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Camden Mayor Ensnared in Abscam Dies

May. 20 Abuse of Power, Camden City, Camden County, Corruption, Ethics, South Jersey 2 comments

By Dan Cirucci | Cross-Posted at Dan Cirucci’s Blogspot

CamdenHe was the undisputed Boss of South Jersey.

And he wielded enormous power.

He was Mayor of Camden, New Jersey when being Mayor of Camden really meant something.
He was a powerful state senator.

He hobnobbed with major business leaders, power-brokers, governors, congressman, senators and at times, even presidential aspirants. In fact, he was responsible for the election of a whole slew of government officials from the governor on down.

And all of this came to him at a relatively young age. He loved the power and the notoriety. He delighted in it — maybe too much.

Still, his future looked bright. He seemed almost omnipotent.

Then, one day it all came tumbling down.

CONTINUE READING…

“Protect Citizens from the Dark World”

May. 07 Chris Christie, Criminal Justice, Cultural Issues 3 comments

Christie Signs Human Trafficking Bill, Other Measures

Christie at desk signing budgetTaking action to prevent human trafficking and raise awareness of the issue, Governor Chris Christie on Monday signed the bipartisan “Human Trafficking Prevention, Protection, and Treatment Act” to strengthen state law by increasing penalties for and providing resources to prevent human trafficking in New Jersey. The legislation is a comprehensive update and expansion to state law and creates the Commission on Human Trafficking to review laws and enforcement and make recommendations to state policy makers; establishes a ‘Human Trafficking Survivor’s Assistance Fund’ to provide victims’ services, promote awareness, and develop training and educational materials; and increases both financial penalties and prison time for those who traffic individuals.

Coupled with the measure, the Governor also signed bills designating each January as “Human Trafficking Prevention Month” and January 11th as “Human Trafficking Awareness Day.”

“As public officials, we have a solemn responsibility to prevent and protect citizens from the dark world of human trafficking,” said Governor Christie. “This comprehensive and bipartisan approach strengthens and expands the state’s ongoing efforts to aggressively combat this brutal practice, and also ensures that the victims of human trafficking receive the treatment they need. This bill is a big step forward toward protecting the most vulnerable members of our society, and I am proud to sign it into law.”

Continue Reading…

Amazing Grace?

Apr. 22 Barack Obama, Second Amendment 3 comments

Whoa! Maureen Dowd Channels Dan Cirucci Blog!

By Dan Cirucci | Cross-Posted at Dan Cirucci’s Blogspot

Obama leering at the audienceLast week, right here we wrote about how President Obama lost the vote on the gun bill; here’s part of what we said:

President Obama is really more interested in campaigning and demonizing Republicans than he is in reaching across the aisle to make a deal. Obama doesn’t want a Democrat/Republican, bi-partisan unity vote.

If he did, he would have gone to the GOP with a solid 58 votes and that likely would have tipped the scales and brought two more Republicans in the fold and the scales would have been tipped.

But it wasn’t worth it for him to keep his own party together and then just two more GOP votes. He was more interested in campaigning all over the country, using parents of the Sandy Hook massacre as props and denouncing gun owners and second amendment defenders. All that was more important to Obama and his team than quietly working out a deal.

He didn’t want to do the hard work that needed to be done.

Instead — as is often the case with Obama — he wanted to grandstand; to campaign; to propagandize. He simply doesn’t appear to be interested in leading and building consensus the way a president should.

Now, the undisputed Queen of Liberal Columnists writing at the Liberal Bible (The New York Times) agrees with us.

CONTINUE READING…

What Part of Evil Don’t You Get?

Apr. 16 Cultural Issues, Terrorism 5 comments

Some Americans Still Need to Come to Terms with the Existence of Evil in Our World

By Dan Cirucci | Cross-Posted at Dan Cirucci’s Blogspot

EvilSince the horrific attack yesterday there have been people on radio and TV saying all sorts of dumb things.

In fact, we appear to be surrounded by inanity.

Last night on TV some commentator or eyewitness or whoever came on and said he felt very, very sorry for those who died and those who lost limbs in the bombing BUT he also felt sorry for those who couldn’t complete the marathon and never got to experience “their moment.”

What? WHAT?!

There is NO moral equivalence here. None. Get it? This guy lost his leg. It had to be amputated on the spot. And this poor guy over here was never able to cross the finish line. Awwww! What the hell has happened to our priorities? Where is our sense of moral relevancy?

It appears as if we’ve become so wound up in ourselves — our own challenges; our own personal best; our own sense of fulfillment; our own agendas; our need to feel oh so special — that we’ve completely lost sight of the broader issue (indeed, the broader THREAT) here.

So for those who may be just a bit confused, let’s cut to the chase and get this straight: There is evil in the world…

CONTINUE READING…

An Incalculable Loss

Apr. 08 Foreign Policy 2 comments

How to assess the passing of Lady Thatcher?

By Dan Cirucci | Cross-Posted at Dan Cirucci’s Blogspot

margaret thatcherBy any means of measure this is an incalculable loss — a loss to western civilization; to democracy; to Anglo-American common sense; to all the values, customs and traditions that we hold dear.

Perhaps it’s best to begin by quoting the sentiments expressed by President George H. W. Bush:

Barbara and I were deeply saddened to learn of Baroness Thatcher’s passing, and extend our heartfelt condolences to her children and loved ones. Margaret was, to be sure, one of the 20th Century’s fiercest advocates of freedom and free markets — a leader of rare character who carried high the banner of her convictions, and whose principles in the end helped shape a better, freer world. The personal grief we Bushes feel is compounded by the knowledge that America has lost one of the staunchest allies we have ever known; and yet we have confidence that her sterling record of accomplishment will inspire future generations. May God bless the memory of Margaret Thatcher.”

And from George W. Bush…

CONTINUE READING…

39 Predictions for 2013

Dec. 28 New Year's Predictions no comments

39 Bold New Predictions for the New Year from Our Delaware Valley Guest Contributor

Dan Cirucci | Cross-Posted at Dan Cirucci’s Blogspot

Christie and RubioLet’s get right to it.

With just days remaining in 2012, it’s time to look forward to the new year.

So, here’s our fearless forecast for 2013. We give you 39 (3 X 13) predictions for the new year:

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will easily be re-elected to a second term in a Garden State romp. This will well position Christie for a 2016 presidential run and slowly, many conservatives will forgive him what they perceive as transgressions and he will emerge as a formidable presidential contender.

Many will try to position Christie and Florida Senator Marco Rubio as the left and right of the party, respectively but both men will deny that, aim more for the middle and say they actually like each other.

The movie Silver Linings Playbook will emerge as the big sleeper in the Oscar race and will at the least garner a statuette for Jennifer Lawrence.

CONTINUE READING….

Strategy: Chris Christie’s Run for Re-Election, and Beyond

Nov. 27 Chris Christie, Election 2013, Election 2016 7 comments

Cross-Posted at Dan Cirucci’s Blogspot

As far as retaining his position as Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie couldn’t have arranged the stars any better even if he had the power to do so.

Record numbers of New Jerseyans now approve of the job he’s doing. In every poll, he’s scoring a solid thumbs-up of 60 to 70 percent or more. Even all those rabid Democrats in blue, blue Jersey say they like the job he’s doing.

And now a clear majority of voters say he deserves another term and polls show he easily outdistances his strongest (and some say most likely) opponent, Newark Mayor Cory Booker.
Yes, Hurricane Sandy handed Chris Christie an opportunity to do what he loves most and often does best: Take the reigns and lead. Wisely, even before the storm hit, he set himself and his administration up to get out in front of the crisis and remain there every step of the way. This is the first rule of crisis communication and Chris Christie followed it.

So, when the storm hit shore the Governor was already front-and-center and met the full impact with the sort of made-for-TV brio that Christie delivers best. With his everyday fleece parka, he became Chief Consoler, Mr. Fix-It and the neighborhood Go-To Guy all rolled into one. And on top of that he added Biggest Bridge-Builder and Champion of Bipartisanship.

Did he get a bit carried away at times? Of course he did. This is after all Chris Christie we’re talking about. Did he stray from gratefulness to gushiness during President Obama’s visit? Yep, that too. Was the crying over his long-sought (and finally granted) recognition by Bruce Springsteen onerously over-the top? Yes it was.

But, here’s the bottom line: In New Jersey, Chris Christie got the job done.

CONTINUE READING….

Obama Won Election By Less Than 334,000 Votes

Nov. 19 Election 2012 68 comments

Cross Posted at Dan Circucci’s Blogspot

What if I told you that Barack Obama was re-elected by less than 334,000 votes?
Sounds incredible, doesn’t it?

After all, Obama won by millions of popular votes, didn’t he?

And he pretty much won the electoral votes handily, yes?

And all that means that the Republican Party is pretty much finished, dead, kaput, right?

Well, you’d be surprised.

Because 333,000+ votes in four states actually handed Obama his victory.

Here’s how it stacks up:

According to still unofficial figures Romney lost New Hampshire by 40,659 votes, Ohio by 103,481, Virginia by 115,910 and Florida by 73,189. That’s 333,239 votes. That’s what made the difference in those four states. And those four states would have given Romney 64 additional electoral votes which added to the 206 he already won would have given him the 270 electoral votes he needed to become president. None of the rest of it matters.

It all came down to 333,239 votes (in four states) out of the more than 124 million votes cast nationwide. That shortfall represents less than .003 of the total vote. Less than three thousandth of the total! Less than one-third of one percent.

That’s how close this election was.

And the four states that I’ve cited are joust four of the states that were thisclose. There are others.

So, don’t let anybody tell you that the Democrats have a mandate or that the Republican Party is dead and finished.

NOTHING could be further from the truth. And the figures prove it.