Forgive me for not being more gracious towards US Representative "Doc" Hastings (not a real doctor, not his real name) at the news of his retirement, but there's something to be said for honesty too. And let's be honest, despite the polite testimonials coming from polite Democrats, Hastings was a shitty, shitty congressman.

“I always appreciated Doc’s hard work on behalf of the 4th District," Governor Jay Inslee said in a prepared statement about the man who ousted him in 1994 and went on to become one of the laziest rubber stamps for the Republican House leadership. "I have enjoyed working with Doc over the years," says Representative Adam Smith about a colleague whose accomplishments can be counted on the hands of a quadruple amputee.

Coincidentally, the Seattle Times ran a scathing editorial today, accusing Hastings of endangering the Endangered Species Act. Tomorrow they'll no doubt run an editorial thanking him for his 20 years of public service. And I will throw up in my mouth a little.

Because Hastings has been a truly awful congressman. And I don't see the harm in saying it.