Sweeney–Christie wannabe–practices bullying on Rutgers.
What sort of state allows a barely literate thug like Steve Sweeney–with aspirations to the governorship–to intimidate, browbeat and extort a nationally respected institution like Rutgers University? The same state, I guess, that allows Chris Christie, a clownish, dancing governor–dancing just one step ahead of the sheriff–to fly to New Hampshire in the middle of a budget and pension crisis because he pretends he can be president.
“Rutgers has a chance to reform itself or the state will reform Rutgers,” said Sweeney. What arrogance. Must be something in the water coolers in Trenton.
Still, the only reason why Sweeney, a union official who hates unions and robs working-class pensioners of their benefits, can smear Rutgers is the abject failure of the university’s administration to stand up to political bullies like him. There are those close to the top of the Rutgers administration who, for years, have collaborated with Sweeney and his master and Chris Christie’s co-governor George Norcross–the Boss Tweed of Cherry Hill–to weaken the independence of the university’s governance structure. Those enemies within, some with strong ties to the Republican Party, would have been fired long ago if presidents like Mason Gross and Edward Bloustein were in charge.
Let’s get this straight: Sweeney is not bullying Rutgers and demanding its governing board be further politicized because such changes will enhance the university’s reputation. He is not intimidating the university with ultimatums because he wants Rutgers to be more economically efficient or academically rigorous. He isn’t holding a rusty razor blade to Rutgers’ throat to make its admissions and financial aid policies more equitable. Sweeney isn’t even doing it to improve the university’s athletic teams.
He is not talking about reform. He is talking about pillaging a 250-year-old institution to please the man who yanks his chains. He is doing it to weaken the university Sweeney–Christie wannabe–practices bullying on Rutgers. | Bob Braun's Ledger: