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Robert Torricelli
The Pathology of Character or a Lack Thereof

October 9, 2002

 

Curriculum Vitae… 

Noted American author, Mark Twain, once observed that, “It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly native American criminal class except Congress.”  And the latest Democratic charade attempting an eleventh hour withdrawal of Robert “Torch” Torricelli’s Senate candidacy further reaffirms this belief. 

Before delving into the specifics of this murky ethical cesspool, it might help the reader to know that as of the year 2000, the composition of America’s Congress contained the following distinguished individuals: 

1. 29 members of Congress have been accused of spousal abuse.

2. 7 have been arrested for fraud.

3. 19 have been accused of writing bad checks.

4. 117 have bankrupted at least two businesses.

5. 3 have been arrested for assault.

6. 71 have credit reports so bad they can't qualify for a credit card.

7. 14 have been arrested on drug-related charges.

8. 8 have been arrested for shoplifting.

9. 21 are current defendants in lawsuits.

10. And in 1998 alone, 84 were stopped for drunk driving, but released after they claimed Congressional immunity.

It’s always good to know whom you are dealing with. 

Into the Madness… 

As the venerable New York Times reported it, “Senator Robert G. Torricelli’s abrupt decision to abandon his re-election campaign caught national Democratic leaders by surprise today and added new uncertainty to the ferocious battle for control of the Senate.”  

To this, the common sense observer might comment, Hogwash!” 

The very same NYT article notes that, “In recent weeks, many of Mr. Torricelli’s Democratic colleagues had privately expressed anger that in their view he had frittered away what was a safe Senate seat — and that his fortunes could cost their party control of the Senate,” and also that, “Many Democrats said that no matter who emerged, any of those candidates would have a better chance to retain the seat because they would be unsullied by Mr. Torricelli’s ethical problems.” 

So, any rational person might wonder why Torricelli’s withdrawal is such a surprise.  Who, besides a little child, could believe that the “Torch” has not been under tremendous pressure from the state and national Democratic machine to withdraw from the race? 

In another article, the NYT casts a cloud of doubt over the Torricelli surprise by directly stating that, “Democratic Party leaders in Washington…warn(ed) in recent weeks that his election was in danger and that his defeat might cost them control of the Senate.”  

Yet, it is reported that when Torricelli broached the subject of withdrawal with Democratic leader, Tom Daschle, “Mr. Daschle counseled him to “take a deep breath, be rational, think about what you are doing,” 

Other than in the world of the incompetent, deranged or dishonest could anybody believe that the very ambitious leader of the Democratic majority, Daschle, was so out of touch with the other “Democratic Party leaders in Washington” that he, Daschle was unaware that all was not well in Torchville.   

This is the stuff from which mad hatters are made. 

The Pathology of a Character Void… 

As quoted from the Old Testament, “He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” 

Normally, it would be politically incorrect to mix church and state by quoting from the Testament in any American public forum but the Church-State Democratic separatists have no problem turning to God when it is a matter of self-preservation.  “I remember an America where, when a person made an error and they asked forgiveness, it was given. That was our faith and our culture,” says Torricelli in his withdrawal speech.  How quaint that the stalwart Democrat now finds a place for God in political decision-making. 

 The now converted Torch proceeds into the Valhalla of the redeemed, “I’m in a debate with a faceless foe that I cannot find….” Yes, Mr. Torricelli, the foe who is faceless to you is named CHARACTER. 

Even though Torricelli maintains, “…I have not done the things that I have been accused of doing,” a Senate ethics committee severely admonished the Torch for accepting illegal gifts and donations.  But it was not that bad…. 

After all, the Torch was a major Democratic fundraiser and tactician.  It is no wonder that Democrat Torricelli was merely slapped on the wrist by his fellow Democrats for offenses that, had they been Republican committed, would have condemned the offender to a deep plunge into the hell of indictment and trial.  Where besides America does the illegal political donor go to jail while the fraudulent politician is, “frequently called to the White House to counsel President Bill Clinton on Congressional strategy.”?  One shutters at the thought of those counseling sessions. 

The real crescendo into the hell of the deeply disturbed comes when Toriceeli vouchsafes that, “I gave four years to establishing a Democratic majority in the United States Senate, because partisan politics cannot be separated from the things that I value the most in life, like saving the land, the health of our people and air and water, our civil liberties, the defense of the Constitution.” 

You have to pardon the delusional because, had a cure been close, the Torch would have been better served by an honest soul cleansing, “… the things that I value the most in life, like Rolexes, pretty women, cash, power and self-aggrandizement.”  Alas, character was not to rule that day! 

And the Void Spreads Like Locust… 

The average American must be growing numb to the swarming insanity that surrounds this noble nation and some of its ignoble leaders.  But it is predictable and predictability spawns the danger of indifference. 

Like the mother of a serial killer, the Democratic Party will always hold the Torch near and dear because when the day is done, “He is a good kid.” 

So…the only rational Democratic response is to once again make an attempt to skirt the law.   

“New Jersey election law allows political parties to change candidates 51 days or more before the election, but the law is unclear about making a switch after that point.” 

What exactly is unclear about this law?  If the speed limit on a highway is 65 mph does the sign also have to say that one can’t go 66 mph?  This is more ridiculousness akin to the debate over what the meaning of “is” is.  

But why should anybody be surprised?  We live in a country where the meaning of traitor is not a Democrat Congressman calling the President a liar from the streets of Baghdad.

We live in a country where the meaning of victim applies to the murderer and not the murdered.  We live in a country where balancing a budget is based on bankrupting the Social Security Trust.  We live in a country where politicians will tell any lie for the sake of self-serving partisan purposes and simultaneously think of themselves as leaders.  And, we live in a country where Senator Torch maintains that, “there’s a point at which every man reaches their limit. (and) I’ve reached mine.”  We live in a country becoming dominated by delusional hypocrisy. 

It might be better said that we live in a country where eventually the lack of truthfulness reaches a limit and let’s hope that day is soon in coming.

 

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