities are going to some form of paid ambulance service is that volunteer services are not able to meet the emergency needs of the community. That is clearly the case in Mullica.

As you know there is another reason and that is economic. Not only does the community get better service (2 EMTs mandated on each run, instead of 1 EMT), the response time is likely to be quicker, and the cost is paid for by insurance that most people already have…Medicare or private health insurance, with a paid ambulance squad.

Bill Cosby said: I DON’T KNOW THE KEY TO SUCCESS, BUT THE KEY TO FAILURE IS TRYING TO PLEASE EVERYBODY. The question you raise as to what happens for those who don’t have insurance is a legitimate one that other communities have addressed in various ways. Whether a paid ambulance service would bid on services with the proviso that for those who don’t have insurance and were unable to pay the service would be provided for free as in Atlantic City or for those who don’t have insurance there would be a small annual subscription fee; you are correct would need to be explored.

There may well be no perfect solution, but the present system is a failure in Mullica 40% of the time. Further as noted here before about 20% of the calls are made to 2 for profit businesses that support the Republican Party in Mullica. The cynical fact that THE CORRUPT MULLICA 5 fail to address that community subsidy is political as is the tax burden and safety issues that continue to sustain the present failure that is ambulance service to Mullica. As Peggy Noonan noted: CYNICISM IS NOT REALISITIC AND TOUGH. IT’S UNREALISTIC AND KIND OF COWADLY BECAUSE IT MEANS YOU DON’T HAVE TO TRY.

How we look to the Brits...our allys in Iraq

According to a Sunday Times of London poll 75% have little or no confidence in BUSH THE LEESER'S handling of Iraq, 60% think he's a danger to world peace and 37% think he's simply "stupid".

Subject: Hmmmmmmmmmmm!! Looking for input on how many fire company locations are needed? Check out the following. Shamong has 6462 residents in 46 square miles with ONE fire & EMS location. Sweetwater Resident

http://www.indianmillsfire.com/

http://www.shamong.net/

RESPONSE: Mullica has less residents and is a bit larger in area....54 square miles. Off the record; every reasonable person...long time employee in the Township; will state the fact that we have too many fire companies. Their continued support has always been a political decision not a safety or economic one.

Were we to restructure the Mullica Fire Companies, something most of the "winey" firefighters adamantly oppose; Mullica would than be able to fully fund the legitimate needs of our community and our Fire Fighters. As long as THE CORRUPT MULLICA 5 are understandably fearful of the political power of Mullica's "winey" volunteer fire fighters the community will suffer an unfair tax burden and the necessity of "winey" firefighters begging for ash tray change. Leadership and Intelligence are in short supply with both institutions. In the words of Rosalynn Carter: A LEADER TAKES PEOPLE WHERE THEY WANT TO GO. A GREAT LEADER TAKES PEOPLE WHERE THEY DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO GO BUT OUGHT TO BE.

Subject: Stop the Insanity: I bought the spin--weapons of mass destruction. but if I sit silently by now, I am giving permission for this insanity to continue. Every morning when I get up I am informed by the TV that "nine" troops are killed" or "12 soldiers lose their lives." This really, truly has to stop. For starters, how about if the news media stop dehumanizing these losses. They aren't just "troops." They are sons and daughters, husbands and wives, moms, and dad, grandchildren, best friends and so on. There is a bid difference between supporting and loving our troops and not supporting a politically grounded battle based on a lie. Are we so arrogant that we think we can change a mindset and a culture in our lifetime, at the expense of countless young lives? Let's start demanding more from our leaders. They are misrepresenting who we are in the world and are letting us down based on a "we know something you don't know" insulting justification PM

CHURCHES SHOULD STAY OUT OF POLITICS OR BE TAXED

THE QUEER REPUBLICAN STRATEGY

While Democrats however ineffectively of late, have attempted to articulate an us against the rich strategy and Republicans have yelled class warfare; it is the Republicans going back to the "Southern strategy" of the Nixon years who have most effectively sought to divide us as a nation for political gain; white against people of color.

The euphemism today of course is being against Affirmative Action which is understood to be against African Americans. We saw this most blatantly in BUSH THE LESSOR'S appearance while running for President at the racist Bob Jones university...This racist Protestant University with its mantra against Catholics and inter-racial dating is a regular stop for national Republicans seeking to establish their credentials with the core Republican bigot base.

Another euphemism used by Republicans effectively is an anti-immigration agenda which says to the core bigoted constituency that we Republicans are anti-Hispanic, anti Asian, and anti African.

This coming Presidential season it seems the strategy will shift emphasis to an anti gay (QUEER) campaign that seems certain once again to energize the bigoted core constituency of the Bush Republican Party.

As Mark Twain noted: I BELIEVE THAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER INVENTED MAN BECAUSE HE WAS DISAPPOINTED IN THE MONKEY. Seeming to validate that assessment we have the Christian right mouthing the canard that our Founding Fathers based America on a Judeo/Christian model/principles.

In the words of Louis D Brandeis; "The makers of our Constitution undertook to secure conditions favorable to the pursuit of happiness. They recognized the significance of man's spiritual nature, of his feelings and of his intellect. They knew that only a part of the pain, pleasure and satisfactions of life are to be found in material things. They sought to protect Americans in their beliefs, their thoughts, their emotions, and their sensations. They conferred, as against the government, the right to be let alone--the most comprehensive of rights and the right most valued by civilized man."

Our Founding Fathers who fled religious tyranny and were products not of religious Christianity but a secular intellectualism known as the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment embracing not a Christian dogma of acceptance and faith but a belief in the rational intellect's ability to find meaning and a disdain and mistrust of the absolutism of religiosity.

Thus enshrined in the Constitution is the Separation of Church and State and the endorsement of the individual pursuit of happiness unfettered by government righteousness. The notion that religious folks who find homosexuality offensive should have the right to impose their beliefs on others, to appropriate the definition of words like marriage to themselves and enforce by law the inability of another group to use that word or ceremony is anathema to our Constitutional guarantees of individual freedom.

Nothing precludes the individual group; whether the Boy Scouts or the Catholic Church or the Klu Klux Klan from setting up its own norms of membership whether based on race, gender, religion or sexual orientation, but the notion that government should tell its citizens how to pursue individual happiness is anti American. Sort of reminds one of the Taliban.

Nelson Mandela said: "A man who takes away another man's freedom is a prisoner of hatred; he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow mindedness. I am not truly free if I am taking away someone's else's freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity."

The recent attempts by the Roman Catholic bishops to insinuate themselves into the political rights of homosexuals is un American. The Bishops recently urging States to withhold recognition of same sex marriages and not to grant health benefits or inheritance rights to homosexual couples further under scores the Churches lack of credibility to speak on sexual morality (in view of the recent abuse scandal). And of course we have the fact that only 4% of Married American Catholics of childbearing age use the church approved natural family planning method. For along with the Catholic Bishop's statements on homosexuality this month came from the American Bishops their firm opposition to artificial birth control. ...AND THE BEAT GOES ON...AND IF YOU'RE A CATHOLIC HOPEFULLY YOU GOT THE RHYTHM!

STOP MAD COWBOY DISEASE

Subject: Firehouses: Larry, wouldn't it be wise to try and put together a few of these firehouses as one? How many square miles are in Mullica and what are the state standards of those miles? If we were to take four Companies and make them two, would they amount the state gives each company change? While Elwood clearly has the correct amount of personal, Nesco lacks volunteers severely! No one is gonna join that one as long as the current DICKtater (lol) is there. I always believed that the state says they are required to have a certain amount of volunteers (trained and certified)? I have recently been writing to the state of New Jersey to find out the correct policies with requards to that. Hope to have answers real soon. I also want to know if driving a truck DRUNK or with suspended is OK? Why are the other fire dept. letting this shit slide? When is Gary gonna step up to the plate and do his job? Even though Nesco has a different name it is still the same township name. Nesco is an embarrassment to this township and they believe building a new firehouse is gonna change that. Well, it isn't, it is just gonna Blow more tax dollars. Oh by the way, the ambulance made a call this weekend!!! I was almost proud!!!

RESPONSE: This site has proposed a number of ideas for cutting the seemingly ever growing property tax burden on the residents of Mullica. The fiscal incompetence and unwillingness of THE CORRUPT MULLICA 5 in times of money tightness to make the difficult decisions has resulted in large increases in property tax bills and that is more than likely to occur again next year. There are already home owners in Mullica paying property tax bills well over $10,000 and there will be many more next year. In the words of John Stuart Mill: A PERSON MAY CAUSE EVIL TO OTHERS NOT ONLY BY HIS ACTIONS BUT BY HIS INACTION, AND IN EITHER CASE HE IS JUSTLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THEM FOR THE INJURY.

Strangely, it is this progressive site that has proposed the kind of government cut backs and efficiencies that Republicans claim to favor in words, but have failed to support at the ballot box. Increased debt (borrowing) has been used by both BUSH THE LESSER & THE CORRUPT MULLICA 5 to hide the true cost of their expansions of government's role. That's right, government has grown substantially under the phony leadership of these so called conservative Republicans.

The private sector has increased productivity dramatically and in these fiscally tight times has made cuts in the workforce that have increased efficiencies dramatically. Both the so called Republican stewardship of Mullica and America have seen substantive growth in the role of government and a failure to follow the lead of business and pare back inefficiences. This is most disheartening in a rural community like Mullica.

The suggested economic efficiencies proposed at various times here include the closing of Mullica's "Dump" and the going to private pick up...something Galloway did just a few years back at a large saving to taxpayers. The privatizing of the ambulance squad would bring a substantial tax savings and also provide better service. The cessation of the practice of curb side chipping in Mullica. A ridiculous service in a rural community like Mullica. The reorganization of the fire companies (from 4 to 2) which would save hundreds of thousands of dollars as it would do away with the competition for expensive fire vehicles for companies that make very few calls. Man power cut backs in a bloated police department. Using the Medford Lakes model, the Township construction of two (if that is what we are going to get) cell towers and the renting out the antenna space and pocketing the profit for tax payer relief, rather than having private companies like Sprint and Verizon make the profits.

Andrew Carnegie said: AS I GROW OLDER I PAY LESS ATTENTION TO WHAT MEN SAY. I JUST WATCH WHAT THE DO. Sit back and continue to watch your property tax bill rise and maybe at some point the price of one party government will come home.

SCHOOL BULLYING

Three out of every four incidents of school violence involve bullying. In response New Jersey is one of about half a dozen states who have adopted a proactive policy on school bullying. This fall the state mandated that school districts institute an anti bullying policy and ways for the district to respond (early intervention) to bulling and other forms of harassment.

Studies clearly show that bulling affects not only safety, but also academic performance, self esteem and truancy. Some 30% of students in grades 6 thru 10 reported being involved in bullying in 2001. Studies further show that 8 to 15 year olds worry more about bullying than about drugs, alcohol and AIDs. One out of 12 students have stayed home in fear of going to school another study indicates. As LBJ noted: EDUCATION IS NOT A PROBLEM. EDUCATION IS AN OPPORTUNITY. An opportunity that it is hoped will be facilitated by the States pro-active stance.

Repeated racial, ethnic or sexual comments can constitute bullying. But a fight between two children of about equal strength or teasing between friends does not. Yet bullying is not a crime.

Some schools have instituted "bully boxes" as a way for students to report anonymously these acts to administrators, especially in middle schools. Middle school grades which are transitional period for adolescents can be the toughest and this has the potential to contribute to a bullying culture.

As Horace Mann said: A HUMAN BEING IS NOT A HUMAN BEING TILL HE IS EDUCATED.

GORMLEY SHOWS COMPASSION & WISDOM

Senator Bill Gormley once again shows a willingness to stand against the most reactionary elements of his own party in announcing he will co-sponsor a Democrat bill to offer a needle exchange program for intravenous drug users. The recognition is that the exchange of clean needles as a health concern to fight the spread of HIV, hepatitis and other diseases was long over due in New Jersey.

Despite the fact that THE BITCH whitman's own health panel repeatedly recommended a needle exchange program, THE BITCH as a sop to the core racist bigots in the Republican Party repeatedly indicated she would veto any such proposal. Now, thanks to the leadership of Gormley and the Democratic control of the legislature and governor's office such legislation seems assured.

The Senator is to be congratulated for an openness and a willingness to reassess his previous opposition. As another Republican leader, Everett Dirksen admirably noted: I AM A MAN OF FIXED AND UNBENDING PRINCIPLES, THE FIRST OF WHICH IS TO BE FLEXIBLE AT ALL TIMES.

EVERY TIME A REPUBLICAN DIES A QUEER ANGEL GETS THEIR WINGS

Subject: DEMOCRACY? President Bush deserves congratulations for urging Middle East nations to adopt the democratic traditions of the United States. His recommendation would have been even more persuasive had he offered some examples. He might have apologized for U.S. support of the dictatorial overthrow of democratically elected government in Chile and Guatemala, or he might have announced that he and Vice President Cheney were immediately furnishing their document about the 9/11 incident and about U.S. energy policy. such governmental transparency is a hallmark of traditional democracy. The content of "democratic traditions" is best made by example rather than empty words. JB

Subject: Town Landfill: Larry, Well Sunday proved to be another snag in the way the trash is handled at the landfill and who is handling the trash. As I approached the top of the hill, a day worker came up to the car and said he didnt have to unload the trash from peoples cars anymore, except they would unload for the elderly and the women who bring trash to the dump. He also stated that he didnt want to hurt his back by unloading the trash from anyones truck or car. After a few calls to the Township officials, I was told different stories of how a new policy for the DAY WORKERS came about. Well after many phone calls, I still dont know what the policy is. Our township committee people told me one story where the mayor told me a different story. There seems to be a dis_connect again between them once again. No communication, go figure!!!!!!!!

GAY MARRIAGES IN NEW JERSEY

Earlier this month a Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by 7 gay couples who sought to have their relationships recognized in New Jersey as a marriage.

The Judge said in her ruling that the legislature, not the courts should deal with this kind of a change in the laws governing marriage. This Obviously different from today's Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling that their State would have to recognize gay marriages.

While gay marriages are not coming to New Jersey anytime soon what is coming is domestic partner benefit legislation. Momentum seems to be building in the legislature to grant domestic partnership benefits either during the up coming lame duck session or after January when Democrats will control both the governorship and the State legislature.

The bill in the works would provide for hospital visitation and decision making rights, and inheritance tax exemption and spousal state income tax deduction. Partners of state employees also would receive health insurance and pension coverage and New Jersey would become the first state to require private employers to extend health insurance coverage to domestic partners if they already offer dependent coverage to spouses.

The bill under consideration would allow employers to pass along any additional costs to the new beneficiaries to be passed on to the applicant. To receive the benefits a couple would have to file an affidavit of domestic partnership with a local register and to end a domestic partnership the couple would have to pursue a divorce like proceeding in Superior Court.

While Governor Mcgreevey has said he supports domestic partner benefits the bill under consideration was recently pulled at the request of the governor to remove adult family members from the bill. This in response to concerns of many including the New Jersey business and Industry Association which had said it did not object to the requirement for same sex coverage but was concerned about the proposed legislation's inclusion, applying the standard to opposite sex couples living together. The fact that opposite sex couples have the option to marry and receive even more benefits than offered in the proposed legislation suggests this part may be pulled.

The inclusion of opposite sex benefits for such couples living together had been a ploy to make the legislation more politically palatable. That now seems unnecessary as most New jersey residents seem to understand that EQUAL RIGHTS ARE NOT SPECIAL RIGHTS.

MULLICA PIT BULLS ORDERED FORFEITED

This morning in Mullica Municipal Court Judge Broome issued an Order that 21 pit bulls be forfeited to the Atlantic County SPCA. No defendants showed to argue against forfeiture despite the fact that 15 of the pit bulls had Mullica Twp dog licenses. Defendants have 20 days to appeal the Judge's decision. Initially 35 dogs had been found caged on the property but some time during the intervening time 11 of the dogs disappeared. Evidence presented included pictures of a number of dogs with facial scars and blood on the premise suggesting as the SPCA argued that the dogs were used for dog fights. The SPCA indicated that additinal animal crulety Complaints were likely to be filed with the Court. Ghandi said: THE GREATNESS OF A NATION AND ITS MORAL PROGRESS, CAN BE JUDGED BY THE WAY ITS ANIMALS ARE TREATED.

Subject: The Price of War: President Bush has banned media coverage of the return of bodies of service personnel at Dove Air Force Base in Delaware. As an 81 year old veteran, I can remember no other conflict when such a restriction was imposed. It is an outrage. Bush should be reminded that these are not the remains of "his" servicemen and women. These are America's military men and women. The nation has a right to share in the grievous experience of the first leg of their final journey. There is no mystery about why the media have been kept away. The Bush administration is desperately afraid that if the public sees enough flag draped coffins being unloaded at Dover, sentiment will grow against the Iraq occupation and that might jeopardize Bush's reelection chances. Bush keeps saying "we will not run" from Iraq. But the price of that resolve is American casualties. Those sacrifices already are remote from the public; they must not be driven from awareness in the interests of politics. Harry T

MULLICA UPDATE

The illegal dumping case involving 30 truck loads of construction material illegally dumped on the Perona property on the White Horse Pike scheduled for Court today has been postponed until December 2nd. Hopefully steve THE SCOFFLAW waszen who operates Magic Disposal will by that time have additional Complaints signed against him.

Comcast background information; of the 2,456 households in Mullica Township, 1819 are subscribers to Comcast Cable.

NO GODS, NO MASTERS

Subject: Draft the rich first: Does anyone truly believe that if the military draft were in effect today, the mess in Iraq would exist? There is no way that young, affluent, college age Americans subject to the draft and whose parents are executives, doctors, lawyers, and bankers, would be in Iraq. It is only because there is no draft and there is a standing army that the current administration goes on with it folly. MB

N.J. SUES THE WHORES OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION

New Jersey joins 12 other States and several Northeastern cities in suing the BUSH THE LESSER (so called) Environmental Protection Agency to try to block changes in the Clean Air Act. THE LESSER Bush administration having once again sold out the environment on the altar of campaign donations from polluters to Republicans.

Attorney generals for the 12 States—New York, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin and legal officers for New York City, Washington D.C. and several other cities in Connecticut said the new Clean Air regulations instituted by fiat not law by THE LESSER’S EPA would weaken protections for the environment and public health. They argued in their legal filings that only congress could make such sweeping changes to such a bedrock law.

As Franklin Delano Roosevelt said: THE THROWING OUT OF BALANCE OF THE RESOURCES OF NATURE THROWS OUT OF BALANCE ALSO THE LIVES OF MEN. Is everything truly for sale with Cheney & Bush?

Subject : Comments on Fund Raisers: While I think what Medford Lakes is doing by cleaning gutters to raise funds is a good community service, I also think it is a shame that these volunteers have to use their donated time to raise money for equipment and other expenses. I being a volunteer firefighter myself knows first hand the frustration felt when I have to use my time to raise money to buy equipment to do a free job! I don't mind volunteering my time to fight fires and to train to fight fire and save lives, that's what I signed up for and swore to do, but it is a real kick in the ass when you have to spend your nights after work and your Saturdays and Sundays raising money to run the fire house. We provide the labor for free, the least that can be done is that the equipment and training we need be paid for without the need for fund raisers. I wonder how long the police departments and road departments of this world would be in service if the were told they were getting only $15,000 a year each to operate and the rest they had to earn by cleaning gutters and raking leaves on their own time? Oh by the way, we use to do something very similar. We would fill pools during the summer. The only thing we asked for was a small donation in return. This not only helped the fire dept out it also help the resident as well, plus we would usually send someone in training so they could become familiar with driving the tanker and operating the pump. Instead of dumping the water on the ground which is what happens during normal training, we would dump it in a pool. This not only kept the water from going to waste, it also kept the homeowner from running their household water pump for two or three days straight in order to fill up their pool so I guess it also saved some electricity as well. But we don't do that anymore because of township whinners crying "taxpayer waste" and pointing fingers and questioning why township equipment is being used to fill up private pools and allegations of kickbacks and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah you name it. It soon became where it was not worth the head aches, damned if you do damned if you don't. I wonder who is going to pay for the Medford Lakes firefighter's medical bills when one of them falls off a roof while cleaning gutters? The township? I know I have had to dodge a few cars in my time begging for dirty ash tray change at the intersections of Elwood & Moss Mill roads. Who is going to pay for me or support my family when I get ran over collecting a few dirty pennies to do a free job? HELP US, HELP YOU Jerry McGuire !! JDF

RESPONSE: As an inveterate whiner and complainer it is important to respond to the many legitimate points made above. Volunteer fire fighters not only risk their lives but also clearly provide a valuable service to the community in which they serve. The frustration felt regarding having to fund raise, when one is a volunteer to start with, resonates here. Further by State law communities are required to provide both police and fire service to their residents and that service ought to be funded through tax dollars. Communiteis are NOT required to provide ambulance service.

Benjamin Franklin said: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES; FOR THEY SHALL TELL YOU ALL YOUR FAULTS. The reality is that all too often volunteer fire companies come to use their political power in small communities such as Mullica as a weapon to sustain past practices and policies that are simply no longer fiscally prudent. We all live in a real world and the stupid rhetoric, that if a hundred thousand here or hundred thousand there saves one life; it is money well spent, ill serves reality. If one follows that logic we should double the number of cops we have in Mullica and add two additional fire Companies. People don’t want to admit the truth that services whether they are medical, or fire and police, are rationed by a societies ability to pay.

Common sense and fiscal reality show that Mullica has too many cops and too many fire companies; but both entities choose to use their political muscle to thwart the pragmatic realities of our community. Mullica cops say don’t change the contracts we have where we are clearly unreasonably pigging out at the unfair expense of the taxpayers…make those changes in our pig contract only for the new hires.

And the volunteers of the fire and ambulance squad under the leadership of gary THE MUKTAR franklyn refuse to allow any kind of honest assessment of the realistic cost and benefit analysis within fiscal realities of fire and ambulance service in Mullica…instead they play politics. Nowhere is the cowardliness of THE MUKTAR franklyn more on display than in his unwillingness to dialogue and debate fire and ambulance service for Mullica. The challenge goes out here for the good of community, MUKTAR, make your case…your silence is COWARDLY!

Strangely Elwood fire fighters have repeatedly shown a willingness to participate in a debate and it is hoped here, moved the community to understand some of the frustration that volunteers legitimately feel at having to beg pennies from ashtrays on their weekends. The community owes its volunteers more, but the volunteer owe this community more…not time; but a legitimate dialogue on restructuring fire and ambulance service within the fiscal realities of our taxpayers. To close here with the Latin seems appropriate; HOMINES ENIM AD DEOS NULLA RE PROPIUS ACCEDUNT QUAM LAUTEM HOMINIBUS DANDO.” (In nothing are men more like gods than in coming to the rescue of their fellow men.) (Cicero)

REPUBLICAN PEDOPHILES

It does seem that for the folks in charge now; it is all about our own selfish hedonistic material pleasure and screwing our children. The debt that Republicans continue to pile on our children is simply unconscionable. The subtle seduction of Republican sound bites… so tempting, that we can have it all; lower taxes and all the creature pleasures that life affords NOW; and the cost… It’s almost like the Republicans have sold America the mantra that THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION IS…IT ISN’T QUICK ENOUGH! Does anyone remember the Gilded Age and the Robber Barons?

The latest rape of our children by THE BUSH THE LESSER administration is to be found in the Republican Energy Bill. You recall the secret Energy meetings that Cheney had with the energy industry to write Energy policy. Well, now using the the recent North East blackout as an impetus we are looking at gross tax give aways to Bush and Cheney cronies in the energy business.

Oil and gas companies are to be the recipients of tax breaks worth about $22 billion, though that art of the energy deal that till now was hidden from the public. Further marketing and business aspects will get only voluntary oversight. Most heinous of all is that Texas and Louisiana manufactures of the gasoline additive MTBE, which has tainted public water supplies around the country, would benefit from a nearly unprecedented ban on product liability lawsuits. Also Cheney and Bush have crafted handouts of $2 billion to build “clean coal” power plants, which scientists and environmentalists say don’t work well. The nuclear industry gets a renewal of multibillion dollar federally subsidized catastrophic insurance plan and also tax credits to build 3 to 6 new nuclear plants. Also this Republican legislation would make it easier for oil and gas companies to drill on public lands where there is no existing ban; by reducing federal rules. SCREW THE CHILDREN!

The wisdom and generational linkage of Elmer H. MacKay’s words; LAND IS NOT SOMETHING YOU INHERIT FROM YOUR PARENTS…IT IS SOMETHING YOU BORROW FROM YOUR CHILDREN…is lost on this Administration.

There are some Republicans especially representing costal states who are angered by GOP plans to apparently override the moratorium on costal oil search exploration. Tacked into the massive Republican energy policy bill are seismic tests to explore untapped energy supplies off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and eastern section of the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska’s Bristol Bay. To date 5 Republican senators have signed a letter opposing the tests; Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina, Snowe and Collins of Maine, Gregg of New Hampshire and Chafee of Rhode Island. Most are expected to fall in line with the totality of screwing our children in the name of THE BUSH THE LESSER’S election drive.

And again we have the words of connection from Chief Seattle: WHATEVER BEFALLS THE EARTH BEFALLS THE SONS OF THE EARTH. MAN DOES NOT WEAVE THE WEB OF LIFE, HE IS MERELY A STRAND IN IT. WHATEVER HE DOES TO THE WEB HE DOES TO HIMSELF. Why have we lost sight of our connectedness to our children and the environment we will leave them?

Subject: Way for Mullica Fire Department to raise funds: Hey what a great idea maybe..... The ambulance squad could drive around on the weekends and take peoples trash to the dump for a donation ... that way at least the rigs would see some use .... just my two cents ..

MULLICA’S CABLE TV CONTRACT RE-NEGOTIATIONS

In 1990 Mullica negotiated a 15-year cable TV Contract with Heron, which some 13 years later has morphed into Comcast. That Contract expires Sept. 14th, 2005 but the franchise renegotiation process is already underway in Mullica. Indeed, a regular special Township meeting was held of Wednesday Nov 13th. Very few were in attendance…and less than 10 citizens had bothered to fill out questionnaires about Comcast services; which had been available for about a month.

In Mullica the liason person for problems or information with Comcast is the Township Clerk, lou THE OLD SNAKE simon. Another example of the incompetence here is that THE OLD HARPY simon doesn't post on the Township bullentin board or know when asked when (the time or channel) Township meeting will be on TV.

THE CORRUPT MULLICA 5 really did a bad job of reaching out to the public as usual. THE CORRUPT MULLICA 5, months ago had appointed an ad hoc committee to explore renegotiation of Mullica’s cable contract and despite an interest of a number of members of the public of being involved…one in particular being chuck THE CURMUDGEN errera, not a single member of the public was invited to participate in this ad hoc committee. Just another back room shut the public out performance that may effect whether or not any future Township meetings are on TV. As Shakespeare noted: FALSE FACE MUST HIDE WHAT THE FALSE HEART DOTH KNOW.

There will be additional meetings on the renegotiation of the Comcast contract with Mullica for cable TV. The push for a Community Access Channel is important and would afford a bulletin board of events for the community and the televising of all Township meetings is critical as a part of Democracy. As F.D.R. said: THE CONSTANT FREE FLOW OF COMMUNICATIN AMONG US—ENABLING THE FREE INTERCHANGE OF IDEAS—FORMS THE VERY BLOODSTREAM OF OUR NATION. IT KEEPS THE MIND AND BODY OF OUR DEMOCRACY ETERNALLY VITAL, ETERNALLY YOUNG.

Subject: Remember: As one who was against the war in Iraq from the beginning,…(as always) it all boils down to the unjust enrichment of politically well connected contractors at staggering taxpayer expense. The expense is more than monetary: the lives of our dedicated young men and women continue to be wasted as the administration searches for WMD to try to justify its pre-emptive strike. We will pay for this one for a very long time. Let us not forget it in November 2004. B L

ONLY THOSE WHO RISK GOING TOO FAR CAN POSSIBLY FIND OUT HOW FAR ONE CAN GO (T. S. Eliot)

Subject: final reply from sick of whiners: now who's buttons are pushed!!!

RESPONSE: Alas, another local Republican retreats into the woodwork of silent cowardliness like janet THE AUTO INSURANCE FRAUD QUEEN OF ATLANTIC COUNTY forman & dan TEA BAG BRAINS turygan, Gadfly expresses a sincere gratitude for your short lived participation in the fires of democratic openness and debate. Perhaps the appropriate epitaph for your leaving is found in the words of Elbert Hubbard: TO AVOID CRITICISM, DO NOTHING, SAY NOTHING, BE NOTHING!

Subject: MISPLACED PRIORITIES: (Recently) a National Security Council official (said): “If we don’t get Iraq right in time, we could lose the election.” This comment speaks volumes about the short-sightedness and narrow focus of the administration and its minions. If we don’t get Iraq right in time, we cold lose a hell of a lot more than an election. R M

Fund Raising: Maybe the township leaders (elected officials) should donate their salaries to the fire departments and find out what it is like to volunteer their time and energies for the good of the township. I feel it is time for the elected officials to start giving back to the tax payers. We are always looking for cost savings and this would be a great start. Lets face it, each elected official is putting his/her life on the line each time they go running into a warm, well lit township meeting to spend tax dollars that don't need to be spent. Maybe if they were saving lives/dollars their salary may be warranted. It is bull shit that volunteers have to beg for funds to better serve the township, but if the committee wants something they just raise taxes. Maybe the committee should start looking for creative ways to save tax dollars !! "T