WASHINGTON National Security Agency whistleblowerEdward Snowdensays aphotographer managed to capture the politics of an era when he snapped a photo of New Jersey Gov.Chris Christie(R) lounging with his family and friends on an otherwise empty stretch of beach. <\/p>\n
Rarely does a photographer capture the politics of an era in one frame, Snowden posted Monday on Twitter, along with The Star-Ledgers front page showing Christiekicked back on a state beachthat hed ordered closed to the public amid a state government shutdown. <\/p>\n
Snowden also retweeted a post from Steve Politi, the newspapers sports columnist, showing throngs of beachgoers crowded at one end of a long stretch of sandy shore. <\/p>\n
On Sunday,NJ Advance Mediapublished several aerial photostaken by Andrew Mills showing Christie, along with family and friends, at New Jerseys Island Beach State Park, the site of an official governors residence.The park was one ofseveral closedover the holiday weekend after lawmakers failed to pass a state budget. <\/p>\n
Inan interview with Fox 5in New York on Monday, Christie mocked local media, saying, What a great bit of journalism by The Star-Ledger and I really wonder about journalists who spend money flying planes to look whether people are actually where they said they would be. He said he announced his plans to vacation at the New Jersey residence regardless of whether a shutdown occurred and dismissed the idea that the beach closure was in any way his fault. <\/p>\n
In a separate interview Monday withFox 29in Philadelphia, Christie was asked about people who are upset about not being able to enjoy the beach over the holiday weekend. <\/p>\n
Im sorry theyre not the governor, he said. This is a residence. <\/p>\n
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