Back Talk Blog

Cool It

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:07:00 +0000

Ed, I read Jeff Edelstein’s column in the paper and I wanted to add something. I work in a pediatric practice in Hamilton. Right now it seems that every parent thinks every child with a cold has swine flu. We are dealing with an enormous amount of patients. In my 30 years I have never seen such rude, arrogant and demanding people. We are trying to help you, but it is not our fault that so many patients are demanding to be seen at this time. I just want to tell patients not to take it out on the medical staff. I know the wait is long, and I can sympathize with Jeff’s doctor’s office and all the other practices that are handling patients now. So, parents, chill.

Cool It

As long as there are stories of swine flu killing healthy children, there’s little hope of parents “chilling.” —Ed. Note

Not To New Guv

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:05:00 +0000

Ed, I just read in BackTalk that Chrisite reads this column every day. I hope he does. I hope he took a good long look at the election. I am a Democrat, but I did not vote for Corzine. Unless Christie wants to be a one-term governor, he really needs to listen to the people. Not the wealthy people, the people who have to live off unemployment, who are losing their homes, and who do not have health insurance.

Listen Up

Power to the people. —Ed. Note

Good Homes

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:04:00 +0000

Ed, I read the BackTalk comments on the nursing homes. I’d like to say you really have to be specific about what you are talking about. Some nursing homes are run privately; some are under state control. All caretakers in this state, including me, a nurse, have to be fingerprinted and get a background check of criminality or wrongdoing in other nursing homes. No one wants to know or hear of bad treatment in a nursing home. I have seen it in privately run homes. If you want the best in Trenton and the vicinity it is Morris Hall. I worked there for several years. But, try to get in there, in the assisted living or skilled nursing part of that facility you need big bucks. If you don’t have a lot of insurance you can’t make it. So good luck.

Nurse

That’s usually how it works. If you have the money, you can get the best (care, schooling, legal defense, etc.). —Ed. Note

Blue Crossed

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:53:00 +0000

Ed, I sure hope this National health care plan passes. My Blue Cross has gone up 240 percent since 2002. I am paying over $100 a week for coverage that is minimum. Don’t even mention the co-pays, deductables, prescriptions — they don’t cover so much of this stuff. No dental and no eyeglasses, etc. Just think, this is a non-profit company and they want to be profit. If that happens it will drive half the people out of that organization because they just can’t afford it. I have cut so much I don’t know what else to cut. Don’t let me forget auto insurance. It is out of this world, but they are on the back burner, and nobody is saying anything about auto insurance.

I. Rate

Maybe Geico will get into medical insurance. Those cave men can regulate which tests doctors can perform on which patients — and make calls like whether a patient is worth saving or beyond the point of no return. I’m comfortable with that. You?—Ed. Note

Home Sweet Home

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:52:00 +0000

Ed, I would like to respond to the comment about the nursing home inspections or investigations. Let the public know that they can contact the Department of Health and Human Services and they can file a complaint. FYI, the nursing homes are inspected annually by that department and anybody can voice a complaint at any time. They can call the 800 number for the New Jersey Health and Human Services Department. You can also go to NJ.gov and get the report cards on the nursing homes.

Make the Call

Some BackTalker like you always has to call in with helpful information that might lead to change. How is anyone supposed to keep complaining if you keep offering solutions?—Ed. Note

Puzzling Blunder

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:50:00 +0000

Ed, as an avid Yankee fan and BackTalk reader I have a question for you. How in the world can your competitor’s paper report on the front page of Friday’s sports section that the Yankees World Series ticker tape parade will be held on Saturday (Nov. 7) when I already attended it live on Friday (Nov. 6). Perhaps your competitors should return to afternoon duty and I can go back and sweep up all the confetti. Kudos to your sports department for getting this correct.

Reading Closely

Now I have a follow-up question for you: Why bother reading the other paper?—Ed. Note

Tough Talk For Temp

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:30:00 +0000

Ed, I have a response to that temporary worker who was complaining about not being able to go out to get lunch and get back in the building again without her supervisor escorting her in. You are paid by the hour, and it takes you 20 minutes to go out and get a lunch and get back. That means you are going to be paid for 20 minutes you did not work, and you will not stay late to make up those 20 minutes. So shut up, make a lunch and bring it.

Tempted

Ed, about “Temporary Blues” in BackTalk. That person is complaining that she can’t go out to get lunch and get back in the building. She is only a temporary worker. Tell her to give the job up. There are so many people who are willing to work that they are holding up signs on the street. They will do anything for pay. Tell her to stop complaining.

Tempted 2

So that temp thought she could get some sympathy after a long day of work and turned to BackTalk for support. Then BAM! — the BackTalk smackdown.—Ed. Note

WWII Family

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:30:00 +0000

Ed, I need help in locating any surviving family members of Joseph McNerney. He was the first veteran of Hamilton Township killed in World War II. I would like any family members to contact you and I will contact you back.

Soldier Search

Well that’s a new one. I’d be more comfortable if I knew your purpose. I assume it’s for some kind of history project or publication, or do you have a score to settle?—Ed. Note

Postergate

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:29:00 +0000

Ed, well, Colonial Fire Co. in Hamilton has done it again. Once again, I went to the fire prevention night at the firehouse ... and once again, I have seen that almost every child/grandchild of a member there won an award for the school’s poster contest. I find it hard to believe that this is just a coincidence. For the past five years, I have seen this over and over again. The first two years I didn’t think anything of it, but then as the next few went on, and more and more of the kids and grandkids of the members went to school, the more and more I noticed that this was starting to become a trend. I don’t want the commissioners to think it is going unnoticed, because many parents have noticed it. It’s just this year, I do believe that more and more parents are starting to get very aggravated by the situation.

Burning Mad

Have you contacted the feds?—Ed. Note

The Church

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:41:00 +0000

Ed, this is Louise, please listen to me. I am an older lady and I live about three blocks from this church they are trying to debate upon, the Ewing Presbyterian Church. The members of that church are mostly gone. They have moved out someplace else or they have died out. They are still debating on what to do with this church. If they build it back up they have no members to keep it going and maintain it. If they decide to tear it down I don’t know what to say about that. I want to know what you have to say about it, Ed. I love reading your articles.

Church Lady

It’s a beautiful, historic building, and I would love to see it survive as a landmark. But I don’t have to take care of it or fix it or pay for taking care of it and fixing it. I’m rooting for a solution that saves the church, but if it has to go, I would like to see a dramatic, explosive demolition. We don’t get enough of those.—Ed. Note

Third Choices

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:40:00 +0000

Ed, I want to thank all of those who vote for Chris Daggett for re-electing Jon Corzine.

Dagnabbit

This message brought to you by Jon Corzine for Governor.—Ed. Note

Sign Stealer

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:39:00 +0000

Ed, I had a sign out in front of my house to re-elect Buddy Tyler for mayor of Fieldsboro. This is for the person that stole that sign. It doesn’t matter about the sign. Buddy Tyler has been mayor for 27 years and he will continue to be mayor. You may have stolen the sign, but you didn’t win the election.

Buddy’s Buddy

Maybe it wasn’t stolen by an enemy; Buddy Taylor is such a cool name —I’d want a Buddy Taylor sign for my wall. But I didn’t steal the sign, just to be clear.—Ed. Note

Bad Judgement

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:39:00 +0000

Ed, I had to rub my eyes to read this story correctly. We have an illegal immigrant who attacked an innocent 13-year-old girl in a dark ally, and the judge lowers his bail. How is that possible? This is what is wrong with our country. You got a dangerous person on the street. The judge should be held accountable for anything this man does on the street while he is out on bail.

Bailed

But then judges would need malpractice insurance, and that would drive up the cost of justice.—Ed. Note

Not So Fast

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:38:00 +0000

Ed, a few weeks ago there was a big accident on Miry Brook Road. I am a resident of Miry Brook Road. I guess it is going to take for someone’s child to get hit rather than a parked car to get some police presence out here. It is just like the Indy 500 on that road. I would just like to express my opinion and tell everyone to slow down.

Alert

It’s a wise suggestion, and you phrased it in such civilized fashion. Allow me to chime in with a more-forceful SLOW DOWN!—Ed. Note

Bad and Worse

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:58:00 +0000

Ed, I hope that this message will be an eye opener for voters in November. Our governor has made a lot of mistakes, he has lied, and the taxes are horrible. But I want you to think when you are about ready to push the button or pull the lever. Just remember that Chris Christie thought he was above the U.S. Senate when he walked out on them. It looks like he thinks he has power over everything. Bad move, bad move.

I. Opener

Daggett, anyone?—Ed. Note

Tax & Spend

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:57:00 +0000

Ed, candidate Chris Christie was on a New Jersey radio station live recently. Someone called in about her mother who was 90 years old and was paying $9,000 in property taxes for a small home. She didn’t say what area it was in. That tells us senior citizens that the older we get the more taxes we are going to pay under the present administration. We have to do something and get this Corzine out of office. This tax-and-spend business has got to stop. I am voting for Chris Christie based on what I heard him say recently, and I hope everyone else does too.

Senior

He said something?—Ed. Note

Lower Taxes?!

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:55:00 +0000

Ed, Obama wants people to vote for Corzine for governor for another four years. The reason, Obama says, is that Corzine is lowering New Jersey taxes. I would like to meet one person who has had his property taxes lowered. This is a fallacy. Since Corzine has been in office he has raised the sales tax, not to mention raising taxes on lottery winnings over $10,000, and he has raised the motor vehicle taxes too. Four more years? Let’s put somebody else in there.

Hope for Change

Good luck.—Ed. Note

Footing The Bill

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:54:00 +0000

Ed, I could understand President Obama coming to New Jersey and campaigning for Gov. Corzine. I want to know who is picking up the tab for this? Is it the Democratic Party or the taxpayers?

Payer

The Dems might pay for the hors d’oeuvres. The Secret Service bill? That’s on you.—Ed. Note

Reaching On High

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:24:00 +0000

Ed, this is a longtime parishioner of Holy Angels Church, South Broad Street, Hamilton. We have a painter who is currently painting our church windows frames but he can only reach up to the second-story windows. We have a four-story building and are in need of a bucket truck for the painter to use. If you can help us out contact Father Jeff at the church (609) 585-7049.

Up There

Whose got a bucket? —Ed. Note

Start Castrating

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:22:00 +0000

Ed, I was shocked to see that there was 75 registered sex offenders within a 5-mile radius of that little girl’s home in Florida. Just imagine. You don’t think something is going to happen? Look it up, people; be afraid for your children. The country has to stop pacifying these molesters. They have to start castrating them. They would have no more reason to molest kids then. Let’s stop being the bleeding hearts of America. “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” It is about time we got back to the basics.

Basic Plan

Parents should be afraid. And they should research the sex offender registry and find out who’s in their neighborhood. Castration seems more barbaric than “basic,” but you’re right — it would be effective. —Ed. Note

Tank Disposal

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:21:00 +0000

Ed, since your readers are always so helpful with their opinions and advice I was wondering if they can tell me where I can get rid of one of these 20-pound propane tanks for the gas grill. Wherever I call to take them they are charging money to do it. The township dump does not take them for free anymore. I want to know where I can get rid of them for free like we did in the past. Multiply my problem by a whole township of people and you are going to find propane tanks all over the township.

Tanked

I think the idea is to refill them. —Ed. Note

Nice Guy, Wrong Candidates

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:20:00 +0000

Ed, I read the BackTalk article about Kostas Petris, the independent candidate for governor. He is a wonderful guy, but he has no plan, and no law degree. It would be like putting him in a shark tank; they would chew him up in a matter of seconds. The Republicans are dishonest. Kostas is honest to the core. He would never ever last in politics. Kostas, go get a law degree and have somebody on your independent ticket party that can run with you. Good thing you are running a restaurant because I don’t think you could run this state. Like I said, you would be eaten up alive.

Day Job

Just so we’re clear, only dishonest lawyers can be in power. —Ed. Note

Give Back The Bird

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:41:00 +0000

Ed, someone stole a parrot from my home in Bordentown last Thursday night (Oct. 15). I am offering a reward of $1,500 for her safe return. You can call (609) 298-9283. If you have her, please return her to me. Leave her on my front porch, there is a cage there. Please, please, please return her to me.

D. Feathered

There’s a special place in hell for parrotnappers. Give it back or suffer eternal damnation.—Ed. Note

No Girls Allowed

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:40:00 +0000

Ed, this weekend I went to the mall to a few men’s stores to look for some new clothes. I was in the men’s dressing room trying things on. First of all, Mommie, your 17-year-old son does not need you to come into the dressing room area and stand outside your door to see what you are wearing. Real men do not need their mothers or their wives to come into the dressing room and watch you pose in the hallway or the entryway. You women are taking up room and getting in the way. Stay out of where you don’t belong.

Behind the Curtain

Depends on the man. I happen to have an impeccable sense of style, but many men are clueless when it comes to dressing for success. Besides, it’s exhilarating to have women milling around the men’s dressing room.—Ed. Note

Tender Harvest

noreply@blogger.com (Trentonian Editor) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:40:00 +0000

Ed, Hi this is Mary of Tender Hearts. Just wanted to let your readers know we are going to be part of the Fall Harvest Festival sponsored by the Hamilton Recreation Department this Sunday from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. at Kuser Park. Please bring canned goods with you to donate so we can use them in gift baskets for the upcoming holidays.

Mary

Your heard her, people. Do the right thing. Get your cans to the festival.—Ed. Note