Growing Up Smart in the Frank Hague Political Machine in Jersey City, NJ

 "Ilya Shapiro, a senior lecturer at Georgetown University Law School, resigned on Monday after the school conducted an investigation into a controversial tweet he posted about President Biden’s Supreme Court pick." - The Hill, June 6, 2022

As has become the new usual in these kinds of developments Shapiro posted an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal today. As expected, he alludes to a "progressive mob." That has become the current buzzphrase.

Overall the guy tends to be a contrarain in his public opinions. For example, in circles which support abortion, he opposes it. That would be analogous to my pontificating liberal positions here in a conservative town in the southwest. 

The tweet that got Shapiro in such hot water was his opinion that the Black woman selected by President Biden for SCOTUS was not up to snuff. Instead he proposed Sri Srivivason. 

Freedom of speech issues aside, there is common sense we tend to embrace from the get-go of our first paid source of income.

Since the age of 16, I have been employed in retail, telecommunications, academia, law enforcement, state senate, Fortune 50, security, and, as a consultant, including for law firms. You bet, I didn't buck the prevailing ideologies. That has included my recent freelance assignments for defense law firm Paul Weiss. Way back when I struggled to understand the essence of plaintiff firms such as Marler Clark. They are unique.

In pitching for a ghostwriting assignment with an international leader, I was asked my opinion on an issue. My answer: "It is irrelevant what I think. What matters is communicating effectively what you think." 

I got down cold that mindset growing up in the vestiges of the Frank Hague political machine in Jersey City, New Jersey. The penalty for not conforming with the party line could be broad-based.

However, no, we weren't crushed by the system. Instead there was enormous freedom of options in exchange for not being mouthy. For example, like so many of us boomers from immigrant families in Jersey City, I had my choice of full-tuition scholarships from both an in-state and out-of-state universities. My grandfathers and uncles all got steady work. When my father was dying my mother was able to access all the needed services. 

Reflection: Was that a different time? Or an era rooted in the need to be smart - about a lot of things? 

Connect with Editor-in-Chief Jane Genova at janegenova374@gmail.com. She helps businesses conjure up magic in their storytelling. One client said, "She makes shipping containers ‘sexy.’"

 

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