Picture This Bernie

If ever there were a case for cameras in the court room Bernie Madoff’s appearance in federal court on Thursday is it.

The main objection to having cameras has always been that cameras create a “circus” atmosphere in the court room. Bogus argument. Every judge that I’ve seen in every courtroom has run his or her court room with amazing precision and control. At the slightest hint of a “circus” most judges gavel things back to order.

Anyone take notice what it was like when Bernie ran the gauntlet of cameras, photogs, reporters and producers this morning?

Dead silence.

Not a word from anyone. The predictions from veteran court observers of their being a “real zoo” at Bernie’s appearance this morning was over-rated. If cameras were allowed inside, I am sure there would have been similar control by the media.

Now’s the time to revisit the cameras in the court room controversy. It’s time that our judicial system take a look at the calendar. It’s 2009 not 1809.

Bernie cheated thousands of people out of 50 or 60 billion dollars. It would have been great for his victims to be able to see him in front of a judge. It would have been gratifying for all his victims to see Bernie led out of the court room in handcuffs.

Instead we got to see just snippets of our judicial system at work. Bernie’s victims were ripped off twice. Once by Bernie and a second time by the antiquated and biased judicial rules against the news media and the public it serves.

stars of the state

Another star-studded event. The “Fire Bowl” at the Midtown Community School in Bayonne New Jersey. The Fire Bowl is a quiz show in which two teams of students answer questions about fire safety. The students were all winners. The team pictured here though, scored the most points, and they took home top honors.

Preparation for the Fire Bowl takes months of study by the teams. Questions go beyond the easy stuff like “how often do you change your batteries in your smoke detectors”. The contestants were great. Performed like real stars.

Hey. Don’t forget the teachers. They’re stars too. Someone had to motivate these guys away from TV and iPods. ( OK, I’m biased, my mother and grandmother were teachers. I know what dedication and patience it takes. )

Also in attendance, firefighters. The guys who rush into burning buildings, face searing heat, suck in clouds of smoke and somehow they keep their cool. When all is crashing around them they manage to pull people out of burning buildings and save lives. Stars. Each and every one.

I was honored to be the moderator of this event. (Tried my best but Alex Trebec’s and Pat Sajak’s careers are safe). Everyone there seemed very appreciative. Treated me like a star and even gave me an award, which has some stars on it as well. (That’s me on the right, along with The State Fire Marshal, Larry Petrillo who puts the whole thing together.)

Look closely though at the award. It’s right there in upper left hand corner, the part that looks like a flag. Count the stars in each row. Now write down the numbers.

Three. Four. Three. Three-hundred-fourty-three. That’s a special number in New Jersey and something that wasn’t a question in the Fire Bowl.

It’s the number of firefighters who lost their lives during 9-11 at the World Trade Center. The award is in my office. Every time I see it, I focus on the stars and what they represent. Everyone at the Fire Bowl learned a lot about fire safety, but they also learned that a career in fire fighting means answering the call no matter what the cost. It’s something for which we are all very grateful.

So, what do the stars mean? Maybe that’s a great bonus for next year’s Fire Bowl.

backstage with the boss

If you’re from New Jersey, you’ve probably heard all those cracks about the Garden State. (Hey, truth be told, I’ve made a few myself, but only in self defense.)

Sunday night, backstage at The New Jersey Performing Arts Center, I found the answer as to why we’re the punch-line of so many jokes.

Straphangers Unite

There are a ton of people who tell me they ride the subway every day with me. Of course they’re referring to the subway ads that are on certain cars.

The ads have Brenda and me reminding viewers about My9 News at Ten. I think it’s better than having your face plastered on a bus.

Hug a Newsman

Well now. Mark your calendars for this one. I am giving you ample notice. Tomorrow is “Hug a Newsman Day”.

A thorough search…5 minute Google…revealed the following:

Hug a Newsman Day gives you the opportunity to give a great, big hug to your local news person. C’mon, admit it. You’ve watched your cute newsman day in and day out. You’ve always told your self if you ever see him, you would give him a great, big hug. Well, today is your opportunity. Any questions on how to celebrate this day? Important note: Today is also a day to hug a news “woman”. They wouldn’t want to be left out of this very special day.

So to observe this rather obscure holiday The Grand Central Oyster Bar, In New York City will be paying tribute to the news media with a [sic] hors d’eorves and cocktail reception on Friday night, April 4, 2008 from 6:00 to7:30 PM.

Oyster Bar General Manager Mike Garvey and Executive Chef Sandy Ingber and Cirillo World are inviting everyone. John Cirillo emphasizes that they’re going to have a few professional “huggers” (both male and female) to engage in a group hug. The celebration includes print and broadcast media. Now what could be better.

How many anchormen does it take to…?

Ok. It’s an old joke. Great for April 1st. How many anchormen does it take to change a light-bulb? The answer in just a moment, or maybe you can figure it out from the picture. But first this: