Hoboken Rashomon

HOBOKEN RASHOMON

The 1950 Akira Kurosawa cinematic masterpiece, "Rashomon," is the story of one crime- a murder and rape- as told by four different parties: the murderer, rape victim, dead man (via medium) and witness. Their four versions of the "truth" are contradictory, subjective, self-serving.  They tell their  stories to a court of law. 

Hoboken Rashomon tells the story of one incident, as told by two different press releases.  No one was killed or injured, thank G-d. But the press releases tell two contradictory versions of the event-- not to a court of law, but to the court of public opinion: in hMag, Hudson County View, Jersey Journal and Hoboken Patch.    

The first press release, as told by two Hoboken councilwomen, says that they were "bullied" and "intimidated" by the "mayor's office abuse of power"  because they were asked to leave City Hall.  

The second press release (responding to the first) as told by City Hall, claims that the councilwomen "repeatedly abuse their status and barge into the Offices of the City Directors unannounced, disrupting staff, always without appointment" hence were "asked if they had an appointment, and if not to politely vacate the building due to the Administrators policy requiring an appointment to see City Director and Staff."

Which press release do you believe?

The only undisputed fact appears to be that one of the councilwomen ate  “Buffalo Chicken Tacos” for lunch on Tuesday. The councilwoman alleged on social media that her tacos were  “so incredibly delicious" and City Hall has not disputed that claim.  (Credit for the taco exclusive to hMag) 

This morning, GA reached out to one of the councilwomen and to City Hall, with questions. No response from either (so far.)  And I have to get on with my day...  

Well, I made coffee--  so incredibly delicious- and am deciding whether to post about my coffee on Twitter or write a press release that the milk in it had curdled. Problem: who's to blame for curdled milk?  The refrigerator manufacturer (not cold enough)?  The supermarket (not fresh enough)?  Myself (for leaving the milk out overnight then microwaving it)?

Definitely not me. Nothing that I could possibly ever do could ever have unpleasant repercussions. I am a victim of curdled milk.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

BLOGGING NOTE:

People, being off the Hoboken grid for awhile has altered my perspective on covering Hoboken politics. I don't plan to waste my time on sniping back and forth between branches of government, public officials, elected officials or bloggers.  There is a technical term for this kind of activity: "stupid shit."   And stupid shit is not worth my time. Election fraud and political corruption are.  

Peace out.