In a recent edition of the “Friendly Fire” feature, Republican strategist Mike DuHaime displayed the dangerous cavalier attitude of the Republican Party under President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk that rules don’t matter and laws are made to be broken, public safety be damned.
This is judging by DuHaime’s reaction to the shocking revelation in a report first appearing in the New York Times that there had been an 81% reduction in traffic ticket writing by New Jersey State Police troopers. This allegedly occurred over eight months after a report about racial disparities in troopers’ traffic enforcement was issued. According to the newspaper, the eight-month slowdown coincided with an increase in crashes and fatalities.
In a related report, Acting State Comptroller Kevin Walsh indicated that in 27% of troopers’ motor vehicle stops where no summons was issued, motorists flashed so-called “courtesy cards,” indicating some connection to law enforcement.
DuHaime’s comment in reaction was, in essence, well, people don’t like tickets, and he defended the officers’ judgment in such cases.
Never mind the carnage. We’re all in for another bumpy Republican robber-baron ride if Musk and Trump get U.S. Senate approval for Trump’s nominees for key federal positions to enforce our laws and protect our health, economy and national security.
Neil Vincent Scheck, Belmar
A hollow oath in January
Colossal wrongdoing has been so normalized by President-elect Donald Trump that nothing he plans to do in his second term with his unchecked power will surprise any citizen who is not brain-dead.
In his first term, he bungled the initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to about 400,000 American deaths by minimizing the outbreak, opposing requirements to wear masks and promoting ineffective cures.
Trump also trusted Vladimir Putin’s lying word, while demeaning the contrary research work of American intelligence agencies. His continuing vulgarity and mockery of our military heroes as losers were a bad example for youth and adults alike.
After his 2020 re-election defeat, he was found in a civil lawsuit to be a sexual abuser, and became a convicted felon in the hush-money case.
With his 2024 election victory, he’s about to take an oath of office that I consider blasphemous, since he has already said he is going to take vengeance on those fellow citizens he deems to be his personal enemies. His current threats to use the government to punish those who don’t love him might be considered criminal acts if anybody else went through with him.
But, all is now normalized, by a narcissistic magician who can turn ugliness of soul into glorious beauty and flagrant falsehoods into gospel truth. The wrath of Trump is upon the land.
Nicholas S. Molinari, Brick
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