On the North Shore, we understand all too well the frustration of being stuck in gridlocked bridge traffic. So we have a soft spot for scandals featuring enraged bridge commuters.
We're referring, of course, to the brouhaha south of the border which veered on to the political onramp this week in New Jersey.
There, close political confidantes of that state's Republican Governor Chris Christie were fired after it was revealed they orchestrated bridge lane closures that tied up one of the U.S.'s busiest bridges for days.
The political move was allegedly made by the governor's inner circle as retaliation for the mayor of the affected community not endorsing Christie during his re-election campaign.
The scheme was petty, vindictive and showed stunning disregard for hundreds of thousands of people affected.
In terms of partisanship run amok, it's a classic, though, and not just for its apt demonstration of sheer political thuggery.
Christie's predictable yet implausible explanation is that everyone who is closest to him pulled off the stunt without his knowledge. Maybe if his presidential aspirations don't work out, he can come and work in the prime minister's office.
Can we help but think of the B.C. Liberals' "quick wins" when personal cellphones and emails were used by public officials in an attempt to skirt scrutiny? And finally, does the governor's blustery press conference of denials remind anyone just a teensy bit of a certain Canadian municipal politician who's been in the news? The more dirty politics changes, the more it stays the same.
