Fresh Jersey

Bernie Madoff, federal prisoner

As a general news columnist, I find myself bouncing between a wide variety of news events.  Last week, at the Bergen County courthouse, I watched 30 high school students mutter “not guilty” pleas in the prom bus drinking case.   Yesterday, at federal court in Manhattan, I watch Bernie Madoff attempt to apologize before a judge sent him to prison for 150 years. Is the sentence too harsh?  At 150 years, maybe harsh is not the right description.   Madoff deserved a life sentence, and 150 years – while seemingly absurd for a 71-year-old man – guarantees that he will probably never experience freedom again.

But the deeper story with Madoff’s sentencing – and, to some degree, with the prom bus case – is the question of sincerity.   What is the correct way to be sincere in court?    As long as I’ve been working as a columnist, I’ve found that courtroom sincerity is rare among defendants.  

 

 

Watching Iran from afar

This is a local blog, based in New Jersey. But who can ignore what is happening on the streets of Iran?  At issue is something that residents of New Jersey have seen on their own turf.  An election was rigged.  Only in the case of Iran, this was no small election -- it was for the nation's leader.   And now we are watching as people take to the streets to protect.   It's the kind of activity that we take for granted here.  In Iran, speaking your mind in public -- on the streets, no less -- is considered radical.   As we approach our nation's birthday on July 4, may we be more aware of how lucky we are. 

On WOR radio with John Gambling: Talking about the Real Housewives

Yes, I confess:  I not only watched "Real Housewives of New Jersey," but I went on the radio with WOR's John Gambling to talk about it.  To listen to an MP3 of our discussion, please click here:  Download WOR Morning Show 051809

On WOR radio Monday morning

Tune in to WOR radio (710 - AM) at 6:40 a.m. to listen to me on the John Gambling show.  John and I plan to talk about a variety of Jersey-related subjects, from the upcoming governor's race to the ridiculous TV show, "Real Housewives of New Jersey."   If you can't tune in, I'll try to post an MP3 recording of the interview sometime on Monday.

Real New Jersey

Okay, I confess:  I actually watched the first episode of the "Real Housewives of New Jersey,"  the alleged reality show now playing on TV.  (I won't divulge the network. I don't want any more free publicity for this junk.)  

The show is a joke -- and worse than anything I predicted.  Think of bad actresses trying to act tough, sexy, and interesting.  Now think of a demolition derby, bumper car race.  Get the picture?

This ridiculous image of New Jersey was broadcast the same day that the Pentagon announced that a 25-year-old U.S. soldier from Paterson, Sergeant Christian Bueno Galdos, was among those killed by another soldier at a Baghdad mental health clinic.  I visited the Bueno Galdos home and wrote about the family in today's column.  The reality I saw there was far more human, far more real than the ridiculous "Real Housewives of New Jersey."   If only we would pay more attention to families like Bueno Galdos, not those depicted in "Real Housewives." 

"For Pete's Sake" -- a play in one act

Today's columndealt with the sensitive and mysterious -- and often incomprehensible -- subject of sex abuse by Roman Catholic priests.   The central figure in today's column, Joe Capozzi, grew up in Ridgefield and was abused for a decade by a priest who befriended his family.  Capozzi, 40 and an actor, has written a compelling play about his experience.  If you would like to see the play, here is some information from Capozzi about an upcoming performance here in New Jersey.

Joe Capozzi will present a reading of his one-act play, “For Pete’s Sake”, on Saturday afternoon/evening, June 20^th, 2009, at 5:00 PM at Grace Lutheran Church, 65 East Main Street, Mendham, New Jersey (next door to Mendham High School).  You are asked to donate $20.00 for a single ticket.  Proceeds will benefit “Road to Recovery, Inc.”, the organization Joe credits for helping save his life.

There are only 240 seats available in Grace Lutheran Church, so please reserve your seats early.  For ticket reservations, please e-mail Bob Hoatson at rmhoatson1@msn.com or phone 862-368-2800.

Dingbats of New Jersey

Yes, this is true -- a TV program called "Real Housewives of New Jersey" is ...well....really happening.  I wrote about this foolishness in Sunday's column, but I'd like to suggest something else:  Can we have some outrage from regular New Jersey women?  

The women presented in the "Real Housewives"  are about as real as $3 bills.  Yes, they will try to present themselves as (1) just having fun with the TV show and (2) having a good time. But let's be serious:  This show is grounded in conspicuous consumption and frivolity.   Did feminism pass these women by?  

You don't need to be a radical feminist to be outraged by this show.  So where is the outrage?

On WNYC with Brian Lehrer

WNYC's Brian Lehrer, one of the region's best radio interviewers, invited me on the air today to talk about the revenue shortfall in the New Jersey state budget.  WNYC's political correspondent Bob Henneley joined us.  To listen to the discussion, please click this link:   Download Bl050709apod

Can we put some lipstick on this pig?

Okay, so I know we all need our cell phones.  And that means we need our cell phone towers.  But take a look at this photo of a new cell phone tower in Teaneck -- overhanging Route 4 -- and tell me why we need this kind of ugliness on our landscape.

I wrote about the tower a few weeks back in my column, paying close attention to the attempt by the tower designer to try to make this tower look like a tree .... or, as I put it, a giant mascara brush for Godzilla's wife.  The green plastic "branches" were supposed to hide the cell phone receptors.  But now look?   Nothing is hidden. 

Will somebody fix this? 

Edgar Smith: No parole for 15 years

Many long-time residents of Bergen County remember Edgar Smith.  His brutal 1957 murder of a Ramsey cheerleader seemed to tear off the bucolic facade of North Jersey.  Suddenly, in this green and seemingly peaceful landscape, a terrible murder had taken place.

Smith, now 75, was denied parole last week by California parole officials.  He will not be allowed to reapply for parole for another 15 years, thus giving him the death sentence that many back here in New Jersey thought he deserved. 

Smith was actually sentenced to death by a N.J. judge. But after 14 years on death row here in the Garden State, he found himself a free man.  First a judge threw out his original murder confession. Then, Smith pleaded guilty to 2nd degree murder and was released based on his time served.

Five years later, he was arrested in California for kidnapping a woman at knife-point.  A court sentenced him to life behind bars -- and that seems to be where he will remain.