Be cynical about Christie’s change of heart on Trump | Letters

The Star-Ledger’s Nov. 24 editorial, “Christie’s attempt to talk Trump off the ledge,” gave underserved praise to former Gov. Chris Christie for his latest position that President Donald Trump should acknowledge his election loss and move on.

Christie is, and has been, a political opportunist of the most egregious kind.  He backed Trump unfailingly, hoping for a place at the table during the Trump administration.  Even when he was unceremoniously dumped from the transition team in 2016, he expected to ride Trump’s coattails to higher office.

Now that the 2020 election has determined that Trump has no political future, Christie is looking forward to 2024, and recognizes that clinging to Trump will not be to his political advantage. He has now abandoned Trump’s sinking ship.

Typical.  Don’t buy it.

Edward Archambault, Union

Christie kicking off his ’24 campaign

Admittedly, I am one of those “who wouldn’t throw him (former Gov. Chris Christie) a life preserver if he fell off a boat.” I believe the Star-Ledger editorial lauding Christie for harshly criticizing President Donald Trump displays great naivety. Rather than taking a patriotic stance on the transfer of power, I believe Christie was kicking off his 2024 campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.

Christie, the ultimate political opportunist, has proven that he always puts his political ambitions first and foremost. Specific instances include when he vetoed the project to reconstruct the decaying railway tunnels under the Hudson River, thus putting commuters at great risk. Another is when he threw his loyal minions, Bridget Anne Kelly and Bill Baroni under the bus, denying any knowledge of the Bridgegate plot, despite sworn testimony of five witnesses to the opposite during the Kelly/Baroni trial.

He betrayed his constituents and his underlings.

He is not a patriot.

Bill Gottdenker, Mountainside

Murphy hecklers are shameful

As a resident, Republican and voter I look upon a pair of hecklers with disdain for their attack on Gov. Phil Murphy, his wife and his two children while having dinner last weekend.

The governor and his family showed restraint as the two hecklers carried on with their tirade as the governor’s family attempted to enjoy their meal.

Following the ordeal, Murphy stated, “This is not the time to be going after each other.”

In my opinion, the governor was well within his rights to respond in kind. However, he did not, and that is to his credit as a leader.

The election is over and the country has clearly spoken. Also, where was the governor’s security detail to deal with these brainless hecklers?

Lastly, the governor is doing what he believes is the best for the people of New Jersey. Everyone needs to understand the unbelievable and stressful position he is in. In this time of crisis, Murphy needs to be supported.

Harry Pappas, Springfield

It’s time to vote Pascrell out

U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-9th Dist., says that President Donald Trump and his “enablers” should be tried for crimes against our nation. This is from a politician who has done nothing for New Jersey in his too-long stay in Congress.

Pascrell worries about seeing Trump’s tax returns. How about if Pascrell worries instead about our taxes? The only crime against the nation is having the likes of Pascrell in Congress in the first place.

If not for gerrymandering of congressional districts in New Jersey, Pascrell would have been rightfully thrown out of office years ago. He is an insult to the intelligent citizens of New Jersey, the ones that didn’t vote for him.

Walter Goldeski, East Brunswick

Getting stoned not all it’s cracked up to be

I noticed a commonality among recreational marijuana opinion pieces after reading Paul Mulshine’s Nov. 24 column, “Pols making a hash of marijuana regulation.”

The common theme is how beneficial recreational pot, which was just approved by voters, is to New Jersey and its citizens: tax revenue, decriminalization, etc. It’s all about the benefits.

Mulshine is a cut above the rest of the opinion writers but, still, some commentary needs to balance the benefits of legal marijuana with the possible ill effects of getting high.

Why is smoking pot called “being stoned?” Think about it. That’s because the effects can be similar to “getting your bell rung” from a head collision in sports. Both can impair your cognitive abilities to think straight.

Dan Pryor, Belvidere

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