Arch-conservative Charles Darwin Snelling took his own life Wednesday night, shortly after the apparent mercy killing of his wife. She suffered from Alzheimer's disease. They had been married for 61 years. According to his family, "we know he acted out of deep devotion and profound love."
Snelling and I never got along. But I take no joy in the death of a person I never really knew, even if his politics differ radically from mine.
Not blogger Jonathan Geeting. Just one day after bashing the new Executive Director of RenewLV (he wanted the job himself, he admits), Geeting bashes a man who obviously was in great anguish. Why? Because his politics were "seriously malign."
If anything is malign, it is Geeting himself.
Lehigh Professor Steve Thode asks Geeting, "Have you no shame?"
The answer is obvious.
Updated 4:40 PM: Geeting Doubles Down! - Instead of a simple apology, Geeting doubles down in a comment on this blog. "I'm very glad that he [Snelling] will not be around to influence politics anymore."
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Friday, March 30, 2012
45 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
Whats there to wait for? Is there a time limit?
ReplyDeleteNow he's a murderer! That's news...
Charles Snelling was very much pro-choice. This can be found in his op-eds for the Morning Call.
ReplyDeleteNot only is Jon Geeting a vile blast of snot -- he can't even get his facts straight.
Regardless of Snelling's politics, this is not the time to bash him. Most of us would instead want to reflect on what happened, and maybe offer up a prayer.
ReplyDeleteI knew Snelling as a "Specter-Republican," and the reason why one precinct of Lehigh County was drawn into the 6th district. In any event, I don't wish anyone to deal with the dreadful disease his wife had, so judging his reaction is cold. Obviously what he did wasn't okay, but I hope I never have to understand where he was.
ReplyDeleteAnd let me clarify that i'm not saying "Specter-Republican" spitefully. It's just how I classified him. And that the precinct, as the story was told to me, was his home precinct, and there were worries in the Toomey camp about him primarying him. Kind of old mythical legend, funny stuff. Awful what happened to him here though.
ReplyDeleteRich, Then I suggest you tell your pal Geeting he is off base.
ReplyDeleteWell, I suppose you're right here.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine the anguish this poor man felt watching his wife gradually fading away.
ReplyDeleteWe will never understand what led him to take this particular action, nor should we judge or criticize him.
I shall offer a prayer for him, his family and those who loved him or considered him a friend.
On a happier note, I'm uploading pics from tonight, Deb. You look beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAwww thanks Bernie. You always flatter me so. Great seeing you this evening and many congratulations on a well deserved victory.
ReplyDeleteI took away from the coverage that Mr Snelling was distraught and overwelmed by her condition. Wouldn't it have been a better option to have professional care for her?
ReplyDeleteHe might have had the means to afford a top notch facility. IMHO He made a huge error in taking her life. And then a cowardly escape from the consequences.
Geeting is a bitter, outspoken homosexual who has never experienced the kind of true love the Snellings shared. His lashing out against that which he does not know is typical of intolerant ilk.
ReplyDeleteCharles Snelling was a very accomplished man, can the same be said of those malign him now?
ReplyDeleteScott Armstrong
Give the guy's family a break. 61 years.
ReplyDeletei dunno how i feel about this. he spent a lifetime supporting the party that is hysterically opposed to any measures that would have allowed a physician to mercifully help his wife pass on. instead, he chose to break the law and end her himself. i think the fact of murder opens him up to criticism.
ReplyDeleteOne can not fathom the physical and emotional pain that both of these people dealt with each day. No one should criticize because deep down we really don't know what we would do in the same situation.
ReplyDeleteNo opinions, good or bad will change the outcome. Let the Snellings rest in peace
The story is sad. I have too many friends in marriages where one is fading bc of this horrible disease. They quietly and dutifully attend to the loved one, honoring above all, the vow made to each other and God, to love one another in sickness and in health. I know the pain is real, is deep and is overwhelmed by the love the couple continues to share and the quiet love God wraps around the couple and their families.
ReplyDeleteI hope, as Mr. Geeting approaches his own wedding, he pauses and takes a moment to consider the importance of this kind of love. And i hope the 3:44 am commentator learns to leave such claims about sexual idenity off the discussion boards. Such cruelty and nastiness.
I happen to think politics actually mean something. It's not some dumb game. Millions of people's real lives are affected by what political leaders do. I'm not just against the Red Team, I think what they want to do is actually bad for the country in a real tangible way. That's the cause Snelling is known for, he was an effective messenger for that cause, and so I'm very glad that he will not be around to influence politics anymore. I'm sure lots of conservative bloggers will contribute to his memory over the next few days, and one of the things they will do is cheer his political views. My contribution to the public memory is that his politics were awful, and the country is a worse place for the time he spent on writing and political organizing.
ReplyDeleteMr. Geeting,
ReplyDeletePlease crawl back under the rock from which you came.
Morning Bernie, I certainly didn't know Mr. Snelling personally, but this brings to mind one of my Mother's favorite words as my brothers and I grew up, one will never understand a situation nor appreciate it until one walks in those shoes for a mile. Carol
ReplyDeleteI share Geeting's ethics and sensitivities.
ReplyDeleteIt is in that spirit I wish him a long and painful suffering from AIDs before a lonely miserable death in room with nothing but his Internet porn and bad meat in a can. I'm against the blue team and its subhuman messengers. Geeting's liaisons may defend him. I represent the other side. Drop dead, Jon. Seriously, drop dead. And I mean that in the spirit of your viciousness.
Bernie, please consider banning Geeting from posting here.
ReplyDeleteHe truly is a vile blast of snot. (credit to anon 1228am)
I used to attribute much of what Jon did to his youth. But something is missing there.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. He's just not right in the head. It's one thing to be a petulant immature asshole (we were all that at one point in our lives), but to dance on a grave?
ReplyDeleteJon:
ReplyDeleteYou're repulsive. Truly. Go away.
UT
Mr. Geeting seems to be saying that he is glad that Charles Snelling is dead because Charles was a great advocate for the causes in which he believed and that Charles's death weakens the causes he espoused.
ReplyDeleteMr. Geeting is correct -- commonsense conservatives lost a true leader now that Charles is dead.
Using Mr. Geeting's reasoning, I wish him a long, long life because the longer he is extant the more obvious his repugnancy and the hollowness of his beliefs becomes apparent.
Anybody who's raised a girl knows that they are particularly nasty, compared to boys.
ReplyDeleteGeeting is right on, Republicans have ruined this country.
ReplyDeleteAllentown Democrat Voter
Good God. Mr. Geeting, have you no shame? No sense of decency?
ReplyDeleteOnly a good God can judge you for your vile words; I won't dare tread on that judgment.
You must have such loathing for yourself that you want everyone you know, everyone you expect to read your terrible words, to have that same loathing.
One can do little but pity you and your sorry mental situation.
The merciful among us can only wish that someday, you come to understand yourself and forgive yourself for your despicable statements.
I'd put my name to this post but I fear that you might 'go postal' and come and murder me for daring to state my opinion.
Geeting sucks. nuf said.
ReplyDeleteA Democrat
10:40,
ReplyDeleteWhat he does on his down time is not relevant here. By the way, he blows.
No One knows the dynamics that took place in that house to bring about whart happened.
ReplyDeleteBut remember the words, "Judge not lest thee be judged."
I was on the opposite side of Mr Schnelling here in Upper Mac and while I lived in Allentown. But I would never deride him. Common Courtesy between differing opinions has been lost from all sides.
When I heard this had happened I prayed that God would show him and his wife the tenderest mercy.
I watched my parents go through this as my Dad faded away. What I have read in the media comments is abhorrent to me.
Have some of you no decency?
No One knows the dynamics that took place in that house to bring about whart happened.
ReplyDeleteBut remember the words, "Judge not lest thee be judged."
I was on the opposite side of Mr Schnelling here in Upper Mac and while I lived in Allentown. But I would never deride him. Common Courtesy between differing opinions has been lost from all sides.
When I heard this had happened I prayed that God would show him and his wife the tenderest mercy.
I watched my parents go through this as my Dad faded away. What I have read in the media comments is abhorrent to me.
Have some of you no decency?
I did not know Mr. Snelling but was touched by his story and the life accomplishments by both him and his wife. My heart goes out to families and friend who celebrate a most beautiful marriage.
ReplyDeleteI then thought about the plight of millions of families across this country who have fallen on hard times and lives turned upside down when a member becomes seriously ill or disabled.
Would a lifetime malpractice benefit of $250K proposed by Charlie Dent be enough to provide for a family for the rest of their lives?
Could that same family then be refused insurance because of pre-existing conditions if the Affordable Healthcare Act (Obamacare) is struck down?
What happened to families if insurance benefit limits are reinstated if Obamacare is struck down?
Would a 50 year old without health insurance have the same chance at a heart transplant as a 71 year old Dick Cheney?
Healthcare if you have the right to bear arms, why not healthcare?
If life begins at conception, why does appropriate healthcare end for some when they loose their health insurance.
I can think of no other explanation as to why Geeting doesn't see what's wrong with his post on Snelling:
ReplyDeleteFROM WEB MD:
"Core symptoms
The severity of symptoms varies greatly, but all people with autism have some core symptoms in the areas of:
Social interactions and relationships. Symptoms may include:
...
Lack of empathy. People with autism may have difficulty understanding another person's feelings, such as pain or sorrow."
Monkey Momma, I appreciate your work in trying to come up with a medical reason for Geeting.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're right, for the alternative is he is a horrible, sick, twisted person.
In either case, I hope he gets the help he desperately needs.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI have deleted two comments by "Clem" that are both OT and attack a reader. Knock it off. i don't even think Clem would write this myself.
ReplyDeleteYou misguided people hate Jon, but if you knew like I do why he is the way he is, you would joyfully join his cause! He is tolerant, compassionate, understands and cares for working people, hates the injustice displayed by those who don't think healthcare is a natural right, and stands for total personal freedom!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with 6:39. Everybody is eulogizing this man as if he was a patron saint of the Republican Party. The man murdered his wife and the killed himself; acts that those on the right decry and oppose. Remember the Terri Schiavo case… death with dignity…and how those on the right went kicking in screaming in opposition. Heck, even President Bush got involved in that one.
ReplyDeleteI don't wish Mr. Geeting any bad luck, BUT....when he dies, it should be from an ingrown asshole. He has to suffer.
ReplyDeleteNothing worse than composing a thoughtful comment and having it just deleted outright. Why not respond if you disagree? Nothing I said was outlandish or hurtful. It just disagreed with you.
ReplyDeleteIt was no thoughtful comment. You were dancing on someone's grave, like Geeting. Post your comment on his blog.
ReplyDeleteWhy so serious??
ReplyDelete