It Takes a Nitwit

I've tried to work up a good head of outrage over the new book by U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-Spanish Inquisition), but I just can't any more.

Also, I'm somewhat constrained by the fact that I haven't seen his weighty tome, nor do I have any intention of buying it. Thus, I'm left to comment on other people's interpretations of what the good Senator has written. That some how doesn't seem fair. (Forgive me. As a couch-potato moderate-leftist, I'm still constrained by a sense of fair play.)

Based on what I've read about the book, however, I take it that Santorum has repeated several things that he's said before. Namely, that people who can't afford to go to college shouldn't go to college; that there shouldn't be public education; that women should not work outside the home; and that "feminists" and "liberals" are responsible for society's ills.

What is Santorum saying that he hasn't said before? Or that other prominent neo-conservative pundits haven't said before? Why are people shocked, shocked to hear these things?

A little personal anecdote, if you don't mind: When Santorum was running for the Senate the first time, I was in college. He had recently uncorked several statements similar to the ones above; I seem to recall that in particular he had called for the abolition of the federally-guaranteed student loan program and the elimination of Pell grants. As someone who was in college through the grace of the financial aid office, the federal government and McKeesport National Bank's loan officer, I was offended.

I was drawing a weekly cartoon for the college paper, and I uncorked one about a Senate candidate named "Rich Sanitarium" (my rapier-like wit was as leaden then as it is now) visiting a small, working-class town, spouting some of this nonsense about education, and being hooted off of the stage by the locals.

That semester, the college Republicans had successfully agitated for a weekly talk show on the campus radio station, which was great fun to listen to, because it was slightly to the right of Torquemada and Louis XIV. We used to tune in at the newspaper office and hoot at the radio in derision. Well, lo and behold, that week the guest was none other than Rick Santorum, and the hosts read my cartoon to him. And the good congressman went after me, on the air. (Not that this was a terrible thing, because the radio station's signal barely made it out of the parking lot.)

Now, the radio station was right across the hall from the newspaper in the student union, so I went over, introduced myself to the board operator, and he put me on the air. I don't remember exactly what I asked Santorum --- I seem to recall it was something about a Tribune-Review story out that week that rated him one of the "least effective legislators" --- but I do remember one of the hosts grabbing me by the elbow and hissing, "Shut up. This is our show, and we ask the questions. If you want to ask questions, get your own show." At that, I walked out, and back across the hall to the newspaper office, to general applause and backslapping.

Anyway, my point --- and I do have one --- is that none of what Santorum has written is new. He's been on the record as holding these kinds of views for more than a decade. His conservatism is not that of Eisenhower or Goldwater or Nixon, who held that government should stay out of commerce and people's personal lives, but could do some good for society. Instead, Santorum's conservatism is that of the pre-1900's, which views that life is a case of every man for himself. If you can't swim on your own, then you can sink to the bottom, and tough luck for you --- don't expect society to help.

Santorum is always depicted as a devout Catholic, but as a product of 13 years of Catholic education, I'd say his social views are more Calvinist in the mold of Calvin Coolidge.

Pennsylvanians have twice sent Santorum to the Senate, knowing full well his stands on the issues. Ron Klink was a rather colorless candidate in 2000, but he didn't want to dismantle the public education system. Harris Wofford was a magnificent civil rights advocate, and was trounced in 1994.

Perhaps before Pennsylvanians point figures at Santorum, they should take a good look in the mirror. You should have known what you were getting. Why are you so surprised at what you got?

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In other, happier political matters, state Rep. Marc Gergely checked in at the Almanac on Wednesday to say:

Kudos to the Tube City homepage. As a frequent visitor to the site I enjoy the discussions. I'm pleased to give you the inside scoop on the new name for the 15th Street Bridge. In the early-to-mid '90s, state Sen. Albert "Buddy" Belan kept in the transportation budget the over $15 million that was needed to re-build our bridge to Liberty, Lincoln, Port Vue and beyond. Bud was a supporter of the Mon Valley in all aspects and so to his memory the 15th Street Bridge will be renamed the Albert V. "Buddy" Belan Bridge. I amended language into a Senate transportation bill and (it) was passed on Sunday. I know this is not the biggest issue of Commonwealth politics at this time, but I think (it's) of direct interest to the Mon Valley. Good luck, I enjoy the Almanac and I know that many times we will agree to disagree.

This is indeed an appropriate honor for Bud Belan. I remember Belan holding hearings at the old Romine Avenue School in Port Vue to discuss plans for the replacement of the bridge. I later had several occasions to work with Belan's office --- in one case, he intervened on behalf of an elderly relative who was being denied health care under Medicare --- and I always found him to be aces. Indeed, one of my fondest memories of Belan came on the bitterly cold morning that the old 15th Avenue Bridge was blown up. Despite the cold (temperatures were hovering in the single digits, with below-zero wind chill), Belan (clad only in a business suit and a top coat) stuck around to the very end.

The same bill --- S.B. 406 --- will also honor another good man who I had the privilege to meet, the late District Justice James Russo, by renaming part of Route 65 near Leetsdale the "James E. Russo Highway."

I'd like to thank Rep. Gergely for the update, and for the kind words, but I also want to warn him that when his constituents find out he's reading this drivel, they may start to wonder if he has too much free time on his hands.

By the way: Gergely is one of the Mon-Yough area legislators who voted against this week's pay raise. The others were state Reps. Jim Casorio of Irwin, David Levdansky of Elizabeth, and Harry Readshaw of Carrick; and state Sens. Wayne Fontana of Brookline, Sean Logan of Monroeville, and Bob Regola of Hempfield Township. (Visit the comments section of yesterday's Almanac for a complete list.)

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To Do This Weekend:

* Braddock's Field Historical Society celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Battle of the Monongahela with lectures, exhibits, and re-enactments, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and running through 5 p.m. Saturday at various sites in Braddock and North Braddock. Call (412) 351-5357 or visit frenchandindianwar250.org

* McKeesport Little Theater, Coursin Street near Manor Avenue, presents "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Call (412) 673-1100 or visit mckeesportlittletheater.com

* Springhill, the Mystic Knights and Jill West and the Blues Attack play a free blues concert at McKeesport Riverfront Park, Water Street between Fifth and Ninth avenues, Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. This might be the best local concert of the summer, at least for fans of blues and roots music, and the price is right.