Thursday, August 26, 2004
The Tokens are not a "rock & roll" group. They started out as tin pan alley neo doo wop. I suppose the BIg hit "Wimoweh - The Lion Sleeps Tonight" could be considered folk-pop. The Weavers did that song, & I sang it around Boy Scout campfires. I went to see The Tokens at free outdoor concert in Rahway because they have their original lead singer, Jay Siegel, who can still do the falsetto - if with less power. I was mainly interested in seeing a guy who was part of the team that produced The Chiffons' "He's So Fine," The Happenings' underrated "See You In September," Randy & the Rainbows, & - Tony Orlando & Dawn (The Tokens were the original Dawn). Good lounge show, jokey, not particularly slick.
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It's unfortunate that Joe Renna is running for Union County freeholder as a Republican in a year the despicable George W. Bush is heading the ticket. Joe is more a traditional Labor Democrat in his views than most elected Democrats, & I told him so when we met twice today at outdoor concerts in Elizabeth & Rahway. During the several years I worked for & with Joe in his graphics business, I can't recall us ever having a serious disagreement over important political issues or co-called "family values."
I didn't vote for Jim McGreevey in either of his gubernatorial primaries. He was the annointed choice of too many Jersey bosses, & he paid dearly for letting himself be used by them. I voted for Rep. Frank Pallone in one of those elections. McGreevey seemed to be a good Mayor in Woodbridge, at least until he allowed a county park to be created on Smith Creek in Sewaren, formerly a location I considered magical, completely wrecking what had been a "brown fields" tidal zone well along in the healing process, turning a uniquely lovely waterway into a big ugly ditch. I've never trusted Jersey Democrats or Republicans in environmental matters. Had it been up to Republicans, Smith Creek would now probably be lined with high-priced condos like Shark River in Belmar. Let the "market" make the "improvements." Democrats think they're doing something for the "people" by ripping out wild tidewater vegetation, forcing a malnourished lawn on to weak, sandy soil, installing a public water fountain & restrooms, & making the place accessible only by car. Either way, there's a lot of money changing hands. ALL of the undeveloped areas around Smith Creek should have been designated as wildlife sanctuary with at most a nature boardwalk & bird viewing platform. Sewaren already had a comfortable & popular waterfront park, boat ramp & riverwalk. Any Sewaren resident who thinks the new park is a good thing is blind AND ignorant.
The Democratic Party in Jersey is in great need of reform. The cream does not rise to the top; unless one is a billionaire with ethics of acceptable quality. Perhaps Sen. Jon Corzine, the ultimate pay-to-play politician (he pays his own way & raises money for other Dems), is independent & strong enough to use the Governor's office for something better than dispensing patronage & other favors. Let the unintentionally absurdist performer Rep. Menendez have the Senate seat; faced with national security issues of highest importance, maybe he'll lose interest in who's running Jersey City. Our Senators have usually (with two notable exceptions) been guys who kept their noses out of the toilet bowl.
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"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." Thomas Jefferson
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It's unfortunate that Joe Renna is running for Union County freeholder as a Republican in a year the despicable George W. Bush is heading the ticket. Joe is more a traditional Labor Democrat in his views than most elected Democrats, & I told him so when we met twice today at outdoor concerts in Elizabeth & Rahway. During the several years I worked for & with Joe in his graphics business, I can't recall us ever having a serious disagreement over important political issues or co-called "family values."
I didn't vote for Jim McGreevey in either of his gubernatorial primaries. He was the annointed choice of too many Jersey bosses, & he paid dearly for letting himself be used by them. I voted for Rep. Frank Pallone in one of those elections. McGreevey seemed to be a good Mayor in Woodbridge, at least until he allowed a county park to be created on Smith Creek in Sewaren, formerly a location I considered magical, completely wrecking what had been a "brown fields" tidal zone well along in the healing process, turning a uniquely lovely waterway into a big ugly ditch. I've never trusted Jersey Democrats or Republicans in environmental matters. Had it been up to Republicans, Smith Creek would now probably be lined with high-priced condos like Shark River in Belmar. Let the "market" make the "improvements." Democrats think they're doing something for the "people" by ripping out wild tidewater vegetation, forcing a malnourished lawn on to weak, sandy soil, installing a public water fountain & restrooms, & making the place accessible only by car. Either way, there's a lot of money changing hands. ALL of the undeveloped areas around Smith Creek should have been designated as wildlife sanctuary with at most a nature boardwalk & bird viewing platform. Sewaren already had a comfortable & popular waterfront park, boat ramp & riverwalk. Any Sewaren resident who thinks the new park is a good thing is blind AND ignorant.
The Democratic Party in Jersey is in great need of reform. The cream does not rise to the top; unless one is a billionaire with ethics of acceptable quality. Perhaps Sen. Jon Corzine, the ultimate pay-to-play politician (he pays his own way & raises money for other Dems), is independent & strong enough to use the Governor's office for something better than dispensing patronage & other favors. Let the unintentionally absurdist performer Rep. Menendez have the Senate seat; faced with national security issues of highest importance, maybe he'll lose interest in who's running Jersey City. Our Senators have usually (with two notable exceptions) been guys who kept their noses out of the toilet bowl.
Add YOUR comments here
