That's right. Last week, we went to see Billy Joel at MSG. It was a pretty good show (Billy was more excited to be performing than the Eagles but not as excited as Queen or David Bowie)... except for the highly sloshed couple next to us who eventually lit up some herbal enjoyment. Unfortunately, that didn't temper their enthusiasm, especially the gal's. The Long Island housefrau (I know she's from the Island because she only howled when Billy Joel mentioned it versus NY in general and NJ) swayed with her cup o' $7 beer, punched the air, and danced like Cheri Oteri on crack. She'd turn toward the crowd behind her and "lead" them in singing the chorus, getting mad when they ignored her.
Anyways, this concert completes our initial list of "People to see before they die" ... So what next?
We gathered our thoughts over some grub at the Mountain View Diner and this is what we came up with. In no particular order... Madonna, Duran Duran, Pretenders, KISS, Tom Petty, John Mellancamp, AC/DC, Styx, Dennis DeYoung, Journey, BB King, Les Paul, Carole King, David Gilmore, Roger Waters, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynn, Beaver Brown Band, Brian Setzer, Rush, Peter Gabriel, GWAR, Moby, Ozzy Osborne, Blind Boys of Alabama, Motley Crue, Loreena McKennitt, Tom Waits, Robbie Robertson, Jethro Tull, Steely Dan, Joe Jackson, Spinal Tap, Green Day, Arlo Guthrie, U2, Beastie Boys, Neil Young, Iggy Pop, Plant and Page, Pearl Jam, REM, Dire Straits, Kinks. Not sure about Neil Diamond anymore (saw some disturbing video footage of him)
Are we missing someone? Let me know.
As many of you might already know, my little brother wrote an article for the Spring 2005 Rutgers Law Review, entitled "The New Star Chamber: The New Jersey Family Court and the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act". It was inspired by his client whose life has been thrown in the dumpster because of deliberate and indeliberate abuse of the Act. Well, he was requested to write a little op/ed piece in the NJ Law Journal which was printed on February 13, 2006. You can read it here. It's also been getting some nice buzz around the nation's capital.
The article discusses several problems with the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act including the unconstitutionality involving the PDVA. The act treats the defendent (usually the husband) as guilty until proven innocent. Many judges are likely to approve temporary restraining orders (TRO) without thought ( David Letterman sure wasn't happy about that last year!) since they don't want to be "the judge who let the bad guy go." This freezes the defendant's bank account, kicks them out of their house, and more... it leads to the destruction of a defendant's relationship with his children, the worst possible consequence of a restraining order.
The defendant only has 10 days to prepare a defense against a charge of domestic violence (they usually are not adequately informed of the rights that are at stake and so even if they had enough time...), resulting in the final restraining order. In addition, the defendant is denied a right to trial by jury. And so the verdict is brought down by a family court judge who often has political pressures to choose "guilty."
There's alot more to the article so you should really read it, and pass it on to your friends... I know that lawyers have this reputation for being scumbags but my brother is really trying to make a difference. I love that.
"New Jersey: Come See for Yourself" was voted as NJ's new official slogan. I voted for it myself (although my..."NJ Makes Me Smile" idea is STILL better). But does it really reflect Jersey's attitude? The Marks at Weird NJ don't think so...
That's why you can vote for the official Weird New Jersey slogan. After signing up for the message board, you can choose from several different topics:
1. Corruption
New Jersey: Need a helping hand? How about a finger?
Visit New Jersey. It Would Be a Shame If Something Were To Happen To Your Mother, So Just F#$@ing Visit!
New Jersey: Hey, we didn't see nuthin'.
New Jersey: Now youse CAN'T leave!
New Jersey: Where everyone's connected.
2. Pollution
Welcome to New Jersey, Where There's a Rainbow in Every Puddle!
New Jersey: Where You Get All Your Minerals In One Breath.
New Jersey will take your breath away!
NJ- Smell Perth Amboy and Die Happy!
It's the smell of progress.
3. Pride
New Jersey says: "Get your ass over here now!
My way or the Pulaski Sky Way!
New Jersey: The Only Place in America That Can Say "Jersey" Without a Stupid Accent
Our Girls Are So Hot, You Won't Even Mind Their Mustaches... New Jersey
New Jersey: Keeping New Yorkers out of PA since 1776.
4. Traffic
New Jersey: Where we let you in for free, but have to pay to leave.
New Jersey: Car horn is our second language.
New Jersey-Born to Run...You Over.
New Jersey: Just try and navigate our traffic circles.
Get off the friggin' road. Can't you see I'm drivin here?
5. General Weirdness
New Jersey: the Hindenburg was just the beginning…
New Jersey: where the Martians landed.
NJ: Depot For the Mother Ship.
NJ-Where the skeletons in your closet are real.
Weird NJ: Our ham came from the chicken that came from the egg that came from the chicken that came from the egg.
So do your patriotic duty and vote!!
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