Island of Guam to tip over...

robeiae · Apr 1, 2010

...because of added US military personnel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNZczIgVXjg

And no, it's not an AFD joke, though it seems like it could be.

For those unaware, Hank Johnson unseated Cynthia McKinney in 2006. Clearly, there's something in the water in Georgia's 4th District...

But seriously, he did clarify it as a metaphor:

“I wasn’t suggesting that the island of Guam would literally tip over,” said Johnson. “I was using a metaphor to say that with the addition of 8,000 Marines and their dependents – an additional 80,000 people during peak construction to the port on the tiny island with a population of 180,000 – could be a tipping point which would adversely affect the island’s fragile ecosystem and over burden its already overstressed infrastructure."

But in this day and age of sound bites, politicians should choose their words--especially when on video--a little more carefully, I think. Now, he looks pretty foolish.

jennontheisland · Apr 1, 2010

Move a little to the left Rob and it won't be a problem at all.

Lost World · Apr 2, 2010

Metaphor or not, it's apparent that this guy is pitifully stupid. How about those congressional approval ratings!

billythrilly7th · Apr 2, 2010

The General could barely stop himself from laughing.

But I do believe he was using a metaphor.

What a stupid one though.

It's amazing the level of stupidity that we have infecting the United States Congress.

Gregg · Apr 2, 2010

Is he bucking for Joe Biden's job?

It almost sounded to me that he had a few too many martinis at lunch.

Siddow · Apr 2, 2010

Why not? That's what happened to Atlantis.

<<<<<lives in GA, in shame.

Zoombie · Apr 2, 2010

Am I the only one who doesn't think that's a very stupid metaphor?

I mean...it makes sense to me.

Gregg · Apr 2, 2010

The Congressman was nearly incoherent. First the troops might capsize the island, then he brings up an issue with global warming.
Huh?

And what was that business with the shape of the island? If it was round maybe it wouldn't capsize? But because it's might be shaped like a peanut there's a problem?

He certainly didn't look like he was trying to make a joke.

blacbird · Apr 2, 2010

robeiae said:
But in this day and age of sound bites, politicians should choose their words--especially when on video--a little more carefully, I think.

As should some of us here. Probably a good thing AW doesn't have a video option.

But, yeah, it was a dumb metaphor. And the timing . . . uhhhhh . . . APRIL FIRST . . . wasn't exactly ideal, either.

caw

robeiae · Apr 3, 2010

It happened on the 25th of March, actually. It would have looked better for him if it had been the 1st, I guess.

StephanieFox · Apr 3, 2010

I used to work on Capitol Hill and I saw several guys like this. The staff ran the office and the district. The congressmen were not even able to hold a conversation or find their way through a door without help. We were required to treat this as normal.

They are not stupid, but were suffering from early dementia. I don't know if that's the case with this guy.

Island of Guam to tip over...

robeiae

Touch and go

jennontheisland

the world is at my command

Lost World

He'll NEVER fit in!

billythrilly7th

Gregg

Life is good

Siddow

I'm super! Thanks for asking

Zoombie

Dragon of the Multiverse

Gregg

Life is good

blacbird

robeiae

Touch and go

StephanieFox

Maybull the Bulldog