Naked puff piece is prominent on rabbi's Facebook page

Loud, smelly motorcycles were the only off-note at Englewood's Memorial Day parade. Even though these and other motorcycles violate every municipal anti-noise ordinance on the books, their owners -- including many cops and firemen -- are rarely ticketed as a matter of professional courtesy. And when these motorcycle groups hold charity runs, The Record always finds room for the photos, complete with glowing captions.

By VICTOR E. SASSON
EDITOR

Columnist Mike Kelly's shameless Page 1 puff piece on Shmuley Boteach of Englewood is featured prominently on the rabbi's Facebook page today.

And why not?

The veteran Record columnist -- a Catholic -- delivered more than 100 inches of flattering coverage on Tuesday that some view as little more than an elaborate B.J. on the circumcised rabbi.

And just two days earlier, Boteach's own Opinion piece appeared in The Record, describing Governor Christie's meeting with Elie Wiesel, "the world'[s] most well-known holocaust survivor" (O-3 on Sunday).

That piece drew a comment from reader David Wilson on North Jersey.com:

"I know this is published in the Opinion section of the newspaper. But I question whether or not Schmuley Boteach was paid to write it. It sure reads like a paid campaign release."

Indeed, does the rabbi's support for Christie really deserve such prominent coverage in The Record -- unless it is part of the Borg publishing family's campaign to make the GOP bully seems like a viable candidate for president?

Most polls, experts and observers have already predicted Christie will fail to get the nomination in 2016, and if he pulls off a miracle, will be in line for a good spanking by Hillary Clinton, the likely Democratic candidate.

Corrections

Kelly's piece is not only suspect, he managed to misquote Boteach, according to a correction on A-2 today.

A second correction today noted Friday's Business section "incorrectly described New Jersey's employment recovery since the recession."

The Record's Hugh R. Morley reported the state has 1.8 percent more jobs, when, in fact, it has 1.8 percent fewer jobs.

That's embarrassing, and opens up the business editors to charges they have neglected to fully report Christie's mismanagement of the state economy.

Local news?

Today's Local section is filled with Law & Order news, as the editors are still trying to walk off their Memorial Day barbecues.

Typical of the accident photos Assignment Editors Deirdre Sykes and Dan Sforza like to use as filler is one on L-3 today with a caption that makes no attempt to explain what caused a truck to crush a car.

However, Cliffview Pilot. com reported the 64-year-old driver of the Lexus sedan cut off the tractor-trailer in attempting to turn into the driveway of a Polish restaurant.

There was no word whether the West Orange man, whose ribs were broken, was able to order takeout from Royal Warsaw in Elmwood Park before he was taken away in an ambulance.

Better living?

The Better Living cover story today, "Taking Steps Against Arthritis," makes readers wonder when the editors are going to commission two other pieces:

"Taking Steps Against Obesity"

"Taking Steps Against Dementia"