New Jersey’s embattled Governor Chris Christie has always made a deal of his love for Bruce Springsteen, hero troubadour of regular folk and the Garden State.
But apparently it is not a mutual admiration society.
Here is Bruce Springsteen singing about “Governor Christie’s Traffic Jam.”
And kudos to Jimmy Fallon, who starts the song looking and sounding like the young Bruce S.
This may become the most infamous traffic jam in American history, the one that derailed the Presidential ambitions of a bully governor.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
I don’t get why the press seems to think that Christie can survive this. Just having all his trusted closest appointees doing this stuff is enough, and I have no doubt he encouraged this. He’s toast. It’s over.
I wish I could be so sure. I think his supporters have always known he’s a bully – that’s why they support him. They *want* someone who can roll over those wussy Democrats.
There has always been a certain belief that Christie was seen as a “moderate” and that this will drive away moderate supporters. But Christie’s record is quite clearly not moderate by any definition – have there ever been that many moderate supporters? In any case, if this – http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/11/03/gov-chris-christie-yells-at-a-teacher-again/ – didn’t scare away the moderates, I’m not sure why the traffic jam will either.
Boss v. Bully
place yer bets …
Boss….
anyone see this mess: http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2014/01/08/nevada-offers-teachers-personal-loans-to-buy-school-supplies/
Rock on!
😃
It was very telling that Gov. Christie yesterday hit the highest notes on two themes: 1), there were mistakes made; and 2), he’s the real victim.
Rheeally!
NOT that the behaviors and words in question were deliberate and thought out, done by people who were able to do the damage because they enjoyed the governor’s full confidence and support, and that the actual suffering was borne by the very people the governor was supposed to be representing/helping.
Sounds an awful lot like the spin we get from the traveling band of Educrats-For-Hire when they are trying to get a new gig. They continually resort to the some sort of Verbal EduTeflon Armor. As regards their old position, there were mistakes made [caveat: by someone else], and they are the real victims, victims of unions representing lazy LIFO teachers and special interests like parents and students, not to mention those shrill and strident critics like that Ravitch woman.
Really!
I cannot [ok, I could, but I won’t] help myself from borrowing a line from his His Excellency Himself: when it comes to thin-skinned edubullies and educrats and their immoral enablers—
“What is it with YOU PEOPLE?”
😎
I love it. Springsteen and Fallon, take this song on tour!!!
OMG, funny!
Simply, awesome!
Isn’t it interesting how VAM and JAM rhyme?
Amazing, the power of lyics & melody to tell it like is. Can we possibly get a catchy jingle on YouTube for Duncan, Rhee, Gates…? It might draw more people to get informed about education reformers.
“This may become the most infamous traffic jam in American history, the one that derailed the Presidential ambitions of a bully governor.”
Yet, the bully turns the attention back onto education and calls for a longer school year with extended hours. Kids can barely concentrate the way it is, with all the crazy demands in place already. The man is so out if touch with reality that he thinks going on his usual school-hate rampage will muster up the support he had before and deflect the deep pile of crap he has coming his way as a result of the political abuses of his office. I hope they run him out of Trenton, but quick.
I hope Jimmy Fallon is going to be able to continue to do these kinds of wacky bits on “The Tonight Show.” While I was still teaching, I always looked forward to seeing the show for some much-needed laughs–he’s one of the few who can do really-spot on spoofs and imitations. For more Christie fun, I recommend the new book Game Change 2012: Double Down.” Fun reading about Romney’s V.P. vetting of Christie
(although it hasn’t seemed to made a kerfuffle). Between Bridgegate and that, however, hope the guy is gone.
And no, Chris, do NOT do the late night talk show circuit–NO ONE wants to see that.
(Don’t you hate it when elected officials are on these shows?)
It’s doubly sweet because Christie is reportedly a big fan of Bruce.
It is like how Paul Ryan professed his love for Rage Against The Machine and they were like “dude, you’re the machine we’re raging against!”
Ms. Ravitch,
I thought I could trust you as someone who really wanted to fight Common Core & get it out of our schools.
But after reading this blogpost I realize I was mistaken.
Don’t you realize that Gov. Christie showed himself willing to stand up to bullying teacher’s union officials?
Don’t you think his efforts might inspire others to do the same?
Obviously, despite what you say, you really aren’t willing to join with people who differ with you politically. Forgive me for speaking bluntly, but there’s no way we can get Common Core out of America’s schools if this partisanship doesn’t stop.
Trashing Governor Christie & joining in a Media witch hunt does you no credit. If we just put a bandaid over the giant cancer of common core, ignoring that the major players at this time, especially Arne Duncan, are Democrats, while taking sides, we will never defeat it.
I will go elsewhere for info on Cmon Core. You are not to be trusted to give unbiased info.
Be very careful what you wish for folks. You seem happy that Christie is out. So be it. Just remember… Hillary Clinton will be President if you have your way, & I’d bet my last dollar she’ll do everything in her power to keep Common Core going.
Give that some thought.
Elly,
Excuse me, but don’t you know that your hero Chris Christie is a strong supporter of Common Core?
My views are my views. You can agree or disagree. Your choice.
He’s not my hero, and regardless… He might be more inclined to listen to Americans than Obama/Duncan or Hillary.
He wouldn’t have anyone such as Arne Duncan as Ed. Sec. And he’s also a human being- that still doesn’t explain your glee at his being humiliated by Bruce.
This witch hunt is a disgrace. Don’t think people aren’t paying attention.
Elly,
Chris Christie’s beloved education Commisioner is Chris Cerf, a democrat who worships at the same BROAD altar as Jeb Bush, Rahm Emmanuel, Barack Obama, Andrew Cuomo and Arne Duncan.
Get real.
Also, as a longtime Springsteen fan, I feel terrible for the Governor. Do you realize he’s seen Bruce 130 times? I’ve seen 3 Bruce shows & have most if his music. What happened the other night hurt me… I’m sure it hurt the Governor as well.
I hope all if you who are so happy about this understand that. Your comments are hurtful & almost hateful.
Perhaps the best thing for America would be that Liberals & those of any differing opinions just stay away from each other. If my children were in school with yours, and I found out you made such statements, I would keep my child away from you, as adults. You don’t seem trustworthy or compassionate enough to be trusted with any child/grandchild of mine.
Elly, bullying is abuse of power. The job of teachers unions is to use the power of solidarity of a group to counterbalance institutional power. How have they been abusing this power? If they have been doing it, they have been extremely poor bullies, because so far as I know they have been opposed to this regime of testing along, a regime of test and punish that has swept the country.
On the other hand, this bridge scandal is a very clear abuse of power, and even one that violates the laws of the US and New Jersey. It is clearly bullying, and whether he was directly involved, most of his top staff was, so he set the tone by his personnel decisions and how he directed them in the past—which includes many other examples of retribution. You may not like the facts, but there they are.
OK – as long as you understand that the biggest Bullies we’re facing are in the Obama administration. That’s a real fact. I hope you’ve all been paying attention to the many scandals & numerous abuses of power & intimidation in that admin, & the fact they’re never held to account for any of it. They are the ones pushing Common Core at this point in time.
Go ahead & stick up for the teachers unions. Here in PA the teachers unions spent over 5 million Taxpayer dollars on political causes. They used my money to pay to lobby for causes I disagree with, and the results of which are inflicting pain on me & my family, personally.
Maybe it’s different in New Jersey? I don’t know. But in PA the unions are abusive. Even teachers are upset.
There is no apologizing for this massive abuse of power in my state, & in the Federal Government.
Again… Hillary Clinton is a proven liar. She is unethical & not to be trusted. Keep pushing along with the media to take out any opponent of hers, & insure that she wins the Presidency. No one can stop you.. It’s your choice to go along with the media when they ignore much worse things than a traffic jam from Democrats. They think this is a game… But real people’s lives are affected.
(BTW- it was wrong of them to shut down the bridge, no question)
Just be careful. My children & grand children’s future is at stake here. So are yours. All will suffer if Arne Duncan stays on, or someone just like him is appointed. Please understand this & think things through…
If you live in Pennsylvania, you should be furious at Tom Corbett, who gives millions of your taxpayer dollars to terrible online charter schools, which make profits with your money and don’t deliver a good education.
First off, Elly, the two unions here in NJ operate independently. They do nothing collectively, and truly do not enter into this debate. So instead of trying to deflect the conversation of the topic at hand by bringing unions into it, why not face the facts? Christie’s office created a hazardous situation over the course of four days on purpose and for politically motivated reasons against the people who trusted him to run the state. Laws were broken. A civilian died because emergency personnel could not get her help. This is HIS responsibility. He is responsible for what comes out of his self-titled “tight-knit” office whether you want to believe it or not. He didn’t know about it FOR FOUR DAYS? Sorry, I do not buy his BS. The man screams accountability for everyone but himself. If his hand-picked underlings were so reckless with their political positions, how would this man’s presidential cabinet conduct themselves? This abuse is inexcusable. He should step down.
Secondly, where is your evidence that the unions in PA “spent over 5 million Taxpayer dollars on political causes?” You do know that it is against the law for unions to use membership dues for political motivations, right? I was a member of PSEA for several years before moving to NJ. No unions take taxpayer money. What you are saying is simply untrue.
Your comments championing that bully Christie are beyond reprehensible. If you do not understand the need to protect workers by allowing them to fairly negotiate contracts via bargaining units, I do not believe you have any concept of what Chris Christie has done to the teachers of NJ. If anyone should be insulted about anything, it’s the teacher in NJ considering the vitriol Chris Christie spews about us.
Further, until you have read the post entries and the many books of Diane Ravitch, you have no right to be so dismissive of her. She does not advocate for a particular political party. Do some research. She posted about and helped to organize a letter-writing campaign to Obama regarding education reform issues such as RttT. She has blogged about DFER. You ought to do your homework before coming into a woman’s living room to insult her based on your ignorance and rhetoric.
P.S. Your mention of “Liberals” colors your political motivations. We know your type…I’m shocked you didn’t start in about Benghazi to deflect Christie’s heinous actions. Is that next, Elly? Is that where you go next with your “debate?” More deflection and lies?
William Berkson: Agreed. Elected officials are responsible for the actions of their closest aides. It is puzzling that Christie might get away with saying “I had no idea that my closest associates–so many of them–were doing illegal things to punish people who didn’t support my re-election.”
I am furious with Corbett. What I don’t understand is why you aren’t furious with Obama/Duncan. But I think I know the answer. I found it in your reply to William, which addresses the problem with Christie… But you did not agree with me when I mentioned the same types of issues with Democrats.
It’s fine though. No one can make anyone else look at things in an unbiased manner. You have free will to be blind if you choose to.
There are plenty of other sources for Common Core news.
Elly, I didn’t respond because I think there are a lot of things that depart from the facts in your statements.
First of all Diane Ravitch here is extremely critical of Obama and Duncan.
Secondly, the exercise of power in a way you or I don’t like is not the same as abuse of power or in other words bullying. I intensely dislike what Obama is doing in education, but it is all legal so far as I know, and so not bullying but following democratic process. We need to reverse it by organizing and democratic efforts.
Finally, you say that the Unions are spending tax-payer money on political work. I thought they were spending union dues. Since when do they have tax-payer money? If you want to ban corporations from spending money on campaigns, then you can start to discuss banning unions from doing so as well. Now, both are permitted. The corporations spend money in ways that many, perhaps a majority of their employees and stock holders object to. At least there is majority vote in unions, which is a check on their power, unlike corporate power.
To add to and correct my previous comment: I see that unions, like corporations, in the past have done political work through Political Action Committees. The Citizens United loosened the restraints on corporations. I don’t know how that affected unions. Campaign financing is a big mess and I don’t understand it, so I’ll leave that to others.
William,
I am deeply involved in what’s going on politically in my state. I know what I’m talking about. The teachers union in my state has used my money for political purposes. It’s wrong.
I do NOT want Hillary Clinton to be elected President. I don’t want Christie either, but that’s beside the point. I am entitled to my opinion as you are.
I still think it was a cruel dirty trick that Springsteen played on Christie. Christie hasn’t been convicted as of yet. He’s a human being. What’s wrong with all of you?
Elly, I don’t know what Hillary Clinton has to do with all of this. Personally I would love to have Elizabeth Warren as President.
I think you have blinders on. This parallels Watergate in being petty, vindictive and illegal, and it is just as likely that Christie had nothing to do with this as it was that Nixon had nothing to do with Watergate. Like Nixon, he has always had the persona of a bully, and a long record of petty and vindictive actions. Unlike Nixon, he has a lot of charm, but his cruelty in screaming a teachers and others I have found truly disgusting. I think the satire was richly deserved.
“I am deeply involved in what’s going on politically in my state. I know what I’m talking about. The teachers union in my state has used my money for political purposes. It’s wrong.”
Actually, you are making political statements based on fallacies and hoping no one would notice.
Educate yourself. PACs are organizations that legally use money specifically donated by members–money that is separate from membership dues and voluntarily donated–to interview candidates on their positions on education for the purpose of possible endorsement. Endorsements are made on behalf of the candidates whose beliefs about education most align with the beliefs of the PAC’s affiliated parent organization. No PAC money is given to individual campaigns.
Private money is used for not only the same purpose of endorsement but for campaign contributions by those with money and power who continually contribute to campaigns at levels far above what the average working class taxpayer takes home annually in pay, yet you would argue that PAC endorsements are wrong because they represent members who donate. Why is it ok for wealthy private citizens to donate their money to actual campaigns, but it is wrong for middle class private citizens to donate their money to organizations that seek to simply endorse candidates? No union dues are used for endorsements. No “Taxpayer money” is used for this purpose. No union PAC makes a “blanket” endorsement of one political party over another, as you have insinuated in your first post complaining about Democrats.
FYI, Chris Christie was contacted by my union PAC every time he has run for governor, yet he has refused to even acknowledge the PAC let alone consider any of the union’s positions. How could the PAC endorse a candidate who refuses to even deal with them? Unions were never against Christie–he chose to make them his enemy from the get-go. He brought this on, not any union. His agenda is to disrupt the public schools in an effort to dismantle public education and pave the way for privatization.
Yes, Christie is innocent until proven guilty, but he has already proven that he has little regard for the people of NJ to attack so many of them publicly as he has for the past four years. I’m tired of it, and AS A TAXPAYER, I am insulted by his unprofessional actions. A woman died because of the political motivations of his staff–the incident continued for four days and he claimed it was without his knowledge. No one in his office goes to the bathroom without his knowledge. I don’t buy his innocent plea.
Now if Springsteen’s satire offends you, try having your professional life turned upside-down from the actions of governors like Christie and his ilk. He is a politician, plain and simple, and his office illegally disrupted the lives of his constituents and inadvertently interfered with the life of a woman. He has made it his agenda to mess with my livelihood and my community to satisfy his political allies who would like to privatize my community schools. He has made this personal by attacking me, the people in my profession, and by extension, my community. So if you think he cannot handle a little satire and he needs “protecting” from “appalled” Springsteen fans such as yourself, fantastic…but ripping apart unions based on untruths and ignoring the abuses of his office are actions that do not garner respect. If you think I was not very civil in my first response to you, remember who has been attacked. I’m tired of having to play defense against your boy’s deplorable offensive actions that are based in overblown statements of rhetoric. I make no apologies, but I still believe you owe Diane one for your offensive admonishing and mischaracterization of her stance.
And yes, I was born and raised in good ol’ PA, and I currently live and work in NJ. My family has an awful lot of skin in this game, as well.
Elly–While I appreciate your point of view, I must respectfully tell you that you’d have to read quite a bit more of Diane’s blog posts (in addition to this one specifically about Christie) to know that Diane–as well as the majority of her readers–does not delineate between Democrats and Republicans insofar as the current state of education in America. If you don’t have time to read entire posts, you can skim through them–just in the past few days, there was a post about the Democratic House Speaker of Illinois and his involvement with the Gulen charters, as well as IL General Assembly members (Dems) visiting Turkey–and this post & the readers were, indeed, outraged. Virtually every commenter on this blog has been sickened and disgusted by the Obama/Duncan education plan–Race to the Top, which we’ve deemed to be No Child Left Behind on steroids. We have been writing, calling and e-mailing the President, urging him to fire Arne Duncan, and all we have received has been insulting form letters, and so we, here, are, indeed furious with President Obama who could have, in fact, chosen a real, excellent, knowledgeable educator, and not his “basketball buddy” who not only lacks credentials in education (Duncan has never even taught!), but first helped to decimate the Chicago Public School System with his lack of experience and, I might add, lack of human compassion.
I would urge you to read more of Diane’s blog, but also read her books–if you don’t have time to read both of her most recent books (and you should make time!), DO read The Death & Life of the Great American School System: How Testing & Choice are Undermining Public Education. They’re sure to be at your local library!
And–BTW–I am one of those people who–based on what I’ve seen (& I watched the entire Oprah-Gov. Christie interview) and read (I also recommend Game Change 2012:
Double Down, which describes Romney’s vetting of Christie–and why he wasn’t chosen as the Republican V.P. candidate)–think that Christie is, indeed, a bully. And I can’t help but think about the woman who died in the premeditated traffic glut on the GWB. He and his staff are lucky that more people did not die.
The traffic jam was wrong. I already stated my opinion that it shouldn’t have happened. Christie would not be my first choice for president either. He may well be a bully… But so is Obama. I’m very glad you see my point on Obama & Duncan. The media & their constant propping up of this man, while systematically taking out anyone who might possibly defeat their next choice, Hillary, is what is so upsetting. Don’t you see what’s happening? The media have no damn business choosing the president in this underhanded way. THEY are the bullies. This is not the way America was designed to work. If Mrs. Clinton is elected, she may appoint someone worse than Duncan.
I am standing by my other statements. The media paid much more attention to this than many other more serious issues concerning Obama & his admin. Most Americans are sick of this game. I cannot force you to look at this, but I know what I know.
This stunt by Springsteen was mean & hateful. You can think otherwise if you want. You’re entitled to your opinion.
This blog post was also nasty, & so were some of the comments. I won’t be reading anymore of Ms. Ravitch’s work, though I admit she’s right on Common Core. I just can’t stand this partisan division anymore. My family & I are the losers here. I’m sick of it. I’ve never had anyone who supports Obama or his admin give me the time of day when I’ve tried to speak about what’s happened to us. I’ve been called names & insulted more times than I can remember, simply for speaking up for me & mine. It never changes. My family has as much skin in this game as yours.
I hope Common Core is thrown on the crap pile where it belongs, but I won’t be visiting this blog again.
I refuse to respond to the screed from LG. it’s not worth my time.
Elly, I agree with your first paragraph 100%. I would urge people to read the Carl Bernstein book about Hillary (think it was written in 2007) before you decide that “she’s the one in 2016.” I’m actually quite sick of dynasties–people are already talking about Chelsea running for office.
Would be happy to see Elizabeth Warren run…and win!
This is in response to LG:
I’m only responding to let you know I recognize your alinskyite tactics. “Pick a target, polarize it, freeze it, ridicule it… etc. (paraphrase)
Just so you understand something- it’s not gonna work on me. I don’t care what you think of me. I don’t care what anybody thinks at this point.
I also don’t give a flying crap if you grew up in PA or not. I don’t give a flying f&ck on a magic carpet whether you live in NJ or not. I know what I know, & the Union officials in my state are bullying thugs.
People in PA are sick of it. If you’re ok with such things, so be it, but please understand that we know we’re being taken advantage of.
Now… Go ahead & write another comment about how much I don’t know about my own state & how what’s going on isn’t affecting me & my own family.
What makes you think that you can speak for the “people in PA?” News flash–you cannot any more than I can, but I’ll be dipped if I will allow you to rip apart the organization that helped my father do his job without worry that his academic freedom was at stake. I will be dipped if I will allow you to spread lies about my cousin’s husband who puts up with the neighbors calling into zealotous radio shows claiming he doesn’t deserve to do his job the way he has been successfully doing it for years. I will be dipped if I allow you to rip apart the profession that is the crux of our community schools, the same schools where my nieces and nephews get their education.
Your words invited a response, but you did not like the one you got, so you continue to insult. You deserve Christie, but unfortunately you don’t have to put up with him.
It appears that you cannot admit your lack of understanding in regard to the law so you resort to “I’m not listening!” You give nothing of value to the debate when you ignore the facts and fallacies that are the crux of your argument. Care to expand on anything you claim and back it up or will you continue to shout your rhetoric from the hilltops until someone believes you?
I noticed that you still haven’t apologized to Diane.
I would support Elizabeth Warren if she were to run for President. I learned of her on this blog during the summer when I asked who we should support in the next presidential election and started reading more about her and am encouraged by what I have learned. I would have never supported Hillary and have only added more reasons not to support her by reading this blog. As for Chris Christie, I was aware that he was planning to make a bid for presidency, but other than that I did not know much about him until I started reading this blog. I now know more about him than I care to, and he won’t be getting my vote should he proceed with his desire to run for President. Yelling at the teacher like he did was mean, plain and simple.
Ms. Ravitch,
My apologies for any offense my comments caused you. They were made in the heat of the moment. I still believe the media is trying to take out any opponent of Mrs. Clinton because she is the one they want.
They will probably take out Elizabeth Warren too, if she runs for the nomination.
LG:
http://tinyurl.com/mdas52s
Elly:
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Commonwealth_Foundation
Your “source” is connected to ALEC. Union-busting propaganda rears it’s ugly, lying head, yet again…just as I thought. Carry on, but don’t expect the taxpaying working class to refrain from putting up a fight just because you want to believe (and carelessly spread) the lies.