Murphy's COVID Prediction Record? DISMAL!

New Jersey State Senator Declan O’Scanlon pointed to the Murphy Administration’s dismal COVID case and hospitalization prediction record and called on the Governor to cease making predictions that prove to be consistently, wildly pessimistic.

Noting the Governor’s dismal record of overestimating the spread and severity of COVID, Senator Declan O’Scanlon said Murphy should stop trying to frighten residents into compliance with his edicts. (Pixabay)

“The Administration’s record on predictions has been dismal. Either the administration’s prognosticators are incompetent, or they’re purposefully, consistently and wildly overestimating case rates to scare people into compliance with continued restrictions. Either way, they need to stop. Incompetence doesn’t instill confidence, and none of us needs to be terrified into compliance. We get it already.”

O’Scanlon cited several instances where the administration has made bold, scary, demoralizing predictions that cases of COVID would skyrocket … that proved to be dramatically off the mark.

“Back in April of last year, Health Commissioner Judy Persichelli warned that cases and hospital admissions were projected to double by the end of the month,” O’Scanlon recalled. “The Governor warned we might need the severe lockdown restrictions to continue out into July. Such stratospheric cases and admissions would have crushed our hospital systems. Severe lockdown into July would have totally destroyed our economy.  The stress levels this inflicted on business owners, hospital administrators and the worried public were tremendous.

“And what was the reality? Rather than alarmingly doubling, rates went down, precipitously, by 25 percent.”

O’Scanlon said the administration did it again this month.

“On April 1, the Governor and Health Commissioner presented two scenarios. The ‘worst case’ scenario had cases rising – to approximately 6,000 daily cases now and to over 8,000 a day by mid-May. A 65 percent vaccine efficacy rate was used to justify these alarming numbers, but nowhere in the world has seen an efficacy rate that low,” said O’Scanlon.

“So one must ask: What is the point of even sharing this alarmist, extraordinarily unlikely, demoralizing scenario?!? But it gets worse. The scenario the Governor said was more likely and ‘feels to me the closest to reality’ was its own disaster. Cases and hospitalizations he said would rise steadily from April 1 through April 18 – when we would reach approximately 5,500 daily new cases. What actually happened? Rather than steadily increasing, our numbers have gone down. On April 18, rather than 5,500 cases, we had 2,765 cases. The Governor and Health Commissioner’s numbers were double what actually happened – 100% higher than reality,” O’Scanlon continued.

“The administration’s predictions are so consistently wrong that a hospital executive I spoke to last week said he was ‘happy when they predict doom and gloom. If they said something positive we’d be worried!’  This isn’t the confidence our leaders ought to be inspiring.”

“I called the predictions preposterous when they were made because every indication was that our numbers were set to drop,” said O’Scanlon. “Our vaccination numbers were increasing rapidly, seasonality was working in our favor, the people of New Jersey aren’t genetically more vulnerable than those in the rest of the world, and the virus circulating here isn’t some unique, Jersey-mega-death variant.

“If they genuinely believe this drivel, then they have a competence problem and at least they should have the smarts to stop publicly showcasing that fact. If they are purposefully exaggerating the numbers, that’s abhorrent.  We don’t need our Governor playing these games and treating us like children by intentionally attempting to scare us into compliance. We don’t need the Governor using fear porn to justify needlessly harsh, prolonged restrictions.

“What we do need, and have needed for months, is cautiously optimistic messaging and policies. We need projected dates of restriction relaxation so proms and graduations and fairs and festivals can be planned. We need nonsensical restrictions eliminated right now and a target date – soon – for complete elimination. If things take an unexpected turn for the worse, people will understand, but right now all indications point toward victory over the virus, and soon.

“The most likely scenario was, and is, that numbers will continue to drop. Good chance they’ll drop precipitously. The Governor should stop the fear mongering, and start optimistically leading. This is both what the facts justify and what people are longing to hear,” O’Scanlon concluded.

Cherry Hill's Vivid Blossoms In Full Bloom NOW!

 Don't delay . . . see this spectacle NOW!

The Cherry blossoms are in vivid bloom along Chapel Avenue in Cherry Hill, N. J.

Get on over to Chapel Avenue ASAP or you'll miss them. They don't stay around very long -- especially with high winds in the offing.
And, trust me, you don't want to miss this!

Along a dazzling two mile stretch from Haddonfield Road to Kings Highway the blossoms create bright ribbons of pink. Through the day the color varies slightly as the sun and the clouds help to create a feast for the eyes. And the blossoms vary somewhat by shading and color depending upon whether you are moving east or west along Chapel Avenue.

Walking under the blossoms along the sidewalk on either side of the street is a sensual delight.

But this incredible show only lasts for a week or two so you must hurry if you want to see some of the most magnificent clustered blossoms anywhere.
The blossoms were the brainchild of Joe Zanghi, a visionary Cherry Hill resident who began planting them (along with dozens of volunteers, most notably Cherry Hill firefighters) decades ago. They are a true labor of love by public-spirited citizens -- a gift to the entire community and the region.
These are huge, fancy, clustered blossoms.

Drive slowly, cycle or walk under the blossoms and soak up every magical moment!

Video: Here's Why The Verdict MAY Be Reversed

 

Now THIS Is A Record Worthy Of Emulation!

 

Zionists Condemn Legislation By 'Israel Hater'

The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) President Morton A. Klein, ZOA Chair Mark Levenson, Esq., and ZOA Director of Government Relations Dan Pollak released the following statement:

ZOA strongly condemns the bill introduced by Israel-hater Rep. Betty McCullom (D-MN) and supported by a collection of the worst enemies of Israel in the Congress, including antisemitic Israelophobe Ilhan Omar (D-MN). McCullum has earned a reputation as a rabid Jew-hating Israel-basher by her previous actions in Congress, and once releasing a press release demonizing AIPAC as a “hate group” that is guilty of “incitement,” and “weaponizing antisemitism” (McCollum Statement). 

ZOA National President Morton Klein said:

McCollum’s (and Omar’s) irrational, bigoted hatred of America’s greatest and most reliable ally must have consequences. ZOA urges every Democratic politician, and every member of Congress to speak up against this outrageous attempt to slander Israel. The bill itself bears a title worthy of Orwell: “Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act” (HR 2590). Its self-described purpose is full of lies: to “protect the human rights of Palestinians…and to ensure that United States taxpayer funds are not used…to support the military detention of Palestinian children.”

In fact, the true purpose is to libel Israel for arresting brutal Arab teenagers who are terrorist-murderers of innocent Jews – including the 17-year-old Arab terrorist who broke into the home of a family and horrifically stabbed to death an innocent 13-year-old Jewish American Israeli girl who was sleeping in her bed, Hallel Yaffa Ariel.

In fact, Israel treats children in Judea and Samaria in a totally fair manner, even when they are engaged in violence. Every civilized country in the world arrests and incarcerates violent offenders. Israel moreover has special rules in place to protect children in its legal system. (See “ZOA: J St Funded Cong. McCollum Should Withdraw Bill Penalizing Israel for Questioning/Arresting Young Palestinian Terrorists,”)  

One of the organizations mentioned in the falsehood-infested bill is “Defense of Children International Palestine (DCIP),” which is actually affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., EU, Canada, and Israel. The thirteen original co-sponsors are all Democrats, and represent the most extreme fringe of the party, including Reps. Ilhan Omar (MN), Rashida Tlaib (MI), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY), Ayanna Pressley (MA), and the newest addition to the hater squad, Rep. Jamaal Bowman (NY).

The list of extremist organizations which have endorsed this bill is both disgusting and familiar. It’s a who’s who of long time Israel-haters. It includes Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), who were themselves named an unindicted co-conspirator in a terrorism case, Americans for Peace Now, CODE PINK, If Not Now, and Jewish Voice for Peace Action.

This bill, or one just like it, has been defeated in each of the last several Congresses. ZOA will stand once again with the decent, truly human rights-loving rational members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, to defeat this antisemitic libel once again.

O'Scanlon To NJ Gov: Commit To Early Reopen Date

Organizers of the huge Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival are hard at work selling tickets for the first weekend in June, while promoters of other similar events are stuck in a holding pattern waiting for Governor Murphy to relax restrictions. The beer fest is supported by two state-affiliated agencies – the New Jersey Lottery and Meet AC, which is funded by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

As vaccinations continue across the state and COVID cases decline, Sen. Declan O’Scanlon called on Murphy to follow the example of other governors and announce a timeline for lifting COVID restrictions. (SenateNJ.com)

“What do they know that we don’t know? What isn’t Murphy sharing with the rest of us?” asked New Jersey state Senator Declan O’Scanlon. “Hundreds of event planners remain in a Murphy-induced state of limbo while this event, a partially state-sponsored event, is selling maybe thousands of tickets. If they are doing it without any guidance from the state, that’s a hell of a risk given the slow-roll, business-devastating attitude the administration has taken over the last year.  Event planners are dying – and dying for even the slightest hint that the Governor will hope to permit these events to take place.”

O’Scanlon said other events should be on the calendar, and Murphy’s reluctance to trust New Jersey businesses and residents is the only thing standing in the way.

“The rest of the state should be doing what the Atlantic City guys are doing. Selling tickets, drumming up business, and escorting in the summer season after a year lost to COVID,” said O’Scanlon. “The Governor must realize we may never be completely free of the virus variants, but we can’t be paralyzed by fear. We can trust residents to be mature enough to do the right thing, act responsibly, and have a good time without endangering themselves or others.”

Under Murphy’s current COVID guidelines, outdoor events are capped at no more than 200 people, and social distancing is required.

Governors in other states are announcing plans to end restrictions. On Monday, Connecticut Governor Lamont announced that all restrictions on businesses in his state would be phased out by May 19. It was a stark contrast to Murphy’s announcement on the same day, when he hinted that guidance on proms, graduation ceremonies and day camps “could be” … might be … gosh-darned we hope so, revealed before the end of the month.

“This ongoing drip, drip, drip messaging is devastating people who are trying to schedule events,” O’Scanlon said. “This is just more of his prolonged, torturous delay, signaling to people that it is very likely we will eliminate restrictions without committing to a target date.

“Unless the effectiveness of the vaccine is different in New Jersey than the rest of the world, and seasonality works different here than it did last year, our COVID numbers should be dropping dramatically by the first week of May. In fact, the numbers already seem to be dropping, just as they did this time last year.

“There is every indication that the Governor, like almost every other governor, should be signaling that it is likely we’re going to be ‘good to go’ with eliminating restrictions, and most certainly outdoor restrictions,” O’Scanlon added. “The time to signal that is now!”

O’Scanlon called on Murphy to provide a timeline and more clarity before the end of the week.

“Deadlines are passing and further delay is needless and unforgivable. Event promoters need time to finalize plans, secure vendors and market to a COVID-weary public,” said O’Scanlon. “It’s imperative the Governor commits to opening dates so businesses and organizers can make plans, hire help, and, like the Beer and Music Festival, sell some tickets, play some music and serve some customers.”

From The Catholic Archbishop Of Philadelphia

The anguish, grief, and fear that consumed our country last spring following the tragic and disturbing death of George Floyd was overwhelming. In the immediate aftermath, old wounds were ripped wide open as the mortal sin of racism cut through our communities. 

As a people of faith, Catholics believe that every life holds value and should be treated with dignity. In the name of the people of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, I share in the continued pain and sadness felt by so many.   

Almost a year later, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s trial has ended. Today’s verdict will usher in a wide variety of reactions. I entreat all people to treat each other with respect, charity, and good will as they process the news in their own way.

Regardless of individual points of view, it is imperative to remember that criminal justice is a matter for the courts alone. Ensuring social justice, on the other hand, is a common responsibility that we all share. While the trial has concluded, the struggle to eradicate hatred is ongoing. Our God challenges us to love our neighbors with open hearts and to see Christ’s presence in them. May God allow us to be open to more difficult conversations and hard work as we seek to achieve peace and unity. While those goals are challenging, it is not impossible to attain them. 

I pray that the Holy Spirit stirs up a desire in our hearts to look for solutions to the problems we encounter. May God watch over us and strengthen our resolve to ensure that our nation remains indivisible with liberty and justice for all. 

+Nelson J. Pérez

Archbishop of Philadelphia

The Verdict: Joe Biden's Incredible Luck!

Joe Biden's on a hot streak. A decidedly low-key hot streak (and not of his doing, that's for sure) but a hot streak nonetheless. 

Call it the luck of the Irish. Over and over again, things have just been going his way.

And now the Chauvin verdict has handed Biden and the Democrats another gift: the best possible outcome they could have hoped for and the worst scenario for Chauvin and his defenders. It simply solidifies the narrative that raging liberals, wild-eyed radicals, snooty academics, greedy corporate patronizers and dim-witted pop-culture types have been pushing all along. Not to exonerate Chauvin, by any means. The law allows for gradations of guilt to be sure, but what he did was horrific. And God bless our system of justice and trial by jury.

But back to all that luck. The COVID crisis and the unending lockdown allowed Biden and the Democrats to completely rewrite the rules for the 2020 election to their advantage. George Floyd's murder galvanized a virtually imprisoned nation and may prove to be one of the most consequential events in recent American history --  again, advantage to the Democrats. Meanwhile the GOP managed to flail away, drowning in Georgia without making any waves and thus ceding the US Senate. The January 6 mayhem at the Capitol fueled the Dems further and allowed them to charge that an insurrection had occurred, opening the door to nationwide reprisals, a barbed wire fence around the seat of democracy and broad-based censorship. Then Biden was able to rush his stimulus package through Congress and take advantage of President Trump's heroic Operation Warp Speed to give America a much-needed leg up on vaccinations. On top of it all, a flood of government funny money helped to set the economy soaring, at least in the short term. 

Plodding along, using smoke 'n mirrors, hiding the old man when need be and strategically propelling misinformation and outright lies, the Biden team has maximized every advantage that has come their way. They've made Mitch McConnell look like a tongue-tied anachronism and (to no one's surprise) have left wimpy, weak-kneed, country club Republicans turning on their own. 

Not long before the Chauvin verdict came down Biden called George Floyd's family, condescendingly assuring them he knew "the pain of loss".  And then he announced that he prayed and hoped to God the jury would reach "the right verdict, which I think it's overwhelming, in my view."

Crafty, huh? It's almost like he knew, isn't it?

But luck is just that -- dumb luck. And it usually runs out sooner rather than later. Just ask Donald Trump.

Are YOU Part Of THIS group? Shame On You!

 

Fire This Man; Reject His Despicable Record!