NH Representative Advocates Eugenics for "the Defective People"

Update from the Concord Monitor (3.15.11):

Eugenics lawmaker resigns
By Shira Schoenberg

State Rep. Martin Harty resigned yesterday, facing outrage from constituents, colleagues and strangers over comments he made endorsing eugenics for what he called "defective people."

Harty, a 91-year-old Republican from Barrington and first-term representative, submitted a hand-written letter of resignation to House Speaker William O'Brien.

"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," Harty wrote. "Sorry my big mouth caused this furor."

O'Brien said Harty came to his office to personally offer his resignation. The resignation will become official today, and a special election will be held to fill his seat...

...Party leaders from both sides of the aisle cheered the announcement...

>>> For the Full Article 

From the Concord Monitor (3.11.11):

Lawmaker advocates eugenics

By Shira Schoenberg

A 91-year-old state representative told a constituent that he believes in eugenics and that the world would be better off without "defective people."

Barrington Republican Martin Harty told Sharon Omand, a Strafford resident who manages a community mental health program, that "the world is too populated" and there are "too many defective people," according to an e-mail account of the conversation by Omand. Asked what he meant, she said Harty clarified, "You know the mentally ill, the r#t@rded, people with physical disabilities and drug addictions - the defective people society would be better off without."

Harty confirmed to the Monitor that he made the comments to Omand. Harty told the Monitor the world population has increased dramatically, and "it's a very dangerous situation if it doubles again." Asked about people who are mentally ill, he asked, apparently referring to a lack of financial resources, "Can we afford to bring them through?"

Harty said nature has a way of "getting rid of stupid people," and "now we're saving everyone who gets born."...

Omand says Harty then stated, "I wish we had a Siberia so we could ship them all off to freeze to death and die and clean up the population."

Omand said Harty appeared to be serious. After Omand responded that his idea sounded like what Adolf Hitler did in World War II, Omand said Harty responded, "Hitler did something right, and I agree with (it)."

Harty told the Monitor he was "just kidding" about Siberia. He denied making the comment about Hitler and said it was Omand who brought up Hitler...

>>> For the Full Article

From the JFA Moderator:

It takes a lot to shock me, but this article did.  To be fair, the rest of the article indicates that Harty may be developing age-related dementia or possibly alzheimer's disease, so most of my outrage is targeted toward the voters who gave him the power to decide to stop funding programs for PWDs and toward the other republican representatives who are more than willing to write off these horrifying statements. 

If he were just a wacky retiree I might be more forgiving, but the fact is that he is casting votes that will determine if mental health programs are closed or how much of the state budget is allocated toward services for PWDs.  I agree with Laura Brahlek who posted to the AAPD fan page, "Those committee members who work alongside this man should be embarrassed and urge him to quit his post for health reasons."

Call for his retirement:

Call Representative Harty at (603) 664-2620

Call Governor John Lynch at (603) 271-2121

Call the House Speaker William O'Brien at (603) 271-3661

Call the House Majority Leader at (603) 271-3665

Tell them "Representative Harty needs to retire."

Comments

[Janet Hunt]

There is also a petition, DEMAND THE RESIGNATION OF NH REPRESENTATIVE MARTIN HARTY:

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/RepHartyMustResign

Janet Hunt
New Hampshire

[John Smith]

yes, demand the resignation of this guy for his outrageous statement but we note how anti-republican jfa moderator is. In similar type story re DEMOCRAT Rahm Emmanuel who said "fucki*** re*t**ded" last year the word democrat does not appear.

[Rob Pritts]

Disabled Radio is outraged at some comments by Martin Harty, who is a 91 year old freshman New Hampshire state representative. According to the Concord Monitor, in a conversation with a constituent Harty said “You know the mentally ill, the retarded, people with physical disabilities and drug addictions – the defective people society would be better off without.” Harty then went to say “I wish we had a Siberia so we could ship them all off to freeze to death and die and clean up the population.” (Concord Monitor. March 11, 2011 see link below ) To make it even worse some of Haty’s colleagues making excuses for him, saying that it is because he is old that he made these comments.

While we uphold the right to free speech, it is the position of Disabled Radio that if Harty would have made these comments about any other minority group there would be a national outcry from just about every media outlet, however because it is people with disabilities that he commented about this story has gone largely ignored. Not only are Harty’s comments unacceptable, so is the lack of coverage from the national media. The story has been picked up by several news papers, but we have yet to see on segment on TV news about this story. We realize that it has been a busy news day due to the earthquake and tsunami In Japan, but unless stories like these are covered and shown to be unacceptable people will continue to think they c get away with making comments like Harty’s . Disabled Radio asks that all of it listeners and fans flood the national media outlets with emails and phone calls until this gets the attention that it needs.

This is not the first time that a politician has made comments that have been harmful to Americans with disabilites. In August of 2009 Rahm Emanuel refereed to some liberal groups as “F***ing Retards.” We are sure that if he would of used the N word instead of the R word, the would have been a national uproar, but instead he was rewarded by being elected mayor of Chicago. In March 2009 President Obama compared his bowling skills to the Special Olympics. This was obviously inappropriate, but again there was no uproar. It seems that society believes it is okay to make these comments. We have to show them different.

People with disabilities are valuable citizens of The United States of America. Yes, it is true that a lot of tax money goes to take care of people with mental illness, cognitive disabilities, and physical disabilities, but that does not mean that we are not human beings who have to right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. Harty’s comments are just one more example of society handicapping people with disabilities. We can no longer allow this to happen. We must take action, and we make take action now Let’s show our nation and the world that we are not longer going to sit by and allow people to walk all over us. We DO NOT want or need PITY. We want, need, and demand, equality. As people with disabilities, we must be united when it comes to or rights and equality. We must demand a Fair Shake.

We invite you to listen of a special edition of Disabled Radio, A Fair Shake, on Thursday March 17th at 8pm CDT. Our guest will be Valerie Brew-Parrish. Val is polio survivor and a long time disability activist. Please make plans to listen and call in (347)-326-9863. (Blogtalkradio.com\disabledradio

[Barbara O'Brien]

Justice For All,

My name is Barbara O’Brien and I am a political blogger. Just had a question about your blog and couldn’t find an email—please get back to me as soon as you can (barbaraobrien(at)maacenter.org)

Thanks,
Barbara

[phillip perini]

I am glad this narrow minded , archaic biggot , realized just how much he hurt human beings with any disability. We were all created in father Gods image , as far as I'm concerned. Therefor if Mr. Harty wishes human beings banned to a place like siberia , he can lead the way , & we human beings will gladly close the door & lock it behind him. Get a real exsistence Mr. Harty!!!