First let me apologize for going all Meta and stuff, but I just have to.
When I hear people like Rudy Giuliani or Peggy Noonan says that what happened in Ft. Lee NJ is "petty", "routine", "no big deal", "small potatoes" and so on, and so on, I am not surprised. Hell, they are Republicans, its their job to not give a shit about the little people, or how things get done. However, I am surprised by these thoughts when it comes from people who are ostensibly progressives by the fact they hang out here.
Those descriptive words and phrases were just some that were used in the comment thread of my diary UPDATED: Mr. Christie meet Mr. RICO. Other pejoratives used were "naïve" and "batshit crazy". At least the last one was addressing an opinion about the idea that RICO might come into play. It somewhat came into play about the legal ramifications that Christie et al might face. All the others were expressing the commenters' opinion about "Bridgegate" and its motives.
But there is something that really bothers me. Why would anyone be willing to dismiss and thus justify something like what happened in Ft. Lee?
First, it wasn't petty, routine, or small potatoes to the people stuck in the traffic for hours. Even something inconsequential to one person can have a major consequence to someone else, someone like the woman who complained her husband was late for his first day on the job after a period of unemployment. To her and him, it was a very BFD.
Second, the "business as usual", "this is how the game works" mentality is one of the hall mark of someone who benefits from the usual business. That or they have become so cynical that they have lost sight that even if it is how the game works, it SHOULD NOT BE.
People in power love this kind of throw your hands up and say nothing can be done to change things attitude. It is what allows bullies at school to steal lunch money. It is the kind of thing that lets corporations dump toxic chemicals into our waterways. It is the kind of thing the lets politicians use their office for the betterment of their friends and themselves.
I don't want to live in a world where people can use their power and influence to get what they want. I don't want to live in a world where politicians use petty political stunts or possible illegal acts to reward or punish other office holders to do what the first politician wants done.
If I am naïve, then so be it. If I am batshit crazy because I want the world to be a different way, then so be it. If we cannot hope and work for things to change, they will not change. Apathy is the ally of those who wish to perpetuate the current system. Please don't fall into the trap.
Thanks again for the vent session. I have an appointment for my wife to see the doctor. It is her first visit with insurance, thank you Mr. President. Thus, I will not be able to participate in any discussion. I will read the thread when I get home though.