Another
Jersey Shore Show
When Prince Harry visited Seaside Heights, New Jersey, the
authorities faked a return to relative normalcy for the Sandy-struck beach
town.
If you see things that
really are not there, are you losing it? Maybe not. Maybe the ones who put the
non-existent things there for you to see are to blame.
Recently, this
surrealistic phenomenon of unreal “thereness” appeared in Seaside Heights, New
Jersey.
This shore town had been devastated by Superstorm Sandy last October,
shutting down its boardwalk shops and rides. But in mid-May, England’s Prince
Harry came to Jersey for a royal visit, and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
led him to the town’s boardwalk to highlight the people’s resilient spirit and
determination to rebuild.
The governor staged
a business-as-usual visual for
the visitor. Spiffed-up clam bars and hot dog stands were staffed with people
who appeared to be preparing and serving food, but nothing was actually being
cooked. Also, children were brought in to play darts, wiffleball, and other
games at booths that had been opened, staffed, and stocked with prizes — just
for Harry’s quick visit.
Even the twisted skeleton
of the town’s iconic roller coaster, which had been knocked into the ocean by
the raging storm, still sat in the waves. They left it there as a prop to give
the prince a sense of the fury the town had suffered.
As he gazed at it for
a few moments, a demolition crew was positioned out of sight, ready to
dismantle it as soon as the governor and the prince departed.
A 7-year-old-girl, who
got to talk with Harry at a game booth, later asked a reporter an impertinent
question: “Is he a real-life prince?” She said she doubted it, for he had no
cape or sword. But, yes, the prince was absolutely real — unlike the unreal
images he saw on the boardwalk.
OtherWords columnist Jim Hightower is a radio
commentator, writer, and public speaker. He's also editor of the populist
newsletter, The Hightower Lowdown. OtherWords.org
