Was Romney a high school bully?

Alferd_Packer · 10th May 2012, 08:01 AM

It appears so

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politi...KFU_story.html

Why am I not surprised?

BenBurch · 10th May 2012, 08:03 AM

Seriously. You know, that will cost votes if it becomes widely know. And cement the hardcore base, most of whom were bullies.

tyr_13 · 10th May 2012, 08:04 AM

Really, stupid stuff he did in high school? I guess it might be interesting for people who like to read stories about famous people, but I highly doubt it's politically relevant.

EDIT: Ok, this is more interesting than I thought. He assaulted a student and cut hair off of him. That isn't 'being a bully' but 'committing criminal assault'. I can see how this might hurt him especially as the rest of the gang he led in the assault expresses deep remorse over it.

JoeTheJuggler · 10th May 2012, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by tyr_13

Really, stupid stuff he did in high school?

It was assault. That's a little bit beyond "stupid stuff".

ETA: And what's worse is Governor Romney's claim that he had no memory of the incident.

Alferd_Packer · 10th May 2012, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by tyr_13

Really, stupid stuff he did in high school? I guess it might be interesting for people who like to read stories about famous people, but I highly doubt it's politically relevant.

EDIT: Ok, this is more interesting than I thought. He assaulted a student and cut hair off of him. That isn't 'being a bully' but 'committing criminal assault'. I can see how this might hurt him especially as the rest of the gang he led in the assault expresses deep remorse over it.

It speaks to the character of the man.

TragicMonkey · 10th May 2012, 08:14 AM

Hmm. So Romney was an *******, obsessed with money and social status, and unduly interested in gay men. It's good to know that he's at least constant in some things!

tyr_13 · 10th May 2012, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by JoeTheJuggler

It was assault. That's a little bit beyond "stupid stuff".

ETA: And what's worse is Governor Romney's claim that he had no memory of the incident.

Yeah, I'm backing down from my initial statement. He organized and committed assault with a deadly weapon, and not only was he not pushed for it but he doesn't see it as a problem. He claims not to remember it. This is in spite of all other parties involved being deeply troubled by it.

I'm starting to see a pattern. Romney does something stupid in the past and then doesn't have the fortitude or good sense to be remorseful about it. That doesn't speak well.

Biscuit · 10th May 2012, 08:21 AM

I did some dumb things in high school, not assault, but I think we have way more recent behavior to go on in order to determine his character. I would hate to be judged by the kid I was and not on the man I am today.

BenBurch · 10th May 2012, 08:33 AM

As far as I am concerned, this disqualifies the man to hold high office of any sort.

TragicMonkey · 10th May 2012, 08:39 AM

I can't be the only one hoping a gang of flamboyant gay people jumps Romney and cuts his hair off, live on television.

timhau · 10th May 2012, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by Biscuit

I did some dumb things in high school, not assault, but I think we have way more recent behavior to go on in order to determine his character. I would hate to be judged by the kid I was and not on the man I am today.

If the man you're today refused to own up to what the kid you were did back then, I don't know how different the two would really be.

bonzombiekitty · 10th May 2012, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by Biscuit

I did some dumb things in high school, not assault, but I think we have way more recent behavior to go on in order to determine his character. I would hate to be judged by the kid I was and not on the man I am today.

It's one thing to not want to be judged by the kid you were, rather than the man you are today. However, if the man you are today isn't regretful of the things you did as a kid, that says a lot.

Assuming Romney actually does not recall it (either because he really just doesn't remember it or it never happened), then saying something like "I don't remember doing that, but if I did, I am horrified and deeply sorry. The person who would have done that back then is not who I am today." would be an acceptable response.

pgwenthold · 10th May 2012, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by Biscuit

I did some dumb things in high school, not assault, but I think we have way more recent behavior to go on in order to determine his character. I would hate to be judged by the kid I was and not on the man I am today.

I can forgive mistakes of youth. But I would you own them. This "I don't remember doing it" doesn't work. I'd prefer something like this

Quote:

Red: ...What do you really want to know? Am I sorry for what I did?
1967 Parole Hearings Man: Well, are you?
Red: There's not a day goes by I don't feel regret. Not because I'm in here, or because you think I should. I look back on the way I was then: a young, stupid kid who committed that terrible crime. I want to talk to him. I want to try and talk some sense to him, tell him the way things are. But I can't. That kid's long gone and this old man is all that's left. I got to live with that.

If that was Mitt Romney's response, we'd be just fine.

But no, it doesn't bother him. It means so little to him that he can't remember it, much less regret doing it.

BenBurch · 10th May 2012, 08:50 AM

If he does not recall it, that says something profound and negative about him.

Brainster · 10th May 2012, 08:58 AM

Well, that does it for me. I'm voting for Obama.

Tsukasa Buddha · 10th May 2012, 08:58 AM

People seem to have a surprisingly low opinion of youth. Makes me think I should have done more crap as a teenager because people are so quick to excuse it

.

pgwenthold · 10th May 2012, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by Tsukasa Buddha

People seem to have a surprisingly low opinion of youth. Makes me think I should have done more crap as a teenager because people are so quick to excuse it

.

Harry Potter wouldn't accept the "He was young..." excuse, and neither will Tsukasa!

BenBurch · 10th May 2012, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by Brainster

Well, that does it for me. I'm voting for Obama.

Seriously, it does at least bother you, right?

Cleon · 10th May 2012, 09:14 AM

Oh, FFS, if we held everybody responsible for stupid, offensive, or cruel **** they did in high school, nobody would be able to get a position above "janitor."

Unabogie · 10th May 2012, 09:18 AM

Well, he has apologized, sort of. But it's one of those "if anyone was offended then I'm sorry" apologies.

Whatever. If you don't see that Romney is a sociopath after his career as a vulture capitalist, how he's flipped and flopped on every subject known to man, and YES, what he did to his dog, I don't think this will sway you.

But man, what an *******. I did a bunch of things when I was a kid that I'm not proud of. But I never bullied anyone or hit anyone who didn't hit me first.

And who believes that no one thought about who was gay back in the 1960s? Does this guy ever tell the truth?

Tricky · 10th May 2012, 09:19 AM

Are there still people making a big deal about the fact that Obama once attended a Muslim school? If so, then this story is fair game.

Monketey Ghost · 10th May 2012, 09:19 AM

If Obama had done something like this he would have been scandalized and never elected.

Just sayin'. He is brown-skinned after all.

You know how brown-skinned people love being violent!

Piscivore · 10th May 2012, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by TragicMonkey

I can't be the only one hoping a gang of flamboyant gay people jumps Romney and cuts his hair off, live on television.

Those "Queer Eye" guys aren't busy anymore, are they?

Sword_Of_Truth · 10th May 2012, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by Brainster

Well, that does it for me. I'm voting for Obama.

Right... so it's the bully or the coke addict then?

hgc · 10th May 2012, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by TragicMonkey

I can't be the only one hoping a gang of flamboyant gay people jumps Romney and cuts his hair off, live on television.

No, how about they wax away his chest and back hair? That would be more fitting.

ANTPogo · 10th May 2012, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Tricky

Are there still people making a big deal about the fact that Obama once attended a Muslim school? If so, then this story is fair game.

Oh, yes.

BenBurch · 10th May 2012, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by Cleon

Oh, FFS, if we held everybody responsible for stupid, offensive, or cruel **** they did in high school, nobody would be able to get a position above "janitor."

I seriously disagree on this one.

If he had gotten into a fist fight? Meh.
If he had gotten drunk or high and arrested? Meh.
If he had egged some school rival's house? Meh.

But an armed gang assault on a gay student because he was a gay student? That rises to the bar of WTF.

Brainster · 10th May 2012, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by Tricky

Are there still people making a big deal about the fact that Obama once attended a Muslim school? If so, then this story is fair game.

And about as relevant to the election, you'd agree?

iknownothing · 10th May 2012, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by BenBurch

I seriously disagree on this one.

If he had gotten into a fist fight? Meh.
If he had gotten drunk or high and arrested? Meh.
If he had egged some school rival's house? Meh.

But an armed gang assault on a gay student because he was a gay student? That rises to the bar of WTF.

Yeah. I'm not too bothered about hobbling the car of the blind teacher (who sounds like he shouldn't have been driving anyway). Or even some name calling, like the "Atta Girl" business -- I don't think we can narrow the political field down to only those people who have never called a guy some variation of "sissy".

But being the ringleader of an attack, with scissors? An incident that was disturbing, for years, to a number of other people? That does show some seriously bad character.

Monketey Ghost · 10th May 2012, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by BenBurch

I seriously disagree on this one.

If he had gotten into a fist fight? Meh.
If he had gotten drunk or high and arrested? Meh.
If he had egged some school rival's house? Meh.

But an armed gang assault on a gay student because he was a gay student? That rises to the bar of WTF.

it's currently a hate crime... are we gonna elect a hate-crimer? That would be unAmerican.

bookitty · 10th May 2012, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by Cleon

Oh, FFS, if we held everybody responsible for stupid, offensive, or cruel **** they did in high school, nobody would be able to get a position above "janitor."

Stupid, sure. Offensive, maybe. Cruel, no.

Biscuit · 10th May 2012, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by timhau

If the man you're today refused to own up to what the kid you were did back then, I don't know how different the two would really be.

Originally Posted by bonzombiekitty

It's one thing to not want to be judged by the kid you were, rather than the man you are today. However, if the man you are today isn't regretful of the things you did as a kid, that says a lot.

Assuming Romney actually does not recall it (either because he really just doesn't remember it or it never happened), then saying something like "I don't remember doing that, but if I did, I am horrified and deeply sorry. The person who would have done that back then is not who I am today." would be an acceptable response.

I understand what you guys are saying but lets also recall that eye witness testimony even immediately after an incident can be flawed, we are talking some 30 or 40 years down the road? I think it easy to blow something like this out of proportion when there is no way of knowing what actually happened.

We may be incredulous that he has no memory of this but again we are well aware of how faulty the human memory can be. Perhaps it was so traumatic he has blocked it out?

All I am saying is this is interesting but needs to be taken with a dose of skepticism and isn't a big a deal as more recent adult behavior he doesn't apologize for.

Monketey Ghost · 10th May 2012, 09:55 AM

Frankly bothers me that if this is without-question-what-he-did, he's even considered electable.

Seriously, where the heck are our priorities as a nation if we consider electing someone who does this and defends it with "I don't recall doing that"????

halides1 · 10th May 2012, 10:04 AM

An article by Sam Stein here. "'They talk about the fact that I played a lot of pranks in high school," Romney said. "And they describe some that you just say to yourself, back in high school I just did some dumb things and if anybody was hurt by that or offended by it, obviously I apologize.'

'I participated in a lot of hijinks and pranks during high school and some might have gone too far and for that, I apologize,' he added."

This is definitely not a prank or hijinks. It is surely bullying, and I can see considering it assault very easily. If Romney had said, "Boy that was stupid. Someone give me the guy's phone number, and I will call right now and apologize," I would not be greatly concerned with the incident. That was not his response, as I see it.
EDT
I see that Mr. Lauber died in 2004, but I still find Mr. Romney's answer insufficient.

Sword_Of_Truth · 10th May 2012, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by Monketey Ghost

it's currently a hate crime... are we gonna elect a hate-crimer? That would be unAmerican.

Why not?

Americans elected a guy who listened to anti-semitic hate speech every sunday for 20 years, only distancing himself from just prior to the election.

not_so_new · 10th May 2012, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by Brainster

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tricky
Are there still people making a big deal about the fact that Obama once attended a Muslim school? If so, then this story is fair game.

And about as relevant to the election, you'd agree?

Being a Muslim isn't an illegal act but attacking another human with a potentially deadly weapon is.

Learning about other viewpoints should be encouraged, commuting a hate crime should be discouraged. I fail to see how these two events in the lives of these candidates are equal when qualifying or disqualifying their abilities as POTUS.

Obama is NOT a Muslim but if he were that wouldn't effect my vote for him one way or the other. As an atheist I have voted for many "Christian" political candidates in the past. I did so after weighing their character and abilities. When I use that same test with Romney I have to take stories like this into account and that leads me to the conclusion that he is not someone I would vote for.

The Central Scrutinizer · 10th May 2012, 10:08 AM

Sounds like some wacky teenage hijinx!

Brainster · 10th May 2012, 10:10 AM

Whoops, looks like Obama bullied a black girl:

Quote:

“I’m not her boyfriend!” I shouted. I ran up to Coretta and gave her a slight shove; she staggered back and looked up at me, but still said nothing. “Leave me alone!” I shouted again. And suddenly Coretta was running, faster and faster, until she disappeared from sight. Appreciative laughs rose around me. Then the bell rang, and the teachers appeared to round us back into class.

BenBurch · 10th May 2012, 10:13 AM

Gay bashing piece of **** who just re-affirmed his opposition to even civil unions.

I promise you, this issue is not going to be left alone.

RandFan · 10th May 2012, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by Brainster

Whoops, looks like Obama bullied a black girl:

Well, that certainly makes what Romney did okay.

10th May 2012, 08:01 AM	#1
Alferd_Packer Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7,222	Was Romney a high school bully? It appears so http://www.washingtonpost.com/politi...KFU_story.html Why am I not surprised?
	__________________ No laws of physics were broken in the writing of this post

10th May 2012, 08:03 AM	#2
BenBurch Gatekeeper of The Left Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Universe 35.2 ms ahead of this one. Posts: 32,220	Seriously. You know, that will cost votes if it becomes widely know. And cement the hardcore base, most of whom were bullies.
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10th May 2012, 08:04 AM	#3
tyr_13 Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Falconer, NY Posts: 9,688	Really, stupid stuff he did in high school? I guess it might be interesting for people who like to read stories about famous people, but I highly doubt it's politically relevant. EDIT: Ok, this is more interesting than I thought. He assaulted a student and cut hair off of him. That isn't 'being a bully' but 'committing criminal assault'. I can see how this might hurt him especially as the rest of the gang he led in the assault expresses deep remorse over it.
	__________________ Circled nothing is still nothing. "Nothing will stop the U.S. from being a world leader, not even a handful of adults who want their kids to take science lessons from a book that mentions unicorns six times." -UNLoVedRebel Mumpsimus: a stubborn person who insists on making an error in spite of being shown that it is wrong Last edited by tyr_13; 10th May 2012 at 08:08 AM.

10th May 2012, 08:07 AM	#4
JoeTheJuggler Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 26,833	Originally Posted by tyr_13 Really, stupid stuff he did in high school? It was assault. That's a little bit beyond "stupid stuff". ETA: And what's worse is Governor Romney's claim that he had no memory of the incident.
	__________________ "That is a very graphic analogy which aids understanding wonderfully while being, strictly speaking, wrong in every possible way." —Ponder Stibbons Last edited by JoeTheJuggler; 10th May 2012 at 08:09 AM.

10th May 2012, 08:10 AM	#5
Alferd_Packer Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7,222	Originally Posted by tyr_13 Really, stupid stuff he did in high school? I guess it might be interesting for people who like to read stories about famous people, but I highly doubt it's politically relevant. EDIT: Ok, this is more interesting than I thought. He assaulted a student and cut hair off of him. That isn't 'being a bully' but 'committing criminal assault'. I can see how this might hurt him especially as the rest of the gang he led in the assault expresses deep remorse over it. It speaks to the character of the man.
	__________________ No laws of physics were broken in the writing of this post

10th May 2012, 08:14 AM	#6
TragicMonkey Poisoned Waffles Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Monkey Posts: 30,112	Hmm. So Romney was an *******, obsessed with money and social status, and unduly interested in gay men. It's good to know that he's at least constant in some things!
	__________________ One cannot expect wisdom to flow from a pumpkin.

10th May 2012, 08:20 AM	#7
tyr_13 Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Falconer, NY Posts: 9,688	Originally Posted by JoeTheJuggler It was assault. That's a little bit beyond "stupid stuff". ETA: And what's worse is Governor Romney's claim that he had no memory of the incident. Yeah, I'm backing down from my initial statement. He organized and committed assault with a deadly weapon, and not only was he not pushed for it but he doesn't see it as a problem. He claims not to remember it. This is in spite of all other parties involved being deeply troubled by it. I'm starting to see a pattern. Romney does something stupid in the past and then doesn't have the fortitude or good sense to be remorseful about it. That doesn't speak well.
	__________________ Circled nothing is still nothing. "Nothing will stop the U.S. from being a world leader, not even a handful of adults who want their kids to take science lessons from a book that mentions unicorns six times." -UNLoVedRebel Mumpsimus: a stubborn person who insists on making an error in spite of being shown that it is wrong

10th May 2012, 08:21 AM	#8
Biscuit Illuminator Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,775	I did some dumb things in high school, not assault, but I think we have way more recent behavior to go on in order to determine his character. I would hate to be judged by the kid I was and not on the man I am today.
Biscuit Illuminator Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,775	__________________ “... there is no shame in not knowing. The problem arises when irrational thought and attendant behavior fill the vacuum left by ignorance.” ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

10th May 2012, 08:33 AM	#9
BenBurch Gatekeeper of The Left Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Universe 35.2 ms ahead of this one. Posts: 32,220	As far as I am concerned, this disqualifies the man to hold high office of any sort.
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10th May 2012, 08:39 AM	#10
TragicMonkey Poisoned Waffles Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Monkey Posts: 30,112	I can't be the only one hoping a gang of flamboyant gay people jumps Romney and cuts his hair off, live on television.
	__________________ One cannot expect wisdom to flow from a pumpkin.

10th May 2012, 08:40 AM	#11
timhau NWO Litter Technician Join Date: May 2004 Location: East of Sweeden Posts: 9,694	Originally Posted by Biscuit I did some dumb things in high school, not assault, but I think we have way more recent behavior to go on in order to determine his character. I would hate to be judged by the kid I was and not on the man I am today. If the man you're today refused to own up to what the kid you were did back then, I don't know how different the two would really be.
	__________________ When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord, in his wisdom, doesn't work that way. I just stole one and asked Him to forgive me. - Emo Philips

10th May 2012, 08:41 AM	#12
bonzombiekitty Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 419	Originally Posted by Biscuit I did some dumb things in high school, not assault, but I think we have way more recent behavior to go on in order to determine his character. I would hate to be judged by the kid I was and not on the man I am today. It's one thing to not want to be judged by the kid you were, rather than the man you are today. However, if the man you are today isn't regretful of the things you did as a kid, that says a lot. Assuming Romney actually does not recall it (either because he really just doesn't remember it or it never happened), then saying something like "I don't remember doing that, but if I did, I am horrified and deeply sorry. The person who would have done that back then is not who I am today." would be an acceptable response.
	Last edited by bonzombiekitty; 10th May 2012 at 08:43 AM.

10th May 2012, 08:43 AM	#13
pgwenthold Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 12,074	Originally Posted by Biscuit I did some dumb things in high school, not assault, but I think we have way more recent behavior to go on in order to determine his character. I would hate to be judged by the kid I was and not on the man I am today. I can forgive mistakes of youth. But I would you own them. This "I don't remember doing it" doesn't work. I'd prefer something like this Quote: Red: ...What do you really want to know? Am I sorry for what I did? 1967 Parole Hearings Man: Well, are you? Red: There's not a day goes by I don't feel regret. Not because I'm in here, or because you think I should. I look back on the way I was then: a young, stupid kid who committed that terrible crime. I want to talk to him. I want to try and talk some sense to him, tell him the way things are. But I can't. That kid's long gone and this old man is all that's left. I got to live with that. If that was Mitt Romney's response, we'd be just fine. But no, it doesn't bother him. It means so little to him that he can't remember it, much less regret doing it.
	__________________ "Baseball is a philosophy. The primordial ooze that once ruled our world has been captured in perpetual motion. Baseball is the moment. Its ever changing patterns are hypnotizing yet invigorating. Baseball is an art form. Classic and at the same time...progressive. Baseball is pre-historic and post-modern. Baseball is here to stay." (Stolen from the side of a lava lamp box, and modified slightly)

10th May 2012, 08:50 AM	#14
BenBurch Gatekeeper of The Left Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Universe 35.2 ms ahead of this one. Posts: 32,220	If he does not recall it, that says something profound and negative about him.
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10th May 2012, 08:58 AM	#15
Brainster Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 10,448	Well, that does it for me. I'm voting for Obama.
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10th May 2012, 08:58 AM	#16
Tsukasa Buddha Other (please write in) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NeverLand Posts: 9,926	People seem to have a surprisingly low opinion of youth. Makes me think I should have done more crap as a teenager because people are so quick to excuse it .
	__________________ As cultural anthropologists have always said "human culture" = "human nature". You might as well put a fish on the moon to test how it "swims naturally" without the "influence of water". -Earthborn

10th May 2012, 09:02 AM	#17
pgwenthold Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 12,074	Originally Posted by Tsukasa Buddha People seem to have a surprisingly low opinion of youth. Makes me think I should have done more crap as a teenager because people are so quick to excuse it . Harry Potter wouldn't accept the "He was young..." excuse, and neither will Tsukasa!
	__________________ "Baseball is a philosophy. The primordial ooze that once ruled our world has been captured in perpetual motion. Baseball is the moment. Its ever changing patterns are hypnotizing yet invigorating. Baseball is an art form. Classic and at the same time...progressive. Baseball is pre-historic and post-modern. Baseball is here to stay." (Stolen from the side of a lava lamp box, and modified slightly)

10th May 2012, 09:13 AM	#18
BenBurch Gatekeeper of The Left Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Universe 35.2 ms ahead of this one. Posts: 32,220	Originally Posted by Brainster Well, that does it for me. I'm voting for Obama. Seriously, it does at least bother you, right?
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10th May 2012, 09:14 AM	#19
Cleon King of the Pod People Moderator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 20,536	Oh, FFS, if we held everybody responsible for stupid, offensive, or cruel **** they did in high school, nobody would be able to get a position above "janitor."
	__________________ "People like me are what stand between us and Auschwitz." - Newt Gingrich

10th May 2012, 09:18 AM	#20
Unabogie Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 5,860	Well, he has apologized, sort of. But it's one of those "if anyone was offended then I'm sorry" apologies. Whatever. If you don't see that Romney is a sociopath after his career as a vulture capitalist, how he's flipped and flopped on every subject known to man, and YES, what he did to his dog, I don't think this will sway you. But man, what an *******. I did a bunch of things when I was a kid that I'm not proud of. But I never bullied anyone or hit anyone who didn't hit me first. And who believes that no one thought about who was gay back in the 1960s? Does this guy ever tell the truth?

10th May 2012, 09:19 AM	#21
Tricky Briefly immortal Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Group W bench Posts: 42,373	Are there still people making a big deal about the fact that Obama once attended a Muslim school? If so, then this story is fair game.

10th May 2012, 09:19 AM	#22
Monketey Ghost Body of Work Join Date: May 2003 Location: I'm on your screen! Posts: 14,807	If Obama had done something like this he would have been scandalized and never elected. Just sayin'. He is brown-skinned after all. You know how brown-skinned people love being violent!
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10th May 2012, 09:23 AM	#23
Piscivore Smelling fishy Join Date: May 2004 Location: Home is wherever I'm with you Posts: 26,484	Originally Posted by TragicMonkey I can't be the only one hoping a gang of flamboyant gay people jumps Romney and cuts his hair off, live on television. Those "Queer Eye" guys aren't busy anymore, are they?
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10th May 2012, 09:25 AM	#24
Sword_Of_Truth Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 11,497	Originally Posted by Brainster Well, that does it for me. I'm voting for Obama. Right... so it's the bully or the coke addict then?

10th May 2012, 09:36 AM	#25
hgc Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 13,028	Originally Posted by TragicMonkey I can't be the only one hoping a gang of flamboyant gay people jumps Romney and cuts his hair off, live on television. No, how about they wax away his chest and back hair? That would be more fitting.
	__________________ Bowel-shaking earthquakes of doubt and remorse assail him and wail him with monster truck force. - Cake, The Distance Was there a second singer on the grassy Knowles? - Stephen Colbert

10th May 2012, 09:41 AM	#26
ANTPogo Unique Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 9,466	Originally Posted by Tricky Are there still people making a big deal about the fact that Obama once attended a Muslim school? If so, then this story is fair game. Oh, yes.
	__________________ "A nation can survive with kufr, but not with zulm." - ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib "No more hurting people" - Martin William Richard Currently Reading: Righteous Victims, by Benny Morris

10th May 2012, 09:45 AM	#27
BenBurch Gatekeeper of The Left Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Universe 35.2 ms ahead of this one. Posts: 32,220	Originally Posted by Cleon Oh, FFS, if we held everybody responsible for stupid, offensive, or cruel **** they did in high school, nobody would be able to get a position above "janitor." I seriously disagree on this one. If he had gotten into a fist fight? Meh. If he had gotten drunk or high and arrested? Meh. If he had egged some school rival's house? Meh. But an armed gang assault on a gay student because he was a gay student? That rises to the bar of WTF.
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10th May 2012, 09:48 AM	#28
Brainster Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 10,448	Originally Posted by Tricky Are there still people making a big deal about the fact that Obama once attended a Muslim school? If so, then this story is fair game. And about as relevant to the election, you'd agree?
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10th May 2012, 09:48 AM	#29
iknownothing Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,162	Originally Posted by BenBurch I seriously disagree on this one. If he had gotten into a fist fight? Meh. If he had gotten drunk or high and arrested? Meh. If he had egged some school rival's house? Meh. But an armed gang assault on a gay student because he was a gay student? That rises to the bar of WTF. Yeah. I'm not too bothered about hobbling the car of the blind teacher (who sounds like he shouldn't have been driving anyway). Or even some name calling, like the "Atta Girl" business -- I don't think we can narrow the political field down to only those people who have never called a guy some variation of "sissy". But being the ringleader of an attack, with scissors? An incident that was disturbing, for years, to a number of other people? That does show some seriously bad character.

10th May 2012, 09:50 AM	#30
Monketey Ghost Body of Work Join Date: May 2003 Location: I'm on your screen! Posts: 14,807	Originally Posted by BenBurch I seriously disagree on this one. If he had gotten into a fist fight? Meh. If he had gotten drunk or high and arrested? Meh. If he had egged some school rival's house? Meh. But an armed gang assault on a gay student because he was a gay student? That rises to the bar of WTF. it's currently a hate crime... are we gonna elect a hate-crimer? That would be unAmerican.
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10th May 2012, 09:51 AM	#31
bookitty Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5,532	Originally Posted by Cleon Oh, FFS, if we held everybody responsible for stupid, offensive, or cruel **** they did in high school, nobody would be able to get a position above "janitor." Stupid, sure. Offensive, maybe. Cruel, no.
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10th May 2012, 09:55 AM	#32
Biscuit Illuminator Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,775	Originally Posted by timhau If the man you're today refused to own up to what the kid you were did back then, I don't know how different the two would really be. Originally Posted by bonzombiekitty It's one thing to not want to be judged by the kid you were, rather than the man you are today. However, if the man you are today isn't regretful of the things you did as a kid, that says a lot. Assuming Romney actually does not recall it (either because he really just doesn't remember it or it never happened), then saying something like "I don't remember doing that, but if I did, I am horrified and deeply sorry. The person who would have done that back then is not who I am today." would be an acceptable response. I understand what you guys are saying but lets also recall that eye witness testimony even immediately after an incident can be flawed, we are talking some 30 or 40 years down the road? I think it easy to blow something like this out of proportion when there is no way of knowing what actually happened. We may be incredulous that he has no memory of this but again we are well aware of how faulty the human memory can be. Perhaps it was so traumatic he has blocked it out? All I am saying is this is interesting but needs to be taken with a dose of skepticism and isn't a big a deal as more recent adult behavior he doesn't apologize for.
Biscuit Illuminator Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,775	__________________ “... there is no shame in not knowing. The problem arises when irrational thought and attendant behavior fill the vacuum left by ignorance.” ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

10th May 2012, 10:04 AM	#34
halides1 Philosopher Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 5,537	when an apology is not an apology An article by Sam Stein here. "'They talk about the fact that I played a lot of pranks in high school," Romney said. "And they describe some that you just say to yourself, back in high school I just did some dumb things and if anybody was hurt by that or offended by it, obviously I apologize.' 'I participated in a lot of hijinks and pranks during high school and some might have gone too far and for that, I apologize,' he added." This is definitely not a prank or hijinks. It is surely bullying, and I can see considering it assault very easily. If Romney had said, "Boy that was stupid. Someone give me the guy's phone number, and I will call right now and apologize," I would not be greatly concerned with the incident. That was not his response, as I see it. EDT I see that Mr. Lauber died in 2004, but I still find Mr. Romney's answer insufficient.
halides1 Philosopher Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 5,537	__________________ “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.” – Winston Churchill Last edited by halides1; 10th May 2012 at 10:11 AM. Reason: added second quote

10th May 2012, 10:05 AM	#35
Sword_Of_Truth Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 11,497	Originally Posted by Monketey Ghost it's currently a hate crime... are we gonna elect a hate-crimer? That would be unAmerican. Why not? Americans elected a guy who listened to anti-semitic hate speech every sunday for 20 years, only distancing himself from just prior to the election.

10th May 2012, 10:07 AM	#36
not_so_new Graduate Poster Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,544	Originally Posted by Brainster Quote: Originally Posted by Tricky Are there still people making a big deal about the fact that Obama once attended a Muslim school? If so, then this story is fair game. And about as relevant to the election, you'd agree? Being a Muslim isn't an illegal act but attacking another human with a potentially deadly weapon is. Learning about other viewpoints should be encouraged, commuting a hate crime should be discouraged. I fail to see how these two events in the lives of these candidates are equal when qualifying or disqualifying their abilities as POTUS. Obama is NOT a Muslim but if he were that wouldn't effect my vote for him one way or the other. As an atheist I have voted for many "Christian" political candidates in the past. I did so after weighing their character and abilities. When I use that same test with Romney I have to take stories like this into account and that leads me to the conclusion that he is not someone I would vote for.
	Last edited by not_so_new; 10th May 2012 at 10:14 AM.