If you use extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) that can block content (e.g. Adblock Plus, NoScript, Flash Block, Ghostery) then make sure that such extensions aren't blocking content.

If it works in Safe Mode and in normal mode with all extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) disabled then try to find which extension is causing it by enabling one extension at a time until the problem reappears.

Close and restart Firefox after each change via "Firefox > Exit" (Windows: Firefox/File > Exit; Mac: Firefox > Quit Firefox; Linux: Firefox/File > Quit)

   https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes

issue persists with all extensions disabled and restarting Firefox

Try reloading the page without looking at the cache (CTRL + F5)

worked (after I re-enabled all my extensions, restart, ctrl+F5, click the message). Unfortunately I did not test re-enable/restart/click the message.

Thanks very much.

Since it is working now even with all extensions, any idea what was up? maybe switching to google+ and the cache still had something in it from when the account was not google+.

Yeah, your cache was probably trying to pick something up from the old google mail account that maybe wasn't working in the Google+. Great that it's working for you though