Cranky Old GOP Legislator Quits Over Cranky Pro-Hitler Comments
Weird 91-year-old Republican state representative Martin Harty's short career in New Hampshire politics is now over, because he said Hitler must have done "something right" and also that crazy people should be sent to Siberia for some reason. If Harty had only been about 45 years younger and maybe wore glasses to "look smart," he could have a reality show about Siberia now. Instead, he resigned. Not because his ideas arewrong, mind you, but because of the "slightly unfavorable publicity" surrounding his comments. Because if Hitler was terrible, then why is he still so famous, right?
Harty, who turns 92 this month, came into spotlight last week after telling a voter during a phone call that he thought the best treatment for the mentally ill would be a one-way trip to Siberia. He also said population growth and mental illness could be controlled with eugenics, a form of genetic engineering commonly associated with Hitler's Germany.
In his letter to Speaker of the House William O'Brien, Harty apologized not for what he said, but for the disruption he caused.
But this 91-years-young legislator could've had a bright career, if only he kept quiet. Much like President Barack Obama, ex-Rep. Harty had no idea what he was voting for and couldn't even figure out if he had voted in favor or against things ("present"). Harty admitted this to a newspaper, saying he just did whatever the people around him were doing -- which is, actually, the way all Republican legislators vote!
Good-bye, sir! And congratulations for somehow avoiding the death panels required by eugenics. [ Slate / Union-Leader ]
To be fair, it should be noted Mr. Hardy denied that he'd made the Hitler comment. He stated the woman with whom he was speaking brought Hitler up.
Additionally, Mr. Hardy served in North Africa and Italy during WW II. He was a Quartermaster with Gen. Patton.
finallyhappy: Mr. Hardy said he didn't make the Hitler remark. The fact that he put his life on the line to defeat the Nazis makes me tend to believe him.
Was his remark about sending mentally ill people to Siberia to freeze to death in remarkably poor taste? Of course it was. Do I cut people 90 and above some slack? Sure I do. I hope to get there myself.
Although I'm not in a big hurry to make it.
PS: My wife's family has a good friend who served on both sides during WWII. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do...