Longtime Newark Star-Ledger editorial editor Tom Moran has some observations about Gov. Chris Christie’s predicament:
It is no surprise that these guys were nasty and petty enough to do something like this. They stripped the security team from [former governor] Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex) when he dared to push back against them. They cut funding for an internship program run by an elderly Rutgers professor after he sided with Democrats on the redistricting fight. They froze out newly elected Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop after he refused to endorse the governor. This list goes on. It is Christie’s style.
The surprise is that they were so stupid about it this time, that they caused hardship for thousands of people as if that would not blow back at them, and then put it all in writing for investigators to find.
Note to all those who compare Christie to Tony Soprano: Tony’s crew would have been smart enough to use code words.
In many episodes of The Sopranos we saw Tony walk down to the end of his driveway in his bathrobe and collect that day’s copy of the Star-Ledger. But Tony never was so fortunate to have billions of dollars in SuperStorm Sandy money to distribute.
Come to think of it, they could make a whole new series featuring Tony’s old crew as they figure out how to get Governor Christie to fill their coffers with Sandy aid. They also might figure out an angle to get a piece of that billion dollar Fort Lee development project.
Yeah, it’s probably time for a spin-off.
No wonder Bruce stayed as far away as he could from Christie. At least until Obama twisted his arm to make that (no doubt painful) phone call.
Bruce isn’t a dummy. He was basically blasting Ray-gun from the stage the night after Ronnie beat Carter. People don’t realize that Bruce’s parents moved out to CA in the later half of the 60’s so Bruce knew all about Ray-gun’s time as CA Governor. Sheds more light on what happened later when Ronnie tried to jump on the Springsteen bandwagon.
This is Bruce and Fallon.
Holy crap!!
That was amazing.
Awesome, thanks Bob. Love Bruce’s sense of humor about himself.
This made my week and it’s only Wednesday.
Jon Stewart made the same point about code words a few nights ago, suggesting as a better approach to the infamous e-mail: “Yeah, I think it’s time our good friend Lee suffered from some constipation…“
But … but … but … Christie is such a man’s man! He doesn’t suffer fools! He tells you what he thinks about you to your face! He’s TOUGH!!!!! He’s … he’s … he’s REAL JOISEY!!!!
Or, maybe those kind of behaviors that everyone outside of Joisey and New Yawk thinks are the stuff of assholes are actually, you know, the stuff of assholes.
Umm…
I know plenty of folks in Joisey and New Yawk who greatly appreciate candor and distinguish between being candid and an asshole.
Pretty much they all think Christie is an asshole and if they didn’t think what he did in Ft Lee was assholish and he is telling lies.
In days when subtly was in vogue not suffering fools gladly was code for “an unconscionable self opinionated bully”
In his mind there are two crimes …disagreeing with him and being caught. Yep that sounds about right for Christie.
All the subtlety, finesse and consideration for others of a Tasmanian Devil… solitary, Nasty, Vicious, Scavenger.
The thing is – Tony Soprano would never get away with blacking out 95% of a document, like our elected officials are permitted.
Tis what happens when a political culture considers corruption “cute” or even “masculine”. New Jersey voters could demand something different (just like Illinois voters)
It is now no surprise why Occupy Sandy was necessary in order to get relief to the people who actually needed it.
It’s the same crap that Bush pulled on Gov. Blanco of Louisiana during Katrina.
I do demand something different, but when I say I’m voting Green next time, I get a chorus of “Oh No! You must support the Democratic Party! Voting Green is really voting Republican!”
It depends on what your personal strategy is. Right now, defeating Republicans is more important than anything else. Because it is the Republican mindset that has the default hold on politics at the moment. So much so that Democrats are constantly operating within the Republican frame. If voting Green defeats that Republican frame, it makes sense to vote Green. But Greens have to win. There is no “making a statement” in politics unless there is someone who wants to co-opt your position and deliver enough policy to keep you in the fold.
Most times when you walk into the election booth it already is to late to decide alternatives to major parties.
Voting Green is voting Green. But too many Greens are voting Green to hurt the Democratic Party. Where are the Green candidates in Republican districts testing the proposition that maybe some Republicans will vote Green but not Democratic?
And remember there is a lot of 2000 election PTSD still out there. Just like for some of us older folks there is 1968 election PTSD. And then, the folks being criticized were the ones who sat out because of the Humphrey railroad in the convention. And the police riot that Mayor Daley was congratulated for.
That same gang of thugs that Daley ruled is who you would have me vote for.