He’ll run into a burning building at the drop of a hat, he’ll run down robbers in the blink of an eye, and he’ll even shovel your driveway in a snowstorm.
Newark, NJ, Mayor Cory Booker is more than a public servant, he’s a hero.
Yes, this is a blog about how awesome Booker is. Hey, I met the guy and he seems pretty cool to me.
I judge politicians or public figures not on what they voted for, but how genuine they are and how their actions coincide.
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Booker opened his own home yesterday to residents who had no power in their homes and even ordered food for those who had nothing to eat.
Booker went on Twitter yesterday and told Newark residents to come by his crib if they needed to charge devices, adding that there was even a DVD player they could use if necessary.
Once again, Booker is proving to be the people’s mayor, and his heroic acts never go unnoticed.
I look at President Obama and think; he’s trying to do what he believes is right, along with a large majority, but isn’t getting a chance to because of bureaucratic bullshit.
I look at a guy like NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who keeps it 100 no doubt, and doesn’t care what anyone else thinks. While I respect him for that, at the same time I scratch my head as to why he still has to go on with the NYC marathon while many in his city still have no power in their homes.
But back to the man of the hour for a minute, for as long as I’ve watched the career of Booker he’s always, to me, been on the side of fairness.
He defended his city when the NYPD ran a counter terrorism program spying on Newark’s Muslim residents.
He has vehemently voiced his concern with equal rights for gays, who should not be treated as second class citizens when it comes to a fundamental right such as marriage.
For what it’s worth, I’d rather have Booker in the trenches with me than Mayor Bloomberg.
Nothing against the NYC Mayor, but throughout his administration, he has been more concerned with the business of New York City, rather than the people of NYC.
Granted many in midtown Manhattan still have no power, but today Staten Island looks like war zone and Westchester County is still in the dark. Last we checked, NYC had five boroughs, not one, and at times Bloomberg seems to be Manhattan’s mayor and not NYC’s.
The Mayor still plans on having the ING NYC marathon Sunday, saying that it would generate millions for the city, upwards of $300 million.
That’s all well and good, but what’s the harm in doing it a week later, Mr. Mayor?
Now many reading this will say, “well if you love Booker so much, move to Newark” That’s the New Yorker voice that’s in my head while writing this. I’m not moving to Newark, I LOVE MY CITY, Hurricane Sandy, the MTA raising fares, crowded streets, it’s all good. But sometimes, people have to be put on notice for the things they are doing and the things they’re not.
Shaka Griffith is the News/Politics Editor for GlobalGrind.com Follow him on Twitter and send your thoughts, rants and outbursts to @Darealshaka
