N.J. Paper: 'Playing God' With Bridge Warrants Federal Criminal Investigation

[ProSense]

N.J. Paper: 'Playing God' With Bridge Warrants Federal Criminal Investigation

A New Jersey newspaper that doggedly reported on Gov. Chris Christie's (R) ties to a traffic mess on the George Washington Bridge called for a federal criminal investigation into the matter Thursday.

The Bergen Record was among the news outlets, including TPM, that reported one of Christie's closest aides talked about closing lanes on the bridge weeks before they occurred with one of the governor's appointees to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

"Playing God" with the bridge, the newspaper wrote, amounted to interfering with interstate commerce and warrants investigation at both the federal and state levels.

From the newspaper's editorial:

No evidence showing the governor was involved in the GWB scandal has emerged. Christie issued a statement late Wednesday saying he knew nothing about the lane closures and that anyone in his administration found responsible would be held accountable. Strong words that would have been stronger if issued in person rather than by press release. But all investigations into this growing mess must look at the full chain of command and the culture that existed inside the governor's office.

If (Bridget Anne) Kelly has not been fired by this sunrise, she should be. But firing one deputy isn't going to cut it now. Interfering with interstate commerce – and playing God with the GWB is doing just that – warrants a federal criminal investigation. In addition to a federal probe, a state probe is needed. Because New Jersey's attorney general is a Christie pick, New York should take the lead in that investigation.

The Bergen Record also reported Wednesday that the September lane closures delayed responses to at least four medical emergencies -- including the response to an unconscious 91-year-old woman, who later died of cardiac arrest at a hospital.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/bergen_record_playing_god_bridge_scandal

[ProSense]

1. A couple of things don't make sense

based on Christie's statement (http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024299987) : 1) Why would anyone put his/her ass on the line to exact political revenge on behalf of Christie without his knowledge? 2) Why would officials carry out these orders if they weren't coming from the top?

I mean, top staffers just took it upon themselves to order a traffic jam, and officials just went along? Bullshit, and especially given Christie's reaction and lies prior to the revelations. He was being a complete jerk.

Barbara Buono:

<...>

“When I heard about it when it initially surfaced in September, I knew it was an act of political retribution,” Buono told the Daily Beast. “And to suggest that Christie wasn’t aware and didn’t direct it, I thought was ludicrous at the time.”

“This is a guy who runs a paramilitary operation,” she added. “His people don’t sneeze without checking with him first. But I think what really was the most damning was the cavalier attitude that these folks had about subjecting children and the public to public safety hazards. These are terrible people, and the ringleader is Chris Christie.”

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/buono_christie_paramilitary_operation

Fallout continues from Christie bridge scandal
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024303626

Former Christie Ally, Opponent Always Knew Governor 'Would Implode At Some Point'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024303645

[ananda]

4. Remember Macbeth and Becket?

Macbeth ordered the death of Banquo stressing that he required a clearance.
In other words the murderers would take the blame.

And Becket just offhandedly said he wanted this priest out of his hair,
and somebody took it to mean kill him.

I don't know whether Christie's aides will fall on their swords for him,
but I really think that's what he wanted.

[KitSileya]

7. Sorry for being a nitpick, but St.Thomas Becket was the priest murdered,

And Henry II was the king who ordered him murdered.

(It's the teacher in me, sorry.)

[ProSense]

2. Stupid troll at TPM

First troll comment:

OMG HE CLOSED LANES ON A BRIDGE! THIS IS A MAJOR SCANDAL!

But people dying in Bengahzi because of the Obama administration isn't.

But people being illegally targeted by the IRS for their political beliefs isn't.

But running guns to Mexico which killed Americans isn't.

And people argue the media doesn't have a bias. And I don't even like Christie.

Next, in response to this comment:

"I just love how the GOP keeps trotting out The Next Ronald Reagan -- and that person ends up imploding on the big stage.

In 2008, they tried Sarah Palin. Then they let Bobby Jindal give the Republican response to Obama's first State of the Union address. Remember that? Then we had the GOP primary. Bachmann. Perry. They were even desperate enough to flirt with Herman Cain. They settle for Mr. 47 Percent, and he loses. They put Paul Ryan on the ticket, and they couldn't even carry Wisconsin. Then it's thirsty Marco Rubio. Then we get Ted Cruz shutting down the Government. Rand Paul has his plagiarism problem. . .

And now it's Chris Christie.

I can't wait to see who we get next.

...the troll posts:

Nobody in the GOP wants Christie. We all think he's terrible.

So really the media is doing our work for us by getting rid of him. At least media bias comes in handy once and a while.

[ProSense]

3. Christie's Bridge-Gate Reaction Spells Trouble

Christie's Bridge-Gate Reaction Spells Trouble

...Christie’s December statements that he’d talked to his staff and had verified that his office had nothing to do with the closures, combined with the revelations of yesterday, leave only two possible scenarios:

A) Christie’s own staff lied to his face
B) Christie is now lying to everyone else

Christie is not acting like a man who just found out he’s been lied to.

There is no sensible reason Bridget Anne Kelly should have still been a public employee since about .02 seconds after these emails hit the public eye. They show naked malfeasance for petty, vindictive, partisan reasons which did real damage to some of the people of New Jersey. We’d already heard how the bridge closure hampered the search for a missing four-year-old. New revelations are already coming out about how it impacted response times for paramedics. More stories are no doubt on the way – you can’t pinch off a major artery for an extended period without damage.

Not to mention the lethal political damage the whole thing does to the Governor’s office, to say nothing of the future ambitions of the man currently sitting in it. The idea that the most notorious hothead in modern politics could find out that his own staff had torpedoed him like this and not have physically dragged Kelly out of her office faster than you could say “Judas” is just not credible.

Chris Christie is a bully - we've all seen it, more than once, directed toward anybody that got under his surprisingly thin skin. Public cut-downs and virtual "F-you's" have been the flair on his political suspenders since he first caught the public eye. So why - when his deputy chief of staff engages in public sabotage that would have earned the "T" word if her last name had been Khalil instead of Kelly - is he suddenly pulling into his shell instead of screaming at his staff until they start crying?

- more -

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/01/09/1268303/-Christie-s-Bridge-Gate-Reaction-Spells-Trouble

Christie: I Was 'Misled By A Member Of My Staff' (updated)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024299987

Chris Hayes: CHRISTY IS HISTORY
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024303805

[madokie]

5. I smell burnt toast

as in christies ass burning
No front runner status for him any longer which to me is sad as he would have been easy to beat in a general election for President.

[malaise]

6. Yep that inter-state commerce thingy is going to get them

Delish!!