NJ Slavery Apology: Gestures and Politics

I was reminded today of a famous Animal House quote "This situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture, be done on somebody's part!" when reading the news story of our legislature considering an official apology for slavery by the State of New Jersey.

The issue here is:
1. Most of the citizens of this state or our ancestors were not even in this country when slavery was in play. My ancestors were surviving potato famines and British oppression during the operative years.
2. There are very few if any former slaves to apologize to so I am not sure who our legislators want to appease.
3. New Jersey was frankly one of the best states in speaking out against slavery when it mattered. Read your history.
4. Don't our politicians have something more important to do than fake gestures against fake victims with fake sincerity.

I think so.

Here are some reminders in case our legislature is bored and not paying attention:
1. Fix the highest property tax in the nation status
2. Fix the outward migration problem
3. Fix the 3 billion dollar deficit in 2008

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