New Jersey State Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger (NJLD13) has led the charge in introducing legislation (A6136) which would prevent school districts from utilizing one of the most controversial and inherently problematic curriculums in recent history – “Critical Race Theory (CRT).” The bill comes as parents have grown increasingly weary of what is being taught in the classrooms and to their children:
“One of the most explosive topics in today’s political and academic discourse is Critical Race Theory (CRT),” said Assemblyman Scharfenberger. “Supporters claim it is a way to address race in the 21stCentury; however, many point to its inherently prejudiced, divisive, hateful, anti-American ideology and judging from the number of outraged parents showing up to Boards of Education meetings across the country, it is clear that CRT is not seen by many as a valuable addition to the world of academia.”
Assemblyman Scharfenberger has long spoken out against the utilization of CRT. In fact, he discussed the fundamental problems associated with the curriculum during a Reaction Couch Interview earlier this year. After its release to the public, he was encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive outreach and comments he received from across the State, illustrating that his position had tremendous support:
“Many BOE members have told me that they’re vehemently against teaching CRT, but are concerned with government mandates forcing it into the curriculum in one way or another - that’s where my bill would come in,” Scharfenberger stated. “In no uncertain terms, there isn’t a place for any form of racism in our schools and any agenda which would seek induct it, like CRT. It is the antithesis of Dr. Martin Luther King’s teachings that people be judged not on the color of one’s skin, but on the content of one’s character.”
Scharfenberger’s bill would seek to return schools to environments for fostering growth and education instead of divisive political ideologies like CRT while barring any discriminatory concepts as a whole, such as:
· one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex;
· an individual, by virtue of their race or sex, is inherently privileged, racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or subconsciously;
· an individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment because of their race or sex;
· an individual’s moral character is determined by their race or sex;
· an individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or another form of psychological distress solely because of their race or sex;
· ascribing character traits, values, moral or ethical codes, privileges, or beliefs to a race or sex, or to an individual because of their race or sex; and more (read full bill).
Monday, December 6, 2021
By His Own Words, He Should Leave Office
- December 6, 2021 - |
Statement by Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States of America |
Biden said that he was going to “beat the virus,” but instead, the virus has beaten him—and badly. Far more people died this year than last, despite tremendous help from vaccines and therapeutics developed under “Trump.” He said anybody with his results should leave office. Well Joe, what are you waiting for! |
NJ State Senator Chooses Novel Way To Vote
New Jersey State Senator Joe Pennacchio is appealing to Democrat leadership to reconsider locking out legislators from the state complex if they fail to show “Covid Passports.”
Frustrated by the Democrats’ lockdown of the State House, Sen. Joe Pennacchio will vote remotely from outside the Paramus Veterans Home on Thursday. (SenateNJ.com)
“During this season of ‘good will,’ I am appealing to Democrat leaders to put aside their efforts of political brinkmanship and allow all legislators to perform their legal and constitutional obligations of serving the people we represent,” said Pennacchio (R-Morris, Essex, Passaic).
The Legislature has been notified that elected members will not be allowed into the State House Complex unless they provide proof of vaccination.
Pennacchio spoke out on the Senate floor during the Dec. 2 voting session, pointing out the lack of science behind orders to show Covid passports to get into the Senate Chamber. He pointed to the fact that the Covid vaccines do not prevent people from getting or transmitting the virus, and questioned why patients who have natural immunity acquired from a past infection are still required to show a Covid passport.
Pennacchio cited recent studies which have shown that those patients’ natural immunities are equal if not greater than the immunity of patients who have been vaccinated. A recent Israeli study showed natural immunity to be 13 times more protective than two Pfizer vaccine injections.
Senator Pennacchio also called out Democratic Leadership for failing to hold legislative oversight hearings focused on the 10,000 New Jersey nursing home deaths. To highlight the lack of legislative oversight, the Senator will be participating remotely from the Paramus Veterans Nursing home parking lot for the 10:30 a.m. Senate Economic Growth committee meeting Thursday.
“There seems to have been no concern when the state forced the Covid virus into nursing homes, prohibited testing and watched how it spread, killing frail and elderly residents. Now we see the opposite, a pseudo-science being applied to duly elected officials and preventing them from doing the people’s business,” concluded Senator Pennacchio.
Common Sense NJ Motor Vehicle Reform? Voila!
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco to help reduce long lines and wait times at NJ Motor Vehicle Commission locations was approved today by the Senate Transportation Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Anthony Bucco to help reduce long lines and wait times at NJ Motor Vehicle Commission locations was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
Bucco’s bill, S-2756, would allow licensed motor vehicle dealers to facilitate the issuance of certificates of ownership and registration of cars purchased through private sellers.
“Residents who buy a used car would no longer be required to wait online at the MVC to complete the paperwork transaction,” said Bucco (R-25), the sponsor of a series of bills to ease congestion at the state’s motor vehicle agencies.
“Car dealers are already filing the required forms for cars sold from their inventories, so this bill would capitalize on their experience and efficiency,” said Bucco. “Reducing the burden on MVC should mean better service and less frustration for those who require services from the agency.”
Currently, a person who buys a vehicle from an individual owner, dealer or auction is required to register the car at a motor vehicle location.
Under the bill, authorized dealers can issue a temporary registration certificate for a reasonable fee as determined by the Motor Vehicle Commission.
“Buyers would be able to drive their new car legally, get to and from work, and finalize their registration at their convenience,” Bucco noted. “It just makes sense.”
Dole's Powerful Words Ring True Today!
I was proud to have supported Bob Dole in 1996 when he ran against Bill Clinton. It was pretty clear that Clinton was riding high then. Although this was after the major damage of the Democrats' 1994 congressional defeat it was before the Lewinsky scandal. And Clinton, the original "comeback kid" bounced back from the congressional loss. So, no question about it, Dole faced an uphill battle against Clinton.
But that never discouraged Bob Dole and it certainly didn't deter fans such as myself.
Of course, the media were up to their usual tricks -- painting this fearless American war hero and dedicated public servant as dour, mean, conniving and divisive.
Dole faced all of that as he prepared to accept his party's nomination for the presidency. It's hardly remembered now but Bob Dole gave one of the most heartfelt and inspiring acceptance speeches ever delivered at a political convention. I've always admired that speech and his rousing delivery of it that night. And here'e the really impressive thing -- so many of his words of 25 years ago have ample relevance today. They ring true right now! So, here are some excerpts from that speech delivered at the GOP National Convention on August 15, 1996:
Let me be the bridge to an America that only the unknowing call myth. Let me be the bridge to a time of tranquility, faith and confidence in action. And to those who say it was never so, that America's not been better, I say you're wrong. And I know because I was there. And I have seen it. And I remember.
And our nation, though wounded and scathed, has outlasted revolutions, civil war, world war, racial oppression and economic catastrophe. We have fought and prevailed on almost every continent. And in almost every sea. We have even lost. But we have lasted, and we have always come through. . . .
And I'm here to tell you that permissive and destructive behavior must be opposed.That honor and liberty must be restored and that individual accountability must replace collective excuse. I am here to say to America, do not abandon the great traditions that stretch to the dawn of our history. Do not topple the pillars of those beliefs -- God, family, honor, duty, country -- that have brought us through time, and time, and time, and time again. . . .
It is demeaning to the nation that . . . a core of the elite who never grew up, never did anything real, never sacrificed, never suffered and never learned, should have the power to fund with your earnings their dubious and self-serving schemes. . . .
The right and obligation of a sovereign nation to control its borders is beyond debate. We should not have here a single illegal immigrant. . . .
It's not merely whether the people trust the president but whether the president and his party trust the people; trust in their goodness and their genius . . . For the government cannot direct the people; the people must direct the government.
Now, reading these words, one can understand what Bob Dole represented and what he was really all about. And you can see why he remained so steadfastly true to the principles of the Republican Party and why he enthusiastically supported Donald Trump both in 2016 and 2020. Bob Dole saw what was happening to our country and he was rightfully concerned. Not only that, he was determined to be in the arena fighting for the core values that unite us, inspire us and send us soaring to new heights.
That's what we need to keep in mind as we mourn his passing and honor his hugely accomplished life!
From the Dole Family:
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Sunday, December 5, 2021
The Despicable Discrimination Of The Left!
BREAKING: Restaurant in SF refuses service to two SFPD officers yesterday 12/3, stating their presence made staff (and perhaps guests) uncomfortable. Hilda and Jesse on Union St. Here’s their response: 👇 pic.twitter.com/7ujmJ2Ks0O
— Richie Greenberg (@richieSF2016) December 5, 2021
A Galaxy Of Gorgeous Christmas Trees!
We recently attended the beautiful Philadelphia Phestival of Trees that is presented every year around this time and sponsored by Acme Markets and participating organizations and companies in the area to benefit local animal shelters and adopt-a-pet programs. The Phestival is a wonderful way to kickoff the Christmas season.
Mrs. Doubtfire, The Musical, Lands On Broadway
But often, though the movie-to-musical idea may seem a sure bet at first, the results can be disappointing. This is what has happened to some recent film-to-stage adaptations such as The Bridges of Madison County, Tootsie, Groundhog Day, Pretty Woman and Rocky. We saw every one of those. We enjoyed them. But somehow, they never quite clicked. And none of them had a healthy, profitable Broadway run.
Now comes Mrs. Doubtfire based on the hugely successful film that starred Robin Williams. And interestingly enough, this comedy-to-musical adaptation stars Rob McClure who undertook a similar assignment as the lead in the ill-fated Honeymoon in Vegas musical. That was a more intimate undertaking. Mrs. Doubtfire, on the other hand is a big show with a large cast and 17 musical numbers. But it doesn't always seem that big or that formidable. And that's too bad for a the genuinely likable and obviously gifted McClure.
Let's chart the pluses and minuses of this show.
On the plus side, McClure pulls out all the stops as Daniel, a husband facing divorce who concocts a gender-switching scheme to continue to see his kids. This multi-talented dynamo is the dad (Daniel) one second and the nanny (Mrs. Doubtfire) the next. And he has so many voices and personas that he could easily be a one man show. At times McClure seems downright manic but who was more manic than Robin Williams himself?
Still, while this musical basically follows the same storyline as the movie, it races along at such a loud and breathless pace that there's little room for nuance or subtlety. And you begin to wonder why so little room appears to have been left for character development. It's as if somebody decided that a musical has to be shrill, rapid-fire and short on depth to appeal to today's attention-span-deprived audiences. Sometimes, you almost want call out "Hey, everybody -- slow down!" But the people behind this project seem to believe that we need to have sight gags, pyrotechnics, acrobatics, tap-tap-tapping, strobe lights and special effects to keep us attentive and amused. One or more of these devices, strategically placed, would have been fine. But all of them and more in the first act? Well, not quite.
Even with all that, there are many appealing aspects to this production. McClure's co-stars are excellent, particularly Jenn Gambatese, Brad Oscar, Peter Bartlett, Charity Angel Dawson, Analis Scarpaci, Jake Ryan Flynn and Avery Sell. The ensemble works well together in a production that is largely seamless even with all the gymnastics and scene and costume changes. Jerry Zaks' direction has the actors playing their roles broadly and mostly for laughs and they more than dutifully comply.
It isn't until the second act that things begin to blessedly assume normal, everyday life speed and we start to unravel why this divorce was initiated in the first place and what that has meant for the mom, dad and kids involved in this boisterous tug of war. And, as Jenn Gambatese sings Let Go, the musical begins to redeem itself, we get to catch our breaths and we start to see three-dimensional characters. But since the musical has been updated from the San Francisco of 1993 to the San Francisco of today, instead of having a soft, meaningful ending built around a promising number called "As Long as There Is Love", we get a cheap, preachy, condescending pop sermon about the modern meaning of "family". Regrettably, it comes off as gratuitous and just this side of patronizing.
In short, Mrs. Doubtfire winds up being too much fire and frivolity and not enough doubt and ambiguity. But inasmuch as, on the heels of a grotesque pandemic, audiences returning to Broadway may be thirsting for precisely this kind of quick-fix, formulaic comedy, who's too say it won't be a hit?
Saturday, December 4, 2021
Straight Talk? You Wanna Hear Straight Talk?
Trump on General Milley telling him to leave the military equipment in Afghanistan:
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) December 5, 2021
“That’s when I realized he was a fucking idiot.” pic.twitter.com/fPW0x379g3
High Level Meeting Caps Great Year For COPOMIAO
The much-anticipated meeting in Washington, D.C. was organized by Zappia and Hon. Basil M. Russo, who leads The Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO).
“This landmark meeting is the culmination of a yearlong effort, which has united a once-fragmented Italian American community around common goals that include the preservation of our history, heritage, institutions and businesses,” Judge Russo said. “Hon. Mariangela Zappia has represented Italy at NATO and the UN, and now she stands with Italian America to promote our initiatives and policies — and COPOMIAO, in turn, is here to do the same for Italy.”
“The Embassy, and Italian institutions on both sides of the Atlantic, greatly appreciate all that you do, each day, to promote our language, culture, and traditions — in short, our heritage — in this exceptional country,” noted Ambassador Zappia in welcoming Judge Russo and the COPOMIAO delegation. “The entire Italian diplomatic network in the U.S. is proud to work with you, side-by-side, to continue enhancing and promoting our beautiful Italy…Italian identity is strong and apparent in all aspects of daily life in this wonderful country: from food to art, culture to music, architecture to politics.”
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