Common Sense: Fun for none

I see Carnival Cruises, in an attempt to regain its reputation, is offering $38 cruises. I guess now we can come close to estimating what they make on an actual full price ticket. In any event, based on a survey which showed that almost half of the people asked would not book a Carnival cruise even at the $38 rate, I suspect the gimmick is not working.

Reputation in business is a big deal. Accountants attempt to value and depreciate it on the books as goodwill. Valuing goodwill above and beyond book value is a major element of determining market value when trying to price a business for sale.

Nebulous as it maybe, goodwill is the reason a business that could have undergone many changes of owners does not change the name. It is why Macy’s, long owned by Federated Department Stores, is still called Macy’s and why there is not a Federated Thanksgiving Day Parade. In fact, Federated, in recognition of the value of the Macy’s name, changed the name of the entire corporation from Federated to Macy’s after 80 years.

I do not doubt that Carnival is a better cruise line than recent problems would indicate. Nevertheless, they will find that regaining one’s reputation in business as in life can be very difficult. I wish them smooth sailing.

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The Brooklyn Conservative Party and the New York State Independence Party have endorsed John Quaglione for City Council in the Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst seat. John — who I work with on State Senator Marty Golden’s staff — has an excellent knowledge of the community and its concerns. He also has in-depth knowledge of city government and broader city issues.

I think one can expect John to focus on tax-and-spend, economic development, quality of life, crime, education and senior issues.

The Conservative Party line has carried many votes in these communities over the years. Combined with the Independence Party endorsement, John — who is expected to have the Republican line — will be in a position to run a spirited, highly competitive race.

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The recent court decision to allow emergency contraception to be available without a prescription to girls as young as 14 defies logic. Health care decisions for minors in every case, with the apparent exception of birth control, require parental consent. Requiring parental consent for a variety of reasons, not least of which are the health consequences of using emergency contraception as well as the emotional issues relating to a sexually active minor, I would think is fairly logical.

Interestingly, the outcry against this decision has come from the left as well as the right. It is certain to be appealed. Hopefully, common sense will win the day.

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City Council Speaker Quinn must really feel that she is on the ropes in the race for mayor. Just last week, she tried to make a big splash, calling for mayoral control of the MTA. Great idea, except she is either the third or fourth candidate to call for such control, with former MTA Chairperson Joe Lhota being the first, over a month ago.

It seems that these days Quinn comes up with bad ideas or someone else’s ideas.

Lhota, for his part has, also suggested that the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority be removed from the MTA where it has functioned for many years. This would allow facilities like the Verrazano Bridge and the Battery Tunnel a greater likelihood of keeping the revenue they generate and, as such, holding the line on or even reducing tolls.