Mitt Romney’s campaign calls gay teen bullying report ‘exaggerated’

[_Abyssinia]

Washington Post Changes Romney Bullying Story Without Issuing a Correction

The *Washington Post’s *Mitt Romney was a teenage bully story has caused a lot of media thumbsucking today. However, questions about the story itself keep emerging. The *Post *acknowledges that one of the major sources for the story was an Obama campaign volunteer in 2008. Beyond that, the paper’s been less than transparent. Here’s the orginal version of the story:
“I always enjoyed his pranks,” said Stu White, a popular friend of Romney’s who went on to a career as a public school teacher and has long been bothered by the Lauber incident.”
However, Matt Lewis of *The Daily Caller *noted that White told ABC News a different version of the story:
White was not present for the prank, in which Romney is said to have forcefully cut a student’s long hair and was not aware of it until this year when he was contacted by the Washington Post.
After ABC News’s report, the Post had changed its story. It now reads:
“I always enjoyed his pranks,” said Stu White, a popular friend of Romney’s who went on to a career as a public school teacher and said he has been “disturbed” by the Lauber incidentsince hearing about it several weeks ago, before being contacted by The Washington Post.“But I was not the brunt of any of his pranks.”
Emphasis added. That is a pretty substantive change to the story, yet nowhere does the *Post *note that a correction/clarification has been made.

Very suspicious they did not add a correction.

 

[_Abyssinia]

Sorry, but attacking the messenger in trying to pretend this never happened is just not going to work. Another Romney friend has come forward and it sounds even worse:

Former Romney Classmate Describes ‘Bullying Supreme’ – A ‘Pack of Dogs’ Who Targeted ‘Different’ Boy

A high school classmate of presidential candidate Mitt Romney told ABC News today that he considers a particular prank the two pulled at Michigan’s Cranbrook School to be “assault and battery” and that he witnessed Romney hold the scissors to cut the hair of a student who was being physically pinned to the ground by several others.

“It’s a haunting memory. I think it was for everybody that spoke up about it… because when you see somebody who is simply different taken down that way and is terrified and you see that look in their eye you never forget it. And that was what we all walked away with,” said Phillip Maxwell, who is now an attorney and still considers Romney an old friend.
…
Asked if Lauber was targeted because he was gay, as reported by the Post, Maxwell said, “We didn’t know that word in those days… but there were other words that were used. We weren’t ignorant, we just didn’t use the current names for things.

abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/05/former-romney-classmate-describes-bullying-supreme-a-pack-of-dogs-who-targeted-differentboy/

That does not fit with what the assistant headmaster said:

Ben Snyder, who as an assistant headmaster later spearheaded the school’s effort to recruit inner-city students, said Cranbrook in Romney’s time “had its standards and applied them briskly when needed.” As chairman of a group of faculty members and students who were in charge of discipline, he described a strict school in which offenders could be “dismissed, period.” Snyder could not recall dealing with any transgressions involving Romney. “I wouldn’t expect to see him,” Snyder said of the disciplinary tribunals. “The family was so straight, they don’t do those types of things.”

Lauber, by contrast, was expelled from the school, supposedly for smoking.

breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2012/05/10/Washington-Post-Disgraces-Self-With-Romney-High-School-Story

You resort to personal attacks against me? That’s your contribution to the discussion?

Fact: Romney apologizes for and admits participating in “stupid things”, says he doesn’t remember this brutal bullying incident but does not deny it. He says “I will not argue with that”, which is what we might say when admitting something happened:

Fact: Several people have gone on record about this, people who were Romney’s friends at the time, and they all say politics has nothing to do with their testimony (one is a former Republican county chairman in Michigan.)

Fact: The witnesses all agreed on keys facts: Romney led the gang and the boy was assaulted, pinned to the ground, humiliated by having his hair cut off – and Romney did this personally – while the kid wept and cried for help. Romney led the cheering pack of bullies when they left.

One witness waited for Romney to be disciplined, which would be normal at such a strict school. Never happened.

According to witness who spoke to the victim in the mid-1990s, the victim was haunted by the incident for years.

Sorry, these facts won’t spin away.

Fact: why did none of of them report an incident of ‘assault’ and ‘battery’ it to the school?

Fact: Why did none of the teachers notice that John Lauber’s hair had been cut and demand to know who had done it and punish the perpetrators?

 

[_Abyssinia]

All Hail Breitbart!

So Romney was just innocently enforcing the school’s dress code! Sounds like a reasonable excuse for gang assault, humiliation and leaving a child weeping and crying for help. Maybe Breitbart will start recommending all schools have this kind of “enforcing”.

Hey, wait a minute. Does the school code have any rules against assault, going after a kid with a pair of scissors, and bullying? Well, at least Romney read the page about the dress code.

A ‘gang assault’ with zero records from the school of being on file and an assistant headmaster who says Romney did not have a behavior problem.

 

[Dymphna82]

Well, if he wasn’t the only hope of removing Obama from office, I wouldn’t vote for him. But I guess I have to.

As someone who was severely bullied in her life, I still remember what happened to me 10, 15, 20, 25 years ago. I can’t stand how people who bully others do so, and conveniently forget that they did it. To me, that says that person’s emotional, physical well being was SO INSIGNIFICANT to you, that they’re just a blip in your life.

And people like to say, “Oh, doesn’t everyone get bullied?” Like that is some excuse.

And you could say, Dymphna, you should forgive. Oh, I forgive. But forget? No. It’s with me forever. My idea of heaven is a place where God erases my memory and I can start from scratch.

And if this bullied person is lying? Shame on them.

 

[Weetzie_Bat]

Well, if he wasn’t the only hope of removing Obama from office, I wouldn’t vote for him. But I guess I have to.

As someone who was severely bullied in her life, I still remember what happened to me 10, 15, 20, 25 years ago. I can’t stand how people who bully others do so, and conveniently forget that they did it. To me, that says that person’s emotional, physical well being was SO INSIGNIFICANT to you, that they’re just a blip in your life.

And people like to say, “Oh, doesn’t everyone get bullied?” Like that is some excuse.

And you could say, Dymphna, you should forgive. Oh, I forgive. But forget? No. It’s with me forever. My idea of heaven is a place where God erases my memory and I can start from scratch.

And if this bullied person is lying? Shame on them.

You do not have to.

As for all these people asking why it was never reported, well, one of the problems with bullying is how often those in power - adults who should know better - either turn a blind eye, or even participate, overtly or covertly, in the victimization of a kid labeled “different.”

You know it. I know it, too.

If you dislike Obama that much, vote for a third-party candidate. Write someone’s name in. Stay home. You do not have to vote for someone whose behavior has ripped the scabs off such painful wounds and pretend that it is all okay.

Voting can be difficult, the choices hard. But you shouldn’t feel obligated to support someone who so clearly brings back your worst memories. That seems to me like being forced to lick the boots of those who kicked you.

 

[_Abyssinia]

Sister of Alleged Romney Target Has ‘No Knowledge’ of Any Bullying Incident

The older sister of Mitt Romney’s former high school classmate said she has no knowledge of any bullying incident

involving her brother and the GOP presidential candidate.

…

She also corrected the story, saying her brother was a boarder, not a day student.

…

Betsy Lauber, one of John Lauber’s three sisters, spoke with ABC News Tuesday night regarding the accuracy of the story.

“The family of John Lauber is releasing a statement saying the portrayal of John is factually incorrect and we are aggrieved that he would be used to further a political agenda. There will be no more comments from the family,” she said.

abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/05/sister-of-alleged-romney-target-has-no-knowledge-of-any-bullying-incident

[my emphases)

I do not think Mitt Romney could remember the specific incident either.

So the Washington Post got wrong, so far noticed, the claim that Stu White was bothered by the incident, when he in fact had no knowledge of it until the Washington Post contacted him. And it was claimed, not sure if in the Washington Post or somewhere else, that John Lauber was a day student, when in fact he was a boarder.

You have 4 sources in the Washington post who ‘*mostly lean Democratic.’ There are zero school reports of the incident being reported.

 

[SwizzleStick]

…If you dislike Obama that much, vote for a third-party candidate. Write someone’s name in. Stay home. …

But, voting for a third-party candidate, writing someone’s name in or not voting at all would in effect be a vote for Obama, so I would advise against any of those that unless you want to see Obama as President again.

 

[SwizzleStick]

Would it be better if they thought the kid was straight and just looked funny?..

The homosexual angle is just to stir up the segment of the population who has an interest in that to prove that Romney is homophobic, blah, blah, blah.

but our jails are full of less privileged young men who committed less serious crimes at a similar age.

Do tell. You really believe that our jails are full of young men who committed similar “crimes?” So giving someone a swirly is a “crime” worthy of jail time? Giving someone a wedgie is a “crime” worthy of jail time? Shaving half of someone’s mustache while they sleep or clipping off a ponytail is a “crime” worthy of jail time? While those are all pretty awful pranks and completely foreign in my world, I have heard of such things happening and I don’t think any of them are crimes. Please offer a link, a source, something to support that idea.

 

[SamH]

Sister of Alleged Romney Target Has ‘No Knowledge’ of Any Bullying Incident

abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/05/sister-of-alleged-romney-target-has-no-knowledge-of-any-bullying-incident

[my emphases)

I do not think Mitt Romney could remember the specific incident either.

So the Washington Post got wrong, so far noticed, the claim that Stu White was bothered by the incident, when he in fact had no knowledge of it until the Washington Post contacted him. And it was claimed, not sure if in the Washington Post or somewhere else, that John Lauber was a day student, when in fact he was a boarder.

You have 4 sources in the Washington post who '*mostly lean Democratic

.’ There are zero school reports of the incident being reported.

Fake story.

Washington Post wrote this story a year ago and released it this week when Obama announced he was for gay marriage. Now it appears they have horribly botched the story with fake interviews and fabricated quotes. But the damage is done to Romney. Didn’t hurt the Post though - people expect it from them.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You resort to personal attacks against me? That’s your contribution to the discussion?

Fact: Romney apologizes for and admits participating in “stupid things”, says he doesn’t remember this brutal bullying incident but does not deny it. He says “I will not argue with that”, which is what we might say when admitting something happened:
He doesn’t recall it, or at least not in detail. Your interpretation of his statement is simply your state of mind, not his.

Fact: Several people have gone on record about this, people who were Romney’s friends at the time, and they all say politics has nothing to do with their testimony (one is a former Republican county chairman in Michigan.) And parts of the story are falling apart. Time will tell. Regardless, this has as much to do with his fitness for the presidency as does Obama’s manhandling of the girl in his book. Nothing. And who did the former Rep county chairman support in the primary. I could find several who opposed him, with ease.

Fact: The witnesses all agreed on keys facts: Romney led the gang and the boy was assaulted, pinned to the ground, humiliated by having his hair cut off – and Romney did this personally – while the kid wept and cried for help. Romney led the cheering pack of bullies when they left.Apparently they did not agree on key facts. Regardless, at this point, it’s double hearsay. Possibly the witnesses will be eventually interviewed by someone who is not in bed with Obama’s campaign.

One witness waited for Romney to be disciplined, which would be normal at such a strict school. Never happened. A curious fact, which is not explained.

According to witness who spoke to the victim in the mid-1990s, the victim was haunted by the incident for years. Or so someone or other said. I doubt there is a person on this planet who was not mishandled in some manner in his youth. Why was this particular person “haunted” by this trivial incident “for years”, and why should we believe it was so?And why did he never tell his sister about it if it “haunted” him so?

Sorry, these facts won’t spin away.

Assertions and interpretations are not the same things as facts.

Regardless, you have not explained why this disqualifies Romney for the presidency, or why, on the other hand, Obama’s mistreatment of a young girl does not.

And I was not personally attacking you, only reflecting on the obvious fact that the left hates Romney. If the shoe fits, wear it.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

When ABC News showed her the story, Christine Lauber’s eyes welled up with tears and she became agitated…

She described her brother as a “very unusual person.”

“He didn’t care about running with the peer group,” Christine Lauber said. “What’s wrong with that?”…

“If he were still alive today, he would be furious [about the story],” she said with tears in her eyes.

abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/05/sister-of-alleged-romney-target-has-no-knowledge-of-any-bullying-incident/

She added she and her sisters will likely put out a statement later via a family attorney.

I am anxious to read their statement when it comes out. The Democrat party will use anyone, alive or dead, to further their agenda. Very disgusting.

 

[SamH]

She added she and her sisters will likely put out a statement later via a family attorney.

I am anxious to read their statement when it comes out. The Democrat party will use anyone, alive or dead, to further their agenda. Very disgusting.

Agreed.

Look at what they did with and to Cindy and Casey Sheehan.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Agreed.

Look at what they did with and to Cindy and Casey Sheehan.

His mother was exploited but she cooperated and really, spat upon her son’s grave through her actions. I felt so sad for him, a true warrior, that his own mom couldn’t accept that and grieve his death but still celebrate the life he chose.

 

[mary_bobo]

Fake story.

Washington Post wrote this story a year ago and released it this week when Obama announced he was for gay marriage. Now it appears they have horribly botched the story with fake interviews and fabricated quotes. But the damage is done to Romney. Didn’t hurt the Post though - people expect it from them.

Like other stories we have discussed here, some are quick to jump on board with whatever is published before all the facts are known if it suits their political persuation. In this story on Romney, as on others, we do not know the full facts of this incident yet some have said the most vicious things without having actual facts. I think that is disgusting and certainly not charitable.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Like other stories we have discussed here, some are quick to jump on board with whatever is published before all the facts are known if it suits their political persuation. In this story on Romney, as on others, we do not know the full facts of this incident yet some have said the most vicious things without having actual facts. I think that is disgusting and certainly not charitable.

They have to strike now, Mary, before the ball of twine (upon which, apparently, they have been working for a year) comes unraveled. The tale is probably at its peak as a distraction from the disasterous economic policies of this administration and its oppression of the Church.

 

[Rich_Olszewski]

only reflecting on the obvious fact that the left hates Romney.

The favor is returned by the right against Obama.

 

[irishpatrick]

To all,

Please, name one human being, who has ever lived, that did not have something negative in their past–name that person so we can all be in awe of near perfect (and no, Mary cannoot be cited, she is the only one).

 

[rlg94086]

To all,

Please, name one human being, who has ever lived, that did not have something negative in their past–name that person so we can all be in awe of near perfect (and no, Mary cannoot be cited, she is the only one).

Nah…I’ve read mary bobo’s posts. She’s good, but she’s not that innocent.

 

[Rich_Olszewski]

this administration and its oppression of the Church.

Oh, puleeze! How many priests have been dragged out of their rectories and shot to death in the street? How many bishops have been thrown into prison? How many churches have been burned down or desecrated? How many federal agents have spilled consecrated Hosts onto the sidewalk and stomped on them? How many Catholic schools have been shuttered and locked by federal agents?

You want oppression of the Church?? Look to China and the Spanish Civil War and to Soviet actions in Eastern Europe after WWII.

It’s almost enough to want to vote for Obama just to protest against the misrepresentations being put forward by the rightwing.

 

[irishpatrick]

BTW,

The so-called victim of Romney’s “prank” was so terribly scarred, that he had this to say about Romney:

*…for Maxwell to relate the incident for the Auto Mag article. Auto Mag does, however, quote Maxwell giving crucial details notably missing from the Post piece: “’I’m a Democrat, so I won’t vote for him,’ says Maxwell. 'But he’d probably make a pretty good President. He’s very smart, very principled.’” *

breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2012/05/11/Washington-Post-Romney-Bullying-Profile-Contradicted-By-Automobile-Magazine