by Joanna
Apparently, the world would be a better place if those pesky "defective people" were just gone. You know the ones I mean right? The disabled, the mentally ill, the addicts? Well, according to New Hampshire state representative, 91 year old Martin Harty, some people are simply disposable.
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."
Harty confirmed to the Monitor that he made the comments to Omand. Harty told the Monitor the world population has increased dramatically, and "it's a very dangerous situation if it doubles again." Asked about people who are mentally ill, he asked, apparently referring to a lack of financial resources, "Can we afford to bring them through?"
Harty said nature has a way of "getting rid of stupid people," and "now we're saving everyone who gets born.....
..... Omand said she called Harty, who represents her district, to tell him her concerns about the House Finance Committee's proposed cuts to mental health services. Omand said Harty said he disagreed with her and made the comments about eugenics.
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)." SOURCE
Of course, when confronted with his remarks, Harty said that he was "just kidding" about shipping "defective people" off to Siberia. He also denied his comment regarding Hitler, claiming that Omand is the one who brought him up.
Can someone tell me what the hell the people of New Hampshire were thinking when they elected this man? Seriously... the man is 91 years old, and has been described as hard of hearing and confused. And, in a letter to a local newspaper, he admitted himself that he is virtually clueless in his new role as a law maker.
"So far I really don't know what I'm doing. . . . A new Rep really needs a coach along with him at first but there is no room for anyone to sit with him, and no way they could holler at him in a committee meeting.
"The few votes I've made so far I really didn't know what I was voting for or against. Just looked at the people around me and went along with them."
Apparently, all it takes to become a state representative in New Hampshire is to be older than Methuselah and to have served in the military. House speaker William O'Brien has jumped to Harty's defense, citing his "longstanding commitment to protect the values we cherish" and making mention of his military service during World War II. O'Brien also claims that, at Harty's advanced age, he has "earned the right to say what he thinks." Never mind the fact that what Harty THINKS is that eugenics is an appropriate solution to the problems of the world, and a large segment of the population would be better off dead.
Shit, let this nut job spew this nonsense to his buddies at the local nursing home, NOT to the citizens of New Hampshire!
When the people in New Hampshire went to the polls and elected this man what were they thinking? He has no experience as a legislator, he is damn near senile, and he is totally out of touch with the modern world. I really think the only reason he was elected was because people probably looked at him and thought "How cute.... a feisty old man wants to be hold office.... I think I will vote for the old goat!" He is a really adorable old guy after all, isn't he? But, I mean DAMN, I loved my grandma, but there is no way in hell I was going to elect her to the House of Representatives! I don't give a damn how much "life experience" Harty has, he has some antiquated views that had no place in the state government!
Really, folks, why is there this impression that once someone reaches a certain age they have some magical wisdom that they can pass on to the rest of us? Why is it that we think all old people are venerable beings who have so much to offer in the way of guidance for the rest of us? Some old folks are just dazed and confused, and many are still clinging to some really F@!KED UP, old fashioned ways of thinking. Getting old does not automatically make you intelligent or a role model. If you were a messed up bigot in your youth, you are not going to turn into some wise old guru as you age. No, you will just be messed up bigot with wrinkles and trouble hearing!
See, it would be really easy to dismiss Harty's comments as the unintelligible rantings of an old senile man IF HE WERE NOT A STATE LAWMAKER!! But, damn, is this REALLY the type of person we need as an elected official? Seriously, voters of New Hampshire.... what the HELL were you thinking???
I have to wonder... does Martin Harty know that in some cultures, it is considered totally appropriate to leave old folks to die out in the elements once they have outlived their usefulness? I would LOVE to hear his views on THAT idea!
