Ed, Gov. Corzine has been there for over seven years. I don’t think he has done anything. A lot of businessses have left the state. I’d like to see an audit of how many jobs have left the state. This man has put us in such a financial crisis, and now they are going to turn around and re-elect him. The AFL-CIO has been stupid enough to back him. Governor, take the rose-colored glasses off and see the real world.

Not Rosy

Don’t count out Christie yet. —Ed. Note

Ed, this is Frank in Hightstown. I want to thank the federal government for helping me out with this digital TV switch. I went out and bought four converter boxes for $40 each, and four digital antennas for $60 each. Guess what? I now get channels 3, 10, 17 and 52, a total of four channels. I don’t think it is really worth it.

Boob Tube

Switch to reading books. They’re coming back in style.—Ed. Note

Ed, I am calling about the peace march after Tamrah’s funeral. I want to commend the young people who took a stand. We do have a lot of positive kids that are decent. Our mayor in Trenton should applaud them for taking a stand against these gangs and letting them know they are not scared. The parents were just calling it a “rally” and wanted to blame everything on the politicians without taking any of the blame on themselves. I think all the churches need to get together and have more walks that support what the young people did. You have a blessed day.

Walker

The churches can be a strong voice to help the communities step up and battle the gang influence. Bur are more “walks” really the answer?—Ed. Note

Ed, about those accused of Tamrah’s shooting. Everyone on that front page is a repeat offender. This is the fault of liberal judges. Maybe the little girl would be alive today if these people were locked up where they should be. This is a tragedy. I see it as a fault of the judicial system.

Lockdown

There’s plenty of failure to go around. As noted on our front page June 19, the Juvenile Justice Commission had a crack at rehabilitating at least two of the suspects. Lo and behold, it didn’t work.—Ed. Note

Ed, why would a lady be stopping cars and soliciting a money donation on East State and Stockton streets for Tamrah Leonard’s funeral after Tamrah was already buried? I asked the woman who was soliciting and she had no explanation for it. What was the purpose of it?

Suspicious

We hope her motivations were legitimate. Just because the funeral has happened doesn’t mean it’s been paid for. But it’s wise to be wary.—Ed. Note

Ed, this is to the parents of young children. So many of our children are allowed to roam the city streets. Most of these children are left alone and this is how the gangsters get in. Those guys are predators and they are looking for someone to prey on. On any given night you can see teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 on the street after 10 o’clock. How many do we have to lose for you people to see we must change this vicious cycle? I was not happy to see all of those young men on the front page of the paper for a crime that should not ever have taken place. Too many of these parents are long-term drug and alcohol abusers who have given up. Let me tell you if you really wanted to change you can.

Responsibility

Don’t give up. If you can’t change for yourself, do it for your kids. —Ed. Note

Ed, about the hiring back of the food service workers at the schools. I can’t believe this is the type of people they want around our children. Ten people show up for a job and they smell like alcohol. Couldn’t they wait until they have gotten the job to go out and get high?

Sloppy Joe

The saddest part is that they weren’t automatically disqualified. Guess there’s a talent shortage.

Ed, my wife and I were volunters on the bocci courts with the Special Olympics. Tell the caller that we don’t need a special day. Our special day was being with those wonderful athletes. It was our pleasure to see so many high school and college kids, some of whom had to drive long distances, working with these athletes.

Special Person

Bless you and everyone else involved.—Ed. Note

Ed, this is to the person who complained about the Bordentown “twits.” One of those “twits” used to be mine. God help you for talking like that because you are a bigger twit. Without these girls we would have no team to honor Bordentown. Our coaches are out there on their own time. Half of them travel with the team and also play school ball, and then go on to college to play. Keep up the good work, girls and coach.

Windmill

You tell ’im! That caller had a peculiar distaste for girls softball players. Maybe he got beat up by one when he was a kid.—Ed. Note

Ed, people, I’m hoping none of you are foolish enough to fall for this quasi-tough-on-crime rope-a-dope, Tamrah’s Law. For what it’s worth, you’re being misdirected again! The problems with current gun laws isn’t necessarily a lack of teeth and/or toughness. The problem with the gun laws is and has been a miserable failing on the part of the prosecutors and judges to impose appropriate sentences. They (prosecutors and judges) have always had the authority to impose consecutive sentences for multiple crimes, but it’s never done. What is done is that the sentences for multiple crimes are run concurrently, which allows for the prisoner’s early release and/or parole. And our district’s representatives (Trenton’s City Council and mayor, the county executive, Sen. Shirley Turner, Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman, and Assemblyman Reed Gusciora) already know this! Don’t fall for their pandering and sympathetic stroking.

Not Falling

Good advice.—Ed. Note

Ed, I myself was faced with this issue of gangsters. My only child, who is male, was victimized and harassed by his classmates who decided that gang life was the only life they would feel comfortable being a part of. I was faced with a dilemma. I had to move my child to another state, which was the best thing I could have done for him. However, as a parent, I felt robbed and cheated. My life was changed because of these little gangsters. There are many children out there who are facing this same issue. Remember when one dies or gets arrested there is someone to take his or her place. In reference to the comment the person wrote “when your child comes in with a pair of 200 dollar sneakers” I believe at that point it is too late. If we wake up and pay attention you can see in certain communities when someone is being initiated in, they do not hide this process, it is for everyone’s viewing pleasure. This is when someone should alert the parent or even the police if it will help to intercede on this child’s behalf. We have to snatch our children back from this very dangerous process. We need to get the right team of experts together to help stop this brainwashing of our youth. It is time to stand up and really fight this. It begins with our women, and it is not just your uneducated who choose these men. Most of those guys choose the weakest person who can be controlled and they are easy to spot. Low self-esteem is not hidden. Women, it is not easy out there, I know, but know who you are bringing home to your children.

Warning

You had me on everything but the “team of experts.”—Ed. Note

Ed, people are always advocating lock ’em up, lock ’em up. There is nothing for the kids in the inner city to do. I have checked this out and done my research. If you think that it is by some coincidence or accident that there is nothing for these inner city kids to do, I could sell you the Brooklyn Bridge.

Salesman

I’m not in the market for a bridge, but what exactly is your point? There’s a conspiracy to give kids few recreational options so they’ll break laws and be jailed?—Ed. Note

Ed, it’s a damn shame that we have to live in fear in this city. I was very protective of my daughter. All I can say is that I am very sorry for the people who lost their loved one.

Sympathy

If this tragedy leads to a breakthrough in the fight against gangs in this city, that nice girl’s death won’t be in vain. But the change needs to happen in the ’hood, not at police headquarters. And if the lack of cooperation on this case is any indication, the change ain’t happening. Do you really want the gangs running your lives? Do you really think the cops are a worse enemy?—Ed. Note

Ed, instead of having a ridiculous parade up Martin Luther King Boulevard where people get killed every other day in Trenton, why don’t the people who saw something happen report it to the police? I have no sympathy for the people up there. They don’t cooperate with the police.

No Sympathy

Now we’re ready for an Amen.—Ed. Note

Ed, I want to make a comment on your answer “Call 4 Backup.” Amen, Amen, Amen. Your answer was right on point. A lot of these parents know what their children are doing but because the kids pay the bills in the home from that drug money they just let them run amok. Pray for one another, pray that God has mercy on the ones that have committed senseless murder. This is a result of babies having babies. No one wants to parent. All we can do is pray for one another. God bless you, keep the faith, be strong, be encouraged.

The Faith

Praying can’t hurt. But it’s not “all you can do.” Start by daring to feed info to the cops. —Ed. Note

Ed, your answer to “Call 4 Backup” was dead on. Anything with youth, just remember, training begins at home. When your child comes home with $200 sneakers, you know something is wrong. You just get him by the ears before it is too late. I appreciated your answer, Ed.

New Sneaks

By the ears. That’s a good technique.—Ed. Note

Ed, I was not far away from the little girl that got killed, Tamrah. My question to the newspaper is why did you put the story about the guy that was killed the day after her on the same page as the story about her? What does that have to do with her? There is no way this guy should be in the same newspaper as her. This guy was found dead with a gun. She was an innocent victim. Why is his story above hers? His story shouldn’t even be in the paper. Her story deserves to have a page of her own. It hurt the whole city of Trenton. She was one of us. The guy with the gun was one of them.

Different Stories

In a city plagued by gang violence, the placement of the story about a slain gangster near the story about a girl killed by gangsters made sense to us. But it was in no way intended to imply that the victims had anything in common. —Ed. Note

Ed, I am calling about the Black Panther member who compared the Bloods to the Boy Scouts. He is so wrong. All gang members, Bloods, Crips, Skinheads, White Supremacists, are nothing but a bunch of cowards. All they do is sell drugs, make people fear them, kill, rob, and tear down communities. They ought to get a job, support their families, and build up their communities, not tear them down.

Scout it Out

But the gangsters’ bandanas do kind of look like the Scouts’ neckerchiefs. Love that word. Neckerchief.—Ed. Note

Ed, I am calling about the guy who complained about the tall grass on the soccer field. He said that he would cut the grass if the township paid him. I hate to say it, but he personifies the problem. Nobody wants to do anything for anybody out of the goodness of their heart or the well-being of the children. Why doesn’t he cut it for nothing if he is so worried about the kids?

Good Question

Ed, I read the BackTalk about the man who has a 5-year-old son who plays soccer in a field of tall grass. The man said he is not working and he doesn’t want to cut the grass unless he gets paid for it by the township. Well, that dear soul certainly has the wrong conception of life. Why doesn’t he get off his rear end and do the right thing?

Same Question

As they say, people aren’t happy unless they’re complaining. That’s especially true for lazy people, who have more time and energy to complain. If we could change the old saying to “people aren’t happy unless they’re mowing,” that guy would be out there right now with a 5-horsepower push Honda.—Ed. Note

Ed, I just returned from one of the most positive experiences I’ve ever had. It took me six minutes to drive through two stations at the Mercer County Recycling Day. It was the best organized event I have ever seen. The workers were all hustling, helpful and pleasant! Kudos to all.

Smooth Sailing

A tip of the hat to whomever was in charge.—Ed. Note

Ed, I understand that Mayor Bencivengo was at the grand opening of the Honda dealer on Route 130. He said he would never be at grand openings. Well, there he goes again. The only good thing about it is that he ordered a new car for himself and got rid of his Crown Vic. Good job, Mayor Bencivengo, it is about time you started saving gasoline for the township. Although it is a new car again.

Unopened

God forbid the mayor would show up at the opening of an important business in town. Wouldn’t want the leader of the community to be in favor of commerce or anything. —Ed. Note

Ed, I read about Chris Christie vowing to cut back the agreements with the unions and execute numerous layoffs. Our present number of 80,000 state employees is way over the limit. I agree with Chris — the number of state employees should be cut back by 15,000 people. I hope Christie gets in and powers through this. It should benefit the taxpayers of New Jersey.

Slash

Hmmmm. Number of state workers, 80,000. Number of Canada geese in New Jersey, 80,000. Wonder if the wildlife experts can give us a target number for the workers. —Ed. Note

Ed, this is in response to “Yes Man.” That state worker who agreed with Corzine’s agreement is a coward. Corzine should honor the contract he signed two years ago. State workers have given enough to this governor. How much more can we give to this guy? Yet, he continues to hire staff at the Statehouse! I say, honor the contract, stand united, be strong and stop being scared. Vote no to this agreement! A contract is a contract!

Angry State Worker No. 3,117

We all feel sorry for you.—Ed. Note

Ed, this is from American Legion Post 31. We wish to thank all our friends who supported our poppy drive with generous donations. These monies are put aside to be used for needy veterans. Thank you.

Legionnaire

Thanks for all you do. —Ed. Note

Ed, my opinion is if the Bloods like to kill send them all over to Iraq, every one of them.

Gotta Plan

This is not an original comment. It has been a common sentiment in BackTalk. But as I’ve said before, giving automatic weapons to our most dangerous criminals and expecting them to defend the lives of fellow soldiers sounds foolish. I suppose you would advocate putting them in their own unit with other gangsters, but then who would lead them, what officer could trust his men not to shoot him in the back? Asking terrorists to fight terrorists? They’d probably join forces. —Ed. Note

Ed, if you are not L.A. Parker you would know that high school sportsmanship comes before statistics. The Trenton player that made the comment that if he were a last-minute pick he would never play for that team. That is not the way to go in high school sports at all. Sportsmanship comes first all the time. “Team before I.”

The Sportsman

Forgive the kids for being a touch bitter. And was that team really picked with “sportsmanship” as the primary criterion? Come on.—Ed. Note

Ed, for all the people who are so with Mr. Obama, I would like to say that I never met someone who made so many promises that he broke. To spend so much time on television making documentaries and movies. We have to be told what he ate, what he drank, what he does, where he went. He needs to spend a little more time in the office straightening things out. He is taxing everything. I have never seen so many taxes in my life. I think it is utterly ridiculous.

O. No

Never seen so many? Did you finish counting the taxes in New Jersey?—Ed. Note

Ed, I am calling about the woman who wrote in about the dumb bike paths. I agree with her 100 percent. We in Bordentown have the Little League girls softball team and we don’t get no help from the township. Our fields are in disrepair and we don’t have lights for night games. We can’t even sponsor a night game. Put the money where it is going to be used. We have 100 girls in the softball system that could use that money. Put your bike path where the sun don’t shine. Bike paths are stupid. You can bike on the road but don’t show up in my lane cause I drive a big vehicle. Take care.

S.U.V.

Cyclists beware. There’s an angry softball dad on the loose.—Ed. Note

Ed, I am an officer at the AJC facility in Bordentown. Those backside units where the officer was attacked are difficult to see by anyone else. The officer was alone with 22 inmates. Those inmates are under 18 but they are rapists, murderers, and very dangerous people. An officer deserves to be protected by his fellow officers. As far as backup, it was coming. It was difficult to get to that officer because they couldn’t see him. They were unaware when he called for help that he was being assaulted himself. Basically it was called in as “two inmates fighting.” When he stepped in to break up the fight one inmate assaulted him. If that officer had had a second officer up there with him he would not be injured now.

Officer

When surrounded by rapists and killers, always utilize the buddy system. I think they teach that in Boy Scouts.—Ed. Note

Ed, my 5-year-old plays soccer in the rec league near Allentown across from the pork roll store. The grass on the field needs cutting. Someone is not doing their job. I am out of work right now. I would be glad to cut the grass at the soccer field if they would pay me. We pay a lot of taxes, and someone is not doing their job. You can’t walk through it. The kids kick the ball and the ball stops.

Greener

It’s a training technique. If they play on tall grass until age 7 imagine how strong their legs will be.—Ed. Note

Ed, I am not a Democrat or a Republican, I’m an independent voter. Why don’t they get off Obama’s back? My God, he’s trying. That’s more than anyone has done in a long time. It’s putting faith back in the country. People are starting to come together again. But you get these negative people who want to pull him apart. It’s like the Hamilton Township Police. OK, every once in a while you get a bad apple and the newspapers play it up big. But let something bad happen to one of these complainers and see how fast our Hamilton Township Police respond. They are right there to help. They are good and they are respectful.

Indie

It’s not every day the Hamilton police are compared to Barack Obama.—Ed. Note

Ed, I am calling about the Plumstead Township Police. They have a new man in charge. I wanted to give them a thumbs up. They are doing a great job. Thank you. It is a new day in New Egypt.

New Day

That’s funny, because they’re having another old day in old Egypt.—Ed. Note

Ed, the American Legion is not going to be there at the Sovereign Bank arena to help with the returning vets’ paperwork and questions. All the paperwork is being handed out at Fort Dix. The returning troops will be getting more than enough information for reintegration and demobilization at Fort Dix. I was part of a medivac earlier, so I know all about what the veterans will be given as part of being “demobbed.”

Legionnaire

Thanks. For those of you who missed it, this BackTalker is replying to a previous question about whether the Legion will offer assistance at this Friday’s National Guard homecoming parade in Trenton.—Ed. Note

Ed, this is to the person who lost two cute little dogs late Thursday night around the Kuser Park area. They are in good care now. Anyone who might have lost them, call in. I will leave my number with BackTalk.

Dogwalker

How do you lose two dogs?—Ed. Note

Ed, this is Donna. I have been taking care of my 70-year-old neighbor lady on Chambers Street. Recently we were helping to get her things together for a move to another home on the same street. While we were doing that we left her wheelchair on the front porch and someone came along and took it away. It was very rude. Whoever took the chair, we want them to bring it back. My neighbor is on a fixed income. Just bring the chair back.

The Neighbor

What kind of a jerk would steal a wheelchair? Bring it back within a week or you’re going to hell.—Ed. Note

Ed, I am a state worker and a CWA member but I am voting for the new agreement with the governor. Why?1. I have a job,2. I have a job,3. I have a job.I would rather have some furlough days than to lose my job. I am asking everyone to vote “Yes.” I would like to see some other CWA workers phone in if they can act like mature people and not like children about this matter.

Yes Man

New rule. No more calls from state worker children.—Ed. Note

Hey, L.A. Parker, welcome to Mercer County baseball. In order to make the team you have to have the right last name. That starts from Little League all the way through Legion. Not the best players make the team, only those with the right connections.

Disconnected

Look at the bright side, cruel lessons like that prepare kids for the real world. —Ed. Note

Ed, I just read the recent article by L.A. Parker. He creates more hate and racial tension than anybody I know. My kid is a baseball player, he was MVP of several tournaments, but didn’t go to the Carpenter Cup. Where was L.A. Parker that day? I have a white kid, why didn’t he write a half-page article about my son? I can show him stats that match or are better than this Garcia kid.

Baseball Parent

Did L.A. mention the kid’s race? —Ed. Note

Ed, I have to agree with L.A. Parker on this one. Jose Garcia deserves to be on the Carpenter Cup team. I can’t see how they can leave him off the team. It is a great injustice. Anybody hitting over .500 should be on that team. That may be part of the reason Mercer County usually doesn’t win that tournament. Just because he plays for Trenton High, it shouldn’t matter.

Talent Scout

Trenton pride!—Ed. Note

Ed, about the Garcia incident, that’s a real shame. But you know what, you have to get used to it because that is the way it has always been in Mercer County, as long you have the Steinerts, Hamiltons and Notre Dames. But, you know what the bottom line is, those players, no matter how much they are catered to by their coaches and the politicians in the area, they go nowhere. In the end, Garcia could be the one in the major leagues.

Go Pro

We’ll be rooting for him.—Ed. Note

Ed, I am a former minor league player at a very good level. I have seen Jose Garcia’s amazing statistics. Being only a junior and playing on a team that was 3-18 is amazing. I am sure he is a fine young man, not only an athlete. His being overlooked for this team is somewhat of a major miscue and almost an insult to this young man and his credentials and his family.

Minor League

Sounds like you could be his mentor. Give him a call. —Ed. Note

Ed, this is the sister of one of the city workers that was assaulted. I am happy they caught those perpetrators and I hope that justice really gets served.SisterScore one for the good guys.—Ed. NoteBike path rageI just got home from work, and here I find these surveyors out in front of my property, and they tell me they are going to put a darn bicycle path here. You better tell those Bordentown people to stop wasting our money. This should be up to the voters. They shouldn’t be doing this here.

10 Speed

Just think, when they get the thing built you can take out your frustration on the annoying cyclists in their skin-tight spandex shorts. Sit out there with a beer and heckle them all day long. Maybe squirt ‘em with the garden hose.—Ed. Note

Ed, attention, Mrs. Morrison at Trenton Community Charter School. How dare you allow a member of the tech staff to stand up at the board meeting and say this school is a zoo! It’s OK to you that he said you are teaching a bunch of animals? The problems at TCCS begin with the administration next door, and trickle down to your so-called curriculum director who has allocated millions of dollars to pay consultants to come in and do for a lot of money something the dedicated staff would do for free! You say you want change and that we’re supposed to be a positive community, but instead of putting everything in the open you use sly techniques like giving parents letters to attend a board meeting the day of the meeting only minutes before so they aren’t able to come, and moving the board meeting to a different building so the staff is late and appear like they don’t care. Stop with your political agenda and start giving a damn about the school.

Charter Fright

Always gotta be careful with the “zoo” comment. In normal life it’s common to refer to any out-of-control situation as a “zoo,” but if you say it about a school someone will immediately accuse you of thinking of the children as animals.—Ed. Note

Ed, It’s Vinnie Capodanno, I want to thank BackTalk for printing what I said about the Board of Public Utilities. I think it’s real important that the people of New Jersey understand why our water, sewer and electric rates are increasing. I want to let the people of Hamilton Township know that when I get back up on council, which I will, I will put immense pressure on the members of the Board of Public Utilities. I want their names published, I want to know who they are. And who they are affiliated with. I think it is time for the people of New Jersey to really put pressure on the politicians who put them up there.

Vinnie

Lookout, world. Here comes Vinnie.—Ed. Note

Ed, I am 70 years old and I always vote straight Democrat. This year I have to make a switch and vote for a Republican governor because Corzine has got to go.

Defector

You’re not the only one.—Ed. Note

Ed, Mr. El Presidente Obama, I know you are a politician. But you are not a diplomat. So when you go to other countries of the world, please do not first apologize for the wrongdoings of the United States. We give more aid of everything to the world. But, please give no aid of any sort. We have millions of American citizens who are out of work, out of homes and everything else. We need the money here. No more aid, alright? Muslims or not.

What Gives?

Oh, but he is a diplomat. How successful a diplomat remains to be seen. —Ed. Note

Ed, in regards to the junior from Trenton High, Jose Garcia, not being elected to the All Star team to play in the Carpenter Cup. I think this is really discrimination. I think he should stop being so humble and consider a lawsuit just to show how biased the state is.

C.U. Incourt

Would he sue for damages? Emotional distress? Seems like the kid has such a strong character that he wasn’t damaged. He’ll have the last laugh when he goes pro someday.—Ed. Note

Ed, regarding “Cop’s Victim” and the treatment that an individual received at the hands of a female police officer: Your comment was “let’s assume this is the exception.” I am afraid it’s not. I have had it happen to me and I have worked for the law for 30 years. They run amok out here. This is why a lot of things can’t get done. This is why they don’t get any respect. It is a wedge between community and police. I don’t know who told them their uniform makes them God, but that’s the attitude they have.

Wedged

Yeah, you’d think God’s uniform would be more like a flowing robe or something. Maybe some gold accents. —Ed. Note

Ed, when you live in the inner city and you are African-American you get a little bit sick of these ignorant white police officers having authority over you. I was driving to Shop Rite the other day; I have a Mercedes Benz. This Ewing police officer almost broke his neck trying to see if my car was legitimate. I want to recommend a book called “Breaking the Curse of Willie Lynch.” I guarantee it will give you a whole new perspective on race.

The Benz

We clearly have a long way to go. In the meantime, we’ll add the book to the BackTalk Recommended Reading List. —Ed. Note

Ed, I am a very upset resident of Bordentown. They raise our taxes, reassess our property. And here the township has the money to put a bicycle path. How many people want a bicycle path? They got surveyors out there to see how they want to do it. It’s ridiculous. Stop wasting our money.

Wasted

Oh, c’mon. Everybody loves a bike path. Buy yourself a pair of rollerblades!—Ed. Note

Ed, the media puts these here pictures and videotapes of robberies and criminals going in and out of these places just like you had in the paper recently. Do you expect people to help identify who these people are? These pictures are not clear. Those surveillance cameras are worthless. The criminals seeing this in the paper and say to themselves “What the heck no one is going to be able to determine who I am.” Why do you even put those pictures in the paper?

Blurry

You’d be surprised. Believe it or not, criminals have been successfully identified from those images.—Ed. Note

Ed, about Tony the Nose, he should serve his time like mad. Look at all the things he has been doing. He has a son-in-law that works his butt off with two jobs trying to keep the house and the family and his two daughters. He deserves everything right up the line. I hope he gets what he deserves and the jury finds what he should deserve. Thank you.

Nose Better

You got your wish. He was found guilty.—Ed. Note

Ed, I read the article about having compassion for the gangsters. We all get the same shake in life, man. I grew up in an orphanage, I got drafted and served in Vietnam, I got wounded on Hamburger Hill. I did not let that get me down. I didn’t become a gangster, a killer or a raper. Everybody gets the same chance in life, everybody knows the difference between right and wrong. I don’t care if you are white, black, green or purple. My compassion for those people is not there.

Tough

I respect you and your opinion, but what’s the solution? Put every criminal in jail forever? There has to be some chance to rehabilitate someone (we hope), and that chance starts with a measure of compassion.—Ed. Note