by Assemblyman Joseph J. Roberts Jr.
The diagnosis can be the most devastating, overwhelmng, and confounding words a parent mught ever hear: "Your child has autism." In an instant, all of a parent's joyous dreams are brutually crushed; the child's prospects for a normal life are virtually extinguished. The child is in a neurologically compromised world, exhibiting poor eye contact, diminished communication skills, and peculiar repetitive behaviors. The body is there, but the inner soul has vanished because the child's mind has gone haywire.
Addressing Private Sorrows: A Plan to Meet the Challenges of Rising Autism Rates and More Adults with Autism
A Look at the New Jersey Pension System
by Daniel Strachman
The threshold for jaw-dropping news out of Trenton has long been high. But the recent revelation that New Jersey's contribution to its atate pension fund could have been as high as $551 million or as little as nothing was astounding. True, New Jersey always ranks at or near the top of the list of wealthy states. But even here, a half billion dollars is more than a rounding error.
The threshold for jaw-dropping news out of Trenton has long been high. But the recent revelation that New Jersey's contribution to its atate pension fund could have been as high as $551 million or as little as nothing was astounding. True, New Jersey always ranks at or near the top of the list of wealthy states. But even here, a half billion dollars is more than a rounding error.
Gender, Journalists and Access to the Administration: Anne O’Hare McCormick, Arthur Krock and Franklin D. Roosevelt
by Karen Dearlove
In a speech delivered at the National Republican Club in January 1935, Arthur Krock, a New York Times political columnist and chief of the Times' Washington bureau accused the Roosevelt administration "of more ruthlessness, intelligence and subtlety in trying to suppress legitimate, unfavorable comment than any other I have known." Two years later in the midst of Roosevelt's battle to reform the Supreme Court, FDR approached Krock and granted hm an exclusive interview. The article presented Roosevelt's justification for reform of the Supreme Court and denounced any plans for a third term.
In a speech delivered at the National Republican Club in January 1935, Arthur Krock, a New York Times political columnist and chief of the Times' Washington bureau accused the Roosevelt administration "of more ruthlessness, intelligence and subtlety in trying to suppress legitimate, unfavorable comment than any other I have known." Two years later in the midst of Roosevelt's battle to reform the Supreme Court, FDR approached Krock and granted hm an exclusive interview. The article presented Roosevelt's justification for reform of the Supreme Court and denounced any plans for a third term.
New Jersey’s Pols: Backing the Wrong Horses?
by Michael Shapiro
Officials of both political parties should have learned a lesson from 2004 when key Democratic politicians, including Governor Jim McGreevey, jumped on board with Governor Howard Dean, only to see Dean implode soon thereafter, leaving them with little influence over Senator John Kerry, the eventual Democratic nominee. Apparently, those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it. Approximately one month ago, a long line of Republican officials publicly announced their support for Rudy Guliani for President. Recently, a significant contingent of Democratic officials, including Governor Corzine, publicly backed Senator Hillary Clinton for President. Both groups of elected officials will find themselves on the outside looking in should the political winds afoot blow in an unexpected but likely direction.
Officials of both political parties should have learned a lesson from 2004 when key Democratic politicians, including Governor Jim McGreevey, jumped on board with Governor Howard Dean, only to see Dean implode soon thereafter, leaving them with little influence over Senator John Kerry, the eventual Democratic nominee. Apparently, those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it. Approximately one month ago, a long line of Republican officials publicly announced their support for Rudy Guliani for President. Recently, a significant contingent of Democratic officials, including Governor Corzine, publicly backed Senator Hillary Clinton for President. Both groups of elected officials will find themselves on the outside looking in should the political winds afoot blow in an unexpected but likely direction.
The Corzine Accident: How the Tone of the Story Changed
by Richard Lee
Press conferences generally fall into two categories. Some are planned- to announce a new program or appointment, to make a milestone for an organization or individual, or just to ceremoniously cut a ribbon or sign a bill into law. In the days leading up to these press conferences, there is time to draft and coordinate the participants' remarks, to provide them with background material and details they need to answer reporters' questions, and most importantly to identify a theme and craft the message you want to deliver.
Press conferences generally fall into two categories. Some are planned- to announce a new program or appointment, to make a milestone for an organization or individual, or just to ceremoniously cut a ribbon or sign a bill into law. In the days leading up to these press conferences, there is time to draft and coordinate the participants' remarks, to provide them with background material and details they need to answer reporters' questions, and most importantly to identify a theme and craft the message you want to deliver.
Living and Dying at Virginia Tech
by Michael Riccards
As a former college president at three different institutions, I was extremely sympathetic watching the president at Virigina Tech as he dealt with the press after the terrible slaughter on his beautiful, bucolic cmapus. The death of so many men and women cannot help but trouble us so profoundly and so sadly. Fueled by the cable media as usually, the aggressive reporters, though expecially from MSNBC and FOX, pounded away, trying to find a villian besides the obvious one.
As a former college president at three different institutions, I was extremely sympathetic watching the president at Virigina Tech as he dealt with the press after the terrible slaughter on his beautiful, bucolic cmapus. The death of so many men and women cannot help but trouble us so profoundly and so sadly. Fueled by the cable media as usually, the aggressive reporters, though expecially from MSNBC and FOX, pounded away, trying to find a villian besides the obvious one.
Eminent Domain Laws Need Reform
by Hank Butehorn
It has been almost two years since the United States Supreme Court issued the ridiculous Kelo v New London decision in which the liberal Justices rewrote the United States Constitution, and redefined eminent domain. They held that government could take your home and give it to someone else for what they perceived as a more beneficial use of the property (by way of - for example - increased tax ratables or economic development, even if the property was not blighted).
It has been almost two years since the United States Supreme Court issued the ridiculous Kelo v New London decision in which the liberal Justices rewrote the United States Constitution, and redefined eminent domain. They held that government could take your home and give it to someone else for what they perceived as a more beneficial use of the property (by way of - for example - increased tax ratables or economic development, even if the property was not blighted).
Negroes Are Different in Dixie: The Press, Perception, and Negro League Baseball in the Jim Crow South, 1932
by Thomas Aiello
“Only in a Negro newspaper can a complete coverage of ALL news effecting or involving Negroes be found,” argued a Southern Newspaper Syndicate advertisement. “The good that Negroes do is published in addition to the bad, for only by printing everything fit to read can a correct impression of the Negroes in any community be found.”[i]
[i] Atlanta World, 5 January 1932, 6.
[i] Atlanta World, 5 January 1932, 6.
Ethical First Step: Ban Double Dipping
by Thurman Hart
The pending trial of Wayne Bryant can be a cautionary tale in many ways. If he is convicted, then he will simply take a number at the bottom of a long list of politicians who have given in to the systematic temptation of politics and greed in the Garden State. And it is systematic. If it were simply a matter of a few “bad apples”; then the situation would long ago have been brought to heel. It’s long past time to realize that our political system actually encourages corruption – and then to make some realistic changes to that system. A simple change that could go far to straighten out Jersey politics is to move to full-time government at all levels.
The pending trial of Wayne Bryant can be a cautionary tale in many ways. If he is convicted, then he will simply take a number at the bottom of a long list of politicians who have given in to the systematic temptation of politics and greed in the Garden State. And it is systematic. If it were simply a matter of a few “bad apples”; then the situation would long ago have been brought to heel. It’s long past time to realize that our political system actually encourages corruption – and then to make some realistic changes to that system. A simple change that could go far to straighten out Jersey politics is to move to full-time government at all levels.
Should Hillary Venture into Bergen County before the Primary?
by Michael Shapiro
In March 2003, at the invitation of then-Councilman Michael Wildes (D-Englewood), Senator Hillary Clinton attended and spoke at a free reception that was open to the public at the Radisson Hotel in Englewood. Councilman Wildes also organized a private reception before the event that netted approximately $50,000 for the Senator from New York. Given the contentious Bergen County primary between State Senator Loretta Weinberg and Mayor Wildes and their respective Assembly slates in the 37th District, will Senator Clinton repay the previous support of Mr. Wildes with a public boost to Wildes and his team during the Primary campaign?
In March 2003, at the invitation of then-Councilman Michael Wildes (D-Englewood), Senator Hillary Clinton attended and spoke at a free reception that was open to the public at the Radisson Hotel in Englewood. Councilman Wildes also organized a private reception before the event that netted approximately $50,000 for the Senator from New York. Given the contentious Bergen County primary between State Senator Loretta Weinberg and Mayor Wildes and their respective Assembly slates in the 37th District, will Senator Clinton repay the previous support of Mr. Wildes with a public boost to Wildes and his team during the Primary campaign?
Can We Break the Logjam?
The state of political and governmental ethics in New Jersey — the ability of our public servants to carry out their civic duties in a morally responsible fashion — is, to put it mildly, a sad one. Several high-profile elected officials have recently been charged with public corruption. The legislature appears constitutionally unable to deal with the issue. The press continues to have a field day reinforcing the image of New Jersey as “the corruption state.”
Recognizing the Armenian Genocide
by U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.
April 24th marks the 92nd anniversary of the first genocide of the 20th Century. From 1915 until 1923 the Ottoman Empire tortured and killed 1.5 million Armenians and forced over 500,000 from their homeland into exile. These facts are undisputable, but, to this day, the U.S. Congress has never properly recognized the Armenian Genocide.
April 24th marks the 92nd anniversary of the first genocide of the 20th Century. From 1915 until 1923 the Ottoman Empire tortured and killed 1.5 million Armenians and forced over 500,000 from their homeland into exile. These facts are undisputable, but, to this day, the U.S. Congress has never properly recognized the Armenian Genocide.
Never Again or Never Mind?
by Damian M. Bednarz
Following the aftermath of WWII and the unearthing of Nazi war crimes across Europe, the world stood as one and declared “never again”. The vast systematic killing that took place required its own word and chapter in history. Unfortunately, today’s leaders do more to evoke the spirit of “liberation” or threat of “axis” than face the reality of “genocide”.
Following the aftermath of WWII and the unearthing of Nazi war crimes across Europe, the world stood as one and declared “never again”. The vast systematic killing that took place required its own word and chapter in history. Unfortunately, today’s leaders do more to evoke the spirit of “liberation” or threat of “axis” than face the reality of “genocide”.
The United States Supreme Court and The Future of Disability Policy
by Sal Pizzuro
John Roberts took his seat as the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court on September 28, 2005, replacing William Rehnquist. Roberts considered John Marshall to have been the greatest Chief Justice, and he sought to emulate him. Roberts believed that Marshall was a good listener who liked all the associate justices and sought to have all the members of the Court serve as important players in the decision making process; Roberts was determined to do the same.
John Roberts took his seat as the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court on September 28, 2005, replacing William Rehnquist. Roberts considered John Marshall to have been the greatest Chief Justice, and he sought to emulate him. Roberts believed that Marshall was a good listener who liked all the associate justices and sought to have all the members of the Court serve as important players in the decision making process; Roberts was determined to do the same.
The Democratic Party and Women in Politics
by Michael Shapiro
Fifty years ago, women would typically vote for the candidates their husbands voted for or would not vote at all. Times have thankfully changed and women now have a significant role in campaigns and elections. Whether it be the soccer moms of the 1990's or the security moms post-9/11, the role of women in politics has taken on greater importance, especially in the last decade. As a significant voting block, women have become critical to the election hopes of any politician. However, the number of women serving in elected office continues to be dwarfed by the number of men who serve. In New Jersey, on the Republican side of the aisle, something is being done to address this problem: the Christine Todd Whitman Excellence in Public Service Series. Unfortunately, the Democratic Party currently has no comparable program.
Fifty years ago, women would typically vote for the candidates their husbands voted for or would not vote at all. Times have thankfully changed and women now have a significant role in campaigns and elections. Whether it be the soccer moms of the 1990's or the security moms post-9/11, the role of women in politics has taken on greater importance, especially in the last decade. As a significant voting block, women have become critical to the election hopes of any politician. However, the number of women serving in elected office continues to be dwarfed by the number of men who serve. In New Jersey, on the Republican side of the aisle, something is being done to address this problem: the Christine Todd Whitman Excellence in Public Service Series. Unfortunately, the Democratic Party currently has no comparable program.
New Jersey and the Census
by Fred Waring
New Jersey has a genuine opportunity to change a Census Bureau residence rule that directly and unfairly discriminates against the state. The opportunity comes as a result of a 2006 National Academy of Science report (Once, Only Once and in the Right Place) that made a withering assessment of the existing Census Bureau rules for determining residence. The rule that adversely affects New Jersey mandates that college students living away from home must be counted as residents of the state and municipality where their college is located rather than at their parent’s home.
New Jersey has a genuine opportunity to change a Census Bureau residence rule that directly and unfairly discriminates against the state. The opportunity comes as a result of a 2006 National Academy of Science report (Once, Only Once and in the Right Place) that made a withering assessment of the existing Census Bureau rules for determining residence. The rule that adversely affects New Jersey mandates that college students living away from home must be counted as residents of the state and municipality where their college is located rather than at their parent’s home.
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