In the category of WTF? Georgia Dem: Guam crowded, might "capsize"

[Perky]

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) is a lawyer not a geologist -- but even that can't explain why he thinks Guam will tip over and capsize if the Marines station new troops on the Pacific outpost.

The Navy's Pacific Commander, Admiral Robert Willard, was testifying before a House Appropriations Subcommittee on March 25th, requesting more money for base infrastructure on Guam when Johnson, who represents Atlanta, began quizzing him about the square mileage of the island and its shore-to-shore dimensions.

(It's possible this is an elaborate April Fool's joke, but the hearing did actually take place and the admiral's reaction appears genuine.)

JOHNSON: It's a small island, about 24 miles if, I recall, long?... About seven miles wide at the least widest on the island... I don't know how many square miles that is, do you happen to know?

WILLARD: I don't have that figure, sir. I could certainly supply it to you if you'd like.

JOHNSON: My fear is that, uh, that the whole island will become so overly populated that it will tip over and, uh, capsize. (tilts hands to demonstrate how an island might capsize)




And there is video as well... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNZczIgVXjg&feature=player_embedded




WILLARD: (trying to suppress a smile): We don't anticipate that...

[Jennicut]

1. What?! He actually asked if it would capsize?

:rofl:

[liberal N proud]

2. Roflmao

:rofl:

[LiberalFighter]

3. He has a few loose bricks in his brain.

[Odin2005]

4. ROFLMAO!

[conscious evolution]

5. And people voted Cynthia McKinney out for this idiot? nt

[Perky]

6. No they voted Cynthia McKinney out because of Cynthia McKinney

[ellenfl]

8. i think someone should test the water in that district! eom

[conscious evolution]

12. you really believe that?

Someday you may wake up.I hope its not too late when you do.

[Perky]

35. I absolutely believe she was the reson she lost her seat.

People in the District were tired of the drama queen and conspired to primary her. That is what happened.

[conscious evolution]

37. And how do you know

what the people of her district thought about her?
I know that the vast majority of my nieghbors and friends supported and voted for her.Quite a few of us went door to door for her.There wasn't very many people who had bad things to say about her in my nieghborhood.
How many of her constituents did you personally meet that had bad things to say about her?

[Perky]

40. Because I used to live in the district

I am well aversed in Decatur- DeKalb politcs I lived in Decatur Chambles, Tucker and Dunwoody. My Brother in Law was a Congressional Aide for Denise Majette her in DC and I still know lots of people on the east side of Atlanta including several current and former County commissioners and folks in the legal profession who live and breather county political intrigue.

[emilyg]

29. Bingo.

[hack89]

7. Figure of speach - what's the big deal? nt

[Perky]

9. Did you watch the Video?

[hack89]

13. Yes. nt

[Imajika]

10. Please explain the figure of speech to me?

I'd like to know what the words "tip over" and "capsize" really meant here?

[hack89]

14. Over crowded boat tips over - over crowded island tips over.

it is not that complicated - I have certainly heard that saying more than once or twice in my life. I actually heard it on Guam when I was in the Navy - a local was complaining how crowded the island was getting.

[Imajika]

16. You do realize islands can't tip over right?

I am beginning to think you, like the Congressman, don't understand that Islands are connected to the sea floor.

Please explain to me how Guam could tip over?

[hack89]

17. And people don't explode when they eat too much

and people's heads don't explode trying to wrap their minds around things they can't understand. Andcats and dogs can't fall from the clouds when it rains.

Do you understand the term figure of speech?

[Imajika]

20. A figure of speech for what?

What is suggesting that Guam may capsize a figure of speech for?

[hack89]

21. Overcrowding.

didn't you read the OP?

[AngryAmish]

23. Then why was Hawaii destroyed a few weeks ago?

It was tipped over by the tsunami.

[Forkboy]

26. LOL

[xxqqqzme]

22. It is not a free floating structure.

"...Guam lies between 13.2°N and 13.7°N and between 144.6°E and 145.0°E, and has an area of 212 square miles (549 km2), making it the 32nd largest island of the United States. It is the southernmost and largest island in the Mariana island chain and is also the largest island in Micronesia. This island chain was created by the colliding Pacific and Philippine Sea tectonic plates. Guam is the closest land mass to the Mariana Trench, a deep subduction zone, that lies beside the island chain to the east. Challenger Deep, the deepest surveyed point in the Oceans, is southwest of Guam at 35,797 feet (10,911 m) deep. The highest point in Guam is Mount Lamlam, which is 1,332 feet (406 m)..."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guam

figure of speech - :eyes:

[hack89]

25. No fucking shit

and cats and dogs can't fall from rain clouds. And people can't grow as large as horses. And over eating at Thanksgiving won't make you explode.

Look up hyperbole as one of the form of "figure of speech" - you will find it educational.

[snooper2]

15. you are being serious aren't you?

:rofl:

[hack89]

18. Do you understand the phrase figure of speech?

or do you think:

Nervous people have butterflies in their stomach?
That people can explode when they eat to much?
That cats and dogs can fall from the sky when it rains?
That people's head routinely explode?
Are there people actually older than the hills?
That people sate extreme hunger by eating horses?

It is call hyperbole.

[snooper2]

24. Anybody who watches the video knows that wasn't what he was trying to imply

The guy just made a fool out of himself..why you so die hard to defend these idiotic comments?

Your spin is Rush worthy though, will give you that :)

[hack89]

27. I just dislike the reflective drive to hate and demean opponents

that is so common here - the drive that always assumes the worse and routinely makes mountains out of molehills.

What really pisses me off is the reflexive instinct to tar anyone that refuses to fall into lockstep as some RW stooge. Independent thought and the ability to see both sides of the situation is both mature and progressive in my world.

[dmallind]

28. Well I know many

But none about capsizing islands when overcrowding occurs. Raining cats and dogs and exploding from too much turkey are figures of speech because they are commnly used even clichéd metaphors. I'm a pretty widely read guy who grew up in an island nation and I've never come across this "figure of speech".

[hack89]

30. So now you have learned a new one

look - I know how badly you what to make this repuke look like a fool. But do you really think anyone really thinks that islands can tip over? Or are you perhaps willing to accept that your life experiences are not the gold standard that all others are judged by and because you have never heard that particular figure of speech before doesn't constitute proof that no one anywhere in America does use it?

[dmallind]

33. A) He's mnot a Rep b) No I haven't learned a new one.

At the very best a new one has been attempted to be coined.

[Name removed]

38. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Hosnon]

31. I don't think it was meant as a figure of speech. Either I'm not good at picking up on such

things or he's not good at conveying them.

(Or he was being serious.)

[hack89]

39. I have a good sense of hyperbole

having worked with a bunch of drama queens.

You really think people believe islands can tip over? I don't.

[DRoseDARs]

44. Fucking amazing, isn't it?

Good God people, get a grip. :eyes:

[Teaser]

11. *facepalm*

.

[windbreeze]

19. I came here this morning...especially to see if this story had made it to DU...

he's from where? Mars?....I've been to Guam...and I can't see it tipping over..I cringed to think he's a Democrat, and is supposed to represent some of us....I'd say his statement sure didn't do much for our image, did it?....I would imagine that any island could capsize if there's a Tsunami, or huge earthquake.....but from stationing more troops there?...someone check this guy's mental facilities please...and retire him, because obviously he is NOT in any condition to continue in his position....now it if had been April 1st when he said it, he maybe could have covered his backside..LOL...wb

[Zynx]

32. I think that some people here don't appreciate hyperbole.

[hack89]

36. In retrospect - may explain why people are so quick to be offended

here at DU - no sense of nuance and perspective.

[phleshdef]

34. Watched the video. He was trying to make a joke. It fell flat.

[kestrel91316]

43. He sure didn't look like he was joking. He looked like he was struggling to get

Neuron #1 to hook up to Neuron #2.

[Zynx]

45. Some people have awful delivery.

[kestrel91316]

46. Being in Congress REQUIRES good public speaking (and thinking) skills.

IMHO they are basic job requirements.

[kestrel91316]

41. What am embarrassment. Time to resign, doofus.

[babylonsister]

42. And that's why there are hardly any Dems in GA. nt

[one-eyed fat man]

47. Congressman Johnson was born in 1954

That would make him post 'Brown v Board of Education' when he got to school. But it is Georgia, so was he star athlete in school and got passing grades to keep him on the team? A fine product of the best union teachers in public education? How did this guy get to law school? A glowing example of affirmative action?

No child left behind?? Hell it looks like he didn't even know there was a bus stop. He makes Jethro from the Beverly Hillbillies look like a Nobel laureate.

Any poor sap in a Georgia prison wanting appeal only need to to show that YouTube clip to argue that he wasn't represented by competent counsel.

[HughMoran]

48. I watched the video earlier today - he was not joking

Please don't make excuses for this buffoon.