Even in politics, some dirty tricks are beyond the pale, and even in this ill-mannered age, there’s still a place for basic decorum. Both those lines were crossed by the person who deposited dog feces at the Greeley office of U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, the Republican from Colorado’s 4th Congressional District who’s running for re-election.
Police have filed misdemeanor charges against 63-year-old Kathleen Ensz, an emerita (retired) professor of French at the University of Northern Colorado. She is accused of stuffing a Musgrave campaign mailer with dog droppings and cramming the envelope through the mail slot in Musgrave’s outer office door on May 31.
It was a juvenile stunt – and even a potential health risk to Musgrave’s staff and visitors. It also was an insult to anyone who still believes American political discourse should focus on issues and avoid gutter tactics.
Musgrave’s backers were justifiably angry, but they went too far by trying to tie Democratic challenger Angie Paccione to the delivery. There’s no evidence that Paccione was behind the foul prank. Still, her staff was smart to make it clear that anyone who pulls such stunts is no friend of hers.
There are intemperate people all along the political spectrum. Ensz, whose guilt or innocence has yet to be determined, nonetheless gave right-wing radio hosts some fresh grist for bashing academics.
As one character said in the movie “Forrest Gump,” “Stupid is as stupid does.”
