How come certain people who are not welcome in a certain area or at a certain club keep pushing to be accepted there? Why does it have to be racial all the time? If I am not welcome in a place I would not go to that place I would go somewhere else. Why is that you, L.A. Parker, have to butt against the system? Is it because you think you are privileged or have entitlement?

Tooly

I’m with you. Fantastic idea. And let’s start here: You send me your daily schedule, and I’ll show up everywhere, and then I’ll tell management that YOU are not wanted wherever you go. Sounds like a plan.— Ed Note

This is to the state workers. Thank heavens you have a governor in there that is willing to try to balance the budget. Even though you have to take a day off a month it is better to lose a day’s pay than your job. I think Governor Corzine is doing great, and he is really trying. All the democrats and all the republicans should get out this fall and vote for Corzine. Christie is not worth a dime, he’s a fake.

Voter

Politics. New Jersey. 2009. Giddy up!— Ed Note

Here is an idea I have on how to save the economy. I saw this woman accidently knock over a gigantic display of men’s razors at a local supermarket. All of a sudden this stock boy materialized and cleaned up the display she had knocked over. If people across the country went to grocery stores every day and started destroying displays I think the stores would have to hire more people to clean it and build the displays back up.

Aisle Five

That is the most... brilliant idea I’ve heard all day. A corps of supermarket cleaner-uppers. Keep up the good work, folks.— Ed Note

I think they are going to have one big problem on their hands if they ban smoking. at the Trenton Psychiatric Hospital. They have to have something to do and smoking is what they do. Forget about the rehabilitation there. Please somebody, these patients are going to rebel. Somebody better offer them something better.

Smokin’

Better than tobacco? I’ve got a few ideas...— Ed Note

I see Governor Corzine is already spending millions on advertising with his campaign to slam Christie, his opponent. He slammed Christie for people he gave jobs to. Look who’s talking. Corzine has put more cronies on the job than anybody we know of. Corzine is complaining about Christie? That guy is nothing but a liar.

Enough

It’s going to be an ugly, gloves-off election. Get ready for the fireworks. And remember — all politicians are liars. Dem’s the facts.— Ed Note

I need to know why there are no agencies out there that will help a dad. All the agencies around will jump to give assistance to women and children but want to label dads as “Dead-Beat.” Not all dads are dead-beats. I am in a position where I want to get custody of my sons. I’ve had an agency tell me they would assist me with getting a place once I have physical custody. I had another agency tell me I couldn’t get physical custody until I get a place. This system is so unfair and I’m tired of all the run around. I have gone as far as to writing the mayor’s office, the governor’s office and the congressman’s office and they aren’t doing a thing. I would love to have my sons but can’t afford a place and can’t get assistance. Mothers can get Section 8, they can get rental assistance, and the fathers get nothing. This is the reason so many dads decide not to do anything because we get nothing. Yes, if you decide to ask, I am paying child support and that’s the reason I can’t afford anything. Who do I have to write to, or what do I have to do to get some help?

Poppy

Check out this Web site: http://www.themenscenter.com/National/national06.htm. Maybe you can find some relief there. Good luck.— Ed Note

Does anyone know where Glenn, the auto mechanic at the Lukoil station on the corner of Texas Avenue and Brunswick Avenue in Lawrenceville, went? The gas station was closed for a while but he didn’t come back when it reopened.

Without Mechanic

Paging Glenn. Glenn, please announce your whereabouts.— Ed Note

I read The Trentonian about the vet who left the bunch of kittens starving to death rather then saving them. I thought when you become a vet you take an oath to save an animal’s life, not kill them. Did the vet become hardhearted? P.S. Why didn’t the volunteer help the kittens since pet stores do carry special kitten milk? Shame on them!

Pro-No-Kill Shelter

Obviously, we have a vet shortage. Someone tell Obama to put a few billion to that.— Ed Note

Ed, I would like to respond to the “Racist Devils” article and let me say this with respect. Trenton is a horrible city. Hamilton and Ewing are becoming exactly the same. I have lived in Ewing since I was born, so I am a witness to this change over the years. Why do we always have to blame the “white” officer for brutality or being racist? Or, I always hear or read about someone saying, “Well, what if it was the other way around, and a white guy did it to a black guy?” Why does race always have to be an issue? Cops go out and do their job, no matter the color. Race will always be an issue no matter what. I’m sorry, but I do not agree at all with this stupid lady. She obviously is old, ignorant, and doesn’t see what really is going on. These kids do it to themselves. I don’t care if they are white, black, purple or blue, it’s the way that they are raised.

Enough Is Enough

Which one — they “do it to themselves” or it’s “the way they’re raised”?—Ed. Note

Ed, in hopes of winning the Harley-Davidson I had intended to enter each day. But one day last week, cutting out the entry form would have required mutilating the Page 6 girl, something I could not bring myself to do. So I beg you! Please make sure the entry form is never on page 5 again. It was very traumatic deciding between the entry and the girl. But despite missing that entry I still intend to win the bike and take every one of the Page 6 Girls whose picture I have for a ride, all 1,483 of them.

Hog Wild

What other newspaper could bring you this much joy?—Ed. Note

Ed, Corzine isn’t Mr. Green, he is Mr. Brown, because that is the color he is full of. At least when it comes to the environment. If our esteemed governor is so environmentally conscious, then please ask him to answer the following question: How come every time he is at the New York Sports Club in Princeton he leaves his two gigantic, black Suburban SUVs (How much did the taxpayers lay out for those?) in the parking lot with the engines idling for up to an hour and a half at a time? Not only is this environmentally outrageous behavior (you can actually see the hole in the ozone layer forming up above), it is also in violation of local ordinances. Then again, our very own Grizzly Adams lookalike seems to have a problem when it comes to obeying laws, like seat belts and speeding, so why not pollution, too?

On Fumes

Corzine needs to be capped and traded.—Ed. Note

Ed, regarding the recent BackTalk on domestic violence. It goes both ways. Although this person has strong feelings about this subject, his statement has to do with alcohol. I think what is worse is the people who do not need alcohol to abuse their spouse, or even their children. I am a victim of abuse; my father was very abusive and did not even drink! Maybe your wife needed to drink to be around you! Also, women being successful has nothing to do with the way they treat a man, and if someone is being abused they should defend themselves and do something about it. Whether it is to leave the hostile environment they are surrounding themselves in, or tell an authority. Women are also smaller than men; it is a proven fact. I think women are not nearly as dangerously abusive as men.

Woman

So more women are victimized by abuse than men. But there are men in abusive situations and they deserve help too.—Ed. Note

Ed, I have to add my displeasure about the votes of Smith, Lance and LoBiondo, concerning their votes on the Cap and Trade bill. Lance and LoBiondo are out of my district, but Smith has definitely lost my vote. Perhaps they can run next time as RINOs. “Republican In Name Only.”

Not Pleased

How many “real” Republicans are left? Does the party even believe in small government anymore? Scrap it and start a new party, borrowing the tenets Republicans have abandoned. —Ed. Note

Ed, I am a 24-year-old single mother of three. I work 50 hours a week on top of going to school online. I can’t seem to get a decent and affordable home. I have been on the Trenton Housing Authority waiting list for a house for about four years. I was approved for an apartment and now another year has gone by and I am still waiting for a house. Who can I complain to about this? I find it kind of ridiculous that a person like me can’t get into a house. I have called and they say there is nothing available right now. But the people who work there in the housing authority are letting their girlfriends, relatives, and friends of friends move in. Come on, I need a place, too. I can’t afford to pay $1,100 a month rent for a decent home for me and my girls. Can anybody help me? Who can I talk to?

Still Waiting

If anyone deserves a little help, it’s a hardworking mom like you.—Ed. Note

Ed, I would like to know how the city of Trenton can justify having the sprinklers, fountains and whatnot in the parks. They do not recycle the water; they just waste it and it goes down the sewer. Remember, the city just doubled our water rates recently.

Water Watcher

The water in the fountains isn’t recycled? It just shoots out of the fountain and never comes back? That sounds like a water cannon not a fountain. —Ed. Note

Ed, speaking of curfews in Trenton. I think it is a disgrace that 10-year-old children can be out in the streets until midnight when they should be in bed by 10 o’clock. I see them almost every night. Maybe DYFS should be called.

Street Smart

It will be an even bigger disgrace when one of those kids gets killed.—Ed. Note

Ed, about Patton, the police dog who died in the hot car: I think the handler should be brought up on criminal charges and also should never be allowed to own a dog again.

Disipline

Ed, this woman is a cop. It’s hot out, it’s summer, and she is going to leave the dog in the car for an extended period of time. What was that officer thinking?

Baffled

Ed, the female cop in Mt. Holly should be charged for murder. This dog was a police officer. This dog was her partner, for God’s sake. Patton depended upon her for everything.

Partner

Ed, what is going to happen to the officer who left the dog unattended in the car? Will she be charged?

Followup

At the very least, if a police officer is officially blamed for this tragedy, that officer better face at least the same consequences that an average citizen would in a case of negligence with an animal. Probably a big fine. That, of course, does not factor in that this dog was a police officer. If there is any internal justice in this department, someone will be disciplined. —Ed. Note

Ed, Mr. Parker is once again refusing to acknowledge that our politicians have played a role in our current despicable plight. Yes, he hit the proverbial nail squarely on the head in pointing out the lack of outrage to a 50% high school graduation rate. Here’s the rub: Our politicians have been reading those same reports for the last two to three decades also; and have done what? For decades our politicians have listened to and read stories of murderers being plea bargained down to five- to 10-year sentences. One would think, if our politicians were truly concerned, that they would be banging on the door of the governor to remove those ineffective prosecutors and judges. One would think that they wouldn’t be afraid to challenge the school boards and teachers’ unions. Here’s a concept that I learned some time ago: “Do your job! or lose your job!” For parents that have children that are persistently delinquent and truant, they should be locked up on charges of neglect! Out of fear of losing their jobs no politician would ever say this and/or publicly support this type of enforcement. If a house is infested with roaches, spending money on new furniture (or electing new pieces of furniture) isn’t going to get rid of the roaches. You don’t rehabilitate and coddle the roaches; they must be stamped on, lest they breed!
Squash
I’m getting lost in the metaphor. Are the politicians roaches or chairs? Both?—Ed. Note

Ed, I have season tickets for the Thunder, free parking ticket, and a value meal ticket. I asked the lady at the food counter what I would get for my value meal ticket. She said, “Dog or pizza, soda or water, with a bag of chips.” Then she tells me that the cost for the value meal would be $5. She said my value meal ticket was equivalent to a discount ticket. I had thought it meant that the food would be free. Could you ask the Thunder people to clear this up?

Undervalued

Hey, $5 for anything more than a popsicle is a good deal at a baseball game. Pizza, soda and chips could run you $17.50 at some parks.—Ed. Note

Ed, it’s time to wake up people. These morons in Washington think this is a game and we’re the losers. It’s supposed to be about principles, what you believe in, not just keeping your seat in the house. You think you’re unbeatable in your district, Mr. Smith, but you sold out your constituents. Remember Mr. Smith’s betrayal come election day.

B. Trayed

The congressman can’t catch a break lately in BackTalk.—Ed. Note

Ed, I am calling about an article I read about a court decision that was recently upheld by a three-judge panel stating that the police do not have to read a person their rights in Spanish when arresting someone on a DWI. I think we should hold a parade for that three-judge panel for upholding the English language in this country.

Hooray

For karma’s sake, you better hope you’re never pulled over on vacation in Mexico.—Ed. Note

Ed, with all Michael Jackson went through, I feel sorry for him. His father was such a tyrant. The father went out with all these women and Michael saw all this as a child. His father said that Michael did not get his good looks from him and that started Michael on all that plastic surgery. I am thankful he had a good Christian mother who appreciated him as he was.

ABC

And Joe’s dad was probably a jerk to him.—Ed. Note

Ed, we were sitting in the park watching some baseball. A stray pit bull came over to where we were sitting. The kids were all there. Fortunately, the dog was very friendly. It had no tags. We tried to take control of the dog. I called Hamilton Animal Safety program and they basically said that they were full and to turn the dog loose. So I called the Trenton Animal Shelter and they said they would come and pick up the dog. I couldn’t believe that the Hamilton program would say to release the dog.

Onna Leash

Oh, c’mon. When has a pit bull ever been a danger to anyone? Um...—Ed. Note

Ed, I am calling about the BackTalk item “Food on the Table.” A state worker was complaining about the 10-day furloughs that they have to take. I can’t imagine what would happen to them if they did not have a job at all. I lost my job in December and I still haven’t found a job. They are complaining about 10-day furloughs. Give me a break.

No Sympathy

Thanks for putting things in perspective.—Ed. Note

Ed, all I hear is about women being abused by men. I am a victim of a woman abusing me. She was drunk and physically and mentally abusive towards me. All this is because women are becoming more successful and they think that they can control men. There is the other side of the coin. Men are also being abused.

Bruised

Just ask Steve McNair.—Ed. Note

Ed, I went to the fireworks show over at Veterans Park the other day. The music was fine, the food was great, the people were great. I have been going each year to this event. What happened with the fireworks this year? It seemed like the people shooting off the fireworks wanted to get it done in a hurry. They were shooting off four or five shells at a time. The whole thing only took 20 minutes. That part was lousy.

Sparkle Motion

Well, there are two schools of thought on that. These guys were obviously going with the grand-finally-style big-bang theory over the drag-it-out-and-make-it-last approach. The real solution to make everyone happy is more fireworks, but that means more money. Start a foundation. —Ed. Note

Ed, this is to the person in the red car on I-295 north at about 9 a.m. on July 2. If it hadn’t been for you being a good driver I could have been in a bad accident. The person in front of me didn’t know how to get on the interstate, he was pussyfooting. You backed off and let me squeeze in there. Thanks.

Pick A. Lane

And here I was expecting a road-rage threat. What a pleasant surprise.—Ed. Note

Ed, I read the article “Music Matters, Especially in Trenton” in the “In the City” section of the paper. I went to a cello concert at the Foundation Academy this year. The children played beautifully and didn’t miss a note. I would like to know if this teacher who made the comment has ever been to any other schools in the city of Trenton? If she did she would know that we do have talented students, who know music and who have studied music. Maybe she would not write such negative things about our students. These children did extremely well. I would like to see her students battle the students of the Foundation Academy. That would be very interesting.

Musical Challenge

It’s a showdown. Let us know when and where.—Ed. Note

Ed, In regards to Gov. Corzine’s proposal and that ratification vote. There were three unions that were real treasonous, Local 1034, Local 1037 and Local 1040 were real yellow bellies, they just gave Corzine everything he wanted. I think it should be known that they are nothing but a bunch of cowards.

Not Scared

Wait till those “cowards” are dealing with Christie. —Ed. Note

Ed, the guy who called and said he had lived in the Villa Park area for many years. I hope he wasn’t referring to Mayor Holland when he said they had a smart mayor back then, because Mayor Holland was not a smart mayor.

Smarter Than

Smart is a subjective term.—Ed. Note

Ed, I would like to thank the shopper at Home Depot on Olden Avenue who turned in my cane to the store. I have a new faith in humanity.

Walking Again

Most people are good. Well, a lot of them, anyway. Some at least. Thanks for helping other BackTalkers remember that. And stealing a cane would be a go-directly-to-hell offense.—Ed. Note

Ed, judging Michael Jackson. None of you knew him, you were not in his house. You cannot judge him. What if the newspaper wrote that Farrah’s son was locked up for drugs at the time Farrah died. Would that have made it even? Michael was more to the world than you will ever know. God will judge Michael and Farrah. Read John Chapter 8 — you just may learn something.

The Word

Forgive them.—Ed. Note

Ed, about the Michael Jackson hazing on the front page. When it comes to African-American or black people the standard is always different. Cases like O.J., he is acquited in court but not in the minds of the public who say — he must have been guilty of something let’s find a tree. If the news says guilty, that’s what people believe. I see everyone is still critical of President Obama. Where were all those people eight years ago when Bush was taking us to war and destroying our country?

Hazed

The “hazing”? Huh? Are you talking about our front page the day after Michael died? It was a commemorative poster.—Ed. Note

Ed, I’m an employee of the Trenton Board of Education food service. I was one of the ones laid off. The workers have a contract for 2008-2009 we are supposed to get retro money for this year since we got laid off but the people in charge are telling us to take them to court to get our money. The people at top are messing up and the people on the bottom are getting run over.

Flattened

Take them to court. —Ed. Note