Back on September 24, I posted this, apropos of Justin Goldsman’s claim that “We are human, not Muslim.”

Every candidate for office in West Orange should be asked a simple question. Would they regard it as disqualifying for office for a candidate to say, “We are humans, not Jews”? Yes or no? On the record. Before Election Day.

I did in fact ask every West Orange candidate for office for comment (except Goldsman), and got a prompt response from Matt Dvorin, candidate for Town Council. Here’s what he said. I like it.

Thank you for your email. The simple answer is “yes” someone who said that should be disqualified for public office. But swap in any other group and it would be just as disqualifying. The double standards are monstrous. Bill Maher says insanely gross and stupid things every week about a certain group, the same things that would instantly get him fired if he said the same things about other groups. His career is a monument to human cruelty.

I am familiar with the Justin Goldsman story and am extremely disappointed in how it has unfolded, both among the parties involved, the media coverage of it, and some of the partisans involved.

I looked at your website and believe we agree on most things. I would be happy to meet with you personally at the event on October 5.

Kind regards,

Matt