Mensch of The Week and Putzes of the Week

Let’s start off with the Putzes of the Week--both big and little, shall we?

This week, New Jersey moved closer to becoming the first Northern state to apologize for slavery under a measure approved by a legislative committee. The Garden State had a history none of which we can be proud of concerning this issue.

NJ was home to more slaves than any other Northern state except New York, and we didn't ratify the constitutional amendment prohibiting slavery until January 1866, a month after it had already become federal law. So, an apology would be in order to set the record straight.

Said bill sponsor Assemblyman William Payne: "This bill does nothing more than say New Jersey is sorry for its shameful past.”

This is no different than the Pope apologizing for the Catholic Church's record of anti-Semitism from centuries ago. There is no one alive who was a victim, but it sets the record straight.

So, what did the Republicans have to say about the bill? Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll actually praised the institution of slavery.

I will repeat that: Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll actually praised the institution of slavery.

He said: "

If slavery was the price that a modern American's ancestors had to pay in order to make one an American, one should get down on one's knees every single day and thank the Lord that such price was paid."

Well said. Mike, praise the Lord, and pass the whip.

For that ignorant and uncaring remark, Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll is the big Putz of the Week.

The Little Putz:

In my home borough of Flemington, in November 2007, the Democrats took control of the Borough Council for the first time in ten years. With a ‘weak’ Mayor form of government, a Republican mayor and four council members who are Democrats, you would think there would be rough sailing ahead.

So, acting in good faith, the Democrats met with Mayor Bob Hauck and discussed such things as Planning Board appointments, hiring of consultants and Council assignments for 2008. After a bit of good old political horse trading, everything seemed settled out peacefully.

Or so the Democrats thought.

So what did Hauck do? At the Reorganization Meeting Thursday, January 3rd, he sandbagged the Dems on each and everything he agreed to. Planning Board appointments? Nope. Council assignments? Buzz off, Dems. He made what started off as a feel-good meeting go sour right away. Talk about sour grapes about being in the minority.

The main problem with Hauck at the meeting was just how much of a puppet he is for County Clerk, Mary Melfi. It was she who pulls his strings, and demanded a seat back on the Planning Board. Don’t take my word for it: watch on the Flemington website archive of the actual meeting.

So, for starting off the new Council year with a blowout and brawl, instead of respect and goodwill, Hauck is the little Putz of the Week.

Mensch of The Week

Politicians, by and large, have a reputation for not keeping their promises. However, one former governor made the swearing in ceremony of a newly elected member of the Flemington Borough Council very special, and kept his promise.

Linda Mastellone, a member of New Jersey for Democracy, is a tenant resident of Flemington, who also has a strong business background. That made her a great candidate for Flemington Borough Council, running against incumbent Phil Greiner, a much more conservative and libertarian Republican.

Back in September, Linda ran in to former governor Jim Florio at the New Jersey State Democratic Conference in Atlantic City. Governor Florio promised that if Linda won a seat on Borough Council, he would swear her in. Linda won; Greiner lost.

So, Thursday night, when Linda Mastellone became Councilwoman Mastellone, Governor Florio read the affirmation of office for her. By the way, the governor never once had to refer to the paper for prompting, remembering every word of the Oath of Office. Linda took the oath of office in front of her proud dad, her step-mom, brother, sister-in-law and two adorable nieces.

So, for keeping his promise, and making the Mastellone family proud, Governor Jim Florio is our Mensch of the Week here at NJPoliticsUnusual.com.

New Year, same Grand Old Party: Republicans don’t think it’s right to apologize for slavery

Believe it or not, but the Party of Lincoln think it’s OK to not apologize for slavery.

If New Jersey issues a formal apology, then we would be the first northern state to do so. This far, state legislators in Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia have issued formal slavery apologies.

What the heck is the matter with a little “I’m sorry” after 140 years? Several prominent Republicans think it just doesn't matter.

Said Assemblyman Richard Merkt, R-Morris, "Who living today is guilty of slave holding and thus capable of apologizing for the offense…And who living today is a former slave and thus capable of accepting the apology? So how is a real apology even remotely possible, much less meaningful, given the long absence of both oppressor and victim?"

That’s harsh, Merkt.

Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll demanded that the Democratic Party should apologize first----since Republicans historically opposed slavery. He also noted that New Jersey twice voted against Abraham Lincoln.

He continued, "…But, on a current note, if slavery was the price that a modern American's ancestors had to pay in order to make one an American, one should get down on one's knees every single day and thank the Lord that such price was paid.”

So, maybe Carroll wants to offer an opposing resolution thanking the nation for slavery? Just what hallucinogens are these guys taking?

Of course, this the same guy who had time to offer a bill changing the name of Clinton town to “Reagan” during the time of President Clinton’s troubles with Monica Lewinsky ----but no time or good sense to support this legislation.

The resolution would read in part: "…the vestiges of slavery are ever before African-American citizens, from the overt racism of hate groups to the subtle racism encountered when requesting health care, transacting business, buying a home, seeking quality public education and college admission, and enduring pre-textual traffic stops and other indignities."

"This is not too much to ask of the state of New Jersey," said Assemblyman William Payne, who sponsors the bill. "All that is being requested of New Jersey is to say three simple words: We are sorry."

Once again, the NJ Republicans both amuse and amaze as to what they take issue with ---and what they support.

Welcome to 2008.

Micheal Medved defends slavery

Just when you think that the Right-Wing looney tunes could not get any worse, movie critic-radio talk show host- right wing apologist Michael Medved defends the institution of slavery.

That's right: slavery.

Wonder why the Republicans don't get the support of the African-American population?

This is care of Nicole Belle at her blogpost on
www.Crooksandliars.com, who gives us the salient points made by Medved in a post at TownHall.com:

1. Slavery was an ancient and universal institution, not a distinctively American innovation.

2. Slavery existed only briefly, and in limited locales, in the history of the republic - involving only a tiny percentage of the ancestors of today’s Americans.

3. Though brutal, slavery wasn’t genocidal: live slaves were valuable but dead captives brought no profit.

4. It’s not true that the U.S. became a wealthy nation through the abuse of slave labor: the most prosperous states in the country were those that first freed their slaves.

5. While America deserves no unique blame for the existence of slavery, the United States merits special credit for its rapid abolition.

6. There is no reason to believe that today’s African Americans would be better off if their ancestors had remained behind in Africa.

Simply amazing; This deserves no comment.