Controversy Everywhere: By Ryan Robinson
Wherever one goes across the country or around the world, there will always be a “he said” or “she said” moment. Most times, the person that blames another is doing it so they don’t get into trouble themselves. However, one can’t always assume that one that seems wrong is wrong, because that person just may be telling the truth. We don’t have to look that far to see a controversy anymore and with email and recording devices everywhere, it can only make situations look worse for someone else and much better for the other person.
Let’s start off local with the Brown family. I don’t feel the need to get deep into the story, (you can look on The Oakland Journal for more) but the point is, that the Browns are wondering why their case with the dogs is being looked at intensively after a report was filed, yet a law about bicycles are not.
Before my opinion on this specific issue, I would actually like to share my opinion on Mr. Visconti during the meeting. I think that he filled in very well for Mr. Szabo and while there were some tensions, he did keep calm and he was polite and direct. I think just there to start is something great about our council others might not have. So, good job Mr. V!
Anyway, my opinion though is this: I support the Browns when they say that how the report was filed and their circumstances are unfair and I think that the whole story is just upsetting and tragic. The town, while the law seems odd, did the right thing and followed it. The current council may not like it, lots of residents might not like it, and the Browns might not either, but the law is the law. At least the town is doing what they have to and following it. I do think the whole bicycle thing is quite odd and weird that it is still on the books, but as a questioner asked, if the town received a complaint about it, would they follow through and investigate. That’s the right thing to do as odd as it is.
In addition, I do not support what the law says because I think it needs to be refined to indicate more of a “nuisance” or mistreatment of animals, but the law is the law. So, I support and pray for the Browns in what they are going through, but I’m certainly not going to start torches and bring out the pitchforks in front of the Municipal Chambers.
Also another interesting matter is New Jersey and the Race to Top funding contest. Everyone in New Jersey seems to view this differently and everyone has something to say about the other people in this matter. In situations like this, “people” and “everyone” are used so often because the truth is, there is little truth out there! Or, as my Chemistry teacher says, the big question in life is “How do we know?” Do you think Christie is right? Do you blame Schundler? Do you blame the NJEA? Now it seems there could be a firm involved as well, the list goes on.
The problem with controversies is that very few people win and many people lose. Controversies provide small gain to the person that is right, and a big loss for the person deemed wrong and everyone else that has to hear and see the commotion. The media wastes their time on these issues and focuses less on what really matters. Should there be a report on the news about it? Yes. Should it be every night, every day, and every week? No. Should we focus on the major stories that are going on in our towns? Yes.
We are getting too out of control as a country about controversies and we need to decide what is important to report, how often we should report on it, and what is just a mud-slinging fest.