New Jersey has officially rescheduled its 2025 party primary elections to accommodate a holiday on a religious calendar, the final day of Shavuot, mainly observed by Orthodox Jews who do not write, drive or use electronic equipment during the holiday.
A law signed last week by Gov. Phil Murphy moved the elections from June 3 — the traditional “first Tuesday” date — to June 10, one week later.
It had always been my understanding that this sort of political action was forbidden. Sure enough, it is right there in the First Amendment, which begins “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
What was moving the primaries, if not precisely what is prohibited?
One may argue that, in this case, Congress and the federal government did not violate the prohibition; a state legislature did, and therefore the First Amendment stands unsullied. But, using that same argument, states would be free to “abridge the freedom of speech, press or the right of people to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
It may be that June 3 may have been uncomfortable for the religious group involved, but they would not necessarily have been disenfranchised. There are always mail-in ballots, and now, early in-person voting.
If I had my own religion celebrating Mother Nature, would the Legislature change a voting date to accommodate my needs? Unlikely, to say the least, which means that one religion is being respected over others. The state attorney general should look into this.
Jack Colldeweih, Somerset
Carter’s ‘malaise’ speech worth reviewing
In a recent edition of the “Friendly Fire” opinion page feature, Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky suggested that readers reread the late President Jimmy Carter’s “malaise ” speech from 1979.
Below is his last sentence from that speech, which should be the goal of elected leaders in today’s world:
“Let us commit ourselves together to a rebirth of the American spirit. Working together with our common faith we cannot fail.”
In the speech, he called upon the United States to stop its dependence on foreign oil imports because of the disastrous effect on our economy. It took many years for America to reach the goal of being a net energy exporter but, fortunately, Carter did live long enough to see that goal achieved.
Bob Barrett, Clark
Remembering Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter will be remembered as an exceptional president. In 1975, during a campaign speech, he said “I will never lie to you. I will always be honest with you.”
He was totally honest with Americans — rare in today’s America.
A former Georgia governor, Carter was a Nobel Peace Prize winner and a tireless advocate for human rights. He established the Bureau of Human Rights at the State Department that still exists today. He is remembered for mediating a peace accord between Egypt and Israel during 13 intense days of negotiation in 1978 at Camp David. He oversaw the return of the Panama Canal to Panama.
Domestically, Carter was strong on the environment. He had the foresight to warn Americans to decrease reliance on fossil fuels — ahead of his time.
After serving his four years as president, he was celebrated for helping build more than 4,000 houses with Habitat for Humanity. He became a notable example of America’s “everyman.”
More than ever in our history, this country is in dire need of statesmen like Jimmy Carter.
Rest in peace, Mr. President. You will be missed.
Ed Vreeswyk, Yardville
Carter still wrong about Israel
Tom Moran’s column “Jimmy Carter’s truth-telling on Israel” shows how sentiment against Israel, which I view as antisemetic, has infected the Star-Ledger.
Moran cited and mostly praised Carter’s controversial 2006 book, “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid,” which was widely criticized as biased against Israel. Despite being called out for it, Carter never repudiated what was seen as a legitimization of terrorism against Israel. There was never an apology, a correction or a recall of a justification for killing Israeli Jews.
Carter wrote, “It is imperative that the general Arab community and all significant Palestinian groups make it clear that they will end the suicide bombings and other acts of terrorism when international laws and the ultimate goals of the ‘Roadmap’ for peace are accepted by Israel.”
Basically, that quote says that as long as Israel doesn’t do what Carter thought it should do, terrorism against Israel can be viewed as legitimate.
Zvi I. Weiss, Edison
Crying time for Justice Roberts
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is whining about “judicial independence” being under threat, while his merry band of partisan hacks displayed quite a bit of independence as they ignored precedents and established law to destroy a woman’s right to chose what to do with her body, and reduce safeguards for minority voting rights.
Several of his associates on the high court have also “independently” enjoyed expensive gifts and free luxury vacations from extremely wealthy friends, including some who, coincidentally, had business before the court.
Boo hoo, Justice Roberts. Maybe you should pay more attention to the inner workings of your organization instead of moaning about mistreatment.
Bill Gottdenker, Mountainside
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