The Prayers of an Eccentric

Excuse me, but hasn't anyone else noticed the Northwest Corner in the national news recently? Remarks made by Barkhamsted resident and avowed liberal Ned Coll during the opening ceremony of the state Democrat convention in July made headlines on the most visited news website in the world—The Drudge Report.

Coll's comments didn't attract much attention until Connecticut Television Network began its coverage on cable sometime after the convention ended. The Drudge Report picked up on them first, as it usually does, and others followed suit. Major newspapers throughout the U.S. found it newsworthy, as did MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews, and the Fox News Channel.

Ned Coll had been given the nod to deliver the prayer/ invocation at the Democrats’ convention. His voice dripping with scorn, Coll’s unique religious message included the following: "I can say with a clear conscience that governor greed is the worst conceivable governor I have ever seen in this state. He's a snake. I mean, this guy’s a joke. This guy is a glorified thug. He's about as honest as his eyes and when you take a look at John Rowland's eyes, be careful you don't regurgitate. Let us look forward to the day after the election knowing that massive greed and sin has lost and our sacred state has come home to God. Death to the prince of darkness, amen!" This, from a Barkhamsted resident, was absolutely disheartening.

Coll's performance received high marks from the rank-and-file Democrats in Connecticut. But wait! Six weeks later, the national spotlight finds and corners Joe Lieberman on the issue. Newsday reported that Lieberman broke with state Democrats, stating that Coll's remarks were "offensive and indefensible statements" and that "such vicious personal attacks have no place in our political discourse, let alone a religious invocation."

I've never met Ned Coll, but word about town has it he achieved enlightenment of sorts after being kicked in the head by a mule back in 1990. He ran as a fringe candidate for governor this year and, in any case, we find him giving the invocation at this year's state Democrat convention. Wow. The Democrats have hit rock bottom and have started to dig.

I have followed John Rowland's career since he was elected to Congress in 1984. A more personable, down to earth, classier guy you will not find. John Rowland loves Connecticut, where his family has made a living for over 200 years. When he was elected governor in 1994, I was elated. I know all too well how reckless Democrats in the state legislature think nothing of throwing our tax dollars out the window. Keep the tax rebates coming, John—my family sure can use them!

Naysayers of the world like Ned Coll will always have some place in our national dialogue, I suppose. Undoubtedly, more will be heard from this eccentric and vitriolic former candidate. Let's just hope Ned Coll doesn't start reciting prayers for us in the Northwest Corner anytime soon.