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Political Trash Talk Is Ugly
Now that the municipal elections are around the corner, it is time for the potty-mouths and grenade lobbers to come forward. There isn't anything substantive in their message; in fact, as Marshall McLuhan said, "The media is the message." Surely, any critical reader gets the underlying message, the current administration is coming apart at the seams. (I won't even say Republican because our government is supposed to be "nonpartisan," but that joke is an entirely different story; it is something that I snickered at and warned against before our last election. Nonpartisan, my eye, I say.)
Recent "Letters" from Vivian Owen (April 18) and Joseph Schulman (April 26) are both pure, unadulterated garbage. Frankly, I wouldn't even classify them as letters, something I associate with a citizen's view on a legitimate, township-related subject. Instead, these are just ad hominem personal attacks against a highly qualified candidate who, in running for office,is in opposition to the current administration (and I use the term "administration" loosely). The current administration is little more than a gang, and has demonstrated some of the dumbest, self-serving and arrogant behavior that I have ever witnessed. As a group, they have repeatedly demonstrated gross incompetence during their entire tenure. There, and I didn't even have to say Seda. He is the mayor; it is his administration or, I should say, peanut-gallery of bobbing heads.
Ms. Owen's diatribe is all about a nonprofit company that Mike Kafton is involved in; a company whose purpose, according to Owen, is to raise money for Jackson residents during times of extreme crisis. So, what is wrong with that? Mike has long been associated with a number of activities and organizations that have benefitedJackson residents, that is nothing new. Her assertion, and by her own admission without any personal knowledge at all, is that Mike is a phony. I don't think so; but, maybe she is.
It is common knowledge that Mike Kafton has been involved in matters that affect our community. Actually, his involvement has, on occasion, extended to both the state and federal levels. To me, he comes off as someone genuinely concerned about this township and its residents, especially those residents who are often at a disadvantage. I think that there are literally thousands of folks who might agree with this statement, and I am kind of thinking that the upcoming election will show this to be true.
Mr. Schulman likewise dredges up the muck but he further insults our sensibilities (and intelligence) by rattling off an unrelated string of name-calling (sleazy, disgraced, crooked Operating Bid Rig, unethical) and infamous names like McGreevy and Spitzer; none of this having any relationship at all to Mike Kafton. It is (garbage), refuse found in beer bottles.
I have to agree with one thing Mr. Schuman says though, but I am going to direct it right back at him (because I won't insult the honorable memory of Melvin Cottrell, as he does), "The higher the office,the sleazier they get." What you said there is true; and I think that it applies to the letter that you submitted.
Finally, there is another saying that might apply here, courtesy of Guy Fawkes (after he was caught trying to blow up the houses of parliament and kill James I); "Desperate disease requires a desperate remedy." I hope we get a breath of fresh air on the new council. Doesn't the fact that two of the incumbents have bailed out tell us something?
Pete Collins,
Jackson
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