Invasion of the fashionably outraged

Blue Vega

It was a weird mix of newcomers and old-timers outside JC city hall this morning, as residents here tried to show that they, too, are outraged that their city officials were swept up in last week’s corruption scandal. (and that Hobokenites aren’t the only ones who can march and chant “Resign!”)

The object of their affection was primarily City Council President Mariano Vega, who is accused of taking cash in an envelope from the now infamous CW (although they seemed to want Mayor Healy to resign also). Vega has already said he’s done nothing unlawful and that he will not resign.

Just to be clear, I think anyone who’s convicted of taking money in exchange for their influence ougtta go to county jail (as opposed to a federal work camp) into general population. To me, there are few things worse than this crime, but the vibe I got outside city hall was mostly one of knee-jerk throw the bum out! The heavily Dan Levin- and Councilman Steve Fulop-friendly crowd was mostly white, mostly new to town, and I’m not sure they knew exactly who/what they were chanting against.

"So which one's Vega?"

For a Wednesday morning rally, the 150 or so participants was a pretty good turnout, and the media horde was in full effect (at least six camera crews and a gaggle of print people from NY Times to Bergen Record). But listening to some of the comments and questions from onlookers, the outrage seemed a bit manufactured, like they could’ve just as easily been been chanting to save their favorite bar.

“So, which one’s Vega?” one hipster-looking kid asked another, actually expecting Vega to speak at the rally.

“No dude, Vega’s the one we want out,” replied his friend, with nary a hint of irony.

“Oh.”

Your outrage is so cool, dude.

“This guy is stealing our taxpayer money!”

Actually, he’s not, dude. He’s pissing all over your trust, perhaps. Selling his office on the cheap, for sure. Confirming the culture of corruption without a doubt. But he’s not accused of stealing public money. (A small point? Maybe.) I guess what I want to say is that, if you’re gonna come out and burn somebody in effigy, you should probably know what the hell he’s accused of. No? If this is the new face of political activism in Chilltown, we are, indeed, screwed. (We miss you more than ever Joe Duffy!)

“The whole idea is that the way to stop this kind of thing [corruption] is for more people to get involved,” said Dan Levin, expressing his pleasure at the size of the turnout. (He ran for mayor a few months ago and seemed to have had some role in organizing the rally.)

Dan’s right, but, in the future, for those of you inclined to call for someone to resign, or to be impeached, or arrested or flogged or worse:

a. Try not to enjoy it so much. Those of us who love this city beyond its proximity to NYC are genuinely sad about all this, and

b. Know who/what you’re talking about.

Yes, the air around Grove Street is especially malodorous nowadays, and a lot of people are right to be yelling Pee You! But you should know the difference between what it smells like when you step in shit and what it smells like when you’re just talking shit.