Photo by Margaret Schmidt/The Jersey Journal
My goal in writing this blog has always been to show New Jersey in a more positive light, compared to its dreadful reputation. By showing how New Jersey is better than other states, highlighting places of interest, and even finding the humor in the train wreck known as “Jersey Shore,” I hope that I have helped make people’s views of the state a little better. Sometimes, however, my mission is made much more difficult. No matter how great New Jersey can be, there are certain instances that ensure the state holds onto its status as the Armpit of America.
Take this story about a Jersey City pimp, running his business out of an apartment in Society Hill. As I know two people who live in that development, this story really hits close to home. Well, I guess it hits a lot closer to their home than mine.
Anyway, the pimp, who goes by the name “Prince,” was recently sentenced to 18 years in jail. His charges include kidnapping women, some as young as 17, and forcing them into prostitution. And what if one of those young ladies didn’t want to be a prostitute? Mr. Prince would tie her up to a bed and force her to take heroin until she became addicted. And the only way she could feed that addiction would be to sell herself and get the drug in return.
As if this story wasn’t crazy enough, Prince even had his mother in on the business. And his sister tried to defend him by claiming that he wasn’t a pimp at all. According to her, he ran a prostitution rehabilitation center, helping those girls get back into society. She also said how he bought one girl a computer, and now that former prostitute is working at a hospital in south Jersey. Remind me never to get sick in New Jersey’s nether region. (more…)
This past Friday, the world watched the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. You may be wondering why I would be talking about the Olympics on a blog about New Jersey. Well, not many people know this, but Jersey City actually made a bid to host the 1987 Summer Olympics. (Yes, I know there wasn’t an Olympics in 1987…but the good people of Jersey City didn’t know that.)
Anyway, I think the team in charge of the Vancouver opening ceremony did a great job of showcasing exactly what Canada is all about. Let’s face it, Canada is pretty much just an extra with no lines on the world stage. But the opening ceremony gave this perennial understudy the chance to shine.
Just like Australia did at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and the U.S. did at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, Canada paid tribute to its indigenous people at the opening ceremony. Although all three nations claim to take pride in honoring their native inhabitants, let’s get real. I don’t think these native Australians, Americans, and Canadians can forgive hundreds of years of oppression and neglect for the chance to dance around in feather headdresses in front of the world.
That being said, the native Canadian display was tasteful and entertaining. At least compared to other performances throughout the night. We watched several famous Canadian singers, like Sarah McLaughlin, Nelly Furtado, Bryan Adams, and some opera singer with a glittery afro. We also saw a rather odd performance by Mr. KD Lang. Although he has a soothing baritone and was wearing a stylish suit, they didn’t give him any close-ups. He must’ve forgotten to shave or something. (more…)
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