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Editor, the Asbury Park Sun:

The recent events in Asbury Park — the election of Myra Campbell as mayor — and the anger that followed her election, expressed in what some would call “verbal violence,” brought to my mind the writings of William Shakespeare and a song sung by the late Etta James.

Shakespeare in A Midsummer Night’s Dream has, I believe, Puck saying: “Lord, what fools these mortals be.” Etta James sang a song “Fools We Mortals Be.”

How do the writing about fools by Shakespeare, and the singing about fools by Etta James, relate to what we have experienced and are experiencing in Asbury Park?

It’s the foolishness of politics. We have heard and said ourselves, “Politics makes for strange bedfellows [and sisters as well].” Why would any of us be surprised by the shifting of loyalties between and among politicians?

Politics, we are told, is the art of compromise, negotiation and deal-making. Why would politicians be surprised when politicians do what politicians do?

Although I have never met him, I enjoy the writings of the Publisher of triCityNews. However, I am confused by the “Publisher’s Message” in the July 4 issue of the paper. He wrote this: “Myra is actually the best person for the job [Mayor]. But done this way, she is the worst.”

These words reminded me of John Kerry’s “I voted for it, before I voted against it.” [Paraphrase]. It could be my own foolishness [I have more than my share], but I must ask, “What did he mean by that?”

And finally, the foolishness of our allowing this “mess” to happen to us in Asbury Park, when we claim to be a city on the move. If we have any sense of proportion and proportionality in a city where we do not have a “strong mayor” form of government, then the anger expressed following the election of Myra Campbell is misplaced.

The larger issues facing Asbury Park in the present and the future were set aside, with the “sound and fury” that took place in City Council Chambers on July 1, 2013.

Those who are pointing the finger of blame at Myra Campbell, ought look at their hand and see that they are pointing three fingers at themselves. And as they see what they will see, they will realize the words of William Shakespeare and Etta James about “fools” may apply to them and to all of us as well.

— Rev. Gil Caldwell, Asbury Park

[This letter represents the opinion of its writer and is not representative of any opinion of the Asbury Park Sun staff. All readers are welcome to submit Letters to the Editor to news@asburyparksun.com for our consideration. For guidelines on letter-writing and submission, click here. Do not send attachments.]

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