Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Well, This Pretty Much Says It All!

The White House At Christmas: Classy To Classless!

Here in the first three photos you see the White House elegantly (and appropriately!) directed for Christmas by First Lady Melania Trump. It was resplendent!



And here, in these photos below the garnish White House Christmas decorations concocted by Jill Biden. OMG!








The REAL Cost Of Bidenomics, EVERY Day!




 

And THIS Man Is The EDUCATION Secretary?

Monday, November 27, 2023

The State Of Our Schools Now? Well . . . .


 

Broadway's Shucked To Take Hilarity On The Road!

It isn't often these days that a show comes to Broadway with an original story and original music and lyrics -- not the musicalization of a book or a movie or a previously produced play. No, we're talking something completely original. And that's exactly what Shucked is -- a show which was in development for many years and was finally brought to Broadway where it was always meant to be.

We saw a recent performance and absolutely loved it! Featuring a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn (Tootsie), a score by the Grammy® Award-winning songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, and directed by Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray), this corn-fed, corn-bred American musical says it's "sure to satisfy your appetite for great musical theater." And it must be doing something right because it's enjoying a successful run at the Nederlander Theater (through January 14) and will soon be touring throughout the country.

Shucked is about a small town that depends totally on its vibrant corn crop -- until the crop, mysteriously, stops producing the town's lifeblood. What happened and why? And how does Shucked get it mojo back? Well, that's what this corn huskin' tale is all about. 

Yeah, Shucked is corny. But it's also clever, surprising, timely and laugh out loud funny. You'll have to listen closely because the one-liners (even in the songs) come at you faster that a road runner. If you saw the scene from Shucked on the recently televised Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade you know what we're talking about. And Alex Newell totally brings the house down when she sings the defiant, tuneful "Independently Owned." In fact, all of the members of the young, exuberant Shucked cast are wonderful.

And here's the thing we loved most about this show -- Shucked is not overly impressed with itself. It doesn't pretend to be delving into the meaning of life. It doesn't try to be slick or sophisticated. It aims for down home authenticity, and it succeeds. But please don't get the idea that Shucked is dim witted -- far from it! The production values are first rate and this show provides a good dose of social commentary while managing to nonetheless serve it all up with a plenty of heart. 

Be sure to get tickets when it some to a city near you!

A Dazzling Collection Of Christmas Trees!

We took these photos earlier today at nearby Winterthur in Delaware. The decorated trees are dazzling.  It's worth a visit!















Saturday, November 25, 2023

Why Christie Still Remains Fascinating, Compelling

The following excerpt is from a Politico story detailing a body language expert's analysis of the most recent GOP presidential debate. Note the expert's take on Chris Christie. What he coveys about Christie is something we've always known -- something we noticed 14 years ago when we first started covering him, when this blog was just gaining steam. Christie is and always has been a very compelling figure and he continues to be a personal favorite of ours. No matter the eventual outcome of his current campaign, he remains formidable. 

Chris Christie Can Tell a Story With His Eyes 

''Christie was as polished as always. As a former prosecutor practiced at charming a jury, he used his smooth vocal cadence to deliver talking points in a way that was easy to understand. His hand gestures were also smooth, communicating a sense of calm and control. Only Scott, himself a polished orator, used nonverbals to demarcate his most important points so effectively. Christie is particularly adept at communicating with his eyes, arching his eyebrows for drama and narrowing his eyes to underline important messages. You may not agree with him, but when he is speaking, you cannot turn away from him.''

Biden Job Approval At All Time Low!

 From the American Research Group:

A total of 37% of Americans say they approve of the way Joe Biden is handling his job as president and 57% say they disapprove of the way Biden is handling his job according to the latest survey from the American Research Group. In October, 38% approved of the way Biden was handling his job as president and 56% disapproved.

When it comes to Biden's handling of the economy, 35% of Americans approve and 60% disapprove. In October, 35% approved of the way Biden was handling the economy and 59% disapproved.

Biden job approvalApproveDisapproveUndecided
Nov 202337%57%6%
Oct 202338%56%6%
Sep 202339%56%5%
Aug 202341%54%5%
Jul 202340%56%4%
Jun 202340%54%6%
May 202341%52%7%
Apr 202343%51%6%
Mar 202346%49%5%
Feb 202345%51%4%
Jan 202341%54%5%
Dec 202245%50%5%
Nov 202241%54%5%

When Imaginations Soared Without 'Safe Spaces'

No, we didn't have modular playgrounds.
And, more often than not, the ground wasn't cushioned.  It was cement.
We called this contraption "monkey bars" and that was probably politically incorrect but, who cares?
Monkey bars didn't have wheels to spin, bells to ring, towers to peer out of or panels to hide behind. It was just a bunch of thin, hard metal bars. In the winter those bars were icy cold. In the summer they were sun baked and hot to the touch. But we played on them year round and we made them what we imagined them to be on any given day or at any given moment. The bars could be a building or a tunnel or a bridge or a mountain or a trapeze. 
We improvised.
We took chances.
Nothing was safety tested.
And it was all great fun!



 

Act Now To Save Long Beach Island, NJ!

President Trump? He's In EXCELLENT Health!



 

Friday, November 24, 2023

US Companies: Sometimes They Get It Right!

The best part of the holidays is the memories, the ones we make and the ones we reminisce. Watch this heartwarming story about a woman’s holiday journey to gift her grandmother the memories from years past. All told from the front-seat of a classic Chevrolet Suburban. Learn more about Chevy here: https://www.chevrolet.com/​ To find your local dealer: http://www.chevrolet.com/dealer-locator ​ See current offers: http://www.chevrolet.com/current-deals ​ ​ Connect with Chevy: https://www.chevrolet.com ​ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chevrolet ​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chevrolet/ ​ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chevrolet

And Now, Where Christmas Shopping Is Heading



 

The News Gets WORSE Every Day!

Thursday, November 23, 2023

Could THIS Song Be Sung Today? Could It?

 


"We Gather Together" is a beautiful song that expresses the spirit of Thanksgiving in a very special way.
It has been sung in America for generations. So many of us of a certain age sang it in public school when we were children. It was often heard in schools around this time of the year and was a part of Thanksgiving programs everywhere.
In fact, we sang it in school when I was a kid.
Ask yourself: Can it be sung in public school today? Would it be permitted?
Think about what we've lost, America.
Think about it this Thanksgiving Day.

20 Reasons To Be Thankful Today And EVERY Day!

  

Happy Thanksgiving, America!

Here are 20 reasons to be thankful this Thanksgiving holiday:

1) This great nation of ours and all its people: One nation, under God with liberty and justice for all.

2) The spirit of giving, of helping out to reach others. Even in these tough times, American individuals, corporations and foundations contributed an estimated $290.89 billion in 2010, up f 3.8 percent from the previous year.

3, 4, 5, 6) The four bountiful freedoms that we enjoy: Freedom of speech; freedom of worship; freedom from want; freedom from fear. These are our cornerstones.

7) Family - the bulwark of our society and the foundation of social order.

8) Our armed services -- all who serve, everywhere and all over the world.

9) The heroic example of those who gave their lives in service to our nation as we remember them anew this Thanksgiving.

10) All of our first responders, at every level and in every town and city as well as those who gave their lives in such service.

11) Children -- our investment in the future, the joy of our lives and the wonder of life itself.

12) Native Americans - the true Americans who shared the first Thanksgiving with the settlers.

13) The land itself -- from sea to shining sea and beyond; purple mountains' majesty and amber waves of grain.

14) Our pioneering spirit -- from the discovered frontiers at home to the space age above; we wander onward. always seeking, always discovering, always achieving.

15) Our Founders and the promise of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution that they bequeathed to us. May our stewardship be faithful to their original freedoms, responsibilities, laws, limitations and aspirations.

16) All the great elected leaders who have defined America from Washington to Jefferson to Jackson and Lincoln and Roosevelt (Franklin and Teddy) and Reagan.

17) The unelected leaders who nonetheless inspired us and opened new doors from Franklin to King and everyone in between.

18) All the inventors and scientists and all who charted a path to a better, safer world with longer, healthier lives for all.

19) Friends: Those who stand by us and encourage us and listen and laugh and love.

20) God, who has blessed us, watches over us and stands in final judgement of each one of us and all we do. God bless America!

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

A Clarion Call Rings Truer Than Ever RIGHT NOW!

Thanksgiving's Cherished American Roots!

 The First Thanksgiving

"In the Fall of 1621, the Pilgrims famously shared a harvest feast with the Pokanokets; the meal is now considered the basis for the Thanksgiving holiday. It took place over three days between late September and mid-November and included feasting as well as games and military exercises.
Most of the attendees at the first Thanksgiving were men; 78 percent of the women who traveled on the Mayflower perished over the preceding winter. Of the 50 colonists who celebrated the harvest (and their survival), 22 were men, four were married women and 25 were children and teenagers.
The Pilgrims were outnumbered more than two to one by Native Americans, according to Edward Winslow, a participant who attended with his wife and recorded what he saw in a letter, writing: “many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men.”
Winslow records eating venison from five deer killed by the Native Americans along with chestnuts, cranberries, garlic and artichokes—all native wild plants the English were learning to use. Turkey was potentially served as well. By the late 1600s, Thanksgiving had become an annual fall tradition. It wasn’t until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln named the last Thursday in November a national holiday."
H/T: History.com Editors

 

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

The Day The Music Died, 60 Years Later

Not many are around who remember an historic event 6o years after it happened. But I'm one of them. And I'm the only one from my immediate family still here to remember it.

Sixty years ago tomorrow I got my driver's license. 

I would have gotten it a lot sooner had I passed the driving test the first time. But I was jittery and the guy who tested me did little to set me at ease, so I failed. I wasn't really terribly upset. I knew I'd give it another go, and I did. 

The second time was the charm. Plus, I was excused from school that morning to take the test so the day was doubly rewarding. I returned to school a very proud and newly mobile senior. I couldn't wait to show off my license to all my friends.

I imagined driving around in my dad's car listening to songs on the radio like "One Fine Day" or "Heatwave" or going to see a movie like "The Great Escape." It was a frivolous, happy time.

When I got home from school my dad was waiting for me. "Well, Dan" he said "I guess you'll always remember the day you got your driver's license." And indeed I did. But not for the reason you might suppose. Because not long after I got back to the classroom that day we learned that President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated.

I was sitting in journalism class on the third floor of Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, New Jersey when the speaker mounted above the classroom door started broadcasting what sounded like a radio news report. I thought I heard something about the president. But then the broadcast abruptly ended. Understand, I was a Kennedy fanatic. I loved the guy! I campaigned for him; stayed up nearly all night election night during one of the closest contests in history; had an autographed photo of him and even got to personally meet him during the campaign. 

Why would a news report come over the classroom loudspeaker in the first place?  And why was it cut short? was already a news junkie so I was suspicious. I had a bad feeling. 

I was president of the school's student council so I quietly asked the teacher if I could go down to the main office and find out what was going on. He said yes and I raced down three flights of stairs to the office which sat near the school's front entrance. There, I saw the principal, a couple of teachers and a secretary huddled around a radio. But before I could get close enough to hear what was going on they told me to go back to my classroom.

As I walked back to the third floor, this only deepened my feeling of dread. Sure enough, when I got back to my desk the principal came over the loudspeaker to announce that President Kennedy was shot and killed in Dallas. This was how we found out. There were no computers; no internet, no social media, no cell phones.

And just like that, a miasma of gloom descended and enveloped everything. It felt like a silent, invisible swarm of locusts -- dark, pervasive and menacing. This lasted, uninterrupted, for four days. To the extent people went about their business at all (and there was very little of that) they did so in a daze. People were glued to their television screens and beyond that all that could be heard were sighs, whispers and sobbing.

Friday. Saturday. Sunday. Monday. It was interminable. 

On Sunday, my sister, brother-in-law and I hopped into a big Pontiac Bonneville with neighbors, drove to Washington and waited in an endless line into the wee hours to pass by President Kennedy's closed coffin under the Capitol dome. Again, the hushed atmosphere with muffled sobs and sniffles. 

My classmates knew how I felt about JFK. So during this period they stopped by the house or called me to tell me how sorry they were. The truth is that we were all witnesses to a nightmare! Our high school yearbook that year was dedicated to the memory of President Kennedy. Here's part of what the dedication said:

We have been called the ugly Americans, crass materialists bent on making money; a people overstuffed and overstimulated. But on the day Kennedy died our people displayed their innate nobility, their love, their profound goodness by the way they mourned his tragic passing. 

The tribute of the people fit the man. Kennedy was a great President whose greatness grew with every year. Not that we always agreed with him . . . yet who can doubt the brilliant range of his ideas, the magnificence of the blueprint he presented to America to explore a New Frontier? . . . He was a politician as well as a statesman, knowing the practical demands of political patronage could never be completely divorced from the noblest statesmanship. He was a dreamer but certainly not starry-eyed and impractical. . . .

Truly, our tribute to President Kennedy lies now not in words but in how we wear the mantle of courage which was his legacy to us.

When those words were written it had been 62 years since a President had been assassinated. Yet, the years that followed 1963 seemed awash in bloodshed as we later witnessed America's descent into the protracted Vietnam war, the loss of more than 50,000 American lives in that war and the assassinations of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy. 

November 22, 1963. The day the music died!

Them Polls Just Keep On Comin' . . .

 ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡² NATIONAL POLL:

(B) Trump 53% (+6) Biden 47% -- Trump 43% (+6) Biden 37% RFK Jr. 16% West 4% — GOP PRES: Trump 62% (+51) DeSantis 11% Haley 10% Ramaswamy 4% Christie 2%

🇺🇲 2024 GE: Harvard/Harris (with undecided voters included) Trump 48% (+7) Biden 41% -- Biden 45% (+3) DeSantis 42% -- Biden 42% (+1) Haley 41% -- Trump 41% (+10) Biden 31% RFK Jr. 16% West 2% Stein 2% -- Trump 52% (+12) Harris 40% -- Harris 43% (=) DeSantis 43% -- Haley 42% (+1) Harris 41%

Monday, November 20, 2023

The Monetized, Monopolized, Murphy Monarchy

New Jersey. Where the Jersey City Mayor wants to be Governor. The former Governor wants to be Jersey City Mayor. And the Governor’s Wife wants to be U.S Senator. And Democrat sheep (and even some Republicans) sit around and let it all happen. HoHum . . . .

UhHuh . . .And Don't EVER Forget It . . .


 

Happy Birthday, Now Don't Let The Door Hit Ya . . .

Saturday, November 18, 2023

Well, If We Are To Believe The Polls . . .

Time To Call It What It Is . . .



 


OMG! Look What's Happening In Spain?

Thanksgiving Dinner, Philly Style . . .


 

Friday, November 17, 2023

And Now We Present THIS . . .

Five Things You Need To Know Right Now

These five things are totally unrelated, or at least they appear to be. But, the world isn't linear or logical and somehow everything winds up being related to everything else -- or so it often seems. Anyway, here goes:

1) The people who don't believe Israel now are never gonna believe Israel. If they can't see what's right in front of them, they'll never see it. Given that, Israel should not waste its time on these people. Instead, Israel should move on and just do what it has to do.

2) TicTok is garbage. And it's also being weaponized by people who want us destroyed. There's nothing frivolous about it -- or you, if you're still on it. Grow up!

3) Art is undefinable. That's what makes it so fascinating. It's often more fun, more revealing, more enlightening, deeper and more instructive than real life. If you're not enriching your life through art (and the arts) well -- you're missing out, Big Time!

4) If the election were held tomorrow, Biden wins. Yeah, we've seen the polls. But Biden wins tomorrow and, based on what we know now, he also wins a year from now. Biden's running and he and his people are crafty. Don't underestimate this guy. He and his crowd will do whatever  they have to do to win. And they've got powerful, entrenched forces behind them. 

5) Campbell's YES Soup is a great product. Technically, the name is Well YES as is in "Yes, we can make a soup that's tasty and healthy." It's low in sodium, low in carbs and low cal. Try the roasted chicken with rice or the vegetarian with pasta. MmmmMmmmGood!

Eight Years Ago It Was Explained THIS Way . . .

Do we now have reason to believe things might be changing? Do we? Hmmm . . . don't be so sure . . . . 


Thursday, November 16, 2023

AGREED! It Makes NO Sense Whatsoever!

NJ Taxpayers Need 'Bracket Creep' Help Now!

As the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced changes to federal income tax brackets to protect workers from inflation, Senator Anthony M. Bucco called for New Jersey lawmakers to advance his legislation to prevent tax bracket creep at the state level for New Jerseyans.

“The action by the IRS to raise the income thresholds for federal tax brackets was a reminder that New Jersey is one of just a few states that doesn’t annually index our tax brackets for inflation,” said Bucco (R-25). “Unfortunately, legislation that would address this issue for state taxpayers has stalled in Trenton. If Democrats fail to take action on the tax relief I have proposed, more New Jersey families will find themselves with higher state tax bills and smaller paychecks because of inflation.”

Tax bracket creep resulting from New Jersey’s static tax rates can leave families poorer from one year to the next when cost-of-living allowances that are intended to cover inflation push workers into a higher tax bracket.

According to a new report by Rutgers University’s Center for Women & Work (CWW), all New Jersey families are still suffering from the effects of inflation, especially minority households, who often have lower average incomes and are more sensitive to price increases.

Bucco’s legislation, S-676, would index New Jersey’s gross income tax brackets annually for inflation, as has been done by the federal government for over 40 years and by most other states.

“Failure to compensate for inflation will significantly impact poorer families and small business owners with lower levels of income,” added Bucco. “All New Jersey families that are living day to day and paycheck to paycheck deserve relief. I urge my colleagues in the Legislature and the Murphy administration to work with us during lame duck to finally solve this problem for taxpayers.”


Just Let The Contrast Sink In . . . .




 

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

ZOA Blasts Biden/Blinken For 'Sickening' Action!

Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) National President Morton A. Klein released the following statement:


On the very same day when over three hundred thousand Americans, Jews and non-Jews alike, travelled to Washington, D.C. to support Israel’s efforts to prevent Hamas from ever slaughtering innocent Jews again, President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken approved ten billion dollars of additional sanctions relief to the Iranian terror regime. (See Biden Unlocks Fresh Funds to Iran Totaling Billions,” by Adam Kredo, Free Beacon, Nov. 13, 2023.)


It is beyond recklessly irresponsible, sickening and frightening that the Biden administration authorized releasing money to the Islamic Republic of Iran, while Iran is funding Hamas’ and Hezbollah’s and Iran’s other proxies murderous attacks against Israel and America. ZOA strongly condemns President Biden for approving these extraordinarily dangerous sanctions waivers for Iran, in disregard for the following pertinent facts and U.S. obligations:


  • Iran is the top funder, weapons-supplier, operations-planner and trainer for Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Hezbollah and the Houthis. The administration’s release of more money to Iran will help the Iranian-backed Hamas and PIJ terrorists who murdered, raped, tortured and beheaded over 1,400 innocent Jews; are holding 240 innocent Jews and others hostage; are continuing to wage war against Israel and launched 10,000 rockets at Israel during the past 5 weeks; and vowed to repeat October 7th again and again until the Jewish State of Israel is destroyed. We will see even more death and destruction due to the release of these funds. Releasing these fungible funds to Iran thus thoroughly violates Biden’s vow of “rock solid and unwavering” support for Israel as Israel defends her people from Hamas.


  • Releasing money to Iran also escalates the conflict and further inflames the entire region: Hezbollah and the Houthis will expand their attacks on Israel.  


  • Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists murdered 33 Americans on October 7th (among the 1,400-plus Jews Hamas murdered). Further, Hamas is holding approximately ten Americans hostage, including an orphaned 3-year-old American toddler whose parents were murdered by Hamas on October 7th. This is the largest American hostage crisis since Iranian terrorists took over the U.S. Embassy in Teheran in 1979Releasing more money to Iran violates the president’s sacred duty to protect American citizens.


  • Iran is "actively facilitating" (the administration’s own words) rocket and drone attacks by Iranian proxies on U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria. Again, enriching Iran violates the president’s sacred duty to protect Americans.
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