Biden Just Keeps Talking And Talking And Talking

Joe Biden is like some chatty old PTA mom.
He just keeps talking and talking and talking.
But very few people are even bothering to listen anymore.
This guy is so full of himself -- he's such an insufferable windbag -- that he's long since past the point of having any notion of what a dreadful bore he really is. It almost doesn't matter to him whether he has an audience or not. He just keeps yapping away.
It's the definition of irrelevancy. 
Biden makes dreadful mistakes. He says inappropriate things. He embarrasses himself and others. But none of it seems to matter in the end because nothing and no one can stop him.
There's something sad and funny about it at the same time.
Sad because he's the Vice President of the United States and I guess that's really a reflection on our nation.
Funny because nobody really believes he has any power (especially now) and almost no one takes him seriously.
Anyway, Lisa DePaulo has an interview with the veep in GQ magazine (now, there's an appropriate place for a well-dressed old warrior) where he once again celebrates his own loquacity.
Click here to read it. LMAO.

Obama's In A Doozy Of A Jam

Veteran Washington journalist Bob Franken's recent column in the Houston Chronicle perfectly described the situation that President Obama and the Democrats find themselves in now.
It's not a pretty sight. Not at all.
And Obama can't run away from his situation -- a very messy situation that he mostly created.
Here's part of what Franken said:

 A November Zogby Interactive poll shows that half of the respondents—self-identified as ``likely voters''—say they do not plan to vote for Obama in 2012, compared to 40 percent who said they expect to.
Even in his own party, he has adversaries. Democratic pollsters Pat Caddell and Doug Schoen wrote a Washington Post op-ed suggesting that the president immediately announce he will not run again.

``By explicitly saying he will be a one-term president,'' they argued, Obama would be ``...draining the poison from our culture of polarization and ending the resentment and division that have eroded our national identity and common purpose.''
There is every indication the president plans to seek re-election. But he and those who tailor his policy have a lot of stitching to do if they want to avoid becoming a presidency too much in tatters to stretch things out for an extra four years.

Click here to read the entire column at the Houston Chronicle.

A Big, Sumptuous Celebration Of Broadway

Sumptuous.
That's the only way to describe Larry Setmpel's Showtime, A History of the Broadway Musical Theater.
This big, new book is a treasure trove of Broadway lure.
The shows. The music. The stars. The eras. It's all here.
I've been having a great time reading Showtime. It's the kind of book you can read from cover-to-cover (over a long winter) or pick up from time to time and just peruse. Either way, you're going to feel invigorated by this revealing, surprising and ingratiating chronicle of America's unique, high-spirited gift to the world: the Broadway musical.
Beginning with the scandalous Astor Place Opera House riot of 1849, Larry Stempel traces the growth of musicals from minstrel shows and burlesques, through the golden age of Show Boat and Oklahoma!, to such groundbreaking works as Company and Rent.
This meticulously researched and detailed book was more than 30 years in the making.
In covering the expansive subject before him, Stempel combines original research—including a kaleidoscope of primary sources and archival holdings—with deft and insightful analysis. The result is nothing short of the most comprehensive, authoritative history of the Broadway musical.
But please don't think of it as a history book. Because this book is alive with the stories, the legends and the groundbreaking ideas that lit up the Great White Way and made it an entertainment mecca for generations.
Martin, Merman and Merrick are all here -- along with Sondheim, Lowe, Rodgers, Kander, Hammerstein, Lerner, Ebb, Coleman, Hart, Comden, Tune, Robbins, Bernstein, Green and so many more. And they're all given their due.
This book is not just about Broadway. It's not just about music. It's not just about theater. And it's not just about showbiz. It's about America.
I urge you to get your hands on Showtime. You're gonna love it!

Cozy Up To Your 'Friendly' TSA Agent

Restaurants: Seasons 52 Remains A Personal Favorite

 Although we have a wide variety of restaurants to chose from, Seasons 52 continues to remain afrequent destination.
We dropped by Seasons 52 at Cherry Hill Mall recently and found that everything we love about this unique restaurant is intact: the inviting atmosphere, the friendly staff and the tempting menu, with every dish easy on both your calorie count and your wallet.
Since we were there for lunch, we enjoyed one of our favorite dishes: the grilled portobello turkey burger under melted mozzarella with sliced tomatoes on a whole wheat bun. The dish is accompanied by a delicious organic mixed greens salad with a light dressing. If you think a turkey burger can't be mouth watering, you haven't tried the turkey burgers here.
For dessert we picked two of the restaurant's distinctive min-indulgences. You can pick from eight indulgence flavors (everything from key line to peanut butter chocolate to pecan pie with vanilla mousse) and they are all superb -- and just enough for a sweet taste after your meal.
While we were at Season's 52 we were fortunate enough to meet and chat with Managing Partner Kerry McNulty who is overseeing the Cherry Hill operation and we also chatted with the restaurant's sous chef. The entire staff is excellent.

Seasons 52 is an innovative restaurant concept that meets the taste expectations of today’s culinary savvy adults. The menu is orchestrated by award-winning Chef Clifford Pleau, and is inspired by the seasons and the fresh appeal of the farmer’s market… 52 weeks a year.
The award-winning wine list which is created and developed by Master Sommelier George Miliotes (the 152nd master sommelier in the world) consistently wins praise for its diverse international selection of 100 wines, including 60 offered by the glass.
Seasons 52 debuted in 2003 and currently operates locations in Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and most recently in Costa Mesa (Calif.), Plano, Texas, Phoenix, Arizona, and Coral Gables, Florida. Coming in 2011: Indianapolis, Indiana, North Bethesda, Maryland, and McLean, Virginia.
For more information, visit www.Seasons52.com.

Christie Applauds End Of Free E-Z Passes

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie welcomes the action taken today by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to end the practice of providing free E-Z Pass perks for commissioners, retirees and non-unionized active employees.
“The action taken by the Port Authority board to begin ending E-Z pass perks is a positive step that complies with my September directive to eliminate these abuses that are provided at tollpayers’ expense. It’s time for the authorities that have not yet acted on my directive, the Delaware River Bay Authority and Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Authority to end these abusive practices as well,” said Governor Christie. “These perks and giveaways are completely indefensible, particularly at a time when the public and local government are being asked to do more with less. My Administration will continue to take action to rein in these and other abuses wherever they occur.”
On September 16th, Governor Christie vetoed resolutions of the Delaware River Port Authority to reinstate E-Z Pass perks to Commissioners, Officers, employees and retirees of the DRPA and PATCO. These perks had previously been abolished at Governor Christie’s direction. Governor Christie also sent letters to five other bi-state agencies that utilize E-Z Pass, including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, directing them to abolish the practice of providing free E-Z Pass trips and other forms of free passage that are not available to the general public. Today’s action by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey makes it the fourth entity to comply with the Governor’s directive, following: Delaware River Port Authority, South Jersey Transportation Authority, and New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
Further, Governor Christie has already exercised his veto authority extensively to stop waste, extravagance and abuses at various state authorities and commissions. Fifteen such vetoes have taken place since Governor Christie took office.

Sen. Diane Allen On Military Affairs Panel

New Jersey State Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R- Westfield) is pleased to announce that Senator Diane Allen (R- Burlington) has been appointed to the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. She will fill the Republican vacancy on the committee left by Phil Haines, who has taken a seat on the New Jersey Superior Court.
"Senator Allen has demonstrated enormous compassion and concern for veterans and their families throughout her career," said Senator Kean. "Time and again she has led the charge to ensure those who have served our country, as well as their families, receive the benefits, care, and assistance they deserve. Diane will be an outstanding addition to the committee and will work hard in her trademark, bipartisan spirit for the sake of New Jersey's veterans."
Senator Allen's advocacy on behalf of military service members predates her service in elected office. As a television news reporter in Philadelphia, Senator Allen worked to draw attention to the plight of homeless veterans. She has continued this advocacy while in office through participation in many of the Fort Dix Stand Down for Homeless Veterans events, and was the first legislator to ever visit the Veterans' Haven transitional housing facility in Winslow Township. She is a legislative member of the Council on Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs.
"As a representative of Burlington County, home to Fort Dix and thousands of current and retired service members, I am honored to receive this appointment," said Senator Allen. "Assisting those who have served our country is a charge I take very seriously as an elected official. The Military and Veterans Affairs Committee is a body that has always put politics aside to address the needs of active service members, military veterans, and their families. I look forward to working with the other members of the committee and continue my advocacy for housing, healthcare, and job opportunities for those who have selflessly answered our nation's call of duty."
This year, Senator Allen is the prime sponsor of legislation giving retired service members preference in the civil service system, as well as legislation expanding eligibility for the state's veterans' property tax deduction. She has written and passed legislation, now law, establishing the Commission on Women Veterans (P.L.2007, c.319), reserving a portion of New Jersey's rental assistance grants for veterans emerging from transitional housing (P.L.2007, c.208), and establishing minimum per diem pay for National Guard members called into active duty (P.L.2003, c.141).
With this appointment, Senator Allen will now serve on three Senate committees.

Sign Petition To Stop Invasive Screening

New Jersey State Senator Mike Doherty (R-23) has launched an online petition to support his efforts to put an end to invasive airport screening practices that have been implemented by the federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Doherty is the prime sponsor of a pair of Senate resolutions that urge Congress and the TSA to end the use of enhanced pat downs and advanced imaging scanners that allow TSA agents to see through travelers’ clothing.
“Travelers shouldn’t have to submit to potentially dangerous scans that allow strangers to view them naked, nor should they have to submit to invasive groping by government agents, just to get on a plane,” said Doherty. “Despite the massive public outcry against these invasive screening procedures, it’s seems that politicians and bureaucrats in Washington still don’t get it. That’s why we’ve launched our petition, to make sure that Americans concerned about losing their rights have an opportunity to be heard.”
Doherty’s petition to stop invasive TSA screening is located at http://doherty.senatenj.com/stopthetsa. The petition page includes video that provides information about the movement as well as features to easily comment on and share the petition on social media websites, including Facebook and Twitter.
“Together, we can send a message to Washington that enough is enough. We can tell the federal government that Americans want common-sense airport security that respects our constitutional rights,” added Doherty. “Filling out the petition takes only a few seconds, so head over now and make sure your voice is heard.”

Joey Vento Out Of Surgery; Send 'Get-Well' Wishes

We can all breathe a little easier knowing that Joey Vento of Geno's Steaks is recovering from his recent surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
As you may know, Joey has been diagnosed with colon cancer. While it remains unclear just how successful the surgery was, we do know Joey will be returning home today and that he is in good spirits.
Of course, continue to keep Joey in your prayers. If you would like to send him a card, please mail it c/o Geno's Steaks, 1219 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147.

NJ Mayors To Legislators: Enact Tool Kit!