MICHAEL AGOSTA FOR CONGRESS

For Immediate Release
May 4, 2010

STATEMENT: TIMES SQUARE BOMB ATTEMPT SHOWS THAT NATIONAL SECURITY STILL A MAJOR CONCERN

Fair Lawn, NJ – Reacting to the arrest of Faisal Shahzad, a suspect in the Times Square attempted car bombing, Congressional Candidate, retired Army Sergeant and Federal Air Marshal Michael Agosta insisted that national security remain a top priority for our elected officials.

"We cannot allow our domestic problems to cloud our vision of the very real danger of terrorism," said Agosta. "While we are often reminded of the ongoing wars abroad, we must not forget the threats that face us here at home. The Times Square bombing attempt should be a wake-up call for all Americans. The terrorist threat did not disappear over night, but only sunk into the shadows waiting for us to let down our guard."

Mexican President Felipe Calderón criticized the new Arizona immigration law on Monday, saying that it "opens the door to intolerance, hate, and discrimination."* So how tough are Mexican immigration laws?

As I was travelling down here this morning I was harkening back and for some of you who have been serving as mayors for a significant period of time you will recall this. My first visit as a speaker to the New Jersey Conference of Mayors was in April of 2002. And it was my first significant speech to a large audience as United States Attorney. And in fact, it turned out to be kind of an interesting day because as I was travelling down here, FBI agents raided the home and the office of the Republican frontrunner for the United States Senate, Jim Treffinger.

It is time for Governor Christie to take a lead on this. Read below.
Editor

We’ve all been shocked and saddened by the tragic events in the Gulf of Mexico. My heart breaks for coastal residents who are facing fears of the unknown impacts of the oil spill.

We looked at http://www.tenswamps.com/ to learn top six conclusions about BOE elections:

As you listen to today’s budget hearing testimony on the Department of Health and Senior Services, consider that during difficult economic times, Governor Christie has made it a budget priority to maintain the healthcare safety net and support for seniors.

Myth: This budget makes cuts to health care services that protect the uninsured.

Again, the Record wrote about Mr. Aslanian on Tuesday April 27th, 2010. So let’s ask the simple question: who is Mr. Aslanian? Is he a Republican? Not really. He registered as a Republican in April 2009 when he decided to run for the US Congress, we guess. Is he a Democrat? Certainly, it sounds like it. He even contributed to Democrat candidates in the past. Is he a member of the Tea Party? It does not seem likely, although he is running in a Republican primary as a Tea Party candidate. Are you confused yet? We sure are.

The Economist on Chris Christie (April 29th, 2010).

NEW JERSEY has a certain reputation. A contest to coin a new state slogan attracted such entries as “New Jersey: Not all our elected officials have been indicted” and “New Jersey: We hate you, too.” “Corruption is rampant at high levels, and at low levels,” said an FBI agent, before adding: “and all levels in between.” The rollicking book from which that quote is taken, by investigative reporters Bob Ingle and Sandy McClure, is called “The Soprano State”, and it is not referring to the local opera.

Concerning today’s budget hearing on Transportation, NJ Transit and MVC, please take the time to consider these facts to clear up common misconceptions and gain a better understanding of some of the State’s most complex transportation-related issues and projects.

Department of Transportation:

Myth: Efforts to balance the state’s budget are requiring large cuts in the DOT budget.

Fact: The Governor’s FY 11 budget requests approximately $1.25 billion in state appropriations in support of transportation, a 4 percent reduction from last year.

HACKENSACK, NJ - Bergen County’s Republican freeholder candidates say the sudden concern by Democrats about the reduction in state aid for the county is a naked campaign ploy to hide the damage done by Democratic Party’s runaway spending for the past eight years.

GOP candidates Frank Valenzuela, Maura DeNicola and John Felice said the same Democrats who are now complaining about state aid cuts, presided over the biggest spending and tax increases in state and county history and are now trying to run from the fiscal crisis they created in New Jersey.