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The Crusader For Parental Advisories

May. 24 Cultural Issues, First Amendment 11 comments

OPINION: Parent Advisories and Age Restrictions on Violent Video Games Don’t Violate the First Amendment

By Kristen Luciani | The Save Jersey Blog

Xbox ConsoleI can still remember seeing the chilling photos of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold on the news after they opened fire on the student body and faculty of Columbine High School back in 1999. People were shocked, saddened and looking for reasons why something like that could happen. Tragedies such as the Columbine and more recent Newtown massacres don’t stem from just one root cause; there are always a number of risk factors at play. But in the aftermath, people have a tendency to point fingers because they are terrified… and desperate for answers.

Was it possible that these disturbed gunmen were influenced by the video games they were playing or the music they were listening to on a regular basis?

After Columbine, I became obsessed about the required use of parental advisories on explicit music, video, and gaming content. I wrote impassioned letters to my local legislators, appealing to them to pass laws restricting the sale of explicit content to kids under 18, only to find out that the form letters I received in response were ambivalent, dismissive and sometimes not even about the topic I wrote them on!

We live in a world without filters…

CONTINUE READING….

You Can’t Spin This One, Mr. Carney

May. 16 Corruption, Foreign Policy, Libya 5 comments

By Kristen Luciani | The Save Jersey Blog

Jay Carney

The evil of the world is made possible by nothing but the sanction you give it.”

- Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

I think Jay Carney officially has the worst job in the country right now, Save Jerseyans.

I’d really hate to be him these days and I’m pretty sure he’d gratefully trade his post for a Save Jersey blogging slot if given the opportunity!

The September 12, 2012 attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi resulted in a senseless loss of American lives, lives that were there to serve our country and protect our interests. They sacrificed themselves for their country. But their government let them down.

Their government decided to ignore their pleas for more safety and security measures. Their government decided to delete logistical details that would have compromised its position and message to the American people after the attack. Their government betrayed them, their memory and the American public. We now, FINALLY, have proof of this, and it is very likely that more will emerge in the near future.

You just can’t spin this, Mr. Carney. No communications degree is going to help you out here.

CONTINUE READING….

More Trenton Irony Overload

May. 02 Big Labor 7 comments

Democrats Oppose Civil Service Changes Because They Could Lead to Corruption… IRONIC!?!?

By Kristen Luciani | The Save Jersey Blog

Trenton DomeI’m not a fan of unions, Save Jerseyans, so I’m definitely interested in seeing how Governor Christie’s proposed changes to the state civil service system are going to play out.

The proposed changes make sense, in that banding together like jobs and eliminating the need to take examinations to proceed through the ranks will result in cost savings for residents. But of course, the Democrats don’t like us messing with their territory (because it is primarily their territory). And heaven forbid we save the taxpayers of New Jersey some of their hard-earned cash. Not on their watches; not if they can help it.

According to Hetty Rosenstein, the Communication Workers of America’s New Jersey director, Christie’s proposal “unfairly rigs the rules so those who buy influence or enjoy special connections can get ahead.” She continued on to say that discrimination against minorities would ensue and the public would be harmed by the changes.

CONTINUE READING….

An Iron Man for Tough Times

Apr. 30 Big Government, National 3 comments

We Desperately Need Some Real Superheroes Down in Washington

By Kristen Luciani | The Save Jersey Blog

Iron Man 3For those of you who don’t follow the goings-on of the Marvel universe, this Friday marks the opening of the much-anticipated blockbuster Iron Man 3. I’ve seen the trailers, Save Jerseyans, and I have grudgingly read the critiques, most recently in this morning’s Star Ledger.

Allow me to provide you with a bit of background here, in the event you are not a fellow comic book enthusiast. Meet Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey Jr.) – inventor, industrial tycoon, bionic man and snarky (putting it very mildly) superhero all rolled up into one delicious package (my own personal take). After experiencing some recent traumatic turns, he decides to vacate the famed red and gold suit and operate it remotely, preserving himself and his sanity, so it would seem. In short, he becomes a shell of his former self. Or, at least that’s what the reviewer thinks.

Is it about self-preservation? Is it about shying away from the dangers that the suit represents? Is it all about selfishness and self-absorption?

At this point, I am not quite certain. But what I do know is that citizens are putting their trust in Tony Stark to defeat his villainous arch-enemy, the Mandarin, and whatever personal demons he is chasing need to take a backseat to his higher calling as a protectionist.

Consider the dealings of our elected officials in Washington. Now, they’re not exactly in the throws of hand-to-hand combat with a grandmaster martial artist who also serves as CEO of a corporation specializing in biochemical weaponry and the head of an international terror organization, but still….

CONTINUE READING….

Communicating a Vision for the Future

Apr. 12 Barbara Buono, Chris Christie, Election 2013 5 comments

Candidates, Businessmen Without a Vision of the Future Can’t Win the Future

By Kristen Luciani | The Save Jersey Blog

Chris Christie pointingLast week, I got a coupon in the mail from J.C. Penny for $10 off $25. A-ha! So did CEO Ron Johnson finally learn that offering merchandise at prices that had mark-downs already baked in was not the way to retain existing customers and attract new ones?

Seventeen months ago, expectations were high when Johnson took the helm of a company that needed some revitalization to improve customer perception of quality and expand the current customer base. Since he had such an impressive track record at Apple and successfully engineered their retail strategy, the hope was that he could do the same for J.C. Penny.

In short, Johnson’s “new and improved” sales strategy was bold, risky, but according to the consensus of pundits, also ill-advised, and his failure to rejuvenate the retailer can primarily be attributed to several remarkable missteps. Under his leadership, the company apparently made no effort to test market the new pricing structure, showed no loyalty to the traditional customer base, and didn’t pay heed to a historical operating model that had successfully contributed to profitability year after year. The company’s leadership was short-sighted, without a substantial vision or direction for J.C. Penny, aside from the initial pricing structure modifications.

CONTINUE READING….

NJGOP Runs at Corzine Dems

Apr. 03 Election 2013, State Assembly 13 comments

Attention Corzine Democrats: Come November, You’re FIRED!

By Kristen Luciani | The Save Jersey Blog

Larry WallaceOn Wednesday afternoon, Save Jerseyans, I made my maiden voyage to the heart of the political district in Trenton to support efforts of New Jersey Assembly hopefuls vying for a chance to take back control of the State Legislature this November.

Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick rallied around a number of candidates in front of the World War II Memorial on this very-chilly-if-you-are-not-wearing-an-appropriate-jacket afternoon, highlighting his commitment to ending the tenure of Corzine Democrats in Trenton and thus eliminating the philosophies that have been plaguing the livelihoods of residents over the past ten years.

Candidates representing the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 18th, 22nd and 27th legislative districts had an opportunity to deliver their own messages to prospective voters, each focusing on the personal principles, experiences and qualifications that they believe will enable them to further the efforts initiated by the Christie administration over the past several years.

We have a very real and immediate need for transformational change in our state legislative dealings, Save Jerseyans, and we, the people, are empowered to effect positive changes with our votes. Let’s choose to embrace the unique perspectives of this diverse slate of candidates and send them to Trenton where they can represent the best interests of our Garden State.

CONTINUE READING….

Federalism Reenters Abortion Debate

Mar. 28 Abortion, Cultural Issues 4 comments

Federal Versus State: Will North Dakota’s Abortion Laws Come Under the Supreme Court’s Scrutiny?

By Kristen Luciani | The Save Jersey Blog

unborn babyWith a simple stroke of his pen, Save Jerseyans, the Governor of North Dakota effectively challenged a forty-year old “fundamental right” granted to women residing in the United States, giving way to extreme controversy and plenty of legal wrangling.

The three laws signed by Governor Jack Dalrymple are now the most restrictive in the nation, the focal point being a ban on abortions after the initial detection of a fetal heartbeat, about six weeks following conception. The other two laws include prohibiting abortions that are executed solely for purposes of gender selection and avoidance of genetic abnormalities, as well as requiring that a physician performing abortions must be a staffer at a hospital. No longer will clinics be the location for such procedures.

Arkansas’s legislature actually enacted an abortion ban after twelve weeks post conception earlier this month, thereby making the North Dakota law the most stringent.

It goes without saying that activists are already challenging the legality of the North Dakota laws, and are seeking any way to have them blocked by court battle, if not overturned altogether.

CONTINUE READING….

Meet the LD18 Ticket

Mar. 25 Central Jersey, Dave Stahl, Election 2013, Middlesex County, State Assembly, State Senate 7 comments

Save Jersey Catches Up with LD18 GOP Slate at Middlesex County Convention

By Kristen Luciani | The Save Jersey Blog

This past weekend’s Middlesex GOP Convention was well-attended, Save Jerseyans, and Save Jersey had a chance to catch up with this year’s LD18 ticket: State Senate Candidate David Stahl and Assembly hopefuls Rob Bengivenga and Lisa Goldhamer.

They were also kind enough to answer a few questions for us…