Herz for . . .

Your reportage on the attitudes of the people of the Islamic world on Ramadan (Ramadan begins with hunger worsening and war raging on (CT Post March 12)) ridiculously points to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as some indicator of what the month stands for. You report that Mr. Guterres “urged Israel and Hamas to honor the spirit of Ramadan by “silencing the guns” and releasing all the hostages.”

Instead, you could report the calls of those who stand for Islam in the middle east: “Ramadan is not a month of laziness but rather a month of activity, of effort, and of hard work, and as it also was in the life of the Prophet, a month of jihad, conquest, and victory.” Mahmoud Al-Habbash, the religious advisor to the “moderate” Mahmoud Abbas. Those words from 2022, but October 7 has not moderated his zeal: “Ramadan will [revive]… the power of faith, activity, and just Jihad for our legitimate goals and rights… what will be erased and will leave is the racist occupation.” From his Facebook page, March 1, 2024.

In accord are the words of a Muslim cleric in India, Maulana Bashir Ahmad Khaki (from 2018): “Ramadan is the pious month of ‘Jihad-o-Qital’ (Jihad and killing). Those who attain martyrdom while waging Jihad, doors of heaven remain open.”

Also in agreement, out of Bulgaria (2012): “Ramadan is a month of holy war and death for Allah. It is a month for fighting the enemies of Allah and God's messenger, the Jews and their American facilitators.”

PA's Supreme Sharia judge: Ramadan will revive ‘jihad for our legitimate goals,’ and ‘occupation’ will be ‘erased’

Perhaps it would also be interesting to note that the 1973 Yom Kippur War (a/k/a Ramadan War) was started during the holy month of Ramadan for which “Egyptian and Syrian soldiers were given an exemption from fasting because they were engaged in the religious duty of killing infidels, the category that Jews are in.” David M. Weinberg, Accepting Muslim violence during Ramadan insults the majority of world Muslims – opinion, Jerusalem Post, Mar. 9, 2024.

But I guess this is what you get when your stringers report out of Rafah, which they can only do if they represent the voice of Hamas.

In his “victory” speech, Mayor Ganim told us “Bridgeport has Spoken,” that he “declare[s] victory for the City of Bridgeport.”

“The People of Bridgeport…” nine percent of Bridgeport has actually spoken somewhat in Mr. Ganim's favor; I expect even some of these held their noses and voted for Mr. Ganim because they didn't have confidence in the alternative proposed.

What speaks even louder than the pomposity of the mayor is the voice of the 85 percent who stayed away altogether: none of us captured their imagination with a sufficiently compelling vision of the future to draw them out to vote in less than embarrassing numbers. Mostly what these 85% told us is that in their eyes, it just doesn't matter because nothing is going to change anyway.

This last election is certainly not an endorsement of Mayor Ganim's vision of progress. It is not even a vote of confidence.

A good case could be made that Mr. Gomes would be mayor right now but for the election interference of certain Ganim lackeys, the punishment of one being that she is now excused from work and still collecting the same salary. I hear she has a new car too.

If Mr. Ganim really has any confidence in the greatness of his vision,

if he wishes to “respect the voice of the voters of Bridgeport,” he should now be cleaning house. He should show us that when the elections roll around again, he will be overwhelmingly chosen in a clean fight.

The people who endorsed him should do the same. All allegations of fraudulent activities around the ballot box should be aggressively investigated and charges brought as appropriate. Even better, if they are substantiated, the perpetrators should be caused to reimburse the city the cost of the extra two elections.

Of course our elected politicians won't pursue this course: they benefit just as Mayor Ganim did.

Then Mayor Ganim should go and talk to the other 85 percent and figure out what would actually improve their lives, and work to build that.

Good jobs might help, safe streets, decent education. If there were business here, the city might actually support a hotel. Thriving businesses also support an art scene, and youth programs, and internships and training. Painting another mural on another abandoned property won't exactly have this effect.

Going hat in hand to the state to build another sports venue won't do it either. On game days we'll have some minimum wage jobs checking tickets and pouring drinks, but that is no basis for an economy.

I know the Economic Development Officer of Trumbull on a first name basis. She comes to every Chamber of Commerce meeting.

I have been to just as many Bridgeport Chamber meetings. I just went to the city's website to see if we even have an Economic Development Officer. Apparently we do.

This may be the biggest city in Connecticut, but it's not that big. It's certainly not so big that the best we can expect as the “voice of the people” is the nine percent of the voting population who showed a preference for the status quo over “Row C for Change,” or my own “Row B for a Better Bridgeport.”

I wish Mr. Ganim luck. I pray for the people of this city.

Hello Friends:

I thank you for your support over this most odd of election cycles.

I appreciate both the kind and the critical words.

I share with you my last piece to the press:

I am informed that some of Mayor Ganim's canvassers are suggesting that I have dropped out and endorsed him.
First, I endorse only myself. My preference for Ganim is inside the idea of the known quantity. My recent recitation of that preference was inside a comment about Mr. Daniels endorsement.
I also commented that the left knows no truth, is still doubling down on the failed notions and policies that have been destroying our cities for at least sixty years, and that we need moral and ethical guiderails as much as we need the fiscal. I don’t think either of the blue candidates convincingly provides this.
I don't care that Mayor Ganim disclaims knowledge. His minions have engaged in too much questionable conduct for them not to be under a tighter leash at this time.
It is time for us to stand on our ideals, on our visions, and on our records. Maybe I am an idealist. Maybe, given my odds, I can still afford to be. But maybe idealism is in order.
Mr. Ganim's record is long. If he can't trust that, if he can't trust that the voters can see the good he has done, despite the bad he has done, and choose intelligently for him, . . . I don’t even know how to finish this sentence.
The problem is this campaign has been a race to the bottom. Most of what I have seen from both candidates is how the other is worse. Maybe it is time we start thinking about better.
I was also excoriated by a fellow Republican for not coming out more forcefully for myself. So I will use words he inspired:
Bridgeport, this is a real opportunity to Grow our City.
We can’t keep voting in the same people with the same ideals and character and expect different results.
On Tuesday, February 27, You can elect a mayor with the energy, tenacity, and vision to ensure meaningful change.
If You want a better Bridgeport, You need to make a Better Choice.
This is why I ask you to vote for me, David Herz, as your next mayor.
I am on your side. I will fight for every Citizen of Bridgeport.
But I can only do this if you honor me with your vote.
See you on Tuesday, February 27.

If you have anyone who might vote in my direction in Bridgeport, please have a conversation.

Thank You,

p>I am informed that some of Mayor Ganim's canvassers are suggesting that I have dropped out and endorsed him.

First, I endorse only myself. My preference for Ganim is inside the idea of the devil you know. My recent recitation of that preference was inside a comment about Mr. Daniels endorsement.

I also commented that the left knows no truth, is still doubling down on the failed notions and policies that have been destroying our cities at least sixty years, and that we need moral and ethical guiderails as much as we need the fiscal.

Does Mr. Ganim really think lying about my candidacy will help him at this point? I don't care if he disclaims knowledge. His minions have engaged in too much questionable conduct for them not to be under a tighter lealh at this point in time.

It is time for us to stand on our ideals, on our visions, and on our records. Maybe I am an idealist. Maybe given my odds, I can still afford to be. But maybe idealism is in order.

Mr. Ganim's record is long. If he can't trust that, if he can't trust that the City can see the good he has done, despite the bad he has done, and choose intelligently for him, then he's just playing us all.

The problem is this campaign has been a race to the bottom. Most of what I have seen from both candidates is how the other is worse. Maybe it is time we start thinking about better.

I was also excoriated by a member of my own party for not coming out more forcefully for myself. So I will use the words he suggested.

Bridgeport, this is a real opportunity to change our city. We can’t keep voting in the same people with the same ideals and character and expect different results. On Tuesday, February 27, you have the opportunity to elect a mayor who has the energy and tenacity to ensure change. This is why I ask you to vote for me, David Herz as your next mayor. I can promise you I’m on your side and I will fight for every honest citizen of Bridgeport if you honor me with your vote to give me that chance.

See you on Tuesday, February 27.