Unspeakably vile

by David Safier

When Tedski congratulated Councilwoman Regina Romero on the birth of her baby girl, Luciana Reyes (Pardon our rude inattention, Regina. Sincere, belated congratulations and best wishes from us here at Blog for Arizona), Bruce Ash, who is in the thick of all things Republican in the Tucson area, added a comment to the post.

After the obligatory "Best wishes," Ash wrote,

Hoping mom and her political allies will refrain in the future from using Ms Romero’s offspring as a political HUMAN SHIELD !!

Human shield. In all caps. With two exclamation points.

In case someone misses the horrific nature of the imagery Ash has chosen, a human shield is someone you hold in front of you to take the bullets for you. Criminals do it. Some especially vile armed forces do it. It literally makes me tremble to spell out the visual image Ash has created, but it needs to be clear exactly what he is suggesting here. "Unfeeling" and "inhuman" are the kindest words that come to mind. "Monstrous" is closer to my true feelings.

I'm not sure Ash is aware that he's also revealing the nature of Republican political tactics. For them, politics is the equivalent of a war where you fire live bullets at the opposition, casualties be damned.

Tedski followed with a comment saying he will take down Ash's words if he wants, then he posted a lighthearted rejoinder. You're being too kind, Tedski. Nothing less than a full, public apology from Bruce Ash to Regina and her family is in order here.