Hi, Ed, I’m calling about “Save the middle class” by the “Economist.” The guy is so far off base, it’s not even funny. Why are they giving a stimulus plan that includes money nobody’s going to see until May? If they wanted something to work, they would have given tax cuts to businesses that employ people. That would have made a trickle-down effect and helped everybody. I don’t understand these people who think what Bush is doing is wrong. Do they want the whole country to look like New Jersey, the land of “tax and spend” under the Democrats? Give ’em heck, Ed.

Curses

You know what would happen if businesses got the tax cuts? They’d keep it for themselves. This is America, remember.—Ed Note

Ed, This is for all the New York Yankees fans out there in the Trenton area. You may have noticed that Comcast just ripped us off again by taking away channel 9, didn’t move it up the dial, like the old channels 4 and 11, just took it off, which means we’re going to lose 18 games. We should all boycott Comcast and dump them. Call up Comcast and demand they put the Yankees on or cancel your subscription.

Jeter

It’s true. Edelstein confirmed it in his column. So let’s go Mets.—Ed Note

Ed, Hamilton Mayor Bencivengo did it again. First, we have a person in charge of engineering who is not an engineer, he’s a banker. Now we have a person in charge of purchasing, who is not a purchasing agent. You want to make cuts? How about getting rid of the computer analyst and Kuser Mansion and the print shop and Sayen Gardens, like you promised, also some captains in the police department (get them back on the street where they belong!). How about taking away the cell phones from public works people who are riding around with cell phones and no seat belts. I’m waiting for Bencivengo’s answer.

Questions

Tick, tock, tick, tock.—Ed Note

Ed, the other day my granddaughter asked me how the delegates are selected to attend the various political conventions. I didn’t know the answer, so I asked some of my peers, who didn’t really understand the system. So I wonder if maybe one of your reporters could do an indepth article on how the delegates are selected and who pays for their hotel and transportation. I’m 70 and I’d really like to know. I read The Trentonian every day, so if this article has already been written and I missed it, I apologize. But if not, this would be a great article for everyone to get a better understanding of how these delegates are selected.

Curious

Best we can tell, “delegates” are just a fancy word for “political cronies and their crony friends.” The parties pay their own way. Right? Please?—Ed Note

Hi, Ed, I would like to know why Hillary Rodham Clinton keeps on wearing pantsuits. Is she trying to be a man? Why can’t she be feminine and wear dresses sometimes?

Miniskirt

Ladies and gentlemen, the state of the voter, 2008.—Ed Note

Ed, I’m calling about the “no sympathy” item in BackTalk regarding the parents who are suing The College of New Jersey over the death of their son. You’re absolutely correct for blasting the parents for trying to cash in on the kid’s death. The only thing those parents should be entitled to is a refund of his tuition, and that’s it! The kid was over 18, old enough to know better. You get drunk, stuff happens.

Chiller

Well, you know, we call ‘em as we see ‘em. It’s a tragedy, to be sure, but to blame the school just seems wrong.—Ed Note

Dear Ed, I wanr to tell the low life who stole my sons’ sliding board from in front of my mother’s house that I hope he or she is really enjoying it. It must be an awesome feeling to let your kids slide on something that was stolen. I guess you must think you’re a great parent. I really hope your kids are enjoying the slide; my kids sure aren’t. My kids really hope you have it in your tiny weeny heart to return their slide. Thanks from parents of two sad boys.

Wheeeee

Grand theft slide. What a world.—Ed Note

Hurray, Ed, the City of Trenton is finally going to get rid of Santiago and all his crooked ways. Now all we have to do is get rid of the other lying politician, Mayor Palmer.

Renew

If anyone thinks that’s all it’s going to take to turn Trenton around, well, you’re mistaken.—Ed Note

Hi, Ed, I just read in the other paper about the possible layoffs in Hamilton. I want to ask Mayor Bencivengo if the top money-makers will be the first to be laid off or maybe his family members? Or will it be the hard-working people who need their jobs to pay the taxes.

Curious

Our bet here is “hard-working people who need their jobs to pay the taxes.” Call it a hunch.—Ed Note

Hey, Ed, I have a message for everyone: get real this summer. Your lawn consumes more water than any other crop in this country. If Mother Nature can’t provide enough moisture, let it be. It’s OK to have brown grass. It takes a lot of energy to transport water to your yard. Remember, conserve.

High Tides

Speak for yourself, man. The greener the grass, the more important you are. Water, water, everywhere.—Ed Note

Ed, Does anyone know when Bristol Township is going to elect a new mayor? It’s been awful silent over there lately.

Elector

Politics plus silence equals danger, methinks.—Ed Note

Hey, Ed, I think I’m going to change from Republican to Democrat. Seems like the Democrats from New York and New Jersey have changed to a whole new level of love thy neighbor.

Gay Old Time

Oh, snap.—Ed Note

Hi, Ed, I’m calling about “Ewing, Russia” in BackTalk. The reason they’re arguing in Ewing with the mayor is that the interim council president Murphy was on a recall list two years ago. People in the township were trying to get him and two others out of office. I signed the recall petition in Moody Park. So, Murphy and the others made laws to protect themselves, so that they can’t be removed from office if they only have a certain time left on their terms. That’s the reason why they’re saying the mayor can’t speak. I don’t know about the people in the audience, but that law needs to be changed. It’s unconstitutional and discriminatory. Because of their unscrupulous ways, there’s lots of crooked stuff going on in township hall, and it needs to be investigated.

Screwy

I love Ewing politics. They still think it’s 1910 over there. I bet they all smoke cigars.—Ed Note

Ed, This is Coach Steve from Nottingham Little League. I just want to thank ShopRite and Vito’s Pizza on Route 33 for giving my kids the opportunity to stand out there for tag day last Saturday. And the people who also donated the money. Very generous. There’s a lot of people with good hearts out there in New Jersey. I just want to thank them, so does my T-ball team.

Coach Steve

Now go out there and win some games. And beware of line drives down the third base line.—Ed Note

Ed, The blame for the demise of the Trenton Police Department lies solely on Mayor Palmer’s shoulders. It started back when he promised Deputy Chief Constance the job of police chief when the job opening arose. He reneged on that promise and Constance sued the city, and from that point on, Palmer had a vendetta against TPD. First he did away with the rank of chief, and then rank of deputy chief, and then he hired a civilian to run the department who was unfit to command the New Jersey State Police. Doing away with these ranks lost many years of local police experience. Santiago did nothing to promote leadership qualities within the superior officers, and had he done so, Palmer would not have to worry today about the city not being in safe hands when Mr. Santiago is hiding in Morris County. So, thanks Mr. Palmer for starting all this mess in Trenton.

Blame Game

Well, we can point fingers here, there, and everywhere, but the past is the past and there’s no changing that. It’s time to start worrying about the future.—Ed Note

Ed, I’m just wondering if any of the illegal aliens or their children are serving in our armed forces, or is it just our guys dying to keep them in their legal rights as illegals?

Fighter

Can’t answer that, but I’ll tell you this much: I bet most illegal aliens would gladly sign up in our armed forces if it got them and their families citizenship.—Ed Note

Hey, Ed, you stop being juvenile and stupid. Life isn’t meant to be man and man or woman and woman. There’s no evolution that way, so think about that!

Not Darwin

And without evolution, you wouldn’t exist. Checks and balances, I suppose.—Ed Note

Good morning, Ed, When you have some spare time, why don’t you take a survey of how many Trenton police officers do not live in Trenton, they live out in the suburbs. They’ve been living in the suburbs for years and years. You should bring that to light; it would be greatly appreciated.

City Man

Yeah, you’re right! A lot of them do live in the suburbs! And it’s legal. Leave it to me to take the wind out of your sails.—Ed Note

Ed, In his recent speech I heard Barack Obama make a comment that the Rev. Wright 20 years ago helped introduce him to his Christian faith. Before that happened 20 years ago, what was Obama’s religion?

Faith

Pretty sure it was Jedi, though we’re awaiting final word.—Ed Note

Hi, Ed, shame on the Democratic majority in Ewing Township and Democratic majority and Mr. Murphy who compose the Ewing Township Council. In a bid to shut down political diversity and dissent, they have used Gestapo tactics. Unfortunately for me, I had to witness the disgraceful fascist tactics and conduct that was exhibited by Murphy and his Democratic majority that sits on the council. It was an attempt to stymie any opinion not in tune with their own. Watch out, Ewing residents! The Ewing Township Democratic Organization has its eye next on controlling the school board.

Question Authority

Voice your opinion, but don’t be so quick to draw parallels to Nazi Germany. Unless you were there, I don’t think you’re justified in comparing today’s situation in Ewing to that dark period in history.—Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, I guess if Santiago goes, the Trenton Police Department is going to turn back into a good-old-boy-redneck police department. It’s kinda scary to think that Santiago was doing a good job. If you let these old heads go back into office, all I can say is, minorities better watch out.

Missing Him

Minorities like narcoleptic white sexual-harassers who retain positions of power despite repeated screw-ups on the job?—Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I’m calling about the Santiago residency problem. I don’t think it’s right that he lost his job because he doesn’t live in Trenton. Honestly, who wants to live in Trenton. I live here and I don’t like it here. If he must live in Trenton, so should the teachers, the firemen and the mayor.

Reluctant Trentonian

Hey, that’s our city you’re talking about. Just because you don’t have any pride doesn’t mean you should spread your poisonous attitude to the rest of us.—Ed. Note

Ed Note, you can tell that young lady student in Indiana that she can call the New Jersey Tourism Department in Trenton to get free information on New Jersey, which they will mail out, and she can also contact the State Library.

Big Bully

Hey! Be nice to the kid. Maybe she’s looking for insight into New Jersey beyond the basic facts.—Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, What’s Hamilton Mayor Bencivengo going to do about the township’s Weights and Measures Department? I’ve called there at least 30 times, and nobody ever returns my call. I have problems with gas pumps. This department is supposed to be helping people. Where are they?

Weighing In

Maybe you need to leave your message in metric tons.—Ed. Note

Ed, this is one of Reggie Murray’s fellow CVC coaches. Coach, you guys had a great season, and all the coaches followed you all the way, cheering you on every step of the way as you represented Mercer County all the way to the Tournament of Champions final game. We followed you in the paper and after every single win, you had a lot to say, and deservedly so. Your girls were great and you did a great job. But when you lose, and your girls come out and talk to the newspapers and you don’t, it sets a poor example. You had a lot to say, coach, after every single win and nothing to say after the loss. That’s not right. The girls showed a much better example by coming out and talking to the press. Come out and say something, Reggie.

Speech Writer

Cut the guy some slack. It was a heartbreaking disappointment.—Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, I’m over in Hamilton Township where I just stopped to do some business at the municipal building. Things must be really good for the Bencivengo people. I count five Mercedes, two BMWs, six Cadillacs, one Audi, and, oh my God, there’s a Saturn. God bless America!

Car & Driver

Those are all practical cars with high safety ratings. Not status symbols at all. —Ed. Note

Ed, will all you people please get off the state workers! I’m not a state worker, but whatever they get they pay for. As far as their benefits for dental or health care, everything has gone up. When they get a raise, it goes back to paying for their benefits. If you’re so jealous of state workers, go get a job with the state. Of course, now it’s not possible, but if they get rid of all the Pennsy people and slackers (I’m talking about the appointed people), maybe you would be happy. And if you work for the private sector and you don’t have a union or a great job, maybe you better look for one.

Off Their Backs

Yep, it’s all sour grapes. Has nothing to do with paying the nation’s highest taxes. —Ed. Note

Gov. Corzine, you’ve already raised the state sales tax one cent. Where did all the extra money go? Now you want to raise fees on roads. Is that all you Democrats know how to do, raises taxes and fees? Start making cuts in state government. That’s what we elected you to do.

The Slasher

Your wish for cuts is starting to come true, but unfortunately for you it will be done in conjunction with the taxes and tolls.—Ed. Note

Ed, NJN news recently reported that the Turnpike Authority has borrowed $100 million for this year and $2 billion for next year to widen the road between Interchanges 6 and 8. That keeps the graft and greed going. Meanwhile, the toll rate will increase 45 percent just to cover this. When that happens, I’ll be using local roads.

Back Roads

Just watch out for all the other cars trucks doing the same thing.—Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I just read an article about sex crimes in the schools in Robbinsville. I’d like to know, what is more important, sex crimes or teachers using drugs in the classroom? I understand there was such a situation in Hamilton but evidently our superintendent of schools and everyone else doesn’t care to look into it. It was a grade school where this happened and the children were exposed to it. Why was nothing done about this?

School Daze

They’re both pretty bad, but if I had to rate them, sex crimes in school would be even worse than teachers doing drugs in school.—Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, What most Americans don’t know is that, according to the military archives in Washington, on Nov. 26, 1941, a telephone call was made to F.D.R. from Winston Churchill, informing our president that a Japanese task force was en route across the North Pacific to attack Pearl Harbor.

Researcher

In the words of Dana Carvey impersonating Johnny Carson, “I did not know that.”—Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I’m calling about the purse reward offered in BackTalk. I found a clutch purse on Feb. 21 or 29, I can’t remember which day, up at the Pennington Market around 12:30 p.m., and I did turn it in to management. If this is the same purse, please tell the lady that I do not want a reward.

Free Finder

Now that is honor.—Ed. Note

Ed, this is for “Pride of New Jersey.” This is why you work for the state — because you’re an idiot. You can’t get a job anywhere else. Everybody who pays taxes in New Jersey pays state workers’ salaries, so get a real job.

Wrath of Taxpayer

Hey! BackTalk is no place for name-calling, you dumba--. —Ed. Note

Ed, how can you sell the presence of Christ as a picture on a Web site? This is not a painting, it was an appearance. Why would a Bishop encourage such a thing? This is the spirit of Judas! Like him, we are willing to sell Jesus for a price. His appearance to the Divock family is for personal reasons. He appeared at a time when Mrs. Divock was sick and He came as her healer. His appearance to her husband is a witness that He lives. We are doing what the religious leaders did. The Caiaphas spirit wants to still silence that Jesus is alive and still offers hope to the world. A price for His image is another attempt to show the world that He is not who Christians say He is to them! They still do anything for the love of money! Jesus said that He is the door: By Him if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. Do not use this opportunity to exploit Jesus! Don’t let religious people cause you to do what Judas did.

Priceless

I’m not sure how I feel about the Jesus door — it looks to me like he’s wearing a cowboy hat — but I agree with you that Christ should not be for sale. —Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I’m responding to the reader who criticized the parents of The College of New Jersey student who died after heavy drinking and now they are suing the school. Colleges should not allow students to drink on campus, and if the students drink, they should be expelled. If they need to drink, go home and drink, but not on school grounds. They’re in college to study and become our future leaders.

Temperance

I’m trying to follow you here. So the school should have expelled him before he died, and therefore the parents have a right to sue? Anyway, I’ll file your no-college-drinking sentiments in the “hopeless idealism” category.—Ed. Note

Hello, Ed, I’m calling about all the publicity Kelly Zimmerman is getting. Correct me if I’m wrong, but if a person’s on her own time, she can do whatever she wants so long as she’s not breaking any laws. It’s not your business or my business, it’s none of your readers’ business what this lady is doing on her own time. You make a big deal that there were kids in the audience at this event, but when’s the last time you’ve been to the beach in the summertime? There were a lot of ladies revealing a helluva lot more than this lady was at this party. Why can’t you just leave innocent people alone?

Lifeguard

I don’t recall anything in the story saying that shaking her booty at the contest was “wrong.” But it was of interest that the photos were causing a buzz among students. Of course there’s more to the story, and as it comes out perhaps you’ll change your mind about whether it’s worth your reading time.—Ed. Note

Edward! Kelly Zimmerman from the Lighthouse Academy, what did she do wrong? She posed in a contest wearing a bathing suit. Actually, it’s the largest two-piece bathing suit I have ever seen, short of Rosie O’Donnell. I mean, she suffers from a little TMA, “too much a--.” She should actually wear a one-piece. But the girl didn’t do anything bad. She looks a lot better than the guy that writes for page 2, Edelstein. Just thought I’d tell you that!

Beauty Contest

First of all, we know you’ve got Jeffy pinned up by your bed, so don’t even kid yourself. Secondly, there are many who would say Ms. Z. is blessed by JTRAOA, “just the right amount of a--.”—Ed. Note

Dear Ed, kudos to L.A. Parker. He’s on the right track! I believe it’s really all about the kids and what is being filtered down or not to them from the administration and staff. We all know how perceptive children are, and that they do what we do, not what we say. It’s called “modeling.” They deserve nothing less than a healthy, balanced staff with integrity as the core. Letting go of secrets is the road to healthiness. Keep on trucking, I mean digging, L.A. It’s almost spring — a great time for new beginnings!

Faculty

New beginnings for some, and perhaps endings for others.—Ed. Note

Ed, I’ve been calling that drug line for two years, telling them about the drug activity on Hoffman Avenue, and no one did anything. A young man had to get shot for us to get a big flood light here so we can live safe. Two years, Ed, and no one did nothing. These boys sold drugs on this street like crazy. Cars pulled up from everywhere, Pennsylvania, school buses, and they were selling drugs like crazy and the police did nothing. I’ve had with this town.

Tipster

Well, not to cut the cops too much slack, but they must receive tips of drug activity every two seconds, and they only have so many of those giant floodlights.—Ed. Note

Ed, this is for the person who complained about unsanitary conditions in restaurants. How about stores? It’s just as bad. They think because they wear gloves in the deli section that they can do anything with those gloves on. I was in a local supermarket and watched a woman in the deli area cleaning up the counter and then start cutting lunch meats and cheese for a customer while wearing that same pair of gloves. It made me sick; I walked away and didn’t buy anything. They need to know those gloves should be changed often when they are handling food. No wonder there are so many diseases around lately.

Germ O. Phobe

Aw, come on. What’s a little grime and disease in your raw meat? It makes ya tough.—Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I read that the State Police handed out 150 cell phone tickets the day the new law went into effect. Now what do we do when we ride by the police and see them on the phone? Is that legal? I’d like to know.

Chit Chat

They do have special permission. But I’d suggest you whip out your phone and start talking on in to see if they stop talking on theirs to stop and pull you over. Then you guys can hash out the double standard. —Ed. Note

Ed, this is my response to the “retired state worker.” First, I don’t know what state office you worked for, but we are not allowed on the Internet. We don’t make any long-distance phone calls because we are constantly being monitored when we are on our phones and on our computers. They can also tell what screens you are on when you are monitored. Second, if a smoker wants to use a lunch hour to smoke, that’s their business. We don’t get paid for our lunch hour. Third, state workers are taxpayers, too. I don’t know why you non-state workers don’t get it; you don’t pay my salary with your taxes. I pay my own salary with the property taxes and state taxes they deduct from my check. If you were paying for state workers’ salary, how can you afford to be retired?

Pride of N.J.

Um, the deductions from your checks don’t completely cover your salary. Otherwise you’d have nothing left. —Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I want to thank the kind, honest person who found the pocketbook I dropped while shopping and turned it in to management. If this person can identify the store, day and time, and provide a description of the pocketbook, I would like to send a reward. I’m leaving my name and number with you, Ed.

Purse Catcher

See, people are good. —Ed. Note

Ed, I need help from your readers. Who do I call to file a complaint about a local school bus company’s driver? My daughter was standing right by the bus door, she could literally touch the bus, when driver shut the door in her face and took off. When I called the bus company, they said they would talk to the driver. I want something more, I think he should be suspended because my daughter could have died. Something should be done about this. That’s why we’re having accidents with buses.

Bus Buster

Call your school district. Raise a stink. Round up other parents. Get the driver fired.—Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I know someone who lives on Prospect Street in Ewing who has two pitbull dogs, however, she does not have them registered as pitbulls with the township. She told the township they are two other breeds. Is there anyone I can call to talk about that? From what I understand, it costs more to register pitbulls, and you also have to have special property insurance. I wonder if anyone can help me out because I really would like to report the owner. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Dog Tired

Well, I’ll put out a call to any dog experts you give us some info, but don’t be surprised if we get more calls from the pro-pitbull lobby than anyone else.—Ed. Note

Ed, we’ve got to lower the price of local government. Too many people are making over $100,000 a year in the schools, the cops and firemen. A lot of people only make $30,000 to $40,000 a year. If they say they can’t get good people for $100,000, think again. A lot of people would take those jobs for $100,000 with those pensions and health benefits.

Cheap Labor

OK. So we’ll trade out all these bigwigs with whatever letters after their names and whatever qualifications for some upbeat commonfolk who would really appreciate those jobs. I like the idea, but something tells me we’d notice the lack of some of those qualifications.—Ed. Note

Ed, I’m calling about L.A. Parker’s column about hand hygiene. It’s about time someone writes about this. People think I’m crazy, but when I go out to eat (and I don’t even want to go out to eat anymore), I don’t want fast food because these kids are sticking their hands everywhere, not washing them, and nobody wears gloves. The worst thing is when they give you change back, they stick their hands in their mouth to get your bag and stick your food in it. Waitresses are scratching their heads, and something needs to be done. I’ve walked out of restaurants. People need to be aware of what they’re doing with their hands and people’s food.

Disgusted

If this is what you’re seeing from the waitstaff, imagine what’s going on in the kitchen, hidden from the public eye. Have you seen the movie “Waiting”?—Ed. Note