[Amir0x]

Romney up on Obama 7 pts and the hate on Romney keeps intensifying

up by Obama by 7 pts in, uh, North Carolina? Oh, you mean you just listened to a Rasmussen poll and believe it's accurate? Ah, it's no wonder some are stuck in their echo chamber.

For the reality of how it breaks down nationally, visit this page. The average of all current National Polls is Obama +1.4.

But if you know anything, the national results don't mean anything. This is going to be won in swing states. And in those crucial key states, one only has to look at Ohio to see it's an uphill for Romney. Every poll in the state has Obama ahead. There is no path to the white house without Ohio for Romney.

[CPS2]

NMATV re-enactment...
http://youtu.be/skM2X0TaYCM

Sucks that Colbert is on a 2 week break, I wanted to hear what he'd say. Is the Daily Show also on a break?

[jgwhiteus]

This story has been gaining some traction, and I think this New York Times Op-Ed summarized my views best - it's not the bullying in the past, but his weak response today that matters:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/12/op...mean-boys.html

There is so much wrong with Romney’s response that I hardly know where to start. But let’s start here: If the haircutting incident happened as described, it’s not a prank or hijinks or even simple bullying. It’s an assault. Second, honorable men don’t chuckle at cruelty. Third, if it happened, Romney’s explanation that he doesn’t remember it doesn’t ring true. It is a searing account in the telling and would have been even more so in the doing. How could such a thing simply melt into the milieu of other misbehavior? How could the screams of his classmate not echo even now? Fourth, “if someone was hurt or offended, I apologize” isn’t a real apology. Even if no one felt hurt or offended, if you feel that you have done something wrong, you can apologize on that basis alone. Remorse is a sufficient motivator. Absolution is a sufficient objective. Whether the person who was wronged requests it is separate. Lastly, this would have been an amazing teaching moment about the impact of bullying if Romney had seized it. That is what a real leader would have done. That is what we would expect any adult to do. A 2010 CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll found that 77 percent of Americans believed that bullying is a “serious problem that adults should try and stop whenever possible.” Romney passed on that chance. While I have real reservations about holding senior citizens to account for what they did as seniors in high school, I have no reservations about expecting presidential candidates to know how to properly address the mistakes they once made. This is where Romney falls short, once again. There was a malicious streak at the core of the high-school boy in these accounts. Romney’s muddled and confusing explanation and half-apologies only reinforce concerns that there is also something missing from the core of the man: sincerity and sensitivity. Targeting the vulnerable is an act of cowardice. The only way to vanquish cowardice is to brandish courage. Romney refused to do so. This is an amazing missed opportunity to exhibit a needed bit of humanity by a man who seems to lack it. People understand regret. Romney may have been applauded if he had chosen to express some to redeem himself, but he didn’t. He chose obfuscation and obliviousness. Romney has an uncanny ability to turn a bad thing into a worse thing by failing to be forthright. Americans want to know that the boy from that prep school grew up in knowledge and wisdom and grew deep in compassion and empathy. We want to know that his shoulders are now wide enough to bear blame and his heart is big enough to seek contrition. Americans want a president who doesn’t target the weak, but valiantly seeks to protect them. That is what courage looks like.

[NullPointer]

There was a malicious streak at the core of the high-school boy in these accounts. Romney’s muddled and confusing explanation and half-apologies only reinforce concerns that there is also something missing from the core of the man: sincerity and sensitivity.

Understatement of the year?

[Schattenjäger]

This story has been gaining some traction, and I think this New York Times Op-Ed summarized my views best - it's not the bullying in the past, but his weak response today that matters: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/12/op...mean-boys.html

You can look at it that way - ill look at it as he's not giving in to a left-ist media trying to make something out of nothing - especially given the timing of the story

[BigDug13]

You can look at it that way - ill look at it as he's not giving in to a left-ist media trying to make something out of nothing - especially given the timing of the story

But he did give in. Not giving in would be "no comment" or "I'm not going to answer questions about things that happened in High School", not lies about "not remembering, and being a simple prank"

What Romney did is exactly him giving in to leftist media. So I'm not sure how your viewpoint about Romney's response being a way to avoid the leftist media is valid.

[Cheebo]

You can look at it that way - ill look at it as he's not giving in to a left-ist media trying to make something out of nothing - especially given the timing of the story

Battery against someone for their sexual preference isn't nothing. He was 18 at the time. If Mitt was in high school today he would have faced criminal charges.

[antonz]

Battery against someone for their sexual preference isn't nothing. He was 18 at the time. If Mitt was in high school today he would have faced criminal charges.

Thats nice and Obama in school today would be facing serious prison time.

[Cheebo]

Thats nice and Obama in school today would be facing serious prison time.

For what?

[antonz]

For what?

He spent his High School years higher than a kite using cocaine and other drugs.

This is why its stupid to try use peoples youth 30-40 years late. Most people make a world full of mistakes in the late teens to early 20s. Its the time period in pretty much everyones life they do stupid things. Its why 18 is such a stupid arbitrary number. Hell most males dont actually hit a maturity into their mid 20s

[Banglish]

He spent his High School years higher than a kite using cocaine and other drugs. This is why its stupid to try use peoples youth 30-40 years late. Most people make a world full of mistakes in the late teens to early 20s. Short of blowing someone sbrains out the follys of youth dont have any bearing on their future

using drugs and abusing people are 2 different things, derp.

[Copernicus]

He spent his High School years higher than a kite using cocaine and other drugs. This is why its stupid to try use peoples youth 30-40 years late. Most people make a world full of mistakes in the late teens to early 20s. Short of blowing someone sbrains out the follys of youth dont have any bearing on their future

People are still equating the gravity of personal recreational drug use with harm against others?

Fuck. Lol

"You were young" does not dismiss being an asshole when you're twenty.

[NathanMcMahon]

All of those false equivalencies are so fucking pathetic. If that's how you have to argue or debate you should probably just move along and let the grown-ups talk.

[Ghost_Protocol]

Romney is 65? God damn

Oh, I was driving home today and saw a message written in huge letters on the back window of a car: "GOP = BIGOTRY"

I live in AZ

[mattiewheels]

Here's young Mitt counter protesting a sit in. What a class act he was in his youth. http://www.whosay.com/pattonoswalt/photos/171213

Holy shit, did Creedence write 'Fortunate Son' specifically about Mitt? And the cherry on top is that he's only behind the war when it doesn't involve him actually having to serve in it.

[Trent Strong]

People are still equating the gravity of personal recreational drug use with harm against others? Fuck. Lol "You were young" does not dismiss being an asshole when you're twenty.

You know, all he did was cut someone's hair. Romney's a asshole, but it's not like he beat the shit out of someone. The hyperbole in this thread is out of control.

[Copernicus]

You know, all he did was cut someone's hair. Romney's a asshole, but it's not like he beat the shit out of someone. The hyperbole in this thread is out of control.

Hyperbole?

Imposing yourself over someone else's person (just a haircut lol) is bullshit if your older than seven years old.

[NathanMcMahon]

Hyperbole? Imposing yourself over someone else's person (just a haircut lol) is bullshit if your older than seven years old.

He's obviously a bully who thinks it's okay to assault someone else. Just let the coward live in his shell of shit...

[tiff]

But he did give in. Not giving in would be "no comment" or "I'm not going to answer questions about things that happened in High School", not lies about "not remembering, and being a simple prank"

The more I hear about his high school days the less it seems like a lie.

[Trent Strong]

Hyperbole? Imposing yourself over someone else's person (just a haircut lol) is bullshit if your older than seven years old.

Sure, it's bullshit. Romney is an ass. But people in this thread are acting like he's Hitler. There's plenty of hyperbole here.

[Copernicus]

Sure, it's bullshit. Romney is an ass. But people in this thread are acting like he's Hitler. There's plenty of hyperbole here.

You do know the nazis started with hazings right?

[NathanMcMahon]

Sure, it's bullshit. Romney is an ass. But people in this thread are acting like he's Hitler. There's plenty of hyperbole here.

Let's analyze this. You claim people are being radical in their assertions and therefore conjuring hyperbole. You then claim that people are acting like he's Hitler. Hitler has never been mentioned and you are engaging in hyperbole by suggesting it. Do you smell the bullshit as it pours out of you or are you so used to it that it's unnoticeable?

[Trent Strong]

You do know the nazis started with hazings right?

Joke post?

Let's analyze this. You claim people are being radical in their assertions and therefore conjuring hyperbole. You then claim that people are acting like he's Hitler. Hitler has never been mentioned and you are engaging in hyperbole by suggesting it. Do you smell the bullshit as it pours out of you or are you so used to it that it's unnoticeable?

lol

[Baconsammy]

Sure, it's bullshit. Romney is an ass. But people in this thread are acting like he's Hitler. There's plenty of hyperbole here.

The part of this that bothers me the most is he claims he can't remember it. If I held someone down forcibly and shaved/cut his hair while he screamed for help, that shit would be imprinted in my memory for a lifetime. I still remember, and feel bad about, making fun of a kid's large nose in 2nd grade. What kind of person does this and forgets it? A sociopath, or perhaps someone that's done far worse so that this is minor in comparison. I can't comprehend it.

[NathanMcMahon]

Joke post? lol

apparently you are used to the smell. it's funny when you are pointed out as being a hypocrite and have no response except for "lol".

[Copernicus]

Joke post?

Only if you think thin mustaches are funny.

[Trent Strong]

The part of this that bothers me the most is he claims he can't remember it. If I held someone down forcibly and shaved/cut his hair while he screamed for help, that shit would be imprinted in my memory for a lifetime. I still remember, and feel bad about, making fun of a kid's large nose in 2nd grade. What kind of person does this and forgets it? A sociopath, or perhaps someone that's done far worse so that this is minor in comparison. I can't comprehend it.

Of course he remembers it. He just lied and said he didn't remember it because he's bad at handling a PR nightmare like this. I can't comprehend bullying someone either. But you guys have heard of fraternities and high school and college sports teams hazing people right? Hazing and bullying happens in high schools all the time, and it's much worse than this. The fact that it happens frequently doesn't excuse it, but I seriously doubt that everyone who does this kind of hazing and bullying in high school is a sociopath. I remember on the radio show "Loveline", that adam carolla would always talk about how his friends, as a joke, would pee on each other. One of his friends peed on him while he was driving his car. Have you ever heard of the TV show Jackass? People do stupid shit.

[Copernicus]

Of course he remembers it. He just lied and said he didn't remember it because he's bad at handling a PR nightmare like this. I can't comprehend bullying someone either. But you guys have heard of fraternities and high school and college sports teams hazing people right? Hazing and bullying happens in high schools all the time, and it's much worse than this. The fact that it happens frequently doesn't excuse it, but I seriously doubt that everyone who does this kind of hazing and bullying in high school is a sociopath. I remember on the radio show "Loveline", that adam carolla would always talk about how his friends, as a joke, would pee on each other. One of his friends peed on him while he was driving his car. Have you ever heard of the TV show Jackass? People do stupid shit.

those guys are assholes that impede on other people

[Baconsammy]

Of course he remembers it. He just lied and said he didn't remember it because he's bad at handling a PR nightmare like this. I can't comprehend bullying someone either. But you guys have heard of fraternities and high school and college sports teams hazing people right? Hazing and bullying happens in high schools all the time, and it's much worse than this. The fact that it happens frequently doesn't excuse it, but I seriously doubt that everyone who does this kind of hazing and bullying in high school is a sociopath. I remember on the radio show "Loveline", that adam carolla would always talk about how his friends, as a joke, would pee on each other. One of his friends peed on him while he was driving his car. Have you ever heard of the TV show Jackass? People do stupid shit.

He didn't haze the gay kid. He terrorized him. The kid wasn't a part of his fraternity or football team. He was a kid that looked different than him. It takes a special kind of asshole to look at someone who appears different than you and then decide you're going to forcibly change it. It takes a bigger asshole to not do it himself, but instead bring friends with him to help carry out the assault. What a great guy.

[Pollux]

Of course he remembers it. He just lied and said he didn't remember it because he's bad at handling a PR nightmare like this. I can't comprehend bullying someone either. But you guys have heard of fraternities and high school and college sports teams hazing people right? Hazing and bullying happens in high schools all the time, and it's much worse than this. The fact that it happens frequently doesn't excuse it, but I seriously doubt that everyone who does this kind of hazing and bullying in high school is a sociopath. I remember on the radio show "Loveline", that adam carolla would always talk about how his friends, as a joke, would pee on each other. One of his friends peed on him while he was driving his car. Have you ever heard of the TV show Jackass? People do stupid shit.

Key words here are : members of fraternity, teammates, friends.

Romney and this dude where none of those.

[Trent Strong]

Let's analyze this. You claim people are being radical in their assertions and therefore conjuring hyperbole. You then claim that people are acting like he's Hitler. Hitler has never been mentioned and you are engaging in hyperbole by suggesting it. Do you smell the bullshit as it pours out of you or are you so used to it that it's unnoticeable?

apparently you are used to the smell. it's funny when you are pointed out as being a hypocrite and have no response except for "lol".

I'm used to the smell? The smell of bullshit pouring out of me, you mean? What you're saying is that bullshit pours out of me in such high volume and with such frequency that I no longer notice the smell that this bullshit makes? Is that what you mean to say? And...you expect me to make a serious reply to that question...? Here's a witty rejoinder for you: fuck you.

[NathanMcMahon]

I'm used to the smell? The smell of bullshit pouring out of me, you mean? What you're saying is that bullshit pours out of me in such high volume and with such frequency that I no longer notice the smell that this bullshit makes? Is that what you mean to say? And...you expect me to make a serious reply to that question...? Here's a witty rejoinder for you: fuck you.

classy. you still don't address your own hyperbole. sucks being wrong man. just own up to it.

[Trent Strong]

those guys are assholes that impede on other people

He didn't haze the gay kid. He terrorized him. The kid wasn't a part of his fraternity or football team. He was a kid that looked different than him. It takes a special kind of asshole to look at someone who appears different than you and then decide you're going to forcibly change it. It takes a bigger asshole to not do it himself, but instead bring friends with him to help carry out the assault. What a great guy.

I agree that Romney is an asshole though. I'm not here to defend him. I'm just saying that there's a good bit of hyperbole in this thread.

Key words here are : members of fraternity, teammates, friends. Romney and this dude where none of those.

Good point. Hazing is a different issue entirely. The only reason I brought it up is because Copernicus brought it up, and so I had hazing on the brain.

[Zefah]

I agree that Romney is an asshole though. I'm not here to defend him. I'm just saying that there's a good bit of hyperbole in this thread. Good point. Hazing is a different issue entirely. The only reason I brought it up is because Copernicus brought it up, and so I had hazing on the brain.

"I'm just saying."

Why?

If you're not trying to defend Romney or justify his actions, why are you just saying?

[Copernicus]

I agree that Romney is an asshole though. I'm not here to defend him. I'm just saying that there's a good bit of hyperbole in this thread. Good point. Hazing is a different issue entirely. The only reason I brought it up is because Copernicus brought it up, and so I had hazing on the brain.

Its gaf, so the hyperbole is a requirement, but people's past actions when dealing with others give a little insight to the philosophy of their life.

Romney, to put it in internet terms, did all those things for the lulz despite an expected level maturity at that age.

[Trent Strong]

classy. you still don't address your own hyperbole. sucks being wrong man. just own up to it.

You're right, me saying "fuck you" wasn't classy, it was over the line. And my post where I condescendingly ask people if they've ever heard of fraternities and hazing was also not very classy. Of course, you telling me that so much bullshit pours out of me that I no longer smell it was also not classy and was over the line. And so I propose to any mod that might be reading this that both of us get a week ban as punishment. We deserve it. I bow my head and await the ban katana.

[quadriplegicjon]

using drugs and abusing people are 2 different things, derp.

He also admitted his mistakes.....

[cousins]

Of course, you telling me that so much bullshit pours out of me that I no longer smell it was also not classy and was over the line.

Hahaha, this shit is too cold.

[MIMIC]

Do we really want a guy who spent his high school years doing cocaine and other drugs? Comes a time you have to move on and worry about now not then

Obama did cocaine?

[braves01]

Obama did cocaine?

He def smoked grapes. I think Bush might've used cocaine though.

[MIMIC]

He def smoked grapes. I think Bush might've used cocaine though.

Yeah, I've known about Bush thing since forever (didn't everybody? ^_^). I was watching some news story about how Romney's past is coming back to haunt him and they referenced Obama's earlier drug use coming up during his 2008 campaign. They didn't say which type...and I thought the mention of cocaine was referencing Obama.

[adamsappel]

Obama admitted to cocaine and marijuana use in his books (like the dog-eating, it's hardly a scandal if it's in your autobiography). I wasn't aware of this "Pablo Escobar of high school" reputation he seems to have amongst our young conservative set, but you can't really say he has the same attitude towards drugs now. "What a flip-flopping hypocrite!"

[bengraven]

Can we just close this thread and remove the "kid" from the title.

He def smoked grapes. I think Bush might've used cocaine though.

"Might"? No son, that's basically confirmed.

[RDreamer]

The video of Bush's apology for his DUI was just played on the Melissa Harris Perry show, and that is definitely the route Romney should have taken with this. He was sincere, he didn't deny anything, he apologized, and he said he's learned his lesson.

[Zzoram]

I think its the bullying thats more harmful. Its a hot button issue right now.

Yep.

Romney is a rich elite bully. That narrative should make him an undesirable president.

[MIMIC]

Obama admitted to cocaine and marijuana use in his books (like the dog-eating, it's hardly a scandal if it's in your autobiography). I wasn't aware of this "Pablo Escobar of high school" reputation he seems to have amongst our young conservative set, but you can't really say he has the same attitude towards drugs now. "What a flip-flopping hypocrite!"

@_@ what?

[cartoon_soldier]

Yep. Romney is a rich elite bully. That narrative should make him an undesirable president.

I think the more important one is that he is a blatant liar. Not twisting facts politician but straight out lie to your face with a smile politician.

[Jokab]

It was a fucking up thing to do and I'm glad it's come back to haunt him. Having said that, he was a kid and I don't think we should judge his suitability of holding the office of the President for something stupid he did when he was in school.

Haven't read the thread but I agree with this. Stupid shit he did in school has nothing to do with running for president.

[norinrad]

You know, all he did was cut someone's hair. Romney's a asshole, but it's not like he beat the shit out of someone. The hyperbole in this thread is out of control.

Imposing yourself on another person against their will is always wrong no matter how you slice it.

How would you feel if i met you at school and decided to pick on your just because you look different than i do?

Do you really think you will get up smile and walk away when i and a bunch of other assholes had held you down and do what not to you?

Its wrong, always and i hope you do not teach that to your kids if you have any that bulling or imposing yourself to other against their will is a good thing.

Kids all over the world are committing suicide because of bullying. It's an evil thing and happens at the work place too. No one should ever defend bullying.

[maladroit]

kids do horrible shit to each other in high school

~~~~~*NEWS STORY*~~~~~