Cory Booker on Obama

One of the many bizarre things about New Jersey is that our state doesn't have a major newspaper or news station. We are an after thought in the New York and the Philadelphia coverage areas. The lack of media attention goes a long way to explaining the monkey business that goes on in state and local politics around here. New Jersey political bloggers have done much to fill that void.

Blue New Jersey points me to a touching blog post by the mayor of Newark, Cory Booker. Booker writes that the election of Obama was an important first step, but there's still much to do.

In church today, we prayed for Barack Obama and the team he will eventually bring with him to Washington. His is a sacred task; to lead our nation through crisis to prosperity. But beyond Obama, we must also recommit ourselves to our righteous work in cities, towns and neighborhoods all across America.

Dr. King said, “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.” Certainly Obama’s election does not mean our nation will inevitably manifest the best of our collective ideals. It will take continuous, collective struggle and sacrifice. As Ghandi said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” We cannot simply hope that Obama is that change.

Well said.

Comments

[MH]

“You must be the change you want to see in the world.”

Good. I want the world to calm down for a bit. I'm going to go have a whiskey and maybe watch some TV. Let me know if the world gets any calmer.

[laura]

It worked, MH!

[MH]

Then, I'll try to maintain my calm by not looking at the stock ticker today.

[Amy P]

MH,

Try to avoid looking at newspaper, and all websites not featuring adorable fuzzy kittens. We're all counting on you!

[George]

The lack of media attention goes a long way to explaining the monkey business that goes on in state and local politics around here.

Which also explains why NYS is so highly functional.