Tea Parties are again being planned across the nation for July 3rd and 4th.. In NJ, Tea Parties are confirmed in Jackson, Margate, Middletown, Morristown, Newton, Ringwood, and Summit.

• Jackson: Juy 4th, 12 PM - 3PM. John F. Johnson Park.
• Margate: July 4th, 3PM- 5PM. Washington & Amherst Avenues.
• Middletown: July 4th, 11 AM - 1 PM. Arin Park Building, 1715 Highway 35.
• Morristown: July 4th, 10 AM -1 PM, On The Green at the center of Morristown.
• Newton: July 4th starting at 9:30 AM to Noon. Newton Square.
• Ringwood July 4th Parade: July 4th 9AM. North Monroe Street.
• Summit: July 3rd, from 3- 6. The Village Green (Maple and Broad Streets).

Originally published in 1896 by Frank R. Stockton (1834 - 1902). This was in reference to an event that occurred on December 22nd, 1774 in Greenwich Township, Cumberland County NJ.

At the time when the American colonists began to be restless under the rule of Great Britain, the people of New Jersey showed as strong a desire for independence as those of any other Colony, and they were by no means backward in submitting to any privations which might be necessary in order to assert their principles. As has been said before, the people were prosperous, and accustomed to good living, and it was not likely that there was any part of America in which a cup of well-flavored tea was better appreciated than in New Jersey.

One of the dumbest things I've seen lately is that the State of New Jersey has an "Interior Design Examination And Evaluation Committee" within the Department of Law and Public Safety. According to its Internet site, the "Committee is responsible for protecting the public's health and safety by determining the qualifications of interior designers seeking certification in this State, establishing standards for certification, and disciplining licensees who do adhere to those requirements."

Just for fun take the Authentic Libertarian Certification Exam. Be sure to read the directions first. Once done, if you are proud of your results post them in our forum. No cheating by doing research during the exam.

The exam is part of the Frederic Bastiat Interversity's Libertarian Certification Program developed by Michael Everling and Sam Wells.

Aside from perhaps the question answering itself, Fortune/CNN drills into the case of New Jersey, a state that makes California seem well-governed:

In June 2008 the state estimated that the plan - one of the nation's largest, covering teachers, state employees, firefighters, and police - had $34 billion less than it needed to meet its obligations. Since then the market value of the plan has dropped from $82 billion to $56 billion (a new estimate of underfunding is due in July).

Wha happen? [sic] The pension fund gambled on dot-com stocks, hedge funds, and other equity plays. The state cut contributions based on formulae that assumed such nonsense as an 8.75 percent annual return. Then, against that backdrop, this:

Meanwhile, the obligations keep mounting: Even while they were neglecting pension contributions, New Jersey politicians were sweetening the pot. In 2001 benefits for the state's two largest groups of workers, government employees and teachers, were increased by 9%, creating an additional $4.2 billion in liabilities. In 1999 the state approved a "20 and out" measure that allowed firefighters and local police to collect pensions equal to 50% of their pay after 20 years of service - a perk previously available only to the state police. Benefits added since 1999 have increased liabilities by more than $6.8 billion, according to official estimates.

Read the full article...

The officer's name is Joseph R. Rios, III. In 2008 he was paid $79,995. He has been on the force for six years. The Passiac Police Departments phone number is (973)365-3958. City Hall can be reached at (973)365-5500.

UPDATE: Officer Rios and his partner have both been suspended without pay. Officer Rios claims he did nothing wrong and that his actions were justified because Holloway became verbally abusive after being told to zip up his shirt. Is it surprising that someone would be "verbally abusive" after receiving uninvited fashion advice?

Today the NJ Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee voted to move A804 out of committee. The vote was 8 to 1, with 2 abstentions. The bill now moves to a vote before the state Assembly. Contact your State Assembly representatives and urge them to vote for this bill.

Listen to the testimony below.

This bill has come a long way. It a has already passed the State Senate, and Corzine has committed to signing it.