Shame On The American Legion ...

photo credit Keith Doll

The sponsors of Middletown's annual Memorial Day Parade should be ashamed of themselves for allowing marchers in yesterday's parade to carry a Pro-Life banner along  the parade route.

The purpose of Memorial Day is to pay tribute to all the fallen soldiers that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country, so that we all may enjoy the freedoms that their sacrifices have ensured and maintained for us.

Whoever at the American Legion that approved these marchers and desecrated the honor of all those fallen heroes should be barred from the halls of the American Legion immediately and have their membership revoked!

photo credit Keith Doll

Township officials, who also marched or drove during the parade, should be embarrassed knowing that such a cheap political stunt like allowing the Pro-Life banner to make it's way along the parade route without questioning it, should also be held accountable for desecrating the memories of the fallen.

Things like this just show Middletown residents just how out of touch today's Republicans really are.

Zipprich Calls Out Angelini's No Vote On 'Samaritan Act'

Red Bank Councilman and Candidate for the NJ State Assembly (D-11) Ed Zipprich, called out Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini for voting against "The Good Samaritan Emergency Response Act" with yesterday's featured letter in the Asbury Park Press.

Zipprich took issue with the fact that Angelini was one of only two State Assembly members to vote against the act that was signed with much fanfare last week by Gov. Chris Christie and states, "...when someone calls herself “pro-life,” she should vote in favor of saving lives, and no one should have to choose between saving someone’s life or ruining their own".

Here's the full letter:

The Good Samaritan Emergency Response Act eliminates criminal liability for persons who seek medical assistance for anyone in a drug overdose situation.

Gov. Christie set an example of good public policy taking precedence over political calculations when he signed this bill. Both parties reworked it to ensure that it saves lives.

Passage has given comfort to families who have lost a loved one to overdose, and it gives people involved in a difficult situation a second chance at life. It also spares a family the pain of having to bury loved ones who overdosed by encouraging people to call 911 before it’s too late.

Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini, R-Monmouth, was one of only two Assembly members to vote against it. Her first vote against this bill put her in alignment with Christie’s original position.

I applaud the governor’s change of heart. I ask Angelini to explain why she voted against something that saves people who are overdosing or protects those witnessing overdosing from arrest and prosecution if they call for help.

This new law saves lives, and parents are being spared the horror of a call from the emergency room with the ultimate bad news. As a constituent and candidate for this Assembly seat, I want to know why Angelini voted against the Good Samaritan Act.

When there is a chance to save a life, I believe that’s the right path. Mistakes happen. Emergencies happen. Life happens.

I believe when someone calls herself “pro-life,” she should vote in favor of saving lives, and no one should have to choose between saving someone’s life or ruining their own.

Edward Zipprich