I don’t usually write about politics in this blog, but I’d
like to make a stab at the Mitt Romney bullying story. As someone who was not part of the popular
group in high school, and at least once the recipient of a grade school mob
mentality, the impact of powerful students on their victims resonates with
me. From what I would take as a well-verified
account, Romney and his pals cornered and cut the hair of a student who was
perceived different –i.e. homosexual.
The other students involved seem to have vivid memories. Romney claims
he doesn’t remember it, and stated: “I don't recall the incident myself, but I've seen
the reports and I'm not going to argue with that. There's no question but that
I did some stupid things when I was in high school, and obviously if I hurt
anyone by virtue of that I would be very sorry for it and apologize for it.”
Sorry, that just doesn’t wash with me. First, I honestly
cannot believe he doesn’t remember the incident – and the nervous laughter that
accompanied his defensive comments on it suggests something else (possible hint
for observing Romney: if he laughs nervously he’s really uncomfortable about
the subject and not quite telling the truth).
Like many politicians who try to cover up their behavior, it’s not their
original action, but the follow-up that is worrisome. (Watergate, Iran Contra,
Monica Lewinsky. The politician list is it seems endless ). It is what I didn’t hear from Mitt Romney
that I find bothersome. Stupid is not
the same as wrong. Riding a bike without a helmet is stupid. Assaulting someone
is wrong. Mr. Romney doesn’t seem to
know the difference, or can’t acknowledge his behavior fell into the latter
category. What would I want to hear?
“You know. I remember
this event. And I have to tell you I am
deeply embarrassed and ashamed by what I did then. I was young, but that’s no excuse. It was wrong.
And it reminds us of how important it is not to judge people. I wish
today I could apologize to Mr. Lauber for causing him so much pain.” The issue
is not what Mitt Romney did then – no one should be judged because of one teen-age
incident. But they can be judged on what they do and
say about that event as an adult. And
that’s where Mitt Romney is seriously lacking.
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