If Mayor Bill Finch, former Mayor Joe Ganim, former State Senator Ernie Newton and Governor Dan Malloy gather under one roof together, might as well be a church where second chance was the subject. More from CT Post reporter Brian Lockhart:
Forgiveness was in the air. So was irony.
As he spoke, Finch sat just feet away from a podium where Ganim offered a New Year’s Day apology to a welcoming black congregation that was considered the kickoff of his comeback campaign.
Finch at one point, without any indication he was intentionally referring to Ganim’s mea culpa, said, “We’ve all faltered and we know this is a good place to be if you’ve admitted you’ve faltered.”
“Yes,” chimed in the Rev. Charlie Stallworth, pastor of East End Baptist and a state representative friendly with Ganim. “An ideal place.”
Full story here.
Ah forgiveness, the plat du jour. Followed by deep-dish sincerity.
Forgive, yes. Forget, never.
The scenario depicted in the first four paragraphs of the above Post story would seem to have all the ingredients for the creation of a very bad off-Broadway musical or B-rate cinema musical. With all the characters singing a chorus of “Bridgeport is Getting Better Every Day” as Dan Malloy–with cane, top hat, tails, and white gloves tap-dances around center stage.
God help us!
Jeff Kohut,
You are onto something. Thanks for the entertainment.
Has Joe Ganim admitted guilt for what he was convicted of, or has he simply admitted he made mistakes? There is a difference.
What does it say about Finch’s fear of Ganim that he is wrapping himself in the forgiveness movement? He’s practically blathering. I take that back. He is blathering. Must be positioning himself for the big exception.
And a big shout-out to Stallworth for making sure Ganim was there for the opening moments. His forgiving heart is so special.
I believe in forgiveness. However, public officials who have been found guilty of public corruption should never hold public office again.
David, are you saying they should never hold public office or they should be barred from running for public office? What about a rapist? What about a murderer? Should they be barred from running for public office? Where do you draw the line on this stuff? Why not allow voters to decide? Or do you believe in some instances voters must be rescued from themselves?
Murderers and rapists should be allowed to run for office. People should be allowed to choose. Jesus forgives all sinners. Hate the sin, love the sinner. If people are deaf, dumb and blind and local reverends run for office and give a platform to those who should be best forgotten, then suffice it to say people get what they deserve. The problem is we all pay the price.
I’ve come to the conclusion people truly don’t give a shit. Special note to Ernie and Joe, I think the majority of Bridgeporters support a second-chance initiative. I think people should be integrated into the workforce and enjoy life if they have served their time. But to think you should be allowed to run for office, that is just plain balls. It is shameful. Try a new career, share your talents in another arena. Move on. Beating a horse to death is a terrible waste of time.
If voters should decide for themselves, then why would we go after Rick DeJesus? He owes back taxes, he wasn’t convicted. Why attack his misfortune?
I thought Republicans wanted less government intervention and allowing the voters to make their own decisions.
Please, no attacks! I agree with Lennie.
Joe Ganim is a folk hero to some. Sure, he’s a convicted criminal but most folk heroes started out that way.
Our leader seems to have a favorable disposition toward Joe Ganim. The photo in the church pew, with the folded hands and the turned head is a publicity masterpiece. OIB is reality-based satire. I’m puzzled by his motivations, though.
Quite an interesting discussion going on here. Murderers, rapists, those convicted of corruption … Let them run, and let the voters decide–a position I agree with. But a city employee should be barred from serving on the council? How about you pick a position and stick with it? If the voters can decide for themselves on one issue, they can decide for themselves on them all.
Milton Johnson, you sir, put it beautifully. Just goes to show it’s all politics. You would think Bridgeport does not have any honest, sincere, ethical individuals who are educated, committed and determined to raise this city from a cancerous, corruption-based past. There should be laws in place to protect the ignorant, which stay in place long after an administration has served. Honesty and sincerity should be the law of the land, not political favors.