In New Jersey, the Bergen County Education Association is under attacked for a joke that seemed to pray for the death of Governor Chris Christie.
The memo that includes a closing prayer:
“Dear Lord this year you have taken away my favorite actor, Patrick Swayze, my favorite actress, Farrah Fawcett, my favorite singer, Michael Jackson, and my favorite salesman, Billy Mays. I just wanted to let you know that Chris Christie is my favorite governor.”
Association president Joe Coppola says the “prayer” was a joke and was never meant to be made public.
The Governor’s office has spoken out against the joke and NJEA President Barbara Keshishian issued the following statement this morning:
“NJEA condemns the inappropriate ‘prayer’ contained in a letter sent by the NJEA Bergen County regional offices and our Bergen County affiliate. Language such as that has no place in civil discourse. It was intended as humor, but it is not funny. Our ongoing discussion with Gov. Christie is centered on serious issues of significant importance to the state, and that must be the focus of all our conversation. We deeply regret that the ‘prayer’ reference was included in the letter, and we apologize to Gov. Christie for both the content of the ‘prayer’ and the lack of respect it demonstrated. . . . I will be reaching out to Gov. Christie’s office to apologize personally on behalf of all NJEA members.”
Folks, it was a joke. The memo was obtained by the media and was not supposed to be made public.
Of course, Coppola is lucky. In Canada, he could find himself facing a human rights panel over jokes, here.
For the full story, click here
Since when do politicians know what’s funny and what isn’t? They should bud the hell out. I thought it was pretty funny, especially for a non-comedian.
But… how can I wear two self-satisfied smirks at the same time? 😀
And todays “Maaarrghk! Grand Prize for telling it how it is” goes to………….
GINGERBAKER!!!!
And you win a smug, self-satisfied smirk to wear at you computer for the rest of the day.
Enjoy!
Much ado about nothing!
Horsefeathers – It was quite funny. And the only reason the Governor’s office made a big deal of it is because:
1) it is a teachers union, for heaven’s sake, which the Republican party believes is a minion of Marx, and bad press is good strategy
2) It would intimidate NJEA President Barbara Keshishian, who needs to grow a pair.
She just blew a great opportunity to chastise the Governor for his over-the-top reaction in a way that would emphasize his need for educational improvement. Instead, she simpers about her need to make nice-nice with a guy who just essentially battered her in the public square, simply because he felt he could get away with it.
Her relationship with the Governor’s office is doomed to failure.
I know the republicans are claiming victorys with the election of Govenor Christe here in Jersey and the election of the governor in Virginia.
But jokes aside I think a lot of people are rethinking who they voted for here with all the announced cuts, and well in virginia you know the story.
Had the guys in our factory pinned it to the works notice board adding “and Maaarrghk! is our favorite Draughtsman” I would have laughed and left it there.
I am informed that this strange affliction that I am alleged to be “suffering” from is called a sense of humour. The only known treatment is a career in politics.
Vote for me. I’m sick.
Conservative activists and commentators do this all the time and there are no consequences.
Funny enough for a politician. Take this assessment with a jaundiced eye.
” … and my favorite salesman, Billy Mays.”
***************
I see this more as business opportunity. I am now composing an email to the witty Mr. Coppola which begins:
“Lagos, Nigeria.
Attention: The President/CEO
Dear Sir,
Confidential Business Proposal
Having consulted with my colleagues and based on the information gathered from the Nigerian Chambers Of Commerce And Industry, I have the privilege to request your assistance to transfer the sum of $47,500,000.00 (forty seven million, five hundred thousand United States dollars) into your accounts. …”
This is sad and the appropriate action should be taken. No one likes everyone and some faith based religions are a prep camp for the GOP so what do you expect.
But come on it was a bad attempt at humor, and they will never make it to second city TV. Hopefully they won’t. It is ironical prayer, would you say/