DOES ANYBODY GO TO NEW JERSEY ON PURPOSE?

The problems of the Republican party and the bickering within are well documented. The musical theme at the next GOP convention should be "Send In The Clowns".

But, just when the clouds are the darkest, along comes this obese guy from New Jersey with the goofy smile, that kind of droops over the corners of his mouth, and we registered Republicans say, "Eurkea" - or something like that.

I mean, here Governor Christie is depicted in several photos after Hurricane Sandy with his arm drooped over the shoulder of  Darth Vader (excuse me, our President) and all the Libra's in the world - (like me)  desperately, but foolishly seeking balance or any sign of bi-partisan movement in the two parties, are clearly encouraged.

Then we have "Tunnelgate" or  "Bridgegate" or "Lanegate " or whatever suffix is politically du jour and on the surface it appears to suggest we chose wrong again. However, the verdict is still out on that one but if overeating is still an appropriate response to controversy - there goes the Governors' diet.

But, "fear not" gentle readers, New Jersey is sure to come up with something else - if we're just patient enough to wait. This time it was Rutgers University who came to New Jersey's reputation rescue.

The student newspaper and (allegedly) several members of the faculty have decided that Condalessa Rice is too "controversial" to be their commencement speaker this year.

C'mon, "controversy" was born and raised in New Jersey. Ask the many Jersey politicians now in jail or under house arrest because they negotiated one helluva plea bargain. Heck, ask anybody who has attempted to drive there.

There is one bright spot with Rutgers - it has a fine drama department - or did -  and I've enjoyed some great theater there, as well as at Princeton courtesy of a great family who live there.

However, with great drama comes a lot of those whom we used to call "dramats" back when Carnegic Tech (nee Mellon) was graduating them in  busloads during the 40's and 50's. They tended to be fun but a little "over the top".

And like the Nat King Cole and Sammy Davis Jr. "allegiance defenses" we used back then when accused of being racially prejudiced, I quickly submit that some "of my best friends" and most admired individuals were heavily involved in the theater.

I have no clue what percentage of the Rice protesters are theater graduates. I choose, instead,  to conclude that the protesters are just kids being kids.

Rumor has it even I was once a kid back in the day.

What I struggle with is how far students and faculty have strayed from those "black is beautiful" days.

 I can recall that if you were black - and invited to speak at a campus in the north - it was pretty much guaranteed you would have had the support of both groups.

And, trust me, I'm not speaking about "Uncle Tom's"

Ms. Rice is rumored to be a person of color - in addition to a fine pianist - successful diplomat and, our former Secretary Of State, as well as  the first black female in that role. I seem to think that qualifies her as a good choice.

Besides, she's a decent golfer, based on what I've heard.

Nowadays, it appears that political goose stepping has usurped a need for the continued pursuit and support of civil rights recognition in the college community.

I fault both parties for this development.

Only time will tell if another Rice - from a different political party - will someday receive a well supported invitation to be a Rutgers graduate speaker.

Thank God they've let Cape May alone.