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United States News Title: GOP House member resigns after mental illness remarks CONCORD – Rep. Martin Harty, a Barrington Republican, has resigned his House seat in the wake of fire he drew for remarks on mental illness and population control. Harty, who turns 92 this month, came into spotlight last week after telling a voter during a phone call that he thought the best treatment for the mentally ill would be a one-way trip to Siberia. He also said population growth and mental illness could be controlled with eugenics, a form of genetic engineering commonly associated with Hitler's Germany. In his letter to Speaker of the House William O'Brien, Harty apologized not for what he said, but for the disruption he caused. Citing what he called "slightly unfavorable publicity" over his statements, he said "Sorry my big mouth caused this furor." O'Brien said in a brief announcement that Harty's seat will become vacant Tuesday after his letter of resignation is read to the House of Representatives. Harty met with O'Brien Monday to offer his resignation. "We both agreed that this is what is best for the House to move forward and focus on critical issues, like balancing our budget without raising taxes and giving voters an opportunity to pass a school funding amendment to ensure local control," O'Brien said. In resigning, Harty wrote, "I was just getting the hang of it some, but with all the slightly unfavorable publicity I've been getting the last few days, I'll never be an effective lawmaker. So I herby submit my resignation form the House. Sorry my big mouth caused this furor." Last month, in a letter to Foster's Daily Democrat, Harty wrote, "so far I really don't know what I'm doing . 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." Harty was serving his first term in the House. He represented the towns of Barrington, Farmington, Middleton, Milton, New Durham and Strafford. O'Brien said he will ask for a special election to fill the vacancy. Officials in towns Harty represented will have to make a formal request for such an election. Last week, Democrats criticized O'Brien for not forcefully condemning Harty's remarks. Monday, House Minority Leader Terie Norelli, D-Portsmouth, said Monday that O'Brien has yet to condemn Harty's remarks. "The remarks made by Rep. Harty last week hurt thousands of New Hampshire families across the state, and Speaker Bill O'Brien has been silent on this issue. What is even more troubling is that the Speaker and Republicans in the House are putting these words into action by proposing cuts that will be damaging to the mentally ill, disabled, and children." After Harty's statements became public during a House Finance Committee hearing, O'Brien said he could not endorse the remarks. O'Brien then commended Harty for his U.S. Army service in Europe during World War II, and said he fought for the values we cherish as a nation. He added, "With the amount of time and effort he has given us all, he has earned the right to say what he thinks, needs to appreciate that, as a representative, he will be held to a higher standard." State Republican Party chairman Jack Kimball said Monday Harty made the right decision. "He failed to represent the sentiments of his constituents and the core values and principles of the Republican Party," he said.
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#1. To: Ferret Mike (#0)
The GOP base really is grumpy old people......
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