[infinite monkey]

Originally Posted by glatt

People do really mean stuff sometimes. When I think back to my childhood, I participated in teasing at least a few times. But I wasn't in high school, I was in grade school. And I didn't pin anyone down while they cried and assault them like he did.

The article in the Post today was saying that his campaign is pointing to his fun loving antics in his youth to make him seem less wooden. I'd be willing to take his bullying in the context of a childhood in a different time, except that his own campaign is apparently trying to paint him as a fun loving guy back then. If they open the door to his behaviour back then as some indication of who he is today, then I think it's fair to look at the whole picture from back then. Still, I don't think he is a borderline sociopath the way Bush was. I think he's just a guy who did some messed up stuff when he was younger.

Originally Posted by infinite monkey

Oh, no way he's the socio Bush was.

But I think it needs looked at, as you say, and they opened the door.
Then again, serial killers often have histories of abusing critters in their youth. We're not all like "I don't think his chopping the legs off the family dog and eating its heart when he was 14 has any relation to the fact that he killed, dismembered, mutilated 27 people. It was just child's play!" Yeah, I know there's a word for that sort of debate tactic but it was just too good to not put to 'paper.'

We've all done and said stupid stuff, for sure. I don't have any recollection of pinning anyone down or assaulting anyone though, for funsies...snotty little rich boy throwing his shit around. Such a cliche, right out of the movies, as HM said. THAT speaks volumes to me.

He would have benefited from a Captains Courageous experience.

Originally Posted by glatt

Romney has been getting a reputation for being a little too stiff. So his campaign pointed to his wacky hi-jinx years in high school to show that he likes to have fun just like the next guy.

If he is pointing to his past to show what kind of person he is, then it's perfectly fair to actually look at his past, warts and all.
The Washington Post has the whole story. Probably more than you want to read about Romney in high school.

Originally Posted by DanaC

Ahhh. I hadn't realised he'd opened the door. That's a whole other kettle of fish. Fair game.