While we're happy Mayor Fulop seems to have backed off wanting a casino in Jersey City...

...We still don't trust this mess is over, and sure wonder why the flip. Fulop as many know has sidled up with a Boston developer to build an unneeded, unnecessary and unsustainable casino in Jersey City, no doubt on the taxpayer's dime while all parking and game revenues go to the very few.

Suddenly though, Fulop paid a visit to Atlantic City and came back thinking, "Know what, maybe we don't want that."  Good, he's been reading the Jersey City Desk again. We have explained in graphs, numbers and anecdotal evidence that a casino would be a very bad thing here.

But why the flip? Let's try and find out together.

Today, Fulop said his discussions with Atlantic City leaders — he met today with its council president, Marty Small — and residents have cooled him to the idea of a Jersey City casino. It's not clear anymore that casinos can bring an economic boost and jobs without bringing along crime and broken promises of economic development, he said.

He said he will spend the next few weeks mulling it over and will announce before November whether he still supports casino expansion. If he decides not to, he told the media in Atlantic City today, he will campaign against the referendum.

"I'm not reluctant to say that sometimes I make a mistake and my position can change based on new information," he told The Jersey Journal.

So, is it really self-reflection at work here? Was this the mayor's fist time to AC and to look around and really see what the economy there is? While we're happy he's obviously been listening to Johnny Jersey City residents must remain ever vigilant on this issue.

A great Sunday evening read on the gambling issue in New Jersey

Tom Moran at the Star-Ledger editorial board gives some great analysis about the north vs south Jersey issue when it comes to gambling. Moran looks at the makeup of the teams already clashing over the issue and how in the end our Mayor Fulop may have joined the losing side. Good stuff before bed tonight.

Mea Culpa when it comes to casinos in New Jersey

Johnny has bid $250 cash dollars to buy the Revel Casino in Atlantic City. Should his bid be accepted (and it's an all CASH offer friends) he's going to have to point out he's a casino owner in AC while fighting the bad idea Mayor Fulop has for a kabillion story casino and racetrack. Just want to stay on the up and up with you readers.

Ward E Councilwoman Candice Osborne is an emphatic NO on a casino in her ward

Johnny tweeted a question to Councilwoman Candice Osborne if there were any plans she'd support to put a casino in Ward E. Her answer? Absolute NO. The correct answer! Winner winner chicken dinner.

Can't get much more straightforward than that and we appreciate that kind of a no-hedge answer. In reading comments on this idea on the NJ.com website Steve Fulop would appear to have quite a fight on his hands over this idea. The Mayor should either deflate the trial balloon or start building the metaphorical breastworks around his city hall office because we can see right now this is going to be one difficult battle for him.

Steve Fulop says he's open to casino gambling here in Jersey City, what about you?

What do you think taxpayer? Would you like more tax abatements handed out after the city pretends to talk tough on them then give them out anyway? Would you like some more of your money to go to a casino? You know how this works. You help pay for it and get nothing in return. Let's look at Atlantic City. Low wages for the few "full time" jobs. Questionable people who tend to show up around casinos doing business on their behalf. How many casinos there really make money? Not with subsidies but really make their own money? Taxpayers help subsidize Atlantic City and what do they get back? Told the casinos aren't making money and can't contribute what was promised back to taxpayers.

Know who is making money? Wal Mart style casinos in Pennsylvania, is THAT what Mayor Fulop has in mind? He'd better clarify and clarify fast. In fact we'd love to hear the specifics of this pie in the sky idea he's latched onto to drop casinos in Jersey City. Whatever economic benefit he'll claim, yeah...

It's a Friday news roundup so put your cat clothes on!

News Roundups, you'll pay for the whole seat but you'll only need the edge!

* Ice monsters attacked people at the WTC PATH station this morning forcing them underground. The ice shard monsters jumped off the WTC onto unsuspecting citizens below.

* The unemployment rate fell to 6.6% according to the numbers people. Stupid Obama.

* Steve Sweeney is proposing casinos for places like Camden, Newark and Jersey City. Johnny cant speak for Newark or Camden (officially) but he can speak for pretty much everyone in Jersey City when he tells Mr. Sweeney to get bent if he thinks he's bringing casinos to our fair city.

Speaking of casinos and gambling is anyone else just sick and tired of this massive advertising overload trying to get everyone in New Jersey to gamble online? If someone came to New Jersey and turned on the teevee and spent any time looking at ads you'd think gambling is to NJ as cars are to Michigan. OK back to the news roundup.

* Jersey City Ward E Councilwoman Candice Osborne wrote an open letter to the boobs at the Port Authority who decided to give an entire eight days notice that the Exchange Place to WTC PATH route is no more on weekends for almost a year.

* Ms. Marvel, the story of a 16 year old Muslim teen girl living in Jersey City who just happens to become a superhero was released by Marvel Comics and is now on sale.

See ya back here tonight for the Music Series.