I guess the bad economy has now pushed people into committing small crimes to get by. Have you noticed that, in the last couple of weeks we've had a bunch of thefts? $3K stolen from WaWa, gas station robberies, vinyl siding stolen, even a couple of kegs of beer heisted from a local bar/restaurant.
It's distressing, but not really surprising. Every time the economy gets bad, these sorts of crimes seem to escalate. The police can't do too much to stop it...a lot of these are "crimes of opportunity," where somebody sees something that's easy to swipe and goes for it.
The real fix for this (beyond teaching people basic values -- but that's another story) is to get this economy going again. Let's get people employed.....give 'em a paycheck so that they can dig out of debt and pay their bills. A good thing we can all do to help is to support our local businesses. Instead of buying online, go to a local store and buy what you need. Money going into our local economy will stimulate jobs, create tax revenue, and take some of the pressure off people that are living on the edge.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Below 40? Anybody Home?
Ok...this is an "age-related" post, so for some disclosure...Riverguy is older than 40.
Now, here goes: Riverguy is worried about the future. Look at what's going on: war and unrest in the Mid-East; natural disaster and reactor meltdowns in a perfect toxic storm...and the likelihood of hyper-inflation, double-dip recession, and potential financial collapse.
The sad truth is that the future is looking dim for young people growing up in this country. Their good times are about to crash and burn. And what it their reaction? Are they marching in the streets (NO..ironically that's left to the "old people" of the Tea Party). Are they politically active? Forget it...the truth is....they don't know what's happening, because they aren't paying attention. They're spending their time watching Comedy Central, Jersey Shore, playing video games, texting their friends etc.
When I go to the gym to run on the treadmill (which has a TV screen), I notice I'm the only one watching the news. I see all the younger members watching all of the mass-market fluff TV. Yeah kids, news is "boring" -- but important.
Wake up and smell the coffee....pay attention! What you don't know, can hurt you. Your future is at stake...its time for you to realize what's going on, and take part in trying to fix it. After all, for us older folks, our best years are behind us....for you under-40 people, the quality of your lives is in serious jeopardy!
Now, here goes: Riverguy is worried about the future. Look at what's going on: war and unrest in the Mid-East; natural disaster and reactor meltdowns in a perfect toxic storm...and the likelihood of hyper-inflation, double-dip recession, and potential financial collapse.
The sad truth is that the future is looking dim for young people growing up in this country. Their good times are about to crash and burn. And what it their reaction? Are they marching in the streets (NO..ironically that's left to the "old people" of the Tea Party). Are they politically active? Forget it...the truth is....they don't know what's happening, because they aren't paying attention. They're spending their time watching Comedy Central, Jersey Shore, playing video games, texting their friends etc.
When I go to the gym to run on the treadmill (which has a TV screen), I notice I'm the only one watching the news. I see all the younger members watching all of the mass-market fluff TV. Yeah kids, news is "boring" -- but important.
Wake up and smell the coffee....pay attention! What you don't know, can hurt you. Your future is at stake...its time for you to realize what's going on, and take part in trying to fix it. After all, for us older folks, our best years are behind us....for you under-40 people, the quality of your lives is in serious jeopardy!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Nuke Plant in Our Backyard - Should We Worry?
Riverguy can't help but think about Oyster Creek, in light of the continuing nuclear crisis now happening in Japan. Our local plant is the oldest in the country, and many folks think that fact alone is cause for worry. And here we sit, a scant 8 to 10 miles away.
I know we need to power and the jobs that the plant brings, but this would be a great time to take a second look at the safety issues of the plant. The problems in Japan will heighten public awareness, and that is a good thing. We need to hold plant officials and workers to a high degree of accountability, since our homes and very lives depend on the safe operation of the plant.
Remember some years ago when the iodine pills were passed out? I imagine most of us have lost them by now, or even if we have them, they're probably expired by now and wouldn't work anyway. Its time to once again look at our "emergency kits." Do you have one? Riverguy only know one or two people that do. This is foolish. Think about it -- with the weather patterns becoming more extreme, the continuing threat of terrorism, and god-forbid a problem at the plant -- we really should have some supplies on standby.
So...Riverguy is going to worry a little bit about all of this, and gather some emergency items. Better to be prepared. How about you?
I know we need to power and the jobs that the plant brings, but this would be a great time to take a second look at the safety issues of the plant. The problems in Japan will heighten public awareness, and that is a good thing. We need to hold plant officials and workers to a high degree of accountability, since our homes and very lives depend on the safe operation of the plant.
Remember some years ago when the iodine pills were passed out? I imagine most of us have lost them by now, or even if we have them, they're probably expired by now and wouldn't work anyway. Its time to once again look at our "emergency kits." Do you have one? Riverguy only know one or two people that do. This is foolish. Think about it -- with the weather patterns becoming more extreme, the continuing threat of terrorism, and god-forbid a problem at the plant -- we really should have some supplies on standby.
So...Riverguy is going to worry a little bit about all of this, and gather some emergency items. Better to be prepared. How about you?
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Toms River Now
More and more, people just don't want to read "news" -- news is about what happened in the recent past-- but most often we want to know what is going on right NOW. Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking programs have made this possible, and we're getting used to real-time information.
That's why you should check out "Toms River Now, " a single web page that lists "Tweets" (Twitter messages) that contain info about Toms River, Ocean County, and the Jersey Shore. You don't have to have a Twitter account to view these messages...everything is on a regular web page: Toms River Now.
You never know what you're going to find. You see messages about current traffic tie-ups, accidents, weather, jobs, real estate, personal snippets. Note that you may see some foul language -- whatever Twitter allows can be shown here. The Jersey Shore messages are especially snarky and sexy, because many of them are about MTV's "Jersey Shore" show. So...yes, you will see some junk messages, or messages that don't make sense, but will also see the occasional post of something happening at the moment that is important. And it is fun to see what is on people's mind, even when its not ready for prime-time.
That's why you should check out "Toms River Now, " a single web page that lists "Tweets" (Twitter messages) that contain info about Toms River, Ocean County, and the Jersey Shore. You don't have to have a Twitter account to view these messages...everything is on a regular web page: Toms River Now.
You never know what you're going to find. You see messages about current traffic tie-ups, accidents, weather, jobs, real estate, personal snippets. Note that you may see some foul language -- whatever Twitter allows can be shown here. The Jersey Shore messages are especially snarky and sexy, because many of them are about MTV's "Jersey Shore" show. So...yes, you will see some junk messages, or messages that don't make sense, but will also see the occasional post of something happening at the moment that is important. And it is fun to see what is on people's mind, even when its not ready for prime-time.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
SuperMarket Thoughts....
Once a week, Riverguy and RiverLady go to do our grocery shopping at Stop and Shop on Rt. 37. Now, I'm not writing this as a commercial for S & S, but I do want to mention something that I see as a real positive there. Every time we go in, we see the same folks working there...at the bakery, the deli, the fish counter, meats, check out, customer service...etc. A lot of them have worked there for many years. Over time you get to know them, and if you are a regular customer, they get to know you. It feels good to be helped by someone you've come to know and trust. This is what helps make up a community -- knowing and trusting who you are dealing with as you go about your daily life.
Daily life has changed drastically for many of us --- we relate to each other more often by tweets, texts, and Facebook posts. In this age of instant electronic communication, its worth remembering that face-to-face interaction adds positive value, both in ways you can measure, and in some ways that you can't.
Daily life has changed drastically for many of us --- we relate to each other more often by tweets, texts, and Facebook posts. In this age of instant electronic communication, its worth remembering that face-to-face interaction adds positive value, both in ways you can measure, and in some ways that you can't.
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