Gallagher Update III

The following update on the Art Gallagher saga was left as a comment by Heraciltus on "Art Gallagher Turned a Dream Into A Nightmare For Betsy Penrose; Sweet deal on vending truck turned out to be a lemon" post earlier today.

According to Heraciltus, the MoreMonmouthMusings blogger had his bail hearing this morning in front of Judge Scully, where Gallagher and his lawyer were looking to have his $250,000 bail reduced with a 10% option applied.

According to the post Gallagher's lawyer Michael Laffey only slightly succeeded in his plea to have Gallagher's bail reduced. Heraciltus, who was present in the courtroom this morning, states that Judge Scully did reduce Art's bail from $250,000 to $150,000. Unfortunately for Art however, Judge Scully would not consider allowing a 10% option and it looks as if Art will be staying behind bars for the foreseeable future.

Below is what Heraciltus wrote, i'll be interested in reading what the Asbury Park Press has to say about this later:

Mike, Art Gallagher had a bail reduction hearing today before Judge Scully. I was at the hearing. This is what I saw and reported on Art's blog ...

Judge Scully lowered Art Gallagher's bail to $150,000 without a 10% option. Art looked like someone punched him in the stomach when the judge issued his ruling. Art's wife wept as the judge announced the lower bail. From the look on Art' face, I don't think Art or his family will be posting the new, lower bail.

The hearing was interesting to watch. Art was dressed in a green jump suit over a white thermal shirt. He was handcuffed and chained to to a fugitive from New York, some guy named Prisco. Art was very scared of the guy he was chained to. Art was required to stand in the jury box during the 10 minute proceeding.

Art's lawyer, Michael Laffey, was out of his league. Despite the fact that the judge lowered the bail somewhat, Laffey was unable to answer some of the judge's questions. The judge shook his head and seemed to laugh a little when Laffey suggested that repossessions often take place in the middle of the night and without going through the proper proceedures first. Laffey very much looked like the amatuer that he is. At one pointed Laffey started talking about a newspaper article that appeared in some Delaware newspaper while the judge rolled his eyes. I actually felt sorry for Michael Laffey. Laffey was literally trembling before and during the hearing. When the hearing was over, Laffey rushed out of the courtroom and stood in the hall. He did this without first consoling or even speaking with Art's wife or supporters. Laffey looked liked he was going to throw up as he collected himself in that hallway. Art blew a kiss to his wife before being led out of the courtroom in chains. He looked like he was crying as they led him away.

I counted 5 people that looked like they were in the courtroom to support Art Gallagher. Art's wife, Lori, sat next to an older man that I presume was Art's father. Art's wife also sat next to an older guy in a cheap suit. This guy was beyond creepy. He kept massaging Lori Gallagher's neck and back. It was quite clear that Mrs. Gallagher was very uncomfortable with this guy touching her. There were a couple of older women that sat in the second row -- an obese woman that read the paper the whole time and a skinny older lady who looked confused.

The prosecutor was a very professional black lady. She kicked Michael Laffey's ass in that courtroom. The prosecutor pointed out that Art knew for about 30 days that he would be charged in Delaware. Art was invited by the cops in Delaware to turn himself in. Art refused to do so, forcing the Delaware cops to obtain the fugitive warrant. That fact that Art didn't turn himself in when he had the chance to do so weighed heavily on the judge's mind. The judge also pointed out that if Art were charged with these crimes in New Jersey, they would be Second Degree crimes. The judge pointed out that if convicted, Art Gallagher is facing many years in prison

Gallagher Update II

Somewhere around 8:30 pm last night Art Gallagher's website was back online and issued a statement pertaining to his extradition hearing and his request to have his bail reduced.

The Asbury Park Press has also posted about Art's day in court yesterday. You can read all about it if you are interested......Here

MoreMonmouthMusings Blog Taken Down

It would appear that sometime this morning that Art Gallagher's blog MoreMonmouthMusings.net has been taken down and is, at this time not operational.

The last posting to the blog made by a mysterious administrator was at 11:16 last night and was an awkward attempt to discuss a few local issues in 12th LD as reported by Eatontown Patch.

The post also attacks local republican Jim Sage, who has made it his mission in life to see that State Senator Jennifer Beck who is now seeking reelection in the newly created 11th LD, does not return to Trenton. Sage has a facebook page titled Dump State Senator Jennifer Beck that is a thorn in the side to Beck and disdained by many Republicans in Monmouth County.

No word on why the blog was shut down or when, if ever, it will return.

APP Gallagher Update

The Asbury Park Press last night issues an update on the case against moremonmouthmusings blogger Art Gallagher.

As of last night he has not yet been extradited to Delaware and charges against him are beginning to be leaked:

...Delaware State Police Sgt. Paul Shavack said Gallagher, of Linden Avenue, will face two felony counts of theft (over $100,000 each) and two counts of forgery upon his arrival. He declined to discuss details until the 53-year-old is formally charged.

Detective Nicholas Terranova said on Monday that he was unsure when Gallagher would be brought to Delaware, but said the extradition is “in the works.”...

Good follow-up by Press reporter Dustin Racioppi

Gallagher Issues Statement From Jail

Gee, I hope he didn't have to waste his one phone call from jail on this post left on his blog a short while ago.

"As I am sure all my readers are now aware I was arrested late Friday evening on a warrant issued out of the State of Delaware. On the advice of my attorney I can not discuss the charges against me at this time other then to say that they are vigorously contested and that I did not commit theft.

Right now I am concentrating on securing my release from jail so that I can properly address these charges through my attorneys.

When I am released I intend to write about my experiences of the last few days.

I thank all of you who have expressed concern for me and my family and I assure you that we are doing fine given these difficult circumstances."

MoreMonmouthMusings's Art Gallagher Arrest; Awaiting Extradition To Delaware On Fraud Charges

According to an online article posted on The Asbury Park Press this evening, Art Gallagher, author of the moremonmouthmusings blog, has been arrest on fraud charges and is being held on $250,000 bail while waiting on extradition to Delaware, at the Monmouth County Jail.

From the APP:

HIGHLANDS — A prominent blogger who is running for a seat on the Highlands Borough Council next month is in Monmouth County Jail awaiting extradition to Delaware, police said.

Art Gallagher, who runs a Republican-leaning political blog and is campaigning as an independent for council, was arrested over the weekend by borough police on a fugitive from justice warrant out of Delaware, Chief Joseph Blewitt said.

Details of Gallagher’s alleged crime across state lines are unclear, but Blewitt said the warrant was theft-related. Detective Nicholas Terranova, the lead investigator in the case for Delaware State Police, could not be reached for comment Sunday.

“That’s what it’s stemming from. It’s regarding a fraud investigation Delaware State Police conducted,” Highlands police Sgt. Joe Rogers said.

Gallagher, 53, who is also a member of the borough’s planning board, is being held on $250,000 bail. Blewitt said on Sunday afternoon “they have informed us they will extradite.”

I don't want to kick a guy while he's down but sooner or later everyone needs to answer to a higher authority for what they may have reaped in life. I hope that he and his family will able to cope well during this trying time.

Something like this however was bound to happen sooner or later to Art. I heard rumors last year that Art was going to be the subject of a WPIX News segment of "Help Me Howard ".

For those unfamiliar with "Help Me Howard", it's a segment on channel 11 news that features longtime newsman Howard Thompson. Thompson helps those who feel they have suffered injustices or have been wronged in someway.

In a segment that was to feature Art Gallagher but never aired because the incident was allegedly settled before airing, Art was accused by someone who had rented a food vending truck from his business. I don't remember all the details but the person who rented the truck was upset that the truck didn't work properly and wanted a refund of some kind. Art of course wouldn't oblige so the individual contacted Howard Thompson.

Also, Art has fancied himself a "King Maker" of sorts ever since he started MoreMonmouthMusings, blogging first anonymously as William Seward, then as himself, after he and others managed to air all sorts of Republican dirty laundry and the "take down" of Monmouth County Chairman Adam Puharic back in 2008 when he resigned from the position and opened the door for current Chairman Joe Oxley.

Art has since often warned Republican wannabes that if they want to get elected to office in Monmouth County or locally that they need to indulge his blogging and submit comments or columns to it.

Art also got himself in a bit of hot water back in 2008 when he tried to rationalize the use of the "N" word after the Reverend Jesse Jackson was caught on an open mike threatening to cut of then presidential candidate Barack Obama's "N"nuts. Art wanted to know why it was okay for Jesse Jackson, a black man, to use the "N" word but it was unacceptable for a white man to use the term.

After posting this on his blog, then Middletown Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger, called a special emergency session of the Middletown Human Rights Commission to look into it thinking that his blog posting was actually printed in the Bayshore Courier where Art had at the time wrote a weekly column.

This lead to Art being censored by the local chapter of the NAACP and his column being dropped by the Courier. Afterwards Gallagher started a vendetta against the Middletown Democrats and the Courier's publisher, blaming them for somehow conspiring against him and having him labeled as a racist.

Since then, Gallagher's blog has become a the Middletown Republican's dumping ground for the dirty tricks, mudslinging and slander against Democratic candidates running for office in Middletown.

What will the Middletown Republicans do now? Will they come out and disavow Art Gallagher or will they make excuses for him and their actions.

As I said above, it is easy to kick a guy while he is down. Regardless of Art's alleged actions in this case or in the past, I do wish him and his family well. We have had a slight adversarial relationship over the past few years but I think we have always been respectful to one another.

I may not always agree with Art or his point of view but that doesn't mean I wish him any ill will. I wish him a speedy resolve to his problems and a return to his blogging.

Will Short Seek Re-Election In Middletown?

Will Democrat Patrick Short seek re-election this year to the Middletown Township Committee?That seems to be the question to over at MoreMonmouthMusings.

Evidently Art Gallagher ran into Mr. Short at last nights Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce's Meet the Mayors event last night and asked him if he had intentions to seek re-election.

According to Art, Short left open the possibility of not running for re-election.

In his post, Art gave some very nice background to his readers about Short's previous victory and some useful suggestions for Short to consider before seeking re-election, which was surprising considering how anti- Middletown Dems Art Gallagher is.    

If you ask me however, I think that Short was just messing a bit with Gallagher. Short knows Gallagher's history  so why enlighten him on his intentions?

I have never heard Patrick Short directly say anywhere that he was not going to seek re-election. By keeping people guessing as to his intention, it has lead to wide scale speculations from his Middletown GOP adversaries.

I happen to think that Short will be running again.

With that in mind, like Art Gallagher, I am attaching a poll to my blog to see what others feel about whether or not Patrick Short will seek re-election.   

Art Gallagher is a Partisan Hack and I Have the Audio to Prove it

"Hey Mrs... Walsh I'm uhm, not really in charge of the layout of the website or uhm, you know, necessarily if I can make any changes once I summit it.."

The following audio clip is a message left on the voice mail of Middletown Democratic Candidate for Township Committee, Patricia Walsh's answering machine a few weeks ago.

This rambling and often incoherent message was left by JJ Sullivan, the supposedly impartial reporter who was hired by Art Gallagher of the MoreMonmouthMussings blog to cover the goings on in Middletown and Keyport.

Out of all the towns in Monmouth County and the bayshore in particular, why would Gallagher feel that it was so important to cover Middletown and Keyport? The answer, Revenge.

Revenge against Jim Purcell and the Courier newspaper for dropping his column in the wake of his infamous "N" word controversy and Middletown Democratic Party leader Joe Caliendo, who Gallagher feels organized his firing from the paper and his censorship from the Middletown Human Rights Commission.

In his misguided angry and angst, Gallagher has allowed himself to become a tool of the Middletown GOP and his once insightful and at times thought provoking blog has been turned into a clearing house for lies and falsehoods about Jim Purcell and his friends, as well as the Middletown Democrats, in particularly Patricia Walsh.

You see, Walsh and her running mate Jim Grenafege are on the verge of becoming the latest democrats elected to the Middletown Township Committee. The Middletown Democrats need only win one seat to gain the majority on the committee for the first time in over twenty years, but to win both seats and a super majority that would mean that they would control
bonding and all that goes along with it (good-bye Mr. Carton), and the Middletown Republicans can't let that happen no matter what. So, the Middletown GOP entered into some sort of unholy alliance with Art Gallagher, an alliance that I am sure will come back to bite him right in the ass.

The Republicans provided to Gallagher an ancient deposition from a law suit that was brought against Patricia Walsh 10 years ago and settled in 2001. In this deposition Walsh admitted that her legal bills where mounting and that she borrowed money from a friend to help cover her legal expenses. This loan, which has been paid back, has been turned into some kind of "dirty deed" by Gallagher and the Middletown Republicans.

In his attempts to discredit Walsh and the Middletown Democrats, Gallagher hired a reporter, JJ Sullivan, to cover the non-story for his MoreMonmouthMussings blog.

Gallagher handed over to his reporter, the information that was provided to him by officials in the Middletown GOP (Mayor Scharfenberger?), and told Sullivan to make the story happen.

The following audio clip I am told is the one and only attempt by Gallagher's reporter to contact Patricia Walsh for a comment. While you are listening, please note that Sullivan does not explain why he is calling for a comment or what he will be writing about, just that he wants to talk to her about some allegations. He tells Walsh that she would be able to call him over the weekend, but he had to have the story submitted by Friday night and he didn't know whether or not he would be able to make any changes to it once it was submitted, which would lead one to conclude that JJ was afraid that Art Gallagher would have editing control over what was finally published.

Freeholder D'Amico unequivocally denies MoreMonmouthMusing and Voice of Reason false allegations

More Monmouth Musings and the Voice of  Disinformation have been going on recently about how Freeholder John D'Amico is calling on Democratic Freeholder Candidate Amy Mallet to be dropped from the party's ticket this fall and about how Freeholder D'Amico and fellow Democratic Freeholder Barbara McMorrow aren't getting along, insomuch as that McMorrow is considering not seeking re-election next year because she does not get along with D'Amico.

This interested me so much that I decided to call Freeholder D'Amico to see if there is any truth in these assertions. I got off the phone with Freeholder D'Amico just a little while ago and he made it clear there is no truth whatsoever in any statements that he has ever wanted or sought to have Amy Mallet dropped from the county's ticket. He also stated to me that there is absolutely no possibility that Mallet will be dropped.

As for the false and vicious allegation that Freeholder D'Amico and Barbara McMorrow do not get along and that he treats her with such disrespect that she would not consider seeking re-election because she can't work with him any longer, D'Amico stated to me that "I have the utmost respect for Barbara McMorrow as a person and Freeholder and I look forward to working with her now and for many years to come".    

Freeholder D'Amico added that he doesn't put any stock in More Monmouth Musings, Voice of Reason or any blogs like it, and he looks forward to working with both Amy Mallet and her running mate Glenn Mason, after their election to the Board of Choosen Freeholders this November.

So to the rumors mongers, who like to spread false allegations about Amy Mallet and others , I can say with authority that they are just that, rumors. 

Amy Mallet will not be dropped from Freeholder's ticket and there is no disharmony between D'Amico and fellow Freeholder McMorrow down at the Hall of Records

Is Art Gallagher one of the confused people we should embrace?

"Nevertheless, here's what I'm clear on: Many people struggle to understand why some blacks still call each other the n-word when the word's history and inherent ugliness make it offensive. Those are confused people we should embrace..."

So starts the final paragraph of Derrick K. Baker's opinion piece "Those who use the n-word must be accountable, regardless of race" which was published in The Philadelphia Inquirer last week.

Mr. Baker explains very well how the use of the N word makes him feel and how he perceives those who use it, whether it is Jesse Jackson, some Rap artist, or just some  plain white folks that are confused.

Click on the headline to read Baker's opinion

A word about last nights meeting in Middletown

I was reading Art Gallagher's  impressions of what transpired last night at the Middletown Township Committee meeting last night and I generally agree with his assessment.

The meeting was very good and it was to seen the six new members of the police department sworn in with there families in attendance. While it was interesting to hear the presentation from the Middletown Health Department and all that they do, I found it a little long.  After all, I was there to see a show and I was getting a bit antsy waiting.

When Art did get up to speak sometime after 10 pm, the Mayor seemed to be waiting for him because he immediately announce that there was going to be a 5 minute time limit on comments. The township clerk then  literally set a time clock that went off after the 5 minutes.  Art then had to rush through his comments to finish.

Art, as he mentioned did not get the great debate that he wanted, largely because no one showed up argue the point with him and because the debate did get sidetracked  over who called for the Middletown Human Rights Commission to meet.

On this point, I have to take exception with  Art Gallagher's perception on events. While Committeeman Short my have been trying to score political points by blaming Mayor Scharfenberger for the "unnoticed special meeting", it was Scharfenberger's denials and the seemingly apparent cover up by the Clerk, Township Administer and Attorney, about asking the commission to meet that lead to that confrontation.

One of the main issues that Committeeman Short takes exception to is "open and transparent government" and Mayor Scharfenberger knows that, so to try and cover up the fact was not the right course of action for him to take.

I was at the hastily called meeting of the MHRC Thursday night, I received the message off my answering machine late that day it.  I am not sure how the person leaving the message found out about the meeting. I arrived late and left after the Commission decided to draft a resolution

against Art Gallagher's methods.

Now, why have I brought that up? because several times during the special session the Cindy Hoffman of the Human Rights Commission mentioned that the mayor asked her to look into the allegations and to convene a special meeting. When asked if Mayor Scharfenberger knew about the meeting taking place, she said that he was aware of it but she did not know if he would be attending. 

So the only real fireworks that we got last night was the confrontation between Short and Scharfenberger. 

And I really think that the issue for the Township is over, I just don't see the Human Rights Commission reconvening just to discuss this their resolution against Art and his blog. The meeting was called for after all, as a political ploy by the mayor against the Courier and not because he had concerns over what Art Gallagher wrote on his blog.

You can hear audio clips from the meeting on Melissa Gaffney's SableMinded blog

The spinning at MoreMonmouthMusings has made me dizzy

I haven’t commented on the spin job being performed by Art Gallagher over at his bog MoreMonmouthMusings lately, other than to comment on the meeting of the Middletown Human Rights Commission last week and what the outcome of that meeting was in relationship to Art’s blog and his controversial use of the “N” word, because quite frankly it has made me dizzy.

The many posts and comments to his blog over the past 2 weeks have done nothing, in my opinion, to foster a better understanding of race. All that it has succeeded in doing so far is to feed Art’s own self important and grandiose impressions of his own self worth and has caused others unnecessary distress. In his attempt to discredit Jesse Jackson for saying he wanted to cut off Barack Obama’s N***** Nuts, he brought the scorn and condemnation of others onto himself.

When critics spoke out against his clumsy attempts at discussing race he has lashed out at them by calling them names or by trying to downplay their concerns because after all, he did his research, as his many postings of on the history of slavery has shown.

It is interesting to note that of Art Gallagher’s supporters the only ones to come forward and show their support are two 20 something year old conservative republicans, James Hogan and Eric Sedler, Hogan being a failed candidate for Frank Pallone’s seat in the 6th congressional district and Sedler who is the Chairman of the Monmouth County Young Republicans (whose only knowledge of race relations is what they learned in the history books), and an anonymous right wing blogger, who doesn’t have the intestinal fortitude, guts or courage to write under his real name. He uses the moniker of Barry Goldwater and is responsible for the trash that is posted on the Voice of Reason. Why hasn’t anyone else come out to lend their voice to Art’s crusade? Probably because they know that no possible good can come of it.

One other of Art’s alleged supporters, a mysterious person called Dwayne, left a very level headed and intelligent comment on the MoreMonmouthMusings blog in response to the post “What does the N-Word mean?” I will admit it was thought provoking.

As it turns out, this Dwayne seems to be none other than Dwayne Harris, the Atlantic Highlands Township Clerk, who has made it quite clear with a letter to the Editor of the Courier, in the printed edition of this week’s paper, that he is no supporter of Art Gallagher or his blog MoreMonmouthMusings.

I also do not see the point or relevance in trying to bring into the conversation controversial Rap or Hip-Hop lyrics other than an attempt to inflame the situation. To make light of or to dismiss Barack Obama’s condemnation of these lyrics as simply a ploy because he is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is disingenuous, others including the NAACP have spoken out against these types of lyrics.

I also can not believe that Art, until a few days ago never read the full text of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech before even starting this conversation. How can anyone talk about race and not ever have read King's landmark speech? 

As we all know by now, the MHRC has denounce Art’s method of introducing a discussion on race by printing controversial statements that included the “N” word, which has lead Mr. Gallagher to now seek out the Middletown Township Committee and Mayor Scharfenberger at tonight’s workshop meeting.

If anyone is truly upset with either, Art Gallagher, the Middletown Human Rights Commission or Middletown’s Mayor Scharfenberger, then I suggest you show up at Town Hall tonight and make your voices heard on this subject. I am sure that it will be one hell of a show and well worth the price of admission.

Tune in tomorrow for the outcome because I am sure that the spin will make everyone nauseous.

Some thoughts on race and illegal immigrants

A friend of mine and fellow Middletown Democrat, Bill Stevenson, was in attendance last week for the special session of the Middletown Human Rights Commission, which was called for by Mayor Scharfenberger, to discuss the racial impact or fallout over what he thought was the Courier's acceptance and agreement with the views of columnist and fellow blogger Art Gallagher's use of the "N" word.

While the Commission was convened for the purpose of addressing Gallagher's MoreMonmouthMusings diatribes over race it was not limited to just a discussion over the "N" word. 

Residents in attendance that night were also concerned about how persons of Hispanic decent that reside in or happen to pass through Middletown  are percieved to be illegal immigrants and not welcomed in the community. 

The following thoughts on the subject were passed along to me by Mr. Stevenson and I thought that they were true and right on target:

"There have been and continue to be, many letters to the editors on the subject. One frequent argument was that "my ancestors came here legally".Well for much of our history there was really no such thing as illegal immigration because we let anybody in and when we did put on any restriction, it was to bar disease carriers & those who would be a burden because of not being physically able to work. I believe that it was in the 1920's that we established quotas that favored northern & western Europeans and barred Chinese. I remember being taught in school back in the '30s that we didn't want Chinese because they would work for very little which would lower our standard of living.

One of the frequent arguments is that these people don't speak English - that they must learn English & English should be our national language. This reinforces a very embarrassing fact about the U.S. The fact is that most of us do not speak or understand any foreign language. Most Europeans are at least bi-lingual or greater and the second language is most frequently English. And contrary to what they would have you believe, many of their ancestors did not learn much English - they lived in ghettos & worked in sweatshops where English was not a necessity.

Another sad fact is that most of our ancestors came from Europe or Africa or Asia, while most of these illegals' ancestors came from right here in North America. And as far as English is concerned, please note that Puerto Ricans speak Spanish; a high percentage also speak English and last time I checked, Puerto Rican citizens were all U.S. citizens.

Also - 4 of the 10 largest cities in the U.S. have Spanish names - Los Angeles, San Antonio, San Diego and San Jose. And there are 5 states with Spanish names - Florida (flowery), Nevada (snow clad), Colorado (red), Montana (mountainous), & California (after an imaginary paradise in a Spanish novel).

Of course, the reason for the large number of Spanish names in the southwest is the fact that this area was once part of Mexico, which we stole from them by one means or another. Many of the Mexicans in this area did not immigrate to the U.S. They are descendants of people who were already here.

The real opposition to Mexicans is not that they are illegal. The real reason is that they are not white and they are numerous. Most of the other arguments are phony. We shouldn't be spending one cent on a wall. What we need is a system that gives them a passport/ID that allows easy passage & tracking (similar to EZ-Pass). Then all we need is to set up, with the Mexican government, a background check, a database & a set of rules that they must follow. Obey all U.S., State & local laws. Pay all taxes. Register with local authorities where they rent. Have limited job security (citizen preference).

Comply with this & they will not be harassed. Break the rules & risk jail time & deportment). Of course, protection should be given against undue penalties for minor infractions."

 

I would like to know your comments on the subject, pass them along and I will post them 

Middletown's Mayor calls for Human Rights Commission to meet about "N" word controversy

Middletown's Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger asked the Middletown Human Rights Commission to hold a special meeting last night to discuss the controversy surrounding Art Gallagher and his blog, MoreMonmouthMusings's sloppy attempt at race relations.

I arrived at Town Hall late and unfortunately had to leave early due to family concerns, but I that the Human Rights Commission was shocked and appalled at what it heard from the meeting attendees. 

In attendance was Lorenzo "Bill" Dangler, President of Long Branch chapter of the NAACP, who wanted to make it clear that under no circumstances what so ever would it be appropriate to say the "N" word and that Gallagher's words were offensive and hurtful. 

From what I understand the Commission will make a report  condemning Art Gallagher and his blog for his ill conceived attempt to address the use of the "N" word and race relations. The Commission will then present  a recommendation to the Mayor which would ask him to denounce Art and his MoreMonmouthMusings blog. 

The meeting was also covered by the Courier's Melissa Gaffney so I am sure that you will be able get a better idea of what exactly happened at the meeting by reading about it in the Courier or by reading her SableMinded blog shortly.

Yet another adds his voice to the MoreMonmouthMusings "N" word Controversy

Also received last night via a personal email is the following statement from a good family friend of mine Tony Orsini. The last I heard, Tony is the Municipal Chairman of  Holmdel's Democratic Committee. 

Tony also wanted me to pass along his comments about Art Gallahger the readers of this blog:

How would Mr. Gallagher feel about someone saying this to him: "Do
you know what the difference is between an Irish funeral and an
Irish wedding? One less drunk."

There's still a big difference between calling someone a subhuman
slave versus a drunk. Anyone can be called a drunk and there's no
historical, anthropological or sociological context. Anyone who
knows anything about history realizes it is hurtful, degrading, and
suggestive of some sort of genetic inferiority.

I guess Mr. Gallagher has no African-American friends who can
explain this to him. No surprises there. He might be made to
realize that they are more intelligent than he is.

Mr. Gallagher, don't freak out because Mr. Obama might be our next
Prez: genetically, Obama is actually 51% white...you know, like
Derek Jeter.

I refer him to Lincoln: "It's better to shut up and make people think you're stupid rather than open your mouth and remove all doubt."

  

Thanks Tony for lending your voice to this debate.

Schwebel adds her vioce to the MoreMonmouthMusings "N" word controversy

I recieved a personal email (not a blog comment Art) last night from the former Chairwoman of the Middletown Human Rights Commission Carolyn Schwebel, Ed.D.

Mrs Schwebel who is currently the vice chair of the Monmouth County Human Rights Commission wanted me to pass along to the readers of this blog and to the readers of Art Gallagher's MoreMonmouthMusings the following thoughts;

On a sunny day, two young friends taking a walk smiled at the family they passed. The cute little girl yelled at one, "Go back where you came from!" The young African-American man, "stabbed" again, replied, "I live across the street. I came from here!"

"You've got to be taught before it's too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate,"
(-Oscar Hammerstein, 1949)

A nine-year-old school child came to me in tears, saying,
"Larry keeps calling me a (N-word) and laughing."

"He jests at scars that neverf felt a wound."
(Romeo, in Shakespeare)

A local blogger disingenuously uses the "N-word" in offensive ways: "Take an ( 'N-word') to lunch," In a purported effort to enhance interacial understanding and communication.

" What we've got here is failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach,..."
(Captain in "Cool Hand Luke")

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can really hurt me!"

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.
Maya Angelou

Thank You Dr. Schwebel for your thoughtful insights

Gallagher's Column"MoreMonmouthMusings" dropped by Courier

I just heard the good news. 

As of today, Art Gallagher's column "MoreMonmouthMusings" has been dropped from the Courier weekly paper. 

It seems as though the fallout over his racially charged posts and his clumsy attempts to start a discussing about race has started. And from what I have just recently heard Art is not very happy about it.

I have been told that because of this, Art will be using his MoreMonmouthMusing forum to go after any and all Democrats and the NAACP, who he feels is responsible for the Courier dropping his column.

At this point, my only comment to him is go ahead and try. If you want this years election turned into a referendum on race you and all of your Republican candidates will loose.

Further more it will force the people that Art Gallagher supports to address the issue and either come to his defense or speak out against him.   Either way it is not a position in which the county GOP would like to be placed in.  

Stay tuned for further developments

MoreMonmouthMusings's Art Gallagher is loosing it

I recieved the following email from Art Gallagher this morning, I think that he is loosing it and has started to crack under the pressure of all contorversy he has surrounded himself with "N" word. His email also pionts out how intolerant he actually is towards anyone with a difference of opinion. 

"Mike,

This post is pure demagoguery. Reading it, I can understand why you don't think you are qualified to have a conversation about race.
You are also not qualified to make an assessment of me, my qualifications or the level of respect I may or may not have in the community.
I can appreciate Mr. Dangler's upset with my posts. But you are just a blowhard who knows nothing of what you are talking about trying to make a name for yourself. Try Mud Raker.
"The N-word is not acceptable speech, has never been acceptable speech by anyone, and will never be acceptable speech for anyone, of any race, political party or consequent to any agenda."
This statement is simply not true. Do some research lazy boy.
I have no ill feeling towards Art Gallagher Really? I have ill feeling towards you after this post.
and I do not necessarily wish him any harm.
You don't necessarily wish me any harm? That means under certain circumstances you do or would wish me harm! Or are were you just being linguistically lazy again?

To Rick: You post disappoints me. While we have our friendly and occasionally testy banter, I really thought you had a stronger character....like your father, and his team mates obviously did.
To say Caucasians have no business talking about, using, or even discussing the use of the "N" word perpetuates the separatism that is at the heart of the problem of relationships between the races.

A bunch of white guys arguing over the N-word is absurd and I'm working hard to keep this conversation I started from devolving into that. But Rick, you are smart and sensitive enough to know that this conversation is not about the N-Word. It is about race relations, as I have said so many times and as you said in the beginning of your post. You're in one of the races. You're qualified. By the way Rick, you may well be a decendent of slaves, as you might learn reading MMM this coming week.
No that that's off my chest...as I have said numerous times in my posts, I am working to increase understanding and acceptance between whites and blacks. Toward that end, I have spent the better part of the week, and will continue until I'm done, researching the history of slavery and race. I've learned some shocking and disturbing things. There will be a series of posts about what I've learned next week at my place. I've already got posts going through Thrusday. Check them out." 

The use of the "N" word is not and never will be Accetable

I have just finished watching MoreMonmouthMusings's  Art Gallagher interview that has been posted by Jim Purcell over at the Insideclamdigger blog and I just have a few comments about it.

Art looks a little disheveled, like he has just woken up from a long winters nap, and at times he seems awkward while trying to explain his position.  He fumbles over much of what he has to say, much like Don Imus did when he tried to explain himself to Al Sharpton. 

At one point, Art tries to link the controversy around Belmar Mayor Ken Pringle's use of the word "Guido" to describe the bennies that flock to his shoretown and his own ill attempts to address race. Unfortunately I don't see much of comparison in this argument.  

While guido may not have been the smartest choice of words by Pringle to discribe the many tourist that crowd the beaches of Belmar each summer, it is certainly not looked at in the same light as the "N" word.  Is guido offensive to some, absolutely, does it make you want to cringe at its mention. I think not. 

The use of the N-word is unacceptable for use, in any way, inside modern English language. It is wrong because the word represents hundreds of years of oppression by white people against black people. The issue of whether the N-word can be used, or should be used, is being hidden behind a "Free Speech" argument and that is ridiculous.

The N-word as a term is not against the law to use. However, I would hope that no one who is in charge of anything, especially tax money, or the promotion of anyone who is intending on spending tax money, should be comfortable with the everyday use of that word. In particular, I would hope that anyone who is involved with politics would not, as a matter of course, use that word because it is classless, tasteless, hate filled and demonstrates a race agenda by using it.

The N-word is not illegal, and no one is saying it should be. It is just terrible that some people are trying to bring it back into fashion again in everyday language. There is a difference between the First Amendment and yelling 'fire' in a movie theater. The way that so many bloggers, who happen to be conservatives, are throwing this word around and trying to gain support for it, I suppose, is unnecessarily dangerous and wrong.

How this argument could be had in the 21st Century, in the United States, is amazing. That this argument is coming out of the political community in Monmouth County is doubly so.

The N-word is not acceptable speech, has never been acceptable speech by anyone, and will never be acceptable speech for anyone, of any race, political party or consequent to any agenda.

I have no ill feeling towards Art Gallagher and I do not necessarily wish him any harm. The problem is that he is a white, conservative member of the Republican Party, in the mostly white, conservative county of Momouth. He is not really qualifed or respected enough in the community to be expected to bring about an intellegent discussion on race and the use of the "N" word.       

Words carry not only meaning, but evoke evils from the past as well...

Matt Morehead, over at the Voice For The Youth blog has posted a thoughtful and compassionate response to Art Gallahger's ill conceived attempts to address race relations and the use of the "N" word.

Matt also notes that one of Art's supporters is none other than Eric Sedler, Chairman of the Monmouth County Young Republicans.

I wonder if Joe Oxley, the new Chairman for the Monmouth County GOP, also supports Art Gallahger and his MoreMonmouthMusings rants when it comes to is attempt to address race and the use of the "N" word? 

Click on the headline to read Matt's response to Art Gallagher