Sharpe James, Bernie Kerik discuss ‘dehumanizing’ criminal justice system

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Political Prisoner: Sharpe Twists and Turns

By Art Gallagher , Originally posted at PolitickerNJ

Sharpe James never lacked for self-confidence. Or strong  opinions. In the first chapter of his new memoir, the former Newark mayor likens  himself to his “role models;” biblical and historical political prisoners Jesus,  John the Baptist, the Apostles James and Peter, Gandhi, Mandela and Dr. Martin  Luther King, Jr.

Governor Christopher Christie, who as U.S. Attorney prosecuted James in 2008  on five counts of fraud related to the sale of Newark owned property, is likened  to Lucifer and “a slovenly intoxicated King Herod” who was given James’s  figurative “head on a platter” by former friends and associates who lied under  oath in order to save their own necks from prosecution.

James refers to Christie and former President George W. Bush as “head  hunters.”

Political Prisoner reads like two books. In between the opening  chapter that sets up the context of his persecution and the closing chapters  recollecting his prosecution and imprisonment, James tells the compelling story  of his remarkable life lived during a tumultuous American century.

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Booker has bigger problems than Christie’s poll numbers

Earlier this morning I joked that Newark Mayor Cory Booker hasn’t been active on twitter since the Rutgers-Eagleton poll that indicates Governor Chris Christie’s sky high approval ratings.

Turns out that Booker has much bigger problems.

The Star Ledger is reporting that a Newark City Council meeting erupted into chaos yesterday over Bookers vote to replace Congressman-elect Donald Payne, JR on the council with Shanique Davis Speight, a long time ally of power broker Steven Abudato, SR, over the angry objections of residents and city council members who preferred that former Mayor Sharpe James son, John Sharpe James.

The a crowd lead by SEIU Local 617 President Rahaman Muhammad rushed the dais after Booker cast his deciding vote for Speight.  Police responded by pepper spraying Muhammad, residents, a reporter and at least one other police officer.   Councilman Darrin Sharif, who had walked off the dais in protest, told the Ledger that “This truly was an out-of-body experience. The mayor, who goes all around the country to talk about democracy … literally in the back of the room, hiding in the shadows.”

The crowd was shouting, “Cory’s got to go,” according to the Ledger report.

Meanwhile, the conservative website The Daily Caller reported that Booker may soon be living on food stamps.  The mayor got into twat (a term I just made up that means twitter spat) with one of his followers, @MWadeMC wherein he challeged the woman to join him in living on food stamps for a week or a month in New Jersey to see what it is like.

The Ledger report and the DC report lead to a colorful public twat between Democratic operatives Jay Lassiter (@jay_lass), Jeff Gardner (@JeffPGardner) and Steve Ayscue (@SteveAyscue). Lassiter and Garnder were critical of Booker’s back room dealing, calling him corrupt.  Ayscue defended Booker, saying that comparing what happened in Newark last night over Payne’s council seat to former Mayor James corruption was like comparing apples and oranges.  The quick witted Garnder responded, “apples and oranges may be different, but in the end, they’re both still fruit.”

Lassiter’s colorful tweet got the ball rolling.
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