Christy as one very chubby fellow is without question. But he AND the news media made a bigger issue out of Christy’s chubbiness than the intent of Corzine’s ad. What Corzine suggested, was that Christy used his political authority to escape getting busted over a matter that if he had manned up, would have accepted responsibility for. Which is what Stewart actually discussed as opposed to the “news media.”

The context where words are used matters. Years ago on Monday Night Football Howard Cosell referred to a black running back as a “little monkey” and was castigated for his racial comment. And while one can debate whether or not it was a racial comment, Cosell came across as tone deaf.

In this most recent example I watched the commercial where the “throwing one’s weight around” comment was used. As is often done, the video of the Corzine’s opponent clearly showed him from angles to ensure the viewer could see that he is an obese man. Then, with the comments on top of those video images, it was absolutely clear that the reference was to his weight.

And of course, because the commercial did not precisely say the guy was fat, Corzine’s campaign claimed innocence. It was, in my mind, in bad taste. If you have not done so, I suggest you view the actual commercial instead of relying on the second hand reports of Jon Stewart.

Take care.

“I think this is analogous to your Religious Coercion post which got me to thinking–in itself, a usually harmless activity but that’s another story.”

A hazard of editing the same paragraph multiple times in a haphazard way.

Anyway, just makin’ an observation. I enjoy your posts immensely.

…..Frank Scurley