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Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 | 2:01 a.m.
Another view?
View more of the Las Vegas Sun's opinion section:
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New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is taking it on the chin from fellow Republicans for praising President Barack Obama. Christie commented that Obama “sprang into action immediately” and showed “concern and compassion” for the residents of New Jersey and the Northeast during Hurricane Sandy.
With the destruction along the Jersey Shore and in the Northeast during Hurricane Sandy, you would think that politics would be put aside.
That does not appear to be the case. Even in time of destruction and chaos in our country, politics, not the people affected by Hurricane Sandy or the safety of the citizens, seems to be the No. 1 concern for some people. Is there no sacred ground in this country?
Sam,
You usually make some good points in the LVS comments but this LVS letter topic is a weak attempt to politicize Super storm Sandy. Regardless of party affiliation, most people are concerned for the well being of those affected by the storm.
The reason he is taking heat is that FEMA HAS FAILED
- Obama Failed to get FEMA to pre-position Sandy supplies to get immediate help to starving freezing Staten Island and Long Island residents - getting food, water, power and gas is taking weeks.
With Obama FAILURE IS THE NEW NORMAL.
- Meager economic growth has been rewarded.
- Failed to save our Ambassador in Benghazi, Syria is exploding and Iran will get it nuclear bomb. Our military is on the decline while al-Qaeda is rising up under lead from behind Obama.
Governor Christie and I share many common backgrounds: Italian American, raised Catholic, born and raised in Jersey. Although my neighberhood was tougher than the Governor's. And I'm older. Christie's chances at national politics are over, finished, kaput. He may be elected US Senator/Representative. He'll never be nominated for VP or president. Never. You don't praise the opposing party president a week before an election, regardless of the reason.
CarmineD
BTW Mr. Pizzo, your letter's premise is wrong on it's face. Christie made Sandy about politics with his lovefest for the President.
CarmineD
It should be OK to give some credit if you think credit is due and Christie did that.
Here's the problem and it is with 'us'.
Far too many R supporters, like Carmine, would likely think it fine if a D governor praised an R President during a disaster, but has a problem with what Christie did.
Far too many D supporters, like Sam does, would likely think it fine if a R governor praised an D President during a disaster, but would have a real issue if a D governor praised an R President during a disaster.
We'd all be a lot better off if we stopped taking hypocritical positions.
Michael
Michael nailed it. Have we become so wrapped up in politics that truth has no place in the fictional nightmare that too many of us seem to prefer?
Christie is obviously not enough of a whack job for some republicans.
BTW Carmine, Christie did not make it about politics. He made it about the people in his state. People like you have made it about politics.Christie gave credit where credit was due, something most republicans are totally incapable of.
"Far too many R supporters, like Carmine, would likely think it fine if a D governor praised an R President during a disaster, but has a problem with what Christie did."
Mr. Casler et al:
You can say many things well, but one thing you can't say is what I think.
A political blunder is a political blunder regardless of who and what party is guilty. You never make a political situation personal [even a disaster] that should be kept strictly politically professional.
CarmineD
"Christie gave credit where credit was due, something most republicans are totally incapable of."
Credit is not given it's earned.
I have friends and family up and down the state of NJ. Some are still without power after over a week. Many still can't buy gas and travel the local roads due to sand build up. A nor'eastern storm is on the way.
They are not so convinced that Christie and Obama deserve the credit as much as blame.
CarmineD
Michael says "It should be OK to give some credit IF you think credit is due..."
BUT BUT BUT
Obama and FEMA are FAILING - so why all the credit
- People are freezing and have no replacement housing
- People have no food to eat
- People have no gas for their cars
- people have no power
Under Obama FAILURE IS THE NEW NORMAL
The parisanship poster child sez "Christie's chances at national politics are over, finished, kaput. He may be elected US Senator/Representative. He'll never be nominated for VP or president. Never."
Guess that's what happens when you get caught in a truth.
The Democrats are doing victory laps over Sandy and there are millions of people in the Northeast that are living in misery.
Geeze! Obama called Christie and offered assistance and said he'd provide what Christie said he needed. Christie appreciated that and said so. That is what should happen.
FEMA, like most government agencies is huge, with an equally huge responsibility to manage. Now, it appears that pre-planning was inadequate and the response from FEMA, after the storm, is not what many citizens in NY and NJ think is adequate. That should be reported on.
Every comment I read is from a partisan view. This is why we can't get anything done.
Michael
Carmine,
"BTW Mr.Pizzo your letter's premise is wrong on it's face. Christie made Sandy about politics with his lovefest for the president".
On the day when Gov.Christie made his comment about Pres.Obama's quick response to hurricane Sandy's impact on New Jersey and the northeast.
I don't believe he (Gov.Christie) thought about politics at that time. Only the safety and well being of his people and his state of New Jersey and the northeast as well.
I suppose if Gov.Christie gave Pres.Obama the cold shoulder there would be those that would say Gov. Christie refuses help from Pres.Obama.
This is not a political issue only a human issue.My fellow commenters who disagree and stay political on this.Should take a look at the devastation and suffering of the people in that area before commenting.
@Carmine,
"A political blunder is a political blunder regardless of who and what party is guilty. You never make a political situation personal [even a disaster] that should be kept strictly politically professional" (Carmine DiFazio)
Politically, Carmine is correct. Correct in saying Governor Christie forces politics into the situation with his announcements referencing the President help and assistance. Governor Christie went out of his way to mention the President at every turn.
On a Nation level, I think Christie still has good shot of being on a larger political ticket. The message that will hurt him politically coming out of the Sandy disaster is, Chris Christie is too independent, and unpredictable. The governor has shown in the Sandy disaster and with his Keynote speech at the Republican Convention, he does not follow a scripted message from the party.
Michael,
"Far to many D supporters like Sam does,would likely think it fine if a R governor praised a D President during a disaster.But would have a real issue if a D governor praised a R president during a disaster".
Unlike yourself I have a feeling for the people and the destruction that has happened in that area.Politicis has no place during such times..You have no clue how I think or feel.
Hey Sam, How'd you feel about the Democrats actions following Hurricane Katrina directed at George Bush? That was some down and dirty,nasty politicizing of a natural disaster complete with "Bush don't like Black people" kind of hate. I am betting you didn't have much of a problem that,uh? And while I am asking for some honesty, why don't you admit your letter is political in nature meant to take a poke at Republicans. You know how I know this? Because everything and I mean everything is "political" with liberals. Afterall, wasn't it a liberal Democrat who coined the phrase "never let a good crisis go to waste".
http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-opi...
Sam,
I said nothing about your empathy toward the suffering, nor will I.
My criticism is of the hypocritical nature of ones views of something, depending on what 'side' they support.
When I start to see R's willing to give credit to President Obama for some of his policies and D's willing to really question Obama's handling of the Benghazi situation (as just two examples of many), I will stop criticizing the unfairness of all of the crap people say and write. So far, I'm still waiting.
Michael
ByRHG58,
"How'd you feel about the democrats actions following the hurricane Katrina directed by George Bush? I'm betting you didn't have much of a problem That,uh? While I'm asking for some honesty,why don't you admit your letter is political in nature meant to take a poke at republicans".
I have voted for republicans in the last 44 years including Sen John McCain in 2008.It is been my assessment that todays republican's are not the party I once voted for in all my years.
I don't know how long you have been reading the LVS but I have been writing letters to the editor since 2006. I have criticized Pres. Bush in such editorials all the while being a republican.My first editorial speaking out against Bush was in the Sun on "July 14,2007 titled situation in Irag was predictable,unenviable". My second sun article on "Nov.25,2007 titled white house botched aftermath of invasion". "My third article on "May 6,2008 titled How could we have been so wrong about War"? All critical of Pres.Bush.My forth article I criticize Pres.Clinton,on "Sept.30,2006 Titled Clinton's memory fails him on al-Qaida".
I have more articles in the Sun, letters to the editor in which I criticize both Pres. Bush, and Pres. Clinton,over the years. You can find all my articles in the Las Vegas Sun archives if you need proof.
I criticized Pres. Bush and I voted for him twice. I still voted for a republican Sen.John McCain in 2008.
My letter is not political. I have a feel for people who are suffering and will speak for what I believe is right.Just as Gov. Christie did In praising Pres.Obama
The difference between people like you and myself is I'm not afraid to speak out against B.S.,no matter who I voted for or who is President.
Next time you want to dump on me make sure you know what you are talking about.
hey Sam where's your letter to the editor about how Obama handled Libya? Didn't see it. Like to know when you wrote it so I can read what you wrote. If you didn't write one then I guess you aren't all what you say you are.
Carmine you're correct about Christie. He's done for any major position in politics.
wtplv - "Every comment I read is from a partisan view. This is why we can't get anything done."
We can't get anything done because certain citizens live on Bizarro world and ignore reality.
Vernos,
I almost wish you'd get what you 'think' would fix things. Remove all the radical righties, including all the Tea Party folks and leave all the radical lefties.
I can guarantee you that you'd be shocked out of your gord at the results. Why? Because you'd have only removed what 'you' believe is the entire problem, when in reality it is only 1/2 of the problem. Congress would still be corrupt. Members of the House and Senate would still vote with their leadership 90 % of the time and the leadership would still do the bidding of those powerful special interests with lobbyists.
Yours is a simplistic view and it is incomplete.
Michael
Bychuck333,
"Hey Sam where's your letter to the editor how Obama handled Libya".
Never said I wrote one.But he did handle Libya greatly getting rid of Gadaffi with air power alone. With no boots on the ground as was suggested by Sen. John McCain at that time.Glad you asked,thank you.
I'm sure Governor Christie's political future will not be as a Republican. The conservatives are alrerady saying that Christie is finished. As quoted on the Internet, "Christie Is A GOP Traitor for His Obama Hurricane Praise".
That's alright Governor Christie, you cared about your people over everything else and praised the President for doing a good job. There are people like me who love your integrity and dedication to all your hurricane victims. I for one will not forget you!!!
America won't receive one changing help from Europe to drag and lift its course of politics of tomorrow. There is not such a system to give a direction above America. This hugely popular and huge administration may be too huge to be in effect with day-to-day basis. If you cut it to two divisions/sections, national and international senate, national and international house this will help basic work after tomorrow.
sam pizzo Nov. 6, 2012 4:16 p.m.
SAM'S RESPONSE TO CHUCK 333
Bychuck333,
"Hey Sam where's your letter to the editor how Obama handled Libya".
Never said I wrote one.But he did handle Libya greatly getting rid of Gadaffi with air power alone. With no boots on the ground as was suggested by Sen. John McCain at that time.Glad you asked,thank you.
*************************
Sam,
Excellent response. You are one class act!
Thank you Kepi.
How soon we forget. The leftist history revisionists seem to have forgotten their furor when Joe Lieberman sided with John McCain. Christie lost credibility in my view by his craven act of boot licking to a guy with the "Cheshire Cat" grin who came bearing 30 pieces of silver and then did not even deliver the sop. When push came to shove, Christie folded like house of cards. Some leadership he showed!