The really most awful thing in the entire universe

In other blogs, folk were talking about Bush's statement concerning federal funding of the taking of lives -- abortion versus war. This was a discussion concerning Bush's forgetting to use the words "innocent, unborn" and ruminating on where one draws the line with respect to such broadbrush statements.

In a similar hyperbolic commentary, Mitt Romney was on his stump and talking about his Mormon heritage. Some great-greats had multiple wives. He wanted to try to nip this burning issue in the bud by taking a stand against it so's no one could use his heritage against him, apparently.

And I must admit, I can't imagine anything more awful than polygamy," -- Mitt Romney against 'Big Love' - People

Oh, I can think of LOADS of things way more awful than having multiple wives or multiple husbands. Ideally, in any community, the members of that community set the standards, mutually acceptable to all, by which they will conduct their personal relationships, commitments, and contracts. Of course in practice many LDS sects have been known, over time, to employ a sort of forced marriage akin to rape and slavery, where terribly young girls are forced to marry, and where marriage contracts are awarded based more on who're buddies with which leader than what is best for the community. There is no equality, no adult mutual consent.

Those situations are awful for those subjugated, I have no doubt.

But are they the most awfullest of all things ever? More awfuller than actual rape, abusive slavery? More awful than spousal abuse, or even torture? Way more awful than a culture that engages in genocide?

The beauty of hyperbole of this sort is it demonstrates a specific characteristic of the candidate, that being his or her willingness to leverage the gullibility of the listening audience, and maybe his or her tendency toward the grandiose. Like all of us are stupid, right?

Quite frankly, I tire of politicians who stump around blathering without much thought. Does Romney really really think that his great-great's way of life is worth denouncing? Are there not other issues upon which he could give us insight? Do people really care that much about this?