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A Tangled Web
Author: BobR    Date: 01/10/2014 15:17:31

Much as I'd rather not have yet another blog post about NJ Governor Chris Christie, there were too many juicy tidbits out of yesterday's marathon presser to ignore. The entire transcript is here, for your use, and I will be quoting from it throughout the blog.

The big takeaways are that Christie claims to have no previous knowledge of what happened, claims to be upset, has fired those responsible, and doesn't know who the mayor of Ft. Lee is. Let's take a look at some of these claims, as well as some of the other things he said.

First off, Christie claims:
Well, let me tell you, everybody, I was blindsided yesterday morning. I was done with my workout yesterday morning and got a call from my communications director at about 8:50, 8:55, informing me of this story that had just broken on the Bergen Record website. That was the first time I knew about this. That was the first time I had seen any of the documents that were revealed yesterday.

Keep in mind this happened in early September 2013. At the time, it was claimed that this was part of a "traffic study". In the interim months, did Christie ask for details of the traffic study? Did he bring people into his office to ask what kind of traffic study requires creating massive gridlock? Did he ask for any details at all that he could forward onto the press and the citizens of his state to show that no harm was intended?

The Rachel Maddow Show noticed that his story doesn't quite add up. After claiming he had only heard about the subterfuge the day before, he said this:
But in a response to a question from CNN’s John King, Christie suggested that the scandal had been weighing on him much longer.

“I haven’t had a lot of sleep for the past two nights and I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching,” he said. “I’m sick over this. I have worked for the last 12 years in public life developing a reputation for honesty and directness and blunt talk, one that I think is well deserved.”

Whoopsie - when you're telling the truth, you don't make mistakes like having to keep your story straight.

There's also the reason for why this was done. Christie fires his deputy chief of staff for lying about something that could sink his chances for the presidency, and he doesn't even ask her why she did it? He says he doesn't care, he's more upset that she lied? What does that say about his feelings towards the folks in Ft. Lee that he can't even care enough to provide them with an explanation?

He did put a lot of focus on the mayor of Ft. Lee, diminishing him as some inconsequential local pol, unworthy of his attention. That dismissiveness in and of itself is rather disgusting. However, once again the Rachel Maddow Show has uncovered something rather interesting regarding the timing of the closure (which occurred during the week of Sept 11). Perhaps it wasn't the mayor that the Christie administration was trying to punish:
Senate Democrats were so mad about what Christie did to take John Harris off the Supreme Court when he was up for re-nomination that they would not let anyone through. It’s been a big political crisis in New Jersey. Senate Democrats rejected every one of those Christie nominees, one after the other.

And then when another of the justices on the Supreme Court, a Republican, came up for re-nomination just like John Harris had, and the Senate Democrats signaled that they were going to give her a whale of a time at her re-nomination hearing, Chris Christie just flipped out. He had enough. He pulled that justice off the Supreme Court rather than submit her to re-nomination before the Senate Democrats.
[...]
The governor, enraged, held a press conference to tell reporters, “I was not going to let her loose to the animals.”

The “animals,” in this case, were the Democrats in the state Senate.

Christie said that on the afternoon of Aug. 12, 2013.

On the morning of Aug. 13, 2013, Christie’s deputy chief of staff told the governor’s guy at the Port Authority, “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee.”

The leader of the Senate Democrats at the time was a senator from … Fort Lee.

The timing is pretty damning, and this actually makes more sense than the "Mayor lack of endorsement" explanation, which could possibly have been floated by the folks in the Christie administration as a red herring.

Right now the former NJ transit guy David Wildstein is pleading the fifth with regards to this. To me, that says he's looking for a deal to pass the buck to Christie in exchange for clemency or even immunity. This is not over, not by a long shot.
 

62 comments (Latest Comment: 01/11/2014 04:46:15 by Will in Chicago)
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Comment by Mondobubba on 01/10/2014 14:26:35
Comment by wickedpam on 01/10/2014 14:41:55
Morning

Comment by Scoopster on 01/10/2014 14:59:39
Mornin' all.. and happy Fridee!

Only one more day 'til Jess comes to visit!

Comment by Mondobubba on 01/10/2014 15:06:22
Fellow bloggie peeps, if you are not watching Eric Jonrosh's Spoils of Babylon you should it is flat out funny. I give it



Comment by Raine on 01/10/2014 15:12:44
I mentioned this last night, that I could use some serious bloggy vibes. I didn't have many details at the time, I have a few more now.

Yesterday, after my nephew got his braces tightened, it appears as tho he went into a seizure. He spent the day in the Kingston ER, in and out of consiousness. That ended up putting him on a vent and catheterizing him before they took him to Albany med -- he is in the ICU. (I'm crying writing this)

They did a spinal tap, and his fluid was clear, so they don't think he has a spinal virus -- Around 3 am my sister Nissa txted that they were weening him off sedatives. He was responsive at times. He is on three antibiotic and eeven tho they still don;t know what is going on, they are treating him as having a spinal infection.

Talked to my Nissa this morning and she told me that Heather (Gavyn's mom) asked him if he knew where he was, and he mumbled Duh. So he's somewhat responsive and can hear others in the hospital room.

He's 16 years old. I'm asking for serious prayers for him.

Comment by BobR on 01/10/2014 15:18:38
blog is posted

Comment by BobR on 01/10/2014 15:21:54
Quote by Mondobubba:
Fellow bloggie peeps, if you are not watching Eric Jonrosh's Spoils of Babylon you should it is flat out funny. I give it


I can't get past the ads. The show looks so stupid. I am also not a fan of Kristan Whig - she's such a ham and scenery chewer that she ruins most anything she's in.

Comment by Raine on 01/10/2014 15:27:25
Comment by BobR on 01/10/2014 15:29:14
Comment by wickedpam on 01/10/2014 15:35:01
Quote by Raine:
I mentioned this last night, that I could use some serious bloggy vibes. I didn't have many details at the time, I have a few more now.

Yesterday, after my nephew got his braces tightened, it appears as tho he went into a seizure. He spent the day in the Kingston ER, in and out of consiousness. That ended up putting him on a vent and catheterizing him before they took him to Albany med -- he is in the ICU. (I'm crying writing this)

They did a spinal tap, and his fluid was clear, so they don't think he has a spinal virus -- Around 3 am my sister Nissa txted that they were weening him off sedatives. He was responsive at times. He is on three antibiotic and eeven tho they still don;t know what is going on, they are treating him as having a spinal infection.

Talked to my Nissa this morning and she told me that Heather (Gavyn's mom) asked him if he knew where he was, and he mumbled Duh. So he's somewhat responsive and can hear others in the hospital room.

He's 16 years old. I'm asking for serious prayers for him.


Glad to hear he is doing better this morning. Of course prayers, love, positive thoughts to all those who need them


Comment by Scoopster on 01/10/2014 15:57:45
Oh goodness Raine.. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~here's some vibes for the nephew!~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Comment by Will in Chicago on 01/10/2014 15:59:12
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
I mentioned this last night, that I could use some serious bloggy vibes. I didn't have many details at the time, I have a few more now.

Yesterday, after my nephew got his braces tightened, it appears as tho he went into a seizure. He spent the day in the Kingston ER, in and out of consiousness. That ended up putting him on a vent and catheterizing him before they took him to Albany med -- he is in the ICU. (I'm crying writing this)

They did a spinal tap, and his fluid was clear, so they don't think he has a spinal virus -- Around 3 am my sister Nissa txted that they were weening him off sedatives. He was responsive at times. He is on three antibiotic and eeven tho they still don;t know what is going on, they are treating him as having a spinal infection.

Talked to my Nissa this morning and she told me that Heather (Gavyn's mom) asked him if he knew where he was, and he mumbled Duh. So he's somewhat responsive and can hear others in the hospital room.

He's 16 years old. I'm asking for serious prayers for him.


Glad to hear he is doing better this morning. Of course prayers, love, positive thoughts to all those who need them



Raine, I said a prayer for him and I would like to mention him by his full name during the Mi Sheberiach prayer at Temple tonight. May he be healed completely and be home soon.



Comment by TriSec on 01/10/2014 16:06:47
Hello, all.

While I am , I would be remiss in not mentioning that it's my anniversary today.

I AM ONE YEAR CANCER FREE TODAY.



Comment by Will in Chicago on 01/10/2014 16:30:00
Quote by TriSec:
Hello, all.

While I am , I would be remiss in not mentioning that it's my anniversary today.

I AM ONE YEAR CANCER FREE TODAY.




Mazel tov, TriSec!!!

Comment by Mondobubba on 01/10/2014 16:30:58
Quote by TriSec:
Hello, all.

While I am , I would be remiss in not mentioning that it's my anniversary today.

I AM ONE YEAR CANCER FREE TODAY.




w00t!

Comment by Will in Chicago on 01/10/2014 16:35:35
Chris Christie's remarks remind me of some lyrics from Don Hentley's song "The Garden of Allah"

"Today I made an appearance downtown
I am an expert witness, because I say I am
And I said, 'Gentleman, and I use that word loosely
I will testify for you
I'm a gun for hire, I'm a saint, I'm a liar
Because there are no facts, there is no truth
Just a data to be manipulated
I can get any result you like
What's it worth to ya?
Because there is no wrong, there is no right
And I sleep very well at night
No shame, no solution
No remorse, no retribution
Just people selling T-shirts
Just opportunity to participate in the pathetic little circus
And winning, winning, winning'"


Sorry, but Christie's story does not add up. (Sadly, the original video is not on YouTube for some copyright related reason, but it is here. I think that Kirk Douglas did a fine job in it.)

Comment by Mondobubba on 01/10/2014 16:36:26
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Fellow bloggie peeps, if you are not watching Eric Jonrosh's Spoils of Babylon you should it is flat out funny. I give it


I can't get past the ads. The show looks so stupid. I am also not a fan of Kristan Whig - she's such a ham and scenery chewer that she ruins most anything she's in.



Bob that is the point, the stupid. It is a flat out parody of the miniseries genre. As far a Ms Wiig goes, everybody is chewing scenery and generally over acting.

Comment by Mondobubba on 01/10/2014 16:37:45
Quote by Raine:
I mentioned this last night, that I could use some serious bloggy vibes. I didn't have many details at the time, I have a few more now.

Yesterday, after my nephew got his braces tightened, it appears as tho he went into a seizure. He spent the day in the Kingston ER, in and out of consiousness. That ended up putting him on a vent and catheterizing him before they took him to Albany med -- he is in the ICU. (I'm crying writing this)

They did a spinal tap, and his fluid was clear, so they don't think he has a spinal virus -- Around 3 am my sister Nissa txted that they were weening him off sedatives. He was responsive at times. He is on three antibiotic and eeven tho they still don;t know what is going on, they are treating him as having a spinal infection.

Talked to my Nissa this morning and she told me that Heather (Gavyn's mom) asked him if he knew where he was, and he mumbled Duh. So he's somewhat responsive and can hear others in the hospital room.

He's 16 years old. I'm asking for serious prayers for him.


Yikes! vibes sent.


Comment by TriSec on 01/10/2014 16:48:50
Say, New York peeps....I'm having a little trouble understanding the "traffic" aspect of this entire sorry affair.

I looked at Google, but it's not entirely clear why closing the on and off ramps would have had such an impact. Has anyone here actually driven to, or through, Fort Lee and can shed some light?

There's no Boston equivalent for this sort of thing...if the exit ramps to Chelsea from the Tobin Bridge were shut down, I don't think anyone would even notice. (and drive up another mile to the Revere Beach Parkway and double back - no big whoop.) Yes, I know the GWB carries about 500x more traffic than our piddling little bridge.


Comment by Raine on 01/10/2014 16:58:21
Just heard from my sister Nin, Nephew is off of the ventilator and is now wearing an oxygen mask. He's awake now. Still no idea what is going on. but this is good news.




Comment by Raine on 01/10/2014 17:05:35
Quote by TriSec:
Say, New York peeps....I'm having a little trouble understanding the "traffic" aspect of this entire sorry affair.

I looked at Google, but it's not entirely clear why closing the on and off ramps would have had such an impact. Has anyone here actually driven to, or through, Fort Lee and can shed some light?

There's no Boston equivalent for this sort of thing...if the exit ramps to Chelsea from the Tobin Bridge were shut down, I don't think anyone would even notice. (and drive up another mile to the Revere Beach Parkway and double back - no big whoop.) Yes, I know the GWB carries about 500x more traffic than our piddling little bridge.
It was two of three access lanes to the bridge from the local Fort Lee roads that were closed. The bridge itself was not really as affected. it was the access roads that clogged the Shit out of the town.

A LOT of people who live in Fort Lee use the bridge and the access lanes.


Comment by Scoopster on 01/10/2014 17:07:32
Quote by TriSec:
Say, New York peeps....I'm having a little trouble understanding the "traffic" aspect of this entire sorry affair.

I looked at Google, but it's not entirely clear why closing the on and off ramps would have had such an impact. Has anyone here actually driven to, or through, Fort Lee and can shed some light?

There's no Boston equivalent for this sort of thing...if the exit ramps to Chelsea from the Tobin Bridge were shut down, I don't think anyone would even notice. (and drive up another mile to the Revere Beach Parkway and double back - no big whoop.) Yes, I know the GWB carries about 500x more traffic than our piddling little bridge.

This should help illustrate it.. They closed all but one lane of each toll leading to the GWB along with the on/off ramps. There was nowhere to go, nowhere to turn to get out of the mess once you were in it.. Traffic backed up on the NJ Turnpike, other main routes and into the streets of Fort Lee.

Comment by Raine on 01/10/2014 17:10:31
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by TriSec:
Say, New York peeps....I'm having a little trouble understanding the "traffic" aspect of this entire sorry affair.

I looked at Google, but it's not entirely clear why closing the on and off ramps would have had such an impact. Has anyone here actually driven to, or through, Fort Lee and can shed some light?

There's no Boston equivalent for this sort of thing...if the exit ramps to Chelsea from the Tobin Bridge were shut down, I don't think anyone would even notice. (and drive up another mile to the Revere Beach Parkway and double back - no big whoop.) Yes, I know the GWB carries about 500x more traffic than our piddling little bridge.

This should help illustrate it.. They closed all but one lane of each toll leading to the GWB along with the on/off ramps. There was nowhere to go, nowhere to turn to get out of the mess once you were in it.. Traffic backed up on the NJ Turnpike, other main routes and into the streets of Fort Lee.
yup.

Sept. 9: The Port Authority closes two of three local access lanes from Fort Lee to the George Washington Bridge, the nation's busiest crossing, bringing traffic to a halt and turning borough streets into a parking lot.





Comment by Mondobubba on 01/10/2014 17:19:47
Quote by Raine:
Just heard from my sister Nin, Nephew is off of the ventilator and is now wearing an oxygen mask. He's awake now. Still no idea what is going on. but this is good news.





Good news indeed.

Comment by Scoopster on 01/10/2014 17:21:42
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Just heard from my sister Nin, Nephew is off of the ventilator and is now wearing an oxygen mask. He's awake now. Still no idea what is going on. but this is good news.

Good news indeed.

Did they give him any kind of sedative before tightening his braces? I'm wondering if maybe there was an allergic reaction to something..

Comment by clintster on 01/10/2014 17:32:32
Quote by TriSec:
Hello, all.

While I am , I would be remiss in not mentioning that it's my anniversary today.

I AM ONE YEAR CANCER FREE TODAY.



Awesome! That's great to hear, Tri! I will still hold you in my thoughts for continued good health. :)

Comment by TriSec on 01/10/2014 17:34:54
Since Raine posted the story yesterday, I've got the follow-up.

Son of missing Globe reporter found safe


Comment by livingonli on 01/10/2014 17:35:47
Good day, folks. It is weird that with Momma out and Chris both sick and the show just starting on Free Speech TV that there are different repeats if you watch on FSTV from what you here on the radio.

Comment by Mondobubba on 01/10/2014 17:43:23
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Just heard from my sister Nin, Nephew is off of the ventilator and is now wearing an oxygen mask. He's awake now. Still no idea what is going on. but this is good news.

Good news indeed.

Did they give him any kind of sedative before tightening his braces? I'm wondering if maybe there was an allergic reaction to something..


Did they give him any pain killers afterwards? Scoop might be on to something.

Comment by Raine on 01/10/2014 17:43:23
Quote by TriSec:
Since Raine posted the story yesterday, I've got the follow-up.

Son of missing Globe reporter found safe
That is wonderful news.


Comment by Raine on 01/10/2014 17:49:56
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Just heard from my sister Nin, Nephew is off of the ventilator and is now wearing an oxygen mask. He's awake now. Still no idea what is going on. but this is good news.

Good news indeed.

Did they give him any kind of sedative before tightening his braces? I'm wondering if maybe there was an allergic reaction to something..


Did they give him any pain killers afterwards? Scoop might be on to something.
no. No medication or Novocain or anything.

They tested him for cocaine etc (he's a 16 year old boy after all) and the drug test was negative as well.

he went into the seizure and was unresponsive so they haven't been able to see if it was food or something earlier. the last thing he said was *I need to go to the ER*

Comment by Mondobubba on 01/10/2014 17:55:43
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Just heard from my sister Nin, Nephew is off of the ventilator and is now wearing an oxygen mask. He's awake now. Still no idea what is going on. but this is good news.

Good news indeed.

Did they give him any kind of sedative before tightening his braces? I'm wondering if maybe there was an allergic reaction to something..


Did they give him any pain killers afterwards? Scoop might be on to something.
no. No medication or Novocain or anything.

They tested him for cocaine etc (he's a 16 year old boy after all) and the drug test was negative as well.

he went into the seizure and was unresponsive so they haven't been able to see if it was food or something earlier. the last thing he said was *I need to go to the ER*



That is really, really scary. :(

Comment by clintster on 01/10/2014 18:05:58
Quote by Raine:
Just heard from my sister Nin, Nephew is off of the ventilator and is now wearing an oxygen mask. He's awake now. Still no idea what is going on. but this is good news.




Good to hear. I'll continue to send my good thoughts to your nephew and the family.

Comment by Raine on 01/10/2014 18:13:24


Comment by clintster on 01/10/2014 18:39:53
By the way, the RW derp reaction to Chris Christie has begun. My aunt posted a graphic asking where the media outrage was when President Obama "ordered roads, parks, and monuments to be closed... for political purposes?"
Get ready for graphics of bridges side by side with crying WWII vets.

Comment by TriSec on 01/10/2014 18:44:16
Mondo: You are aware that somewhere in Massachusetts, there is a town called 'Tauntaun'? (Although we spell it "Taunton".)

#sithbusters



Comment by Mondobubba on 01/10/2014 19:28:10
Quote by TriSec:
Mondo: You are aware that somewhere in Massachusetts, there is a town called 'Tauntaun'? (Although we spell it "Taunton".)

#sithbusters




Taunton, named for the city in southwest England. Somerset I believe. The heart of the Monmouth Rebellion.

Comment by Raine on 01/10/2014 19:46:10
Comment by Raine on 01/10/2014 19:49:07
So I made this last night:
https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/q71/s720x720/1604560_10202612206924822_1181401408_n.jpg


Comment by Raine on 01/10/2014 19:51:46
You know, I don't want this man anywhere near federal office, EVER.

In what seems like ages ago in the Chris Christie Gina Close-a-your-bridgeda scandal saga, the WSJ reported something that looked exceptionally fishy at the time; that Christie had talked with Andrew Cuomo and asked him to get Patrick Foye, the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, to back off investigating the Fort Lee bridge closure.

Mr. Christie, a Republican, complained in a private phone call to Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, that Patrick Foye, the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, was pressing too hard to get to the bottom of why the number of toll lanes onto the bridge from Fort Lee, N.J. was cut from three to one in early September, according to this person. The lane closures occurred without notice to local authorities, officials have said, and snarled traffic for a week in the small borough on the Hudson River bluffs.

According to the WSJ story, that phone call was the week of December 12.





Comment by wickedpam on 01/10/2014 19:53:18



those are truly unholy

Comment by Mondobubba on 01/10/2014 19:59:14
Quote by Raine:
So I made this last night:
https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/q71/s720x720/1604560_10202612206924822_1181401408_n.jpg







Comment by Mondobubba on 01/10/2014 20:02:11



Col. Kurtz: The horror! THE HORROR

Comment by clintster on 01/10/2014 20:02:43


Separated at birth?
http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2014-01/enhanced/webdr02/8/17/enhanced-buzz-29923-1389221713-35.jpg

http://digboston.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/the-thing11.jpg


Comment by livingonli on 01/10/2014 20:02:47
Anyone have the link to the Randi stream.

Comment by wickedpam on 01/10/2014 20:04:21
Quote by livingonli:
Anyone have the link to the Randi stream.


I heart - Randi Rhodes

Comment by BobR on 01/10/2014 20:05:54

What was the fascination with jello (especially clear jello) and loaves back then? Oog...

If you want a real timekiller, you can always browse through these

Comment by livingonli on 01/10/2014 20:07:34
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by livingonli:
Anyone have the link to the Randi stream.


I heart - Randi Rhodes

Thanks!

Comment by clintster on 01/10/2014 20:08:34
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PUkyRAFSjMM/UdRPWUb2DNI/AAAAAAAAFTY/_RzGf0PQI6g/s300/GeicoCamel_YouTube.jpg


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