Was it "Just" a Prank?

Although I promised my daughter I would not turn this blog into a forum for my political rants (or, at least, not exclusively), I can't resist the need to talk about a recent article in the Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mitt-romneys-prep-school-classmates-recall-pranks-but-also-troubling-incidents/2012/05/10/gIQA3WOKFU_story.html?hpid=z2#). According to this article, the presumptive Republican candidate for President, Gov. Romney, led a group of other students in an attack against a student they felt didn't fit in to their idea of what a student at this exclusive all-boys school should be like. While Romney and others held this younger boy down and ignored his pleas for help, Romney used a pair of scissors to cut the boys longish hair. In separate interviews, the other participants talked of their remorse. Several said the incident has haunted them for the past almost 50 years. One of the participants, a little while after the incident, apologized to the boy and admitted it was a stupid thing to do.

What worries me most about this incident, aside from the bullying and viciousness of it, is Romney, when asked about it, claimed to not remember it ever happening. The other participants say they are still haunted by the memory of that day and Romney has no idea what they're talking about. Andrea Saul, his campaign spokesperson, said, "Governor Romney has no memory of participating in these incidents."

While the other students who either witnessed or aided Romney in the attack are still upset and remorseful, Romney "has no memory" of it. Could it be he has no memory of it because for him it was perfectly justified to attack someone younger and outnumbered? Could it be he has no compassion for those he sees as weaker or inferior to himself? Are these lacks of empathy and sympathy what enabled him to take over vulnerable companies, fire the employees, and walk away with huge profits for himself and his wealthy partners? Is this what enabled him to speak out in favor of letting the car companies go into bankruptcy while pushing for a bailout for Wall Street?

Having been in education for more than 40 years, I've seen the type of student who feels it's alright to bully anyone who appears to be weaker. Bullies are cowards; they are insecure. They need an audience when they dominate over those who pose no threat to them so they can feel better about themselves. Is Romney a bully? I don't know for sure but his actions certainly seem to be those of one.