At Least He's Not Your State Senator

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by: Phoenix Rising

(“I agree with Hitler” might be #1 on the list of things you should never say if you’re a politician. – promoted by Colorado Pols)

I’ve been writing a few “At Least He’s Not…” diaries lately, but this one I think is destined for an award of some sort.

New Hampshire, like most states, is facing some painful decisions on budget cuts this year. One thing being cut is medical aid for mental health.

A mental health worker, concerned about the cuts, made a call to her state Senator, one Martin Healy (R-Barrington). His response to her request is unbelievable.

Barrington Republican Martin Harty told Sharon Omand, a Strafford resident who manages a community mental health program, that “the world is too populated” and there are “too many defective people,” according to an e-mail account of the conversation by Omand. Asked what he meant, she said Harty clarified, “You know the mentally ill, the retarded, people with physical disabilities and drug addictions – the defective people society would be better off without.”

[…]

Omand says Harty then stated, “I wish we had a Siberia so we could ship them all off to freeze to death and die and clean up the population.”

Omand said Harty appeared to be serious. After Omand responded that his idea sounded like what Adolf Hitler did in World War II, Omand said Harty responded, “Hitler did something right, and I agree with (it).”

There’s really not much I can add to that. Harty, who is 91, admits to the first quote but says he was joking about Siberia.

12 thoughts on “At Least He’s Not Your State Senator”

BlueCat says:

March 12, 2011 at 12:07 am

Let’s hope grumpy senility explains it.

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1. DaftPunk says:
  
  March 12, 2011 at 1:15 am
  
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droll says:

March 12, 2011 at 12:16 am

Why would it be OK to suggest a problem, imply a solution, but then not take it all the way to someone who did it well?

In his first remark he covered exactly why Hitler did what he did. In his mind totally fine, but he would never agree with Hitler outright. Roger that.

This kind of thing is why having political boogey men bother me. HITLER, boo! Actual person. Actual experiments. Actual lessons to be learned. No one say anything though! Too many people throw it around to make it legitimate.

{Rant off.}

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Phoenix Rising says:

March 12, 2011 at 12:33 am

that starting off the conversation by mentioning Hitler kind of invalidates Godwin. Otherwise this would be a sparse thread.

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1. Middle of the Road says:
  
  March 12, 2011 at 12:34 am
  
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reubenesp says:

March 12, 2011 at 12:40 am

Unfortunately, many people share his ideas, epitomized by Hitler. Hitler is a great political boogeyman, in my opinion, as he and his actions should scare the hell out of anyone who is afraid to speak up for the most vulnerable in society.

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Dabee47 says:

March 12, 2011 at 2:07 am

since NH’s legislature only pays $100 a year, crazy 91-year-olds are the only people willing to serve…

His 3,000ish constituents must be sooo proud…

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ProgressiveCowgirl says:

March 12, 2011 at 3:06 am

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1. Ralphie says:
  
  March 12, 2011 at 5:03 am
  
  And I say that as someone who is married do someone who has a mother in a nursing home.
  
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  1. ProgressiveCowgirl says:
    
    March 12, 2011 at 1:44 pm
    
    I mean, I usually wouldn’t wish harm on anyone, but I think some bruised toes are a fairly mild fate compared to what he’s suggesting for “useless” humans like, say, Stephen Hawking.
    
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    1. Craven says:
      
      March 12, 2011 at 10:33 pm
      
      …for that matter.
      
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Phoenix Rising says:

March 16, 2011 at 1:39 am

After his comments in support of eugenics the other day, followed by rather a lot of unkind press coverage, the good Senator has decided to resign.

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