Sen. Rick Santorum's recent remarks calling the Democrats' use of the filibuster to oppose judicial nominees "the equivalent of Adolf Hitler in 1942" drew a rebuke from the Anti-Defamation League. "Once again, Nazi imagery was used in political debate, where it has no place," ADL National Director Abraham H. Foxman said in a prepared statement. "Whatever your views on the Senate rules relating to the use of the filibuster and judicial nominations, it is inappropriate and insensitive to compare American democratic procedures with actions taken by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party." After the ADL urged him to apologize, Santorum issued a statement saying the reference "was meant to dramatize the principle of an argument, not to characterize my Democrat colleagues. ... Nevertheless, it was a mistake and I meant no offense." Let us not forget, however, that West Virginia's Sen. Robert Byrd , Democrat windbag and former KKK member, cited Nazi corruption of the law to condemn the GOP's former intention to use the "nuclear option" to force an end to the filibusters. Guess who demanded that Byrd retract his statements. Santorum. KINDER AND GENTLER. In the wake of the hubbub over the Hitler remark, Santorum apparently felt he needed to put a shine on his kinder, gentler side. His office sent out a stack of news releases touting his efforts on behalf of children and puppies. Santorum has cosponsored the Pet Animal Welfare Statute in the Senate to address the "lack of regulatory oversight that has allowed some in the pet industry to operate below the acceptable care standards for pets." The release promises the legislation "will help end puppy mill abuse." "As the proud owner of a two-year-old German shepherd named Schatzie, it is disturbing to see the number of breeders who are careless in their responsibilities of breeding dogs in a healthy and humane environment," Santorum said. Another news release last week pointed out Santorum is cosponsor of the Engine Coolant and Antifreeze Bittering Agent Act of 2005. The legislation would require engine coolant and antifreeze manufacturers to add a bitter smell and taste to their products so children and pets would spit it out instead of swallowing it. Hundreds of children and thousands of animals are accidentally poisoned each year from ingesting engine coolant and antifreeze, which are highly toxic but have a sweet smell, the senator noted. "As the father of six children and a dog owner, I understand the importance of protecting our loved ones from dangers that are found throughout our homes," Santorum said. JOHNNY LIKES HIS SPOT. Democrat Allegheny County Councilman John DeFazio is putting to rest speculation he might be interested in the state House seat currently occupied by embattled Republican Rep. Jeff Habay of Shaler. DeFazio said he is content to remain at his full-time job as statewide director of the United Steelworkers of America and has no desire for a Harrisburg job. The at-large councilman was rumored to be exploring a bid for the office after a 21-count criminal complaint was filed against Habay by Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr.'s office. Habay allegedly harassed political opponents and lied to police about one foe sending him a suspicious white powder. If he is convicted of the charges, he will be booted out of the Legislature. RILED UP IN 'ALABAMA.' Post-Gazette columnist Tony Norman and Harrisburg Patriot-News columnist Pat Carroll apparently do not share the same sensibilities. Carroll recently took Norman to task for an offhand remark the P-G scribe made during an appearance on the Pennsylvania Cable Network: "Some guy from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was on a PCN talk show last week, talking with host Bill Bova about Lynn Swann's campaign for governor," Carroll wrote. "Bova asked how Swanny would do here in the central part of the state. "'Oh,' the guy said. 'Alabama.' "Pardon me? "This was a funny line years ago, when James Carville popped it out. But except for Dennis Roddy, (Dr. Whispers expresses his shock and dismay at Pat's approving reference) the Yunzville Post-Gazette just doesn't have anybody as sharp as the Ragin' Cajun. "Pittsburgh is voted 'Stumbling City Most Likely to Collapse From Incompetence Tomorrow,' but we're backward? "Right." A QUESTION OF ETHICS. Is journalistic ethics an oxymoron at the Pittsburgh Business Times? Take the case of real estate reporter Suzanne Elliott . Elliott sent a letter this week to prospective clients about her newest business endeavor - selling real estate. The letter even boasts about Elliott continuing to write about the industry she has now joined. Huh? "I am hoping to combine my skills as a reporter to be a good agent and use my skills as an agent to be an even better reporter," she gushes. Journalists are supposed to avoid conflicts of interest and the appearance thereof. Aren't they• GAME, SET, MATCH. Westmoreland County Commissioners Tom Balya and Tom Ceraso barely beat aides Ted Kopas and Mike Reese -- 11-9 -- last week in a tennis match played at Hempfield Park. Kopas, who works for Balya, and Reese, an aide to Republican Commissioner Phil Light , were winning until Kopas banged a serve off Reese's shaved head. "It was the glare," Kopas said. During Thursday's public meeting, Kopas joked he intentionally threw the match to keep his job. They made hay about it at the meeting when a reporter asked them if they wanted to own up to anything during the public comment period. Reese claimed Kopas' errant serve off the back of his noggin turned the momentum toward Balya and Ceraso. Ceraso said he bet if he had lost, he would have switched his party registration to Republican. OLD SCHOOL. Playing hooky might not be something a judge normally favors, but at least it's less disruptive. "When I was a kid and we wanted off school, we just made believe we were sick," said Fayette County Judge Steve Leskinen. Leskinen's comments came while Laurel Highlands Superintendent Ronald Sheba and Solicitor Gary Frankhouser , while waiting for a court hearing on the sale of some school property, discussed the seven bomb threats that cleared out the senior high school this year. MORE THE MERRIER. Fayette County Commissioner Vince Vicites said he may challenge seven-term Fayette County lawmaker, Larry Roberts, for his seat in the state House of Representatives. Vicites recently told a reporter that he was thinking about running for the 51st District seat. The South Union Township resident, who has been a commissioner for a decade, said he sees an elected position in the House as the next step in his political career. However, he said he has not decided for certain if he will run. In the 2004 election, Roberts overcame four challengers despite allegations of election fraud leveled by political opponent Tim Mahoney. Mahoney already said he plans to run against Roberts in the spring 2006 primary. Terry Janosek and Gary Gearing , who challenged Roberts last year with write-in campaigns, have said they plan to run again as well.

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