Mitt Romney and bullying: missed opportunity, missing humanity | Michael Cohen

What

Mitt Romney said this week was not as revealing as what President Obama

There are many things that have been - and will be said - about Mitt Romney, who is seeking the presidency. But this week, we can add a nickname to the list - the school bully. On Thursday, the Washington Post dropped a bombshell of a story that suggested Romney was more than just a joker or poorly-maker, as his wife likes to joke about the election campaign, but his antics as a youth included half series even sadistic.

The main argument of the Post article is that Romney led a group of his friends from prep school for cutting hair of a man named John Lauber effeminate. Lauber has been depressed, crying and begging to stop the attack, while Romney would have cut his hair bleach blond groups with a scissors. The piece also suggests that Romney mocked effeminate another student, saying: "Attagirl" every time you made a comment in class. The stories are boring, and for those who have been bullied, brings terrible memories of helplessness and vulnerability of teenagers

As horrific as the incident could have been, should not in itself disqualify Romney's presidential aspirations. Bad behavior at the age of 17 or 18 is, rightly, the type of behavior, within limits, should be forgiven. It is a living person, I suppose, to do something stupid like a teenager, or even as a young adult, who wish to be forgiven.

Of course, forgiveness must begin with the recognition that someone made a mistake. Shortly Mitt Romney in response to these allegations suggest he has done here. In fact, when first contacted by mail, Romney denied any recollection of the incident - a notion that seems implausible, especially given the psychological effect that was sealed in the assault on the guy who participated

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For Philip Maxwell, who participated in the attack and is still considered a friend Romney, it is clear that an extraordinary amount of guilt for their actions:

"is unforgettable. I think it was for all those who have spoken about it ... because when you see someone who is just different down that way and was terrified and see that look in your eyes, you'll never forget. And that's what everyone was. "

that the only person who seems to have no recollection of the event is a candidate for President of the United States seems more than coincidental. It reminds me Lauber well enough to know he thought he was gay - still has no memory of the attack - not pass the test. There are, of course, an even worse possibility. Romney did not participate, but simply forgot he had committed a heinous act of cruelty

Given that the five witnesses including the victim has indirectly confirmed the story of the Post, Romney was forced to walk back to your initial denials - offering instead of the more timid Apology:

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"I played a lot of jokes in high school and describes some, well, you say to yourself, in high school, well, I did some stupid things. And if someone was hurt or offended by this, obviously, I apologize. But overall, the high school years were a long time. "

• The classic non-denial denial.
• not a disturbing implication of Romney words - namely, that the blame should be placed both on the delicate shoulders of those who were hurt and offended, rather than the person who may have been responsible inflict pain on them. What Romney does not excuse the lack of recognition that the jokes, mischief, assault or whatever you want to call them, can leave psychic scars that stay with the victim over the years to come.

In fact, one of the most heartbreaking story of post is that 30 years after it occurred, one of the authors, the seed of David Lauber accidentally ran in O International Airport "Hare and tried to apologize for not doing more to help their classmate. "It was horrible," he said Lauber. He went on to explain how he was frightened during the incident, and acknowledged that the seed, "It's something I've thought ever since."

In recent years, Americans have realized the horrible impact of bullying, especially among children. Although many schools have no "boys will be boys" response to this behavior, and even at a time when homosexuals have a much greater acceptance in American society, a 2009 survey revealed that "85% of children who identify as LGBT, said he "d been verbally harassed at school, 40% physically harassed and about 20% physically attacked because of their sexual orientation."

Those who suffer from this violence are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression and social withdrawal - and are five times more likely than not intimidated to try to take their own lives. Bullying is not just "hardened children," but injuries, often deeply
From this perspective, these disclosures Romney actually provided a unique opportunity to own up to its past behavior and to recognize the trauma of bullying and harassment of children. Taking into account the extent to which anti-gay attitudes in finding a home in the modern Republican Party, it might be, so to speak, a learning period. For Romney to speak would be a statement of direction and send a strong signal that anti-gay bullying or intimidation of any kind is unacceptable and must be condemned.

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