NJ.com covers the NJ blog stream (not mine) and uncovers this controversy:
How soon is too soon to joke about a governor who is in the hospital after a serious car accident?
Atlantic County Republican Chairman Keith Davis caught some criticism last week when he posted this joke about Corzine’s car crash on his blog two days after the accident.
Blue Jersey fired back, calling the joke “pitiful and disgusting.” Atlantic County Democratic Chairman Ron Ruff issued a statement calling for Davis to “withdraw” the joke.
I’m independent, but tend to side with the Democrats in general. In this case, though, really - it was a joke. A dumb joke, but certainly not a partisan or mean-spirited anti-Corzine joke.
We need humor in times of crisis. When we start to laugh it means we’re healing, or at least regaining our footing. That’s why we love Jon Stewart! Tens of thousands of people have died- and continue to die- in Iraq. Does this mean we shouldn’t laugh at “Mess’optamia”? Sure, some humor is tasteless, and I was happy to see Don Imus go due to market forces (finally!) But handled well, and I think Davis obviously didn’t have mean intentions, jokes are good. As is freedom of expression, which is why the call to “withdraw” the joke is just silly.
I think Gov. Corzine’s doing a pretty good job with the mess that is NJ, and I hope he continues to improve and returns soon. I feel for his family.
Wear your seatbelts, and don’t drive 91 freakin’ MPH, even on the GS Parkway!
2 Comments
I agree with you and I am a die hard Dem. It was funny. And in the scary world we live in, we need to laugh.
The lack of a seatbelt and the ridiculous speed just sets the guy up for jokes, regardless of his politics.
I would say that it’s “too soon” when someone’s life is still hanging in the balance, but I didn’t get the impression that the governor’s was.