Sweet Sixteen
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A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES Thursday, December 1, 2016 Page 5 Bramnick to Perform in Piscopo Show Letters to the Editor Benefiting The Boys and Girls Club NEW BRUNSWICK — Assem- and television—most notably for his I Am Sitting In Theatre of the Absurd blyman Jon Bramnick is to perform comedic work on Saturday Night Live stand-up comedy as a special guest Angered By Donald Trump Audacity during Joe Piscopo Presents “A Night I am an old white woman, watching subject to revenge or reprisal. Are to Benefit The Boys and Girls Club of spellbound in the audience of the SNL and Alec Baldwin at risk too? Is America,” on Tuesday, December 6, world stage, applauding the cast of Trump’s reaction reminiscent of the at the Stress Factory Comedy Club, Hamilton for their eloquent and re- Hollywood Blacklist during the located at 90 Church Street. The pro- spectful plea for humanity offered to 1940’s and 1950’s? His angry rheto- gram begins at 7:30 p.m. and doors Mike Pence. By entering the theatre ric reminds me of McCarthyism ulti- open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $35, to see a production created and ex- mately denying employment to pro- and proceeds benefit The Boys and ecuted by primarily minorities, Pence fessionals accused of having commu- Girls Club of America. The event is took an unusual step, perhaps, ex- nist ties (left-leaning liberals?) open to ages 16 and up. Tickets can be pecting to be entertained by black- This feels like watching Twelve purchased at stressfactory.com. faced minstrels, but never imaging Angry White Men. Perhaps Mike Other special guests include Bill they might also have a voice, an opin- Pence might have chosen the Phila- Spadea from Fox’s Chasing News ion regarding his white, far-right delphia Story or La Cage Aux Folles and NJ 101.5., Comedian Jay Black, agenda. instead. Comedian Chip Chantry, Comedian Joe Piscopo “Mike Pence was out for a nice safe It is lonely here sitting under the Vinnie Brand and a performance by relaxing evening,” the Trump and his big top, watching the compliant po- The Boys and Girls Club Of America. playing a wide range of hilarious origi- PEARL HARBOR...Seventy-five years ago next Wednesday, December 7, Japa- Mr. Piscopo is a spokesperson for nal characters and celebrity imper- surrogates rant, not realizing that mi- litical court jesters dance and sing to nese forces launched an attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, leading to the United norities now seldom are able to feel entertain and placate American’s new States’ entry into World War II. The Boys and Girls Club of America sonations, from The Sports Guy and safe and are, in fact, often harassed. royalty. Will Trump destroy our First and devotes his time to many other Doug Whiner to David Letterman Apparently, Trump was much more Amendment while ferociously de- Our Reflections 75 Years Later charities as well. and Frank Sinatra. He also hosts a offended by the Hamilton cast than fending the Second? Do those of us For over 25 years, Mr. Piscopo has daily radio program, “The Answer” by the alt-right conference chanting, who believe in our diversity have no On Legacy of Pearl Harbor appeared on film, theater, nightclubs, for AM 970 from 6 to 9 a.m. “Hail Trump.” voice unless we cheer and offer a I am sitting in the theatre of the standing ovation to philosophies that One week from now, our country victory by 1945. absurd as Donald Trump, apparently are in direct opposition to our own will solemnly commemorate the Like military battles before and angered by this audacity, calls their values and sense of justice? 75th anniversary of the December since, Pearl Harbor struck close to plea harassing and rude. Many of us Linda Van Fossen 7, 1941 attack on the U.S. naval home for residents of the Westfield fear that the Hamilton cast will be Fanwood base at Pearl Harbor, one of the area, many of whom had uniformed most pivotal events of the 20th cen- or civilian relatives in the vicinity of Commentary tury, and one deeply ingrained in the attack. An article published in the our national consciousness. December 11, 1941 edition of The How Will Scotch Plains Move The surprise aerial bombardment Westfield Leader listed local families by several hundred Japanese military who either were still awaiting word of planes early that Sunday morning their loved ones or had already been Ahead Under Mayor-Elect Smith? decimated the U.S. Pacific fleet, wip- assured they were safe. We were encouraged by the com- good job, shouldn’t he be retained? ing out a contingent of stationary air- Three-quarters of a century later, ments of Scotch Plains Mayor-Elect Understandably, adjustments and a craft and leaving nearly 20 naval ves- the ranks of Pearl Harbor survivors Al Smith and Councilman-Elect Ted new direction are the privilege of the sels — among them eight battleships continue to dwindle. Now in their Spera in their letter-to-the-editor pub- mayor-elect and the GOP. — destroyed or disabled. 90s, those who remain still carry with lished in our November 24 issue. The While two-party government is In less than two hours the Hawaiian them searing memories of what Presi- election is over and it is time to move alive in Scotch Plains, we question inlet had been transformed into an dent Franklin Delano Roosevelt, one on for a better Scotch Plains. This what has happened to Republicans in apocalyptic visage of ships burning day after the attack, famously de- HEADED TO AMALFI COAST...The Greater Westfield Area Chamber of election marks the second time in neighboring Fanwood. Up until five and sinking into the sea, with scores clared a “date which will live in in- Commerce (GWACC) has announced that it will be visiting southern Italy and the recent years that voters have elected years ago, the GOP was alive in of men dead or dying, many trapped famy.” Veterans of Pearl Harbor also Amalfi Coast, departing October 11, 2017 and is inviting chamber members, and new leadership. One question now is, Fanwood and even held a few seats within their doomed crafts. In the carry in equal measure pride in the family and friends of chamber members to join them. The eight-day journey will Township Manager Al Mirabella on the borough council. While Mayor end, 2,403 American military per- heroism and sacrifice of all those who includes Positano, Ravello and Amalfi. Space is limited. For more information, call survive the change in political party Colleen Mahr has shown strong lead- sonnel were dead, and more than 1,100 fought and died that fateful day. GWACC at (908) 233-3021 or visit the website http://www.gwaccnj.com/cham- majority in township government? ership since her election as mayor in others injured. The battleship USS All of us should feel that same pride ber-discoveries-italy or email Gene Jannotti at [email protected]. We encourage Mayor-Elect Smith 2003, she did not face any challenge Arizona alone sustained the loss of in those who served at Pearl Harbor — to begin a dialogue with Mr. Mirabella in 2007 or 2015. In our view, voters 1,177 crew members, more than 1,000 living and deceased — and who are with input from township employees should always be given a choice on of them still interred within the ship’s among those men and women cel- and all council members — regard- the election ballot. submerged remains, since 1962 the ebrated as America’s “Greatest Gen- less of political affiliation — to de- With a Republican mayor coming site of a national memorial. eration.” The story of Pearl Harbor is cide the future direction of Scotch on board in Scotch Plains, we wonder The attack launched the United not just an American story, but a global Plains. If Mr. Mirabella is doing a how the relationship between the two States’ entrance into the Second World story as well. As the catalyst for towns will move forward. We suspect War, joining allied nations against the America’s entry into World War II, Mayor-Elect Smith will push hard for axis of Germany, Italy and Japan, and Pearl Harbor made possible the tri- Reading Is Good For You a reduction in commuter parking per- paving the way for an ultimate Allied umph of freedom for an entire world. mit fees at the Fanwood Train Station for Scotch Plains commuters, who Tailgating Is Banned pay substantially more than their Fanwood counterparts. Also, will For HS Football Playoffs Fanwood try to take back the Memo- NEW JERSEY -- As published on Bridgewater-Raritan, 10-7, in the rial Day concert, which Scotch Plains NJ.com, the New Jersey State Inter- championship game. hosted for the first time in 2016? state Athletic Association on Mon- Sectional finals will be held Friday, We believe it is important that the day issued a ban on parking lot fes- Saturday and Sunday at MetLife Sta- FOOTBALL TRADITION...Washington School, Westfield, graduates held their two towns have a good working rela- tivities at the four sites hosting cham- dium in East Rutherford; Saturday 17th Bozo Bowl touch football game at Gumbert Park on Thanksgiving morning. tionship as they not only border each pionship games Friday, Saturday and and Sunday at Rowan University in A huge turnout and lots of fun was had by all. other but share a high school in addi- Sunday.