tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10635442.post1457749171609532697..comments2023-10-21T03:07:18.017-05:00Comments on Enclave: How not to handle a local crisis if electedS-townMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05948307051485318061noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10635442.post-77336079092861223332011-01-14T13:49:25.138-06:002011-01-14T13:49:25.138-06:00I'm not a huge fan of Christie's either, b...I'm not a huge fan of Christie's either, but there is a sincerity and truth to what he says. His office, and the emergency management offices of New Jersey are not responsible if roads in Newark are blocked, those are city streets, not state roads. Those responsibilities fall upon the city leaders, not the Governor's office. It's refreshing to see someone do something like this, rather than do something that is politically expedient. What was he going to do anyway, dump his family in FLA, and fly where, to Philly, or DC? If he couldn't get to NJ, then he was where he needed to be, and as stated before, we're not living in the past, people are connected 24/7, and so was Christie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10635442.post-3132705176741008962011-01-13T12:30:13.299-06:002011-01-13T12:30:13.299-06:00I certainly have no love for Mr Christie's pol...I certainly have no love for Mr Christie's policies, but having seen him on The Morning Joe yesterday, I have to say that the folks criticizing him for not being present are off the mark. As he explained: 1) He couldn't have gotten back from Florida if he wanted to given the closing of the airports; 2) life in the 21st century means that he was always in touch via phone and computer so as to be able to provide guidance as needed. However, most important was #3) that he had made a promise to his family about the trip that was "sacred" and that he felt an obligation to put his family first. Frankly the perceptual issue has been created by jerks who try to perpetuate the perception that the entire world will come to an end if they aren't present, and who sacrifice their families on the altar of political perception.<br /><br />I frankly appreciated his absolute sincerity in stating the value of his family and that he had made an informed decision that he would make again to put them first in spite of the perception issue, as that should be a primary priority for ALL of us. As one who is considered to be on-call 24/7 I have had to establish boundaries around family time, even when church members die, in order to keep my family sane, together, and non-resentful. Our politicians must have the right to do so as well. <br /><br />One other aside in his explanation. When asked about the Lt. Governor's absence he explained that her father has stage 4 cancer and had scheduled a family cruise for the same time as his family vacation. He wasn't (rightfully) about to tell her she couldn't go, and he couldn't cancel his family commitment either. He reiterated that in the future he and the Lt. Governor would work more closely in coordinating these schedules so that one or the other could remain in state. <br /><br />Frankly, while I disagree with many of his policy decision, I think we have to be careful to recognize that these guys are humans trying to balance the job with their families, and there are times when families must come first. His response resonated with me, and as such I walked away with greater respect for his position.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com