Back Talk Blog

TV Is Evil

2010-02-06T00:23:00.002-05:00

Ed, today after one of those Civil Defense tests on television where the screen goes black and a loud alarm sounds, waaaa, waaaa, my television did not switch back, it switched to a radio station. And it said something crazy like if I don’t want to listen to the Spanish version of Martha Stewart I should switch audio back to main audio. I called Comcast, and NBC 10. But it is still like that. I wonder if anyone else has experienced that — where after the Civil Defense test was on then their audio did not go back to TV it stayed on a radio station?

Notta Test

Um, did you ever see “Poltergeist”? Yeah. You might wanna call somebody. —Ed. Note

Lost Smarts

2010-02-06T00:23:00.001-05:00

Ed, we don’t send morons to Congress but when they get to Washington they sure do get stupid. New Jersey has two prime examples in Sens. Lautenberg and Menendez, who don’t have a clue about how the average state residents live but must believe that they are far smarter than the rest of us.

Smarty

They are smarter than the rest of us. They’re United States senators. They make more money than us, they have a better pension than us, and they control the world. Not a bad gig. — Ed. Note

Tax'em

2010-02-06T00:22:00.000-05:00

I see where Goldman Sachs had record profits in 2009. The average salary per employee is $498,000; that includes janitors. And we are supposed to help these big businesses that are too large to fail? I say tax ’em, 99 percent tax.

Taxed

Great idea! And your mortgage rates will be roughly 98 percent. — Ed. Note

Why-o In Ohio

2010-02-06T00:21:00.000-05:00

Ed, I am out here in Ohio on business. We have had six inches of snow overnight. It is now 2:47 p.m. and the side streets are as clear as can be, just like the main drag. The kids went to school on time in the morning. Out here they did not prep the streets with beet juice or beetle juice on the highway like Hamilton Township does. This Ohio city puts sand down. Maybe Mayor Bencivengo should come out here and learn something about the way it should be done. All we need in Hamilton is sand and good ol’ manpower.

Sandy

You can have your Ohio. Don’t come back. So they have “clear roads” and “kids who make it to school” ... booooo-ring. —Ed. Note

Fool's Guarantee

2010-02-04T17:21:00.000-05:00

Ed, I see where our illustrious homeland security secretary, what’s her name, Janet Napolitano, is touring the site of the Super Bowl. She is quoted as saying, “We are doing everything we can in preparation for such a great event.” You know what? I ain’t going down there with her settin’ up the system.

Getting Bombed

I hear you. With her at the helm it might even be dangerous to watch the game in HD. —Ed. Note

Road Work

2010-02-04T17:19:00.001-05:00

Ed, first of all, I apologize for my dog barking in the background. This is for the man who commented that the police were texting all the time in their squad cars. They are not texting. That is ludicrous. The computers they have in their cars are there for NCIC checks. If the police did text I am sure they would get reprimanded, if not suspended. The computers make it possible to enter information instead of broadcasting it over the airwaves. It makes it impossible for those who have scanners to eavesdrop.

K-9

Ed, in reference to the BackTalk article from the man who complained about cops texting. What they don’t realize is if the police are on duty they need to have the scanners so they can see what is going on, to see if there is a crime being committed. Also if one police officer is driving, it is the other police officer who is using the computer. I think the man who made the comment should think before he talks.

Thinker

It’s hard to believe, but the cops are actually doing work with their mobile devices. Unlike everyone else who’s using them to reduce American productivity. —Ed. Note

Beat Busters

2010-02-04T17:18:00.000-05:00

Ed, Gov. Christie has only been in office a short time, and one of his first official acts is to try to cancel a scheduled rap concert in Trenton! Should we expect that no rap concerts will be held in the state of New Jersey in the next four years? If they are allowed, will the promoter be forced to hire state police officers as security for each event? That would make it costly for the promoter. I am a 38-year-old woman who rarely attends these shows, however I am appalled at the blatant discrimination to the rap and hip-hop community, which is comprised of people from all racial and cultural backgrounds.

Dissed

Don’t blame the guv. I hear he’s a big Wu-Tang fan. Good dancer, too. It’s that lieutenant of his that’s all stiff. —Ed. Note

Great Job, Trentonian!

2010-02-02T14:48:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to congratulate you on the wonderful article you printed in your paper, the tribute to our local high school students’ academic achievements, athletic performance, and community service. The photography was great, a really classy piece of news. Keep up the good work.

— Hugs and kisses

We aim to please. — Ed. Note

Bring On The Sheik

2010-02-02T14:47:00.002-05:00

I was reading about New York not wanting to hold the terror trials there. Obama is about to attach $200 million to the area that does hold the trials. This is a great opportunity to help out the state of New Jersey. We could hold the trials at Fort Dix. They already have the security in place and they have prisons in that location also. We have the ability to make that happen. Best law enforcement in the country.

A vote for Dix

Actually, the new name of the base is called McDixhurst. And it could probably use a few hundred million bucks, even if we have to bring a terrorist here to get it. — Ed. Note

Tax Headache

2010-02-02T14:47:00.001-05:00

The New Jersey 1040 tax book is not available in libraries this year. When you call the tax line at (609) 292-6400 to request the book, their first suggestion is to print the entire book and its forms on your computer. Yeah, right. Their second suggestion is go to the library and they will print the entire book and its forms for you. The Hamilton Township Library is charging 10 cents a page. Their third suggestion, only if you push, is to tell you they will mail you only one copy. I say to the State of New Jersey — no book, no taxes. Signed, A computerless senior.

Computerless senior

Well, you might be a 1040-formless senior, too. — Ed. Note

They'll Take Books

2010-02-02T14:46:00.000-05:00

Ed, for the reader who has the 3,000 books to donate, there is a place down in Kentucky, the Christian Appalachian Project, they accept donations of everything except food. You can get a hold of them at www.christianapp.org. They have a truck that comes around and picks stuff up. Take care, Ed, and have a good day.

Mr. Binder

Another classy BackTalk reader coming to the rescue. — Ed. Note

How Low Can You Go?

2010-02-02T14:45:00.000-05:00

Ed, I want to respond to the article about providing low income housing. In my opinion that is nothing but just spreading a cancer. These people move into those houses and then find they can barely make the mortgage payments. Then they rely on taxpayers to pay all their utilities, free energy, free welfare, free everything else courtesy of the taxpayer.

I. Rate

It’s the class system. Life counts on the bottom-feeders to make every one of us feel better about themselves. — Ed. Note

Unbecoming

2010-01-29T22:56:00.001-05:00

Ed, this is concerning the Trenton City Council meeting this past evening regarding the city clerk. I am actually just a little appalled at Councilwoman Annette Lartigue; her actions and conduct were totally absurd. It was like watching a bad circus act. The idea that she is actually running for mayor is just ridiculous. She probably needs to run in another city because I would never, ever, vote for someone who acts in such a manner.

No Vote

Well, as you can read on page 4 of this issue, she’s totally sick of her fellow council members, so you were just seeing the manifestation of her frustration. —Ed. Note

Let Good Times Roll

2010-01-29T22:55:00.001-05:00

Ed, I am calling about all these alleged DWIs in Plainsboro. It must be really tough up there; it must be like the OK Corral. All these guys they go over their lane, they don’t hold their lanes, or they swerve to avoid a squirrel and they get charged with DWI. These laws have really gotten out of hand. Either ban alcohol altogether or you have to cut some people a break. And on another page in your paper you have Jayson Williams who gets a booze bracelet. I doubt that these guys in Plainsboro will get a booze bracelet. They will probably lose their licenses, receive heavy fines, and their insurance will go through the roof, maybe even get some jail time. These laws are, uh ... backward.

Loosen Up

Can’t say I agree with you on cutting a break to drunk drivers. We’ve seen too many fatal accidents in these pages. And how stupid do you have to be to not only get loaded and drive — but then swerve to miss a squirrel? Just squish the squirrel you sloshed numbskull. —Ed. Note

City Housing

2010-01-29T22:54:00.000-05:00

Ed, about the article “Small housing projects can revitalize Trenton” by L.A. Parker. I love Mr. Parker. He tells it just like it is. I most certainly hope a new mayor and City Council will address the new housing market. None of those running will I vote for because in my opinion they don’t have our best interests at heart. They are self-serving; they want their 20 minutes of fame. It would be nice to see some of those abandoned houses purchased. At 66 I probably wouldn’t get a chance at one, but there are some young people who could benefit from the housing.

I Love L.A.

If you don’t vote for anyone I don’t want to hear you complaining when they don’t get it done. —Ed. Note

Note To Guv

2010-01-28T14:45:00.001-05:00

Ed, this is for Gov. Christie. Yesterday I tried to lodge a complaint against the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. I contacted the AG’s office and I was told to write a letter. I asked if there were any forms available or if I could come in and speak to somebody. And that’s what my instructions were. I asked if I could speak to somebody. If you want to stop corruption, this is not the way to do it. Governor, you should look into this.

Christie’s Helper

So you chose the fastest vehicle through which to obtain the governor’s attention: BackTalk! Why navigate all that red tape when you can go straight to the most powerful and widely read forum in New Jersey? —Ed. Note

Too Many Chiefs

2010-01-28T14:44:00.001-05:00

Ed, you know it is not the small elementary school teachers that you have a problem with, it’s the principals and vice principals. Some schools have as many as four. The schools have too many principals and vice principals. That’s who you have to get rid of, not the elementary school teachers that you have now.

To the Office

Yeah, but if you get rid of the vice principal, then the real principal has to do dirty work — like yell at the bad kids. And the vice principal is just so good at that. —Ed. Note

Let's See You Teach

2010-01-28T14:42:00.003-05:00

Ed, This is in response to “Teach Reality.” I don’t work for the school district, but I have seen the children and God bless those who are dealing with them. School district employees pay taxes, too. Everyone who works deserves a salary, why begrudge them? For everyone who feels negative toward school teachers and officials, here’s a challenge: Walk a day in their shoes before you hurl harsh criticism. I would bet you would not be so quick to criticize; in fact, you will say give this person a raise.

Shoe Horn

I guess I would give them a raise if I could stay in their shoes to collect it. What do I do with my old shoes? —Ed. Note

Teacher Talks Back

2010-01-28T14:42:00.001-05:00

Ed, I would like to comment on your response to “Teach this lady” in BackTalk. I teach in Ewing Township. There are few, if any, deadbeats and many good and outstanding teachers in Ewing. How many schools have you visited to see how hard teachers work in order for students to learn? Not just the subject matter but about what path to take in life. We plan our lessons, develop our goals and maintain order. And in the second article in BackTalk, “Teach reality,” the person does not know what he is talking about. Teachers are held accountable. They are observed and evaluated three to seven times a year depending upon the number of years of their experience. And they don’t get three months of vacation each year.

Proud Teacher

No three months? So we’re not counting the summer, right? —Ed. Note

The 'Slinger

2010-01-27T16:35:00.001-05:00

Ed, about the playoffs. Brett Farve, you can actually tell threw that game on purpose. He just threw it away. I think this guy should just go and retire and leave the NFL alone. This guy thinks he invented this position of quarterback. For six years he has done nothing since the Super Bowl in Green Bay. Minnesota should go out and grab an NFL quarterback kind of like what Mark Sanchez did with the Jets.

The Draft

On purpose? No, he just likes to balance out every 25 amazing passes with one incredibly stupid one. It’s a pattern. —Ed. Note

Gracious Blue

2010-01-27T16:34:00.000-05:00

Ed, as a Giants fan I would like to congratulate the fans and the people of the city of New Orleans. Four years ago it was a living hell on Earth; now the fans and the city can celebrate football heaven.

Deserving

Amen to that. —Ed. Note

Discrepancy

2010-01-27T16:33:00.000-05:00

Ed, former Gov. Jon Corzine claimed he left a $500 million plus surplus. New Gov. Chris Christie can’t find it. Somebody is telling a lie. What kind of man is that man Corzine? Somebody needs to make this man come forward, stand in front of the public and tell us where that budget surplus money is. We will now have to make that money up in taxes and cuts.

Who’s Lyin’?

There are no lies in politics. Just versions of the truth and small collections of strategically selected facts. —Ed. Note

Clarification

2010-01-27T16:32:00.000-05:00

Ed, I am calling about an article in your paper entitled “Mr. Benci Goes to Washington.” The reporter referred to the U.S. government more than one time as the “national government” as opposed to what it truly is, the federal government. The reporter needs to be reminded that we live in a Republic not a monarchy. The national government is a centralized goverment that holds exclusive and supreme power, whereas the federal government holds limited power given to it by the sovereign people of the several individual states.

Get It Right

You are correct, sir. —Ed. Note

Dog Lived

2010-01-26T15:59:00.001-05:00

Ed, I want to let all the people who were driving down South Broad Street recently know that the little white dog that was running down the center of the street is OK. I saw her from my office window and chased her for three blocks, finally caught up with her near South Clinton and was picked up by a woman who was one of many who stopped their cars to help. I took her to PetSmart, she had an ID chip, her name is Aurora, the owner is in Hawaii, and the dog sitter is extremely lucky. So, as a reminder, everyone should take their dog in to get an ID chip implanted.

Sparky

And I’ll take one of those chips for myself, while you’re at it. Might as well beat the government to it. —Ed. Note

Tested

2010-01-26T15:58:00.002-05:00

Ed, I have to pass a drug test to work and to pay taxes. Why don’t the people who get unemployment and this welfare have to pass a drug test in order to receive it? That is what I would like to see.

Inna Cup

I like it, other than the logistics. That’s a lot of peeing going on. —Ed. Note