OpEd: Thomas Oliphant on R. Santorum: 7-17 Boston Globe

[geckosfeet]

The Apostle of Bizarre Insensitivity
Thomas Oliphant
Boston Globe, 7-17-2005

The Apostle of Bizarre Insensitivity

<snip>
"The Pennsylvania senator's latest outburst of cruel insensitivity - imagining some tie between the "culture" of Boston and the behavior of priest - rapists, - is garden variety demagoguery."
<snip>

Oliphant proceeds to point out similarity between the theocon white house's shameless use of national tragedy (9/11) for political backdrop with Santorum's exploitation of and insensitivity to the trauma suffered by sexual abuse victims. He also provides a little historical background on the refinement of Santorum's statements regarding Boston's sexual proclivities.

I for one, gleefully look forward to seeing Mr.Santorum, when one chilly day late into the year 2006, he follows his moral compass by volunteering to help protect us from crucifix bearing sexual miscreants running wild through our streets. He will have time to do this since he will have recently been voted out of office.

<snip>
"It's fun to pierce a demagogue's self-inflated balloon. But where Santorum should be condemned is in his trivialization of child abuse - one of societies major, ignored and hidden problems for centuries. Fortunately, the voters in Pennsylvania get a chance to evaluate this guy's conduct next year."
<snip>

[chaumont58]

1. A politician's actions as political actions

I don't think many, if any, politicians do things without thinking of how there is a political gain to those actions. To me, a high level elected official is always on, always in character. But, having said that, I am lost as to what little Rickie is trying to gain with these pronouncments. He didn't trash some Democratic stronghold in Pennsylvania, he wanders afield, and trashes Boston! He wasn't going to get many votes in Boston before, now, he gets none.
Bizarre! It looks like the repukes have their own version of Zell Miller.

[Cha]

2. Even michelle freakin' malkin

disowned "little rickie" on this one. Which, any thinking person would. But, no one ever accused the fundies and neocons, capable of thought.

[Wetzelbill]

4. it's bizarre isn't it?

For the life of me, I don't know what Rick is up to. I may not want to know, haha.

[Wetzelbill]

3. Honestly what is with Santorum.....

I've seen him come across as a decent guy. I don't agree with anything he says, but then he goes off and just says crazy shit. He writes a book with loony ideas in it. I just don't get this guy. He must really have a fear of change or something etched, scorched deep inside him. He may have some serious issues with women, because something is definitely up with this guy. Like Bush for example, I don't think he hates gays or has a problem with women or anything. He's just owned by the Christian Right and plays his demi-god stuff to the hilt. He's also a pretty simple-minded man, not as dumb as we often ridicule him to be, but not a critical thinker by any means. Santorum on the other hand is an intelligent, sometimes charismatic guy. But, he uses his intelligence to come up with the most backward ideas possible. There has got to be more to it than that. Something is up with this guy, and I just can't put my finger on it.

[patcox2]

9. Theresa Heinz called him "Forrest Gump with an attitude."

he's dumb as a box of hammers, and insane, completely batshit insane. And nasty. But mostly insane. His wife miscarried a 5 month fetus, he named it, and took the dead fetus home so his other kids, then 5 and 7, could "hold their little brother." Get that image seared into your brain, his wife miscarried a deformed fetus at 5 months of development, and he TOOK THE DEAD FETUS HOME SO HIS KIDS COULD HUG IT. He also keeps a picture of it on his desk, he named it Gabriel. His wife writes letters to Gabriel in heaven every day, they are collected into a book called "Letters to Gabriel."

he is batshit crazy, cuckoo for cocoapuffs.

[donco6]

10. Whoa.

I'm speechless.

And for me, that's saying something.

[wallwriter]

5. Santorum is a freakishly insane reactionary demagogue.

We can't vote him out of office quickly enough...

[Broken_Hero]

6. This guy

Is like an elected Rush Limbaugh, he can't keep his damn mouth shut, and the voters will have their vengeance in 06.

[rodeodance]

7. I am so glad to see Tom O. writing again.

[geckosfeet]

8. Yes me too. He had a tough time but I think his experiences will

improve his creativity and contribute to his insights.

edit for language