Your morning jolt: Hank Johnson and a ‘capsizing’ Guam
Let’s be clear: The video below is not an April Fool’s Day prank.
Last Thursday morning, at a House Armed Services Committee meeting, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Decatur) was questioning Robert Willard, commander of the U.S. fleet in the Pacific, about the impact of more American troops on the tiny, tiny island of Guam.
Johnson went into tortuous detail about just how tiny Guam is.
And then he said this:
“My fear is that the whole island will become so overly populated that it will tip over and capsize.”
Johnson’s office said the boss is simply a tremendous deadpan — and that he was using a facetious metaphor. (More on that below) But the admiral didn’t know that, and played it straight:
“We don’t anticipate that. The Guam population, I think, currently about 175,000, and again, with 8,000 marines and their families, it’s an addition of about 25,000 more into the population.”
Either way, talk radio is having a field day with this today:
Just in case you still think you may be a victim of the day, the Johnson video comes from the video feed of the House Armed Services Committee web site. His questioning of the admiral begins at about the 1:31 mark.
Here’s a formal response from Johnson, via his spokesman:
“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.
“Having traveled to Guam last year, I saw firsthand how this beautiful – but vulnerable island – is already overburdened, and I was simply voicing my concerns that the addition of that many people could tip the delicate balance and do harm to Guam.”
Next time, Johnson might want to smile when he says that.
Down on the coast, U.S. Rep. John Barrow continues to explain his vote against the Obama health care law. The Democrat had an op-ed in Wednesday’s Savannah Morning News that included this paragraphs:
Here’s what my vote came down to: I thought the legislation was going to cost working folks too much money in increased taxes, and I didn’t think it was going to do enough to make the insurance companies change their stripes. It also threatens to overwhelm Medicaid in rural areas, because it’s going to grow the number of patients on Medicaid at the very time that health care providers are dropping Medicaid patients.
I wholeheartedly support the goal of extending coverage to those who can’t afford it, and growing Medicaid is a key feature of that goal. But over 100,000 people will be joining a system here in Georgia that’s already at its limits. We have to fix Medicaid before we grow it, or we’re going to break it. It won’t break down everywhere, and it won’t be obvious where it has broken down: When doctors no longer take Medicaid patients, the rest of us won’t notice. Only the ones we thought we were helping will notice. They’ll have a card, but it won’t do them any good.
The Republican attempt to impeach Attorney General Thurbert Baker for his refusal to obey Gov. Sonny Perdue’s directive to file a legal challenge to the new health care law hit cable TV on Wednesday.
State Rep. Mark Hatfield (R-Waycross), sponsor of the impeachment resolution, was on Fox News, of course:
Just as predictably, Baker was interviewed by Chris Matthews on MSNBC’s “Hardball.” There was this exchange:
Matthews: Why does the governor of your state think the civil rights bill was constitutional, using interstate commerce – or would he have said that? Or would he be doing the same thing back then if he were governor? I’m asking a tough question. Is he playing the same game that people played back then?
Baker: I can’t attribute any motives to this governor. But let me say this: since 1937, this country has been very clear through our U.S. Supreme Court – that Congress has a very, very expansive commerce-clause power.
Here’s the video:
There’s been talk that the impeachment attempt will bolster Baker’s Democratic campaign for governor. A bit of proof is this Wednesday statement from the Rev. Joe Lowery, the civil rights patriarch, in support of the attorney general:
” The nation needs strong leaders to call for calm and sensible reaction to controversial legislative and political action, as well as common sense in refusing to throw Georgia tax monies after risky causes, for history has shown futility of using ’states’ rights’ to defy federal law.
“We respectfully urge civic and religious leaders to speak out for calm — not merely politicians, particularly from those who lose with bitterness and rancor. I commend Attorney General Thurbert Baker for exercising courage in not throwing away tax money. Reckless rhetoric from whatever source can only lead to irresponsible behavior. We need statesmen who will honor and oversee the public trust toward the goodwill of our cities, states and country.”
Senate Democratic Leader Robert Brown of Macon says his Republican colleagues are using threats to persuade Democrats to support a $169 million hospital bed tax.
“Democrats across the state were threatened today by Republican leadership — vote for the tax increase or we will kill funding for your local projects,” Brown said in a statement released Wednesday evening.
Brown said GOP leadership targeted historically black colleges and university projects, naming the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center in Albany as one of the targets.
“Why do you need to shake down the Democrats when you hold the majority? Pass your own tax increase. Don’t hide behind us,” said Brown.
HB 307, the hospital bed tax, is on the Senate calendar for today. The minority leader thinks that the threats indicate a split in Republican ranks over the tax.
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter.
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241 comments Add your comment
really
April 1st, 2010
9:08 am
What the desperados at the state capitol have done is given Thurbert Baker all the earned media he needed to bump his numbers up in the polls. They are really gonna be sorry in November. What idiots! Shooting their own foot off because they are so bent on being right! Georgia consistently tries to be on the wrong side of history. They can’t seem to grasp reality–voters may not want healthcare but they sure don’t want their tax dollars wasted on crazy impeachment attempts. The more than 30 legislators that signed this impeachment legislation should have targets on their back. Where is our transportation, water and jobs legislation? Where is the strong ethics legislation? I know my vote will count heavily on their actions–not their rhetoric!
Junior Samples
April 1st, 2010
9:19 am
True.
Surprised
April 1st, 2010
9:22 am
Well, I’m looking forward to seeing what the usual left-leaning commentators have to say about Hank Johnson. For as much as they call Republicans idiots, none of them, George II included, could be as moronic as Democratic Rep. Hank Johnson.
The Dogfighter Returns
April 1st, 2010
9:28 am
Hank was momentarily in “la la ” land. Poor guy. Maybe his illness is more serious that anyone imagined.
Clearly the man is exhibiting signs of mental instability.
What a gift to Jones.
An Island capsizing?
“we don’t anticipate that happening” No Sh#t.
Georgia Conservative
April 1st, 2010
9:28 am
Incredible. How dumb can Hank Johnson be? His constituents shun run, not walk, to vote this guy out of office.
On the impeachment front: of course this is politics. Should Baker be acting against this Federal overstep? Sure, he should. Are Republicans giving him what he needs to make King Roy spend some of his campaign war chest before November? Absolutely.
On the hospital tax front, here’s an idea. Don’t vote for the tax AND kill the spending for the special projects (both for Republicans and Democrats). Taxpayers are gagging on all of this pork.
Georgia Conservative
April 1st, 2010
9:30 am
Er, that’s “should” not “shun.”
Kevin
April 1st, 2010
9:30 am
Congressmen are supposed to represent their districts. I think Mr. Johnson represents Georgia’s 4th to the letter.
Doug Patterson
April 1st, 2010
9:32 am
Hank Johnson is a IDIOT! But unfortunately he is a shining example of what we elect to Congress. John Lewis, Henry Waxman, Nancy Pelosi, etc. Now if a Republican had said that it would be reported all over the media!
Marko
April 1st, 2010
9:32 am
Johnson was better than McKinney, but his time to go is now.
After his racist explaination of why Joe Wilson shouting “You lie” was racist, I am done with him. I will vote for whoever has the best chance of unseating him in the primary. I just hope that’s not Vernon Jones because it looks like his administration will be costing DeKalb millions in descrimination settlements.
OLD CONSERATIVE HERE
April 1st, 2010
9:33 am
These are indeed the people who are making our laws. Unbelievable. Time for a restructure and I do mean a restructure.
®Evil » Blog Archive » ®Evil News: Politicians
April 1st, 2010
9:38 am
[...] Headline: Hank Johnson and a ‘capsizing’ Guam [...]
Guy Incognito
April 1st, 2010
9:40 am
Later Hank said he fears people leaving California because that would mean the East Coast will tip into the Atlantic
Doug
April 1st, 2010
9:40 am
At the risk of stating the obvious, isn’t it likely that Rep. Johnson was using a “metaphor,” defined thusly in dictionary.com:
met·a·phor
/ˈmɛtəˌfɔr, -fər/
–noun
1.
a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.”
I suspect Johnson was suggesting that the island’s resources would be overtaxed with the additional personnel. Right or wrong, it’s a bit silly to suggest that any pol — right or left — who uses a metaphor is a dope.
jules
April 1st, 2010
9:41 am
Don’t look now but Johnson’s career just capsized – I wouldn’t let him bag my dang groceries, and now that racist Vernon Jones has a good shot at the seat. When will we have strong representation in Dekalb county? At least Cynthia McKinney is gone.
John Konop
April 1st, 2010
9:42 am
You might find this interesting from the military. The military does think GW is an issue with islands.
….U.S. intelligence officials are drafting a national intelligence assessment that will list those countries thought to be most vulnerable to sea-level rises and political instability resulting from global warming, said Michele Brunngraber, an intelligence official in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
The assessment, which is expected to be finished by late spring or early summer, will take a more detailed, geographic look at the national security implications of global warming than a report released in May 2007 by a panel of retired U.S. three- and four-star generals and admirals, Brunngraber said April 9 during a panel discussion at the National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo. National intelligence assessments tend to be less quantitative than the better known national intelligence estimates, she said after her talk.
It is not just low-lying, developing countries that need to be thinking about the possible physical implications of rising sea levels, said former Army official Ray Clark, who as an assistant Army secretary from 1999 through 2001 was responsible for caring for the Army’s 2,000 installations around the world.
“If we don’t find some ways to mitigate [the effects of global warming] … this next round of base closures is going to be really a terror,” Clark said.
For instance, suppose U.S. officials decide to consolidate facilities at Guam, he said. “Do we have a clue as to how many years we have until rising sea water affects that?” Clark said.
Clark said the next U.S. presidential administration should create a new secretary of environment and energy to get those agencies working together to curb global warming instead of at cross purposes. But he said military officials will need to adapt to warming because its effects are coming faster than efforts to curb warming…..
http://www.c4isrjournal.com/story.php?F=3473887
jules
April 1st, 2010
9:43 am
No Doug – Johnson is a dumb !#$ incapable of speaking clearly, much less communicating an appropriate metaphor.
Disenfranchised
April 1st, 2010
9:45 am
Hank Johnson is obviously impaired by illness, incapacity, or lack of ability. It’s no different than the majority of those idiots, and many of them obviously spend their days in a haze of drugs, alcohol, or grand delusions.
Mitzymy
April 1st, 2010
9:46 am
What do these people want? Do they want health care for all, or do they want to tie everyone and their tax dollars up in litigation for the rest of the centry. Get over it, if you didn’t want healthcare reform, you lost, let’s go on to something else more meaningful, like more jobs.
Look before I leap
April 1st, 2010
9:47 am
Vernon Jones running for the 4th???
Say it ain’t so!
As crooked as he was as Dekalb’s CEO, can you imagine just how much more crooked he will be once he is on the federal teat?
Look before I leap
April 1st, 2010
9:53 am
Dekalb will have decent representation in Congress when its citizens stop voting for people simply based on skin color.
Vote for someone who can actually represent us and get the job done without regard to skin color. Vote for someone with integrity and intelligence be they black, white, purple or green.
conservative democrat
April 1st, 2010
9:54 am
Let’s give Hank the benefit of the doubt…at least he’s not Cynthia McKinney! It was just a joke. I didn’t say it was funny, but surely he wasn’t serious.
Kevin
April 1st, 2010
9:55 am
Doug, your response was a bit condescending, don’t you think? I’m quite confident the readers of this site understand what a metaphor is and, more importantly, when the technique is or is not being used.
But I’ll play along with your game:
id·i·ot /ˈɪdiət/ Show Spelled[id-ee-uht]
–noun
1.an utterly foolish or senseless person.
2.Psychology. a person of the lowest order in a former classification of mental retardation, having a mental age of less than three years old and an intelligence quotient under 25.
Used in a sentence: Hank Johnson and Doug are both idiots.
joe
April 1st, 2010
9:57 am
I heard this on the radio, and perhaps thought that he was exaggerating or using a metaphor for overpopulating Guam… but as I see the video, the Rep actually leans his body to emphasize his concern for the island actually tipping.
.
Then, Notice the Admiral hold his laughter and the lady smiling at the his remarks..
.
Did he not go over his questions with aids? Maybe the aids are too scared to say, “sir, islands do not tip over”
.
.
Aksarben
April 1st, 2010
9:58 am
Yank Hank in 2010 … and Jones is running for Senate, I thought … but perhaps I’m mistaken.
CrazyInGA
April 1st, 2010
10:01 am
Actaully Hank is correct, 25,000 more people to a place like Guam is like having a boat over capacity. How would you like 25,000 more people in your community? Shall I say – our schools are already over crowded, traffic is a mess and they can’t stop cutting down trees to build more houses. I feel sorry for the people of Guam, God please have mercy on them.
Rep. Mark Hatfield on with Neil Cavuto — Peach Pundit
April 1st, 2010
10:06 am
[...] Jim Galloway notes this morning, state Representative Mark Hatfield was on Your World with Neil Cavuto yesterday on FOX News to [...]
atlpaddy
April 1st, 2010
10:06 am
How can you expect morons who think Sarah Palin is a ‘leader’ to understand that he was speaking metaphorically? Heck, most of these Fox News idiots can’t even read the menu board at a McDonald’s drive-thu.
Guy Incognito
April 1st, 2010
10:09 am
Those of you who believe that HJ was joking, I know who you voted for, and it merely reaffirms how B.O.(pew, try some deodorant) was elected
lmno
April 1st, 2010
10:10 am
While I am sure that Hank was just trying for effect, it is odd that we are sending so many troops to Guam. I know one of them. I asked him why he was going there. “I don’t know” he replied.
YardDawg
April 1st, 2010
10:11 am
Hank is a true representative of his constituents. Remember, these constituents were once proudly represented by the honorable Mrs. McKinney.
Joan
April 1st, 2010
10:12 am
Hank Johnson is an idiot and those who say he was using a metaphor are fools. Why can’t the 4th find a capable black person. We know it won’t elect a white due the the racist composition of its black population. But why can’t we find a capable black person???
wkeef
April 1st, 2010
10:18 am
This may have been deadpanhumor but he also showed his ignorance by being unable to determine the square miles of Guak. Just multiply 12×7 Hank.
wkeef
April 1st, 2010
10:19 am
Excuse me Hank as I showed my inability to spel or maybe typel. It is Guam.
wkeef
April 1st, 2010
10:20 am
I don’t proof read either.
Hank
April 1st, 2010
10:25 am
Gwammm really be sinkin’. Dat’s da trut
librarygirlatl
April 1st, 2010
10:26 am
I don’t think Hank Johnson is smart enough to know what dead-panning is. Obviously, his spokesperson is smarter, more articulate, and knows how to spin things better than he does.
bozo
April 1st, 2010
10:27 am
Maybe they are afraid to drill for oil because they think the continents will sink.
Stephen
April 1st, 2010
10:30 am
Anyone who says he was using a metaphor is being intellectually dishonest, or they’re just plain stupid. Watch the video…the man literally pantomimes a boat capsizing (w/ his hand). He’s not being deep, or trying to speak on the taxing of the islands resources, or social services. This guy had LOST IT. Be it from his illness, the medications he’s taking, or whatever, this is embarassing…and he should be recalled and removed from office, before he starts ranting about some other nonsense. Yet another shining example of what voting based on ‘he look like me’ gets you.
Moleman
April 1st, 2010
10:33 am
How dumb is Hank Johnson, doesn’t he realize the military can solve that problem by distributing it’s forces evenly around the island instead of just in one spot? That way it won’t tip over!
null
April 1st, 2010
10:38 am
Are Hank Johnson and Reilly Martin related?
Avery Bundren
April 1st, 2010
10:38 am
Leave it to some South Georgia cracker (Hatfield) to bring Georgia back into the Confederacy. Perhaps we could fire on Ft. Sumter again or its equivalent. What’s wrong with this state?
clem
April 1st, 2010
10:43 am
Listen, all you idiots. Johnson was just being facetious. Maybe the joke fell flat, but he knows the island is not going to tip over. Lighten up!
And Chris Matthews, of course Perdue would have fought civil rights legislation as unconstitutional back then just like every other southern politician did. This fight over healthcare is reminiscent of that time.
Robert
April 1st, 2010
10:44 am
How did Haiti stay afloat after it cracked?
Old guy
April 1st, 2010
10:44 am
I watched the video and Representative Johnson did not appear to be making a joke or using a metaphor. If he was then he is the most deadpan comedian I have ever seen and is in the wrong line of work. He could make more money as an entertainer than as a member of congress. I think one of the most helpful things we could do is to amend the Constitution to add term limits for congressmen and senators. How about 3 terms (6 years total) for congressmen and 2 terms (12 years total) for senators. And include a provision that would prohibit a person who has served in either house of Congress from running for the other house. Let’s eliminate the “permanent” congress person.
kimmer
April 1st, 2010
10:46 am
Sorry but I just looked at the tape. He did not appear to be deadpanning and he nor speaking metaphorically. If that was his intent, which I doubt, he did a very poor job of it. So I am left with he is either worst case a fool or best case he made himself look like a fool. Intensely embarrassing to those he represents either way.
The good admiral didn’t do himself any image favors either by remaining in the congressional rear kissing mode. He should have asked the congressman a clarifying question then politely set him straight.
DawgDad
April 1st, 2010
10:48 am
“What do these people want? Do they want health care for all, or do they want to tie everyone and their tax dollars up in litigation for the rest of the centry. Get over it, if you didn’t want healthcare reform, you lost, let’s go on to something else more meaningful, like more jobs.”
Maybe, just maybe, if the Dem’s would have lead with action on the people’s top priority (the economy) instead of health care changes few wanted and most despise (read the polls) they wouldn’t have ticked off half of the population to the brink of open tax rebellion. Fixing the economy runs counter the Dem agenda, so I guess we won’t ever see any real action on that. Creating government jobs will NOT fix the economy. Cutting taxes and government spending and incentivizing private investment in America will. A vote for the Baker’s and Johnson’s and Barnes’ of the world is a vote for more decay.
JD in Marietta
April 1st, 2010
10:50 am
Is there not 1 intelligent person capable of running against Hank Johnson in the 4th district? There must be something in the water in Dekalb when you keep electing the likes of Cynthia McKinney, then Hank Johnson, and unfortunately maybe that knucklehead racist Vernon Jones…..
d2
April 1st, 2010
10:52 am
Maybe with all the lobbyist, Georgia Power lobbyist, Altanta gas and Light Lobbyist, BCBS lobbyist, and the inflated weight of the General Assemblies egos, and the weight of worthless paperwork on stupid bills will cause the Gold Dome to plunge in the ground. I like the capize theory. Maybe it can apply to a big sink hole for these stupid lawmakers in the General ASSembly.
joop
April 1st, 2010
10:54 am
FYI, There are jokes that don’t end with “you might be a redneck.”
Scooter (the Original)
April 1st, 2010
10:59 am
Yeah, and Sheila Jackson Lee asked if the mars rover took pictures of the U.S. Flag that Armstrong planted in 1969.
Candidate Barack Obama said he would US the UN Security Council to reprimand Russia for their invasion of Georgia. Well, you would think a constitutional law Professor would know Russia can veto anything in the Security Council.
NOW, reading HJ’s apologists makes me think of what George W. Bush once said; Democrats practice the soft bigotry of low expectations… enough said!
Scooter (the Original)
April 1st, 2010
10:59 am
Make that use, not US
Whacks Eloquent
April 1st, 2010
11:02 am
If Hank Johnson was just using dry humor, that man is in the wrong job! He needs to be on World Series of Poker…
Meanwhile, anything that helps Thurbert Baker usurp votes away from Roy Barnes is a very good thing!
lmno
April 1st, 2010
11:06 am
Its a shame that his comment made the news, but his point didn’t.
WHY ARE WE SENDING A BUNCH OF TROOPS TO GUAM?
Buster Lhode
April 1st, 2010
11:07 am
I know where Johnson’s coming from. I remember back in the ’70s during spring break, thousands of students congregated on West beach in Galveston. It got so raucous that all that dancing and boom boxes caused an earthquake in downtown Galveston and thousands were killed. It created a tsunami that wiped out half of Texas City. It was horrible.
Cobb
April 1st, 2010
11:13 am
How embarrassing! He needs to go and take John Lewis with him!!!!!!
NotSchooledInGa
April 1st, 2010
11:14 am
Judging from the level of commentary here, Hank isn’t the problem. And, lets be honest, none of the reps in GA, fed or state, could be confused as intellectuals.
Mrs. White&Black
April 1st, 2010
11:15 am
@Kevin-It’s obvious “Doug” got under your skin…instead of simply posting an intelligent response you had to take a dig at him, as if you’re a child. Quite pathetic. Instead of being concerned about jobs/schools all you posters are typing more or less the same exact comments,”Hank is an idiot, Hank is this, Hank is that.” Grow up. A bunch of ppl just name calling an pointing fingers, and you wonder how these “idiot” politicians are in office not realizing that YOU PPL VOTED THEM IN.
David Granger
April 1st, 2010
11:19 am
In Representative Johnson’s defense…even worrying that Guam might tip over and sink…he replaced Cynthia McKinney, so the IQ for that congressional seat is MUCH higher now.
Liam
April 1st, 2010
11:24 am
What was important in this article is the fact that the “south georgia cracker” (and 30 of his colleagues) does not understand why the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government are seperate. I learned that in the 6th grade…
Who cares what an insignificant representatives said or meant??? We need to be focusing on who these other 30 clowns are that support the “south georgia cracker.”
James
April 1st, 2010
11:27 am
Dumb, dumber, and dumbest…all three wrapped into one! But the Dem’s want you to believe that he’s smarter than Palin and Bush! lol Even a fifth grader would be embarrassed by this moron!
jim crow
April 1st, 2010
11:27 am
Rep. Johnson is a good metaphor of the reality that all men are not born equal.
oldtimer
April 1st, 2010
11:29 am
Boy, am I glad he does not represent ME!!!!He makes D. Scott look like a brain.
maryanne
April 1st, 2010
11:30 am
The level of ignorance in this state is overwhelming, and that includes our legislators.
Rep. Hank Johnson worries island may tip over | Fresh Loaf
April 1st, 2010
11:30 am
[...] Johnson says he meant “tip over” as a metaphor. Yeah, okay. var linkwithin_site_id = 36181; (function () { var elem = [...]
Kurt
April 1st, 2010
11:32 am
Voting districts are drawn and redrawn to make sure people like Hank Johnson are “elected”. And Kevin, I couldn’t agree with you more. He represents his district, and several others, to a “T”. And people wonder why our country is in the shape it’s in.
Jack Stilton
April 1st, 2010
11:32 am
Maybe Hank Johnson could help Rep Sheila Jackson Lee find that flag we left on Mars in 69!
Pretty simple dumb people elect dumb people!
b6542
April 1st, 2010
11:39 am
Population density of Manhattan Island
71,078 per square mile
Population density of Guam
830 per square mile
Bring on the Marines….it is not going to tip over or sink!!!!
Kurt
April 1st, 2010
11:41 am
And guy incognito, there’s no doubt who they voted for. But they didn’t have to hear him speak or know anything about his (lack of)qualifications, all they had to do was see his picture and he was thier man!!
Richard in Omaha
April 1st, 2010
11:49 am
Unbelievable! And we are paying this guy $174,000 in the US House of Representatives?
First Cynthia McKinney and now this loser? Aren’t there any intelligent people in Georgia?
Morons
April 1st, 2010
11:50 am
This guy is a moron!!! Is it bad that he is still better than Cynthia “Do You Know Who I’m Is” McKinney, Though? If you listen to the audio he sounds like he is falling asleep while he is talking. How do these people get elected??????????
stinky sullivan
April 1st, 2010
11:51 am
Maybe we should bring back Cynthia?
Gulp.
SS
Morons
April 1st, 2010
11:53 am
Kevin,
I hate to say it, but he does represent the stereotypical 4th district constituent!!
GaBlue
April 1st, 2010
11:54 am
Metaphors are lost on some people. Common sense on others. Please write your state representatives and tell them how you feel about wasting YOUR tax dollars (and their time, which equals your tax dollars) on a frivilous lawsuit, or on punishing someone with too much common sense to file a frilolous lawsuit. There are more pressing issues that require their attention, and partisan stunts should be at the BOTTOM of the list. Thanks!
CrazyInGA
April 1st, 2010
11:56 am
You’re correct, dumb people elect dumb people and George W. Bush was definitely dumb. His supporters were Dumb and many are just plain stupid. To make it worse, many support Sarah Palin who makes George W. Bush look SMART.
And Stupid is as Stupid does.
David S
April 1st, 2010
11:57 am
Hank is an idiot. His vote in favor of Obama care should prove that clearly.
That having been said, why in the hell are we still in Guam???
Do they not deserve to be rid of us and free again? If they set up a base with 8000 Guam citizens in the US would we not be pissed?
We have no money, the empire is broke, our foreign policy yields more outrage than security. It is time to bring the troops home to protect and defend America.
Ron Paul is right.
Guam in Danger of Tipping Over, Says Congressman at Deceiver.com
April 1st, 2010
11:57 am
[...] office is reportedly claiming that he is “a tremendous deadpan.” Well, in that case, he needs to take his show on the road, because Washington doesn’t [...]
Jason
April 1st, 2010
12:03 pm
“State Rep. Mark Hatfield (R-Waycross), sponsor of the impeachment resolution, was on Fox News, of course.”
Galloway: People think you are a fool and a lapdog of the DemonCrats so why do you add the “…of course” to your statement regarding Rep. Hatfield’s interview on FOX. What we thought IS true, OF COURSE: you are an fool (and a lapdog).
Jason
@ Doug Patterson
April 1st, 2010
12:05 pm
Doug Patterson
Hank Johnson is a IDIOT! But unfortunately he is a shining example of what we elect to Congress. John Lewis, Henry Waxman, Nancy Pelosi, etc. Now if a Republican had said that it would be reported all over the media!
It is being reported all over the media you IDIOT. This thing that you’re reading this morning is called a NEWSPAPER.
CAN'T WAIT TIL 2012
April 1st, 2010
12:07 pm
What an idiot ? This guy has no clue, and to think people actually voted Hank Johnson into congress, its just beyond me. I hope the voters put some one in office that does not belong on the looney tunes.
Whacks Eloquent
April 1st, 2010
12:07 pm
SS, thankfully in 2008 McKinney moved to California – where she belongs! Bet she has lots of fun with Maxine Waters…
GaBlue
April 1st, 2010
12:12 pm
“…why in the hell are we still in Guam???”
Hey Sparky, Guam is a US territory. That means it IS America. We have to protect what’s ours, especially given the island’s strategic location in the Pacific. D’OH!!!
A Realist
April 1st, 2010
12:13 pm
Hank Johnston’s an idiot, pure and simple……Thurbert Baker was strong armed by the White House Mafia Thugs……John Barrow, even though you’re a Democrat, I applaud you for your “NO” vote.
Hank, you’re right, something’s gonna sink and it’s gonna be America if idiot’s like you don’t stop spending money we don’t have.
Dawggy Style
April 1st, 2010
12:17 pm
After watching the Hank Johnson video, about all I can say is thank God he isn’t the one in charge of the Pacific Fleet!!
Joan
April 1st, 2010
12:19 pm
Hey, I am in the 4th District–but north, where people are a bit more intelligent than in the southern portion. The heavy population of blacks and academic liberals, and government employees in the south control who gets in Congress, and a white person hasn’t got a chance. If northern DeKalb could secede it would have done it long ago.
David
April 1st, 2010
12:25 pm
Republicans, whose main icons are Palin, Beck, and Limbaugh, hereby lose the right to criticize any Democrats speaking poorly until you clean up your own house.
CAN'T WAIT TIL 2012
April 1st, 2010
12:31 pm
To bad the Admiral was a true professioal, for it would have been hilarious if he had responded by saying not if they all don’t stand on the same side !
RW
April 1st, 2010
12:32 pm
I’ve always thought the (D) behind a Representative or Senator stood for Dumba$$. It does, does it not?
@David
Palin is no match when it comes to the stupid, iodiotic things Joe Biden has said.
Decatur Dude
April 1st, 2010
12:36 pm
Hank Johnson probably doesn’t want obese people to walk up Stone Mountain because the mountain may just tip over!
RW
April 1st, 2010
12:38 pm
Let’s match up Hank Johnson and Cynthia McKinney, and maybe Charlie Rangel and Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. They could compete against each other, and instead of American Idol, it could be “American Dumba$$”!
Jason T
April 1st, 2010
12:41 pm
You cannot call anyone a “racist” that calls this man an idiot. If he had been GREEN or PURPLE, and said this, he’d STILL be an IDIOT!
gsteinum
April 1st, 2010
12:42 pm
once you said, this is not an april fool’s joke – that’s when i started to think of ways you could pull off this april fool’s joke. faux noise has proven time and again they can alter video and sound believably . they’ve admitted it on air, and settled out of court on other occations as well. so is this really an april fools joke? maybe. maybe the man really said it, but didn’t mean it literally. his further statement appeared to be well informed, even though i personally don’t agree with it on many points. this is probably your cowardly way of calling a black man a fool. talk straight. don’t infer things. come out of the closet and say what ever bircher statements you believe in. be sure to stand behind the flag when you do so. (i’ll leave the choice of flag up to you.)
Get Real
April 1st, 2010
12:44 pm
It was no metaphor or joke…it was a true example of your dimocratic party. And, this guy is paid $174,000 tax payer dollars! But, my day has been great! I got up this morning feeling terrific…took an Obama, wiped my Pelosi and shook off my Reid and headed off to work so I could pay for some Socialist Dimocrat to sit on their Pelosi and get a free Government handout!
Zoe
April 1st, 2010
12:46 pm
This guy sounds like he needs a drug test. He’s proof that Affirmitive Action doesn’t always work.
Ted Striker
April 1st, 2010
12:47 pm
I don’t know anything about Rep. Johnson — however from watching the video it seemed very clear he was being facetious when he mentioned a “tipping point.” He even gave a bit of a wry smile when he said it.
What was more striking from watching the video was how ill-prepared Admiral Willard seemed to be. The Admiral, who may be a fine commander, didn’t even know the basic geographical dimensions and area of Guam. Someone didn’t provide him with what he should have had at his disposal.
Jason T
April 1st, 2010
12:48 pm
The party that keeps on giving, Charles Rangel, Shelia Jackson Lee, Cynthia McKinney, Maxine Waters, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Ted Kennedy and JR., Robert Byrd, John Edwards….and on and on. How in the hell can you say anything about Sarah Palin.
Stupified
April 1st, 2010
12:51 pm
Another moron in congress—he replaced another racist idiot, cynthia mckinney. And these people are the nation’s “leaders!” Any criticism–just play the race card — it always works!!!!
GaBlue
April 1st, 2010
12:52 pm
Perhaps if the schools in Georgia were properly funded and up to par, fewer people would be confounded by the use of a metaphorical expression. Perhaps more Georgians could speak in full sentences and formulate thoughts on their own instead of loudly repeating the same hate-filled, unsupported taunts under the false assumption that, if you say something loudly enough, and repeat it often, it might actually become the truth. Just a thought.
fanocox
April 1st, 2010
12:53 pm
all in all, it was a completely idiotic statement.. and I’ll bet he wishes he’d just not asked anything.. and its frightening to think this bonehead is on the armed services committee. But, dumb as he is.. he’s way better than Cynthia McKinney..
CarlosHawes
April 1st, 2010
1:02 pm
Don’t worry, we can move the extra Guam populace to one of our 57 states!!!!
Captain Midnight
April 1st, 2010
1:04 pm
David, please quote anthing that Rush,Beck or Palin has said that even comes close to this idiocy.
Got Stomach
April 1st, 2010
1:06 pm
We get it. Mr. Johnson’s faux pas is equivalent to Foley, Richardson, Deal, The Wide Stance Guy, The Nevada Falanderer, George Bush saying “nucular” “Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on duh.” and other rihteous Republicans who got caught in headlights Right?
Captain Midnight
April 1st, 2010
1:10 pm
Jimmy Carter call it “nucear”. That post about fat people on Stone Mountain was hilarious.
CarlosHawes
April 1st, 2010
1:12 pm
What did you expect from a member of a political party that thinks you can give health insurance to everyone while reducing insurance rates and the deficit? The next think you know they will be claiming that gun control causes crime to drop!
Bernard
April 1st, 2010
1:16 pm
I don’t believe that this many people believe that Hank actually thinks an island can capsize. Is this really the state of politics in America now. This man is a lawyer, is married to a lawyer, is a father, and owns his own law firm. He has served as a county court and state court judge.
If you think for a moment that he thinks an island might capsize, you are showing your own ignorance, and prejudice.
I'd give anything
April 1st, 2010
1:16 pm
As an unfortunate resident of the 4th district I wish I could explain why our residents have not got a clue. Apparenlty the offers of free something or another are much more effective than reason in elections. Just look at the past 20 years and you can see that. Even worse is the in your face corruption of Dekalb County. Sheriff shots replacement, CEO …. fill in the blank with what ever crime you can think of and the rest of the board.. surprised there isn’t a shortage of grease because it is all on thier hands. I really need to move somewhere were teachers don’t teach students lapdances and firefighters actually check to see if their was a fire. ARGHHHHHHHHH
General Sherman
April 1st, 2010
1:16 pm
For the record I want to know the type of drugs Congressman johnson is on or is he that stupid? Flip over my butt!
CarlosHawes
April 1st, 2010
1:16 pm
Google news shows less than 20 news outlets covering this. Meanwhile Dan Quayle misspells one word and is still the punchline for late night comics 20 years later? What’s up with that?
T-Bone
April 1st, 2010
1:17 pm
The main reason my family and I got out of Dekalb county before housing really tanked is lack of representation. While there Cynthia “Moonbat” McKinney represented us. Now you have yet another embarassment to deal with. His staff may try to cover this gaff but this is utter ignorance and really shows people that the Democrats aren’t as smart as they think they are. This is truly sad.
Guy Incognito
April 1st, 2010
1:22 pm
Hey Bernard.
I’ve heard him speak. Yes, he IS that dumb. Do not underestimate the power of affirmative action in regards to “advanced” degrees in college
Jason T
April 1st, 2010
1:25 pm
@ Guy
I’ve heard Hank Johnson speak too. It makes you really hurt “for him”.
CarlosHawes
April 1st, 2010
1:26 pm
Hey, but not to worry. These rocket scientists in Congress just “fixed” our health care system. I for one fell better now.
Allan LaBarre
April 1st, 2010
1:26 pm
OMG! Who elects these uneducated bozos?. Did he finish kindergarten? An island “tip-over”…give me a break…my 8-year old knows more about the structure of an island than this idiot. I’m now ashamed to admit that I live in Georgia.
The slide will continue
April 1st, 2010
1:29 pm
Well, they can’t say it’s racist to condemn him since his office has worn that card out and they can’t say it’s due to his illness since even THEY would have to admit he’s not fit to serve. Earlier I thought you reported they said it was his “deadpan humor” and now they are saying it was metaphorical? Interesting.
Yeah, that’s it, he was just joking, uh… I mean speaking metaphorically. Either way, swampland in Arizona anyone?
I had thought there was NOTHING stupid left for (invariably liberal) politicians (or their voting constituents)to say. This gives me something to look forward to tomorrow.
Sleep well America! Way to represent our state Hank! (Thank God he’s at least originally from D.C.)
RW
April 1st, 2010
1:30 pm
This serves as an excellent example, of one that voted “yes” to Obamacare.
Bernard
April 1st, 2010
1:37 pm
Guy, I’ve heard him speak too. Several times. He thinks he’s droll, but is just really boring. A super square peg trying to be cool. But he’s not dumb.
As for affirmative action being the reason he has an advanced degree, you can undervalue his degree, but you can’t undervalue his 20 plus year career as an attorney and judge. He must have learned something. Check his record, he is not Cynthia McKinney.
Sandra
April 1st, 2010
1:37 pm
ah…gotta love Dekalb County……
Slim Wittman
April 1st, 2010
1:39 pm
This is frightening. Not only is Mr. Johnson a lawmaker, and elected leader; but there are people posting here who say they saw the video and have convinced themselves that he was not being serious. I guess this should not be a surprise, since we have a vice president who said JOBS is a 3-letter word; and said that FDR went on tv to calm the nation when the great depression hit. Wow, are we in trouble.
"Are You Speaking Metaphorically?"
April 1st, 2010
1:44 pm
You Democrat apologists are so funny! Hee hee!! And to think you grilled Dan Quayle for misspelling “potato”.
In the future, when Democrats say something idiotic (which will take all of 20 seconds), we should ask them:
“Are you speaking metaphorically….Mr. President, Madame Speaker, Mr. Majority Leader, Chairman Frank/Waxman, etc.
This even beats the astronauts landing on Mars episode from Democrat Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Some similarities there…..
Michelle
April 1st, 2010
1:45 pm
Last thursday Hank Johnson reveals himself as the most mindlessly stupid represenative in a circus of mindlessly stupid fellows and it takes the AJC a week to report on it. If there had been an R. after his name it would have been non-stop news for the last week.
The only reason it’s in the AJC tody is that we are all snickering at Hank ( one of the guys behind the shameful conduct in a federal discrimniation trail) and the secret is leaking.
Maybe it’s possible to be dumber than Cynthia McKinney after all.
Guido
April 1st, 2010
1:48 pm
Funny as hell to read all the defenders of this idiot try to convince us that he was speaking metaphorically.
It’s clear that Hank Johnson doesn’t even know what a metaphor is. What an embarrassment…
maryanne
April 1st, 2010
1:49 pm
Johnson is not dumb. Boring, yes. Lacking personality, perhaps. Dull, maybe. But not dumb. And all you Repubs who are crucifying him are showing your own racism, bigotry, and ignorance.
And Captain Midnight, to answer your question…just about everything.
What Tha?
April 1st, 2010
1:53 pm
I guess we better start pulling all our troops out of Hawaii. It’s stupid to have that many soldiers defending such a small island. Besides, won’t the island capsize too.
deegee
April 1st, 2010
1:53 pm
I just watched the video and it was painful to watch. Hank Johnson was having trouble verbalizing his point with respect to the size of the island. Words like “narrow”, “narrowest”, “wide” and “widest” seem to escape him. I don’t think the guy is hitting on all cylinders. He’s either astonishingly inarticulate or chemically impaired.
Captain Midnight
April 1st, 2010
1:55 pm
Maryanne,sorry but “just about everything” didn’t answer my question. I asked for quotes, “just about everything” is not a quote. Try to keep up.
BulldawgRick
April 1st, 2010
2:02 pm
We will Remember in November!!!!
Dump the DumboKrats & RINOS
BulldawgRick
April 1st, 2010
2:03 pm
Maranne.. Do not be so Stooooppid… Get your head outta your vagina
Stan
April 1st, 2010
2:06 pm
It does not bother me about the republicans trying to take Rep Johnson’s comments and imply he somehow was serious……as they spent the past 8 years trying to do the same for W
N-Man
April 1st, 2010
2:08 pm
I personally feel that the Health Care Bill does overstep the bounds of the Constitution, however, I don’t think that Georgia needs to waste its money on filing a suit against the US Government. Other states have already filed suit in FEDERAL COURT. Let them waste their money fighting this, lets keep ours and invest it in things that will further the state. Improve the education system…fire those teachers whose students don’t meet the required test scores.
ernessch
April 1st, 2010
2:13 pm
Ego is the antiseptic that cures the pain of stupidity. The man is dangerous in that he is so stupid that he doesn’t realize he is stupid. He could have just kept his mouth shut but had to open it in a pathetic attempt to appear intelligent.
Captain Midnight
April 1st, 2010
2:18 pm
The guy has hepatitis. I think he’s just loosing it.
T-Bone
April 1st, 2010
2:19 pm
I know many of the good citizens of Dekalb county were badly afflicted with Bush Derangement Syndrome but he is not the issue anymore. My sister who does not even live in Dekalb has it bad. I don’t know what the cure is but really your man Hank is the issue here. It was the 2000 Florida election returns wasn’t it??
RNB
April 1st, 2010
2:19 pm
““I wasn’t suggesting that the island of Guam would literally tip over. I was using a metaphor to say that with the addition of 8,000 Marines and their dependents …could be a tipping point which would adversely affect the island’s fragile ecosystem and over burden its already overstressed infrastructure.” I call bulls**t. Mr. Johnson’s hepatitis-C and medications have affected his ability to think coherently. His fellow Democrats should have long ago insist he retire for medical reasons.
The Dogfighter Returns
April 1st, 2010
2:19 pm
CarlosHawes
April 1st, 2010
1:12 pm
What did you expect from a member of a political party that thinks you can give health insurance to everyone while reducing insurance rates and the deficit? The next think you know they will be claiming that gun control causes crime to drop!
Link Report this comment
gun control does cause crime to drop.
murder is a crime right? do you know how difficult it is to kill someone with your bare hands or a knife? As long as the victim can run the perp will not be successful.
deegee
April 1st, 2010
2:27 pm
I have often wondered how the experts that are called to Capitol Hill to testify in congressional hearings, (dog and pony shows), keep a straight face when responding to the long winded, aimless, rambling questions of our elected officials. I can imagine that they break for lunch and bust a gut laughing at them.
Stan
April 1st, 2010
2:29 pm
“What did you expect from a member of a political party that thinks you can give health insurance to everyone while reducing insurance rates and the deficit? The next think you know they will be claiming that gun control causes crime to drop!”
the same one would expect from a party that thought it could slash taxes and increase spending…
Devildog
April 1st, 2010
2:31 pm
Never fear, Hank. Marines can’t take dependents to Guam . . . or Okinawa. The rest of the services can, but not Marines. We’re there to train for a fight.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK, Congressman!!!!!!!!
Captain Midnight
April 1st, 2010
2:31 pm
deegee, I’d agree with that. You know their sitting there thinking to themselves *I can’t believe I’m actually sitting here listening to this*
lmno
April 1st, 2010
2:38 pm
I have no dog in this fight and I do not believe that he literally thought the island would tip over. He beleagured his point to the admiral in a way that a trial lawyer does. He repeated facts about the island in a way that made it sound like he wasn’t sure about the info in an attempt to get the admiral to affirm the information. This does more to establish the fact (in this case that the island is tiny) in the minds of the jury. Then he expresses an outlandish concern in order to get a reaction from both the witness and the jury.
I think his delivery is perhaps a little slow and suffering, but the actual dialogue could be heard in any court case.
Picture Matlock delivering this same dialogue in his southern tone in court.
Again, I have no dog in this fight. I am neither a fan of Hank, nor a detractor, buut I give him the benefit of the doubt here.
Red Sox Returning Fenway to its Roots » The Sly Oyster | culture, entertainment, liberal arts, shenanigans » Blog Archive
April 1st, 2010
3:00 pm
[...] of his spokespeeps later made a statement on Johnson’s behalf, which amounted to an enormous foot/mouth [...]
sailorcop85
April 1st, 2010
3:02 pm
Doesn’t surprise me one bit…but considering that I have just left Guam from being stationed there for 3 years…it is in fact a tiny island…a lot of the locals don’t like the military build up there….
RW
April 1st, 2010
3:03 pm
Maybe Joe Biden is tutoring Hank Johnson.
Rod
April 1st, 2010
3:07 pm
This is news. This is something to talk about. How about some real issues but I guess this is pitiful journalism. I wouldn’t pay for this nonsense thank god it’s free
Real Dumb
April 1st, 2010
3:08 pm
the man is dumb as a rock—if you’ve even heard him speak, you’ll know what I mean.
Karen
April 1st, 2010
3:11 pm
I think that maybe he thinks that Islands Float. Hello. What has he been smoking?
Distressed Ga Res
April 1st, 2010
3:15 pm
I would like to apologize to the rest of the US on behalf of the GA residents who do not live off the confiscated funds the Gov. distributes. The very people who vote for idiots like this (Hank Johnson) and continue cause the decline of our country. Weather or not he is to be taken literally; he should pay some respect to an Admiral and save the metaphoric dialog for more appropriate forum. Keep feeding the leeches Mr. Johnson…
"Are You Speaking Metaphorically?"
April 1st, 2010
3:20 pm
Can’t you imagine Johnson’s office as the staffers scrambled to create a cover for him?
STAFFER 1: “We’ll tell the press it was a ‘metaphor’”.
STAFFER 2: “What’s a ‘meta for’?”
STAFFER 1: “It’s for saving Hank’s rear end–but that’s another story.”
STAFFER 2: “Will they buy that as an excuse?”
STAFFER 1: “Are you kidding? Look what a zero logo and a teleprompter got us!”
STAFFER 2: “You’re right. This should be easy. But what will his constituents think?”
STAFFER 1: “Idiot. You’re forgetting this is the ‘McKinney Seat’”.
STAFFER 2: “Yeah, sorry about that.”
STAFFER 1: “We should get a raise after this one.”
STAFFER 2: “Right. My stim-a-las package from Obama is pretty thin right now.”
Smart lil' Sally
April 1st, 2010
3:21 pm
OH, PLEASE!!!! A metaphor??? Which one of his aides wrote that press release? I doubt if an idiot like Hank Johnson can SPELL metaphor, much less know its’ meaning. God, how embarassing this man is! You can tell he is not joking!
Distressed Ga Res' Mom
April 1st, 2010
3:22 pm
I would like to apologize to the rest of the nation for my son voting for a moron twice and running our national budget through the stratusphere
Big Nick's Mom
April 1st, 2010
3:23 pm
Is there any doubt that my son is a big dumb racist???? NO!!!!!!!!!!
Michael
April 1st, 2010
3:24 pm
Hank Johnson is obviously drunk or drugged.
Smokewagon
April 1st, 2010
3:25 pm
The same people defending Johnson are the ones that jumped all over Dan Quayle for misspelling tomato and constantly refered to Bush as an idiot. They do not like it when the shoe is on the other foot and it most always is.
David S
April 1st, 2010
3:29 pm
Just wait for Rush, Beck, Hannity and other warmongers this evening to say something just as stupid about how we actually need 8000 marines in Guam. Face it folks, our ownership (yes, call it what it is) is just a sad relic of the Spanish American War of the late 1800’s. We only maintain a base their so burned out marines and other surfer dudes can lounge in the sun and the surf in a tropical island paradise. It is the same with Okanawa where the locals want us out. The only people who are happy we are in the south pacific are the prostitutes and drug dealers who would go out of business if the american military left the country. Whether the locals want us there on not is of no concern to our empire. We only talk of sovereignty. We insist on obedience and servitude.
Get the US out of Guam.
Buzz
April 1st, 2010
3:29 pm
Do people speaking in metaphors usually go on to express the same thing non-metaphoricly? (answer: no) If he meant “tip over or capsize” as a metaphor for environmental impact, he wouldn’t say he was also concerned about the environmental impact. This moron has lost his mind and his staffers are trying to clean up after him.
Hank
April 1st, 2010
3:37 pm
Hank, Your people can spin all you want but you weren’t talking about the ecosystem when you made your comments. Do the country a favor and step-down. You’ve clearly demonstrated that in a city, DC, full of ego-driven idiots, you are at the top of the pecking order. BTW, Hank, in case you are wondering the earth isn’t flat.
Woodie
April 1st, 2010
3:41 pm
This is hilarious. Not only did Hank Johnson’s comment go over the head of the Admiral, but it went over the head of many conservatives who wrote in here. And seriously, somebody should impeach Governor Perdue. He’s got to be the worst governor ever. He doesn’t want to help uninsured people of Georgia. What the heck is that about?
Justin
April 1st, 2010
4:02 pm
All this talk over a comment that Hank Johnson made….Well what about the NUMEROUS idiotic comments that George Bush made. If Hank is Dumb I guess that makes our former President beyond DUMB!
T-Town
April 1st, 2010
4:15 pm
I remember when an Ohio mayor said we should move all the deaf people out to airport. This ranks right up there. An education is a terrible thing to waste and this is proof.
Leech
April 1st, 2010
4:21 pm
Hey Woodie — What ever happened to people helping themselves? Remember back when we were a proud country full of self sufficient patriots who would never consider taking a handout…
You really think that comment went over the Admiral’s head? Listen to the difference in vocabulary, Johnson can hardly form a sentence. It’s a testament to his discipline that he was able to hold his tongue.
Captain Midnight
April 1st, 2010
4:30 pm
Leech, well said.
RetiredSoldier
April 1st, 2010
4:30 pm
Leech-
They are still around. My son has been without full time employment for 15 months and he refuses to take unemployment or anything else from the government. He is my hero.
RetiredSoldier
April 1st, 2010
4:31 pm
Justin- W is no longer president, or had you missed that?
RetiredSoldier
April 1st, 2010
4:34 pm
David-
Have you asked the “locals” of Guam if they want out? I suspect 90-95 per cent are very happy. So what’s the beef?
"Are You Speaking Metaphorically?"
April 1st, 2010
4:35 pm
Nice try citing “numerous idiotic comments” when referring to former President Bush.
Did Bush ever suggest an ISLAND COULD SINK?
Remember that staffers usually prepare congressman with questions for their interaction with people testifying before their committees. So, do Johnson’s staffers think that Guam is in danger of sinking too?!
The lengths to which people go to equate this to something a former president didn’t even do is amazing.
When someone’s dumb, just say they are dumb.
It’s called personal responsibility. You people have none.
Reparations for Guam
April 1st, 2010
4:42 pm
Next, Johnson will hold hearing to support reparations for residents of Guam.
“We must proviiiiide adequate compensahuuuuuuuuuun for the peoples of this island that is not wide even at its unwidest point. The colonial imperialistic attitude on the part of these United States is reprehensibulll to people of all nayshuunnns. We are obligated as legislative representatives to address, redress, and undress this grievance. We are not Guam’s slave masters nor are the inhabitants of this tiny island–which is in danger of sinking–slaves of these United States. I say that we must have reparations and that we must have them now!”
I yield to the chairman.”
New Bumper Sticker
April 1st, 2010
4:46 pm
“If you think Guam is capable of sinking, thank a Georgia Democrat.”
New Bumper Sticker
April 1st, 2010
4:55 pm
“If you think Guam is sinking–but the United States isn’t–you must be a Democrat.”
Captain Midnight
April 1st, 2010
4:56 pm
Save Guam!!!!
Guam might tip over - Congressman worried - Page 3 - Tennessee Gun Owners
April 1st, 2010
5:19 pm
[...] he meant. Yea right. The Buzz Log – Concerns Over Guam Create a Stir on the Web – Yahoo! Buzz The comments were delivered without a clear hint of sarcasm or irony, however Rep. Johnson is now insisting [...]
mika
April 1st, 2010
5:34 pm
I saw Cheech but where was Chong?
pete
April 1st, 2010
5:34 pm
Tells you alot about the people of that district that elected him. Also tells you a lot about black voters. Marion Barry, Ray Nagin, Kwame Kilpatrick, Hank Johnson, Vernon Jones and Cynthia McKinney.
Weary Dem
April 1st, 2010
5:38 pm
Get a grip, people! Can’t you see the impish grin on Hank’s face when he says that? Those committee hearings get pretty dry and monotonous – who can blame a guy for trying to make a point with a little humor?
One would think that before any of you write any more ugly critiques of other people, you might want to learn to spell a little better……
ozmirage
April 1st, 2010
5:39 pm
Excremental Expletive Deleted.
We have the best government bribery and corruption can buy… and the best entertainment… all in one place.
mika
April 1st, 2010
5:41 pm
“Did Bush ever suggest an ISLAND COULD SINK?”
Well he did try to sink Iraq didn’t he?
New Bumper Sticker
April 1st, 2010
5:52 pm
Actually, the U.S. freed 24 million people–who can now vote. Without asking, I know the concept of freeing people runs contrary to your desires.
Daniel
April 1st, 2010
6:06 pm
I don’t think what he said was bad. He was being honest and used a metaphore. Big deal. Some people are too sensitive and way too literal. Like an island can really tip over.
Hoosier Puglist
April 1st, 2010
6:09 pm
Hey Jim! Is this guy really on the magic liberal coolaide? If i remember correctly didnt our veterans help Gaum in WWII? I don’t beleive this guy has any respect for the decorated Navy or Marine Corp! I dont beleive the Island of Guam is going to mind if marines and the navy spend their pay there. The delivery of his eco – liberal metaphor to a decorated seamen/ marine is plain horrible. I do not believe any of these commies even realize the sacrifices these people make everyday.I am a grandson of aWWII vet that was in Guadalcanal,what a real class act in Atlanta, vote him out!
Weary Dem
April 1st, 2010
6:18 pm
LOL- Freed people!! What about the 200,000 innocent Iraqis who were blown to bits by our bombs in the “shock & awe” of March 2003? I guess you’d characterize that as “freeing” them of their bodies….
You should probably go back and view some documentaries of daily life in Iraq before we attacked their country, then compare that with what we have seen these past seven years and today. Their culture was and is quite different from ours, but they sure never did anything to us to deserve the endless war Bush, Cheney and Co. inflicted on that country. And don’t get me started on the tens of thousands of American lives that have been sacrificed for corporate oil control….
Chris
April 1st, 2010
6:19 pm
@Doug Patterson – Are you a retard? This is all over the media and we are all laughing at this guy…
Tom
April 1st, 2010
6:36 pm
What a FOOL this guy is, a perfect replacement for Cynthia.
velville
April 1st, 2010
6:50 pm
Maybe the 4th can secede from Georgia?
If he is not embarrassed by this mumbling nitwittery, Mereda needs to take him back to Bethesda for a lobotomy. Maybe he can take Frank, Waxman, and the rest of the clowns with him. And if deLay comes to visit with the “I can diagnose without a patient” elephants, pull out the tools for them, too.
It is certain that we do not have our best and brightest in Deecee…but we don’t have them under the Gold Dumb, either.
martha simon
April 1st, 2010
7:30 pm
this is not a problem to bring to the people. bring problems that we can help each other move to the next level caring for each other working together in this country is the correct way for us to progress.
Pafreeman
April 1st, 2010
7:59 pm
The historic dream of black equality is turning into a nightmare. what many are now realizing is that blacks just can not live up to the expectations that have been promoted by the media and left wing zealots who hate white men because of all they accomplished
Robert F
April 1st, 2010
8:30 pm
Have we become so ignorant as a society that when an educated man (and he is an educated man) makes a statement that is not meant to be taken literally we just don’t get it?
Really, I find it hard to believe anyone took that statement literally. If he actually believed islands tip over he should be removed from office immediately. However, that statement doesn’t make me think he believes it. However, the press this is getting makes me think most people are, sadly, morons.
Hoosier Puglist
April 1st, 2010
8:49 pm
HeyDevildog! From a true fighter to another THANK YOU AND AII SERVICEMAN FOR YOUR SERVICE! There are still people out here that beleive in you. You can expect it from the far left to have an i.q. of a piss ant. This just shows what a ebonic, dumbdown,democrap explains himself to a distingished war hero.THANK YOU VETERANS!
Robert F
April 1st, 2010
8:55 pm
Hey Hoosier. Do you think a guy that’s been to the island, that has 2 degrees, and that later in the same questioning talks about the environmental impact, the impact of the marines on such a small island, and the understanding that it might be the only/best choice despite the impact, REALLY F’IN BELIEVED THE ISLAND WOULD TIP OVER?
I’m not sad I spent my time on Active Duty supporting dumb asses like you. I just wish people like you would find a clue. But thanks for the thanks.
Georgia Congressman Worries Guam May Tip Over « The Red Clay Report
April 1st, 2010
9:03 pm
[...] Let’s be clear: This is NOT an April Fool’s Day prank. It comes via Jim Galloway’s Political Insider column on the Atlanta Constitution-Journal Web site: Last Thursday morning, at a House Armed Services [...]
Hoosier Puglist
April 1st, 2010
9:11 pm
TO WEARY DEM: You should be proud of your liberal self,you have just bit off into the biggest commie crap sandwiche this nation has ever seen. Your probably the same type of coward that woudnt fight for this country if your family depended on it.IF YOU DONT LOVE THIS COUNTRY GET OUT! You probably still beleive that Jimmy Carter was the best president that ever walked. War isnt a pretty job but being a coward never accomplishhed nothing, for you ought to know.You may not like George Bush,but those decisions he made cowards like you could never make.So, you should be thankful every veterans day for people that have the balls to stand up to those evil s.o.b.s that you covet.
j
April 1st, 2010
9:11 pm
Hank has you folks riled up for no reason. The guy was kidding all along.
Matter of fact, the folks who think he was serious, if they really watched that clip need their head to be examined.
Hoosier Puglist
April 1st, 2010
9:24 pm
Well Robert F:.Dumdass or not he must of got his degrees online. Smoked some really good weed before the hearing? Show me the damn clue! Would you ever talk to a commander like this ? of course you woudnt,this guy is sharp as bowling ball. Enviromental impact? That is an important island to the navy& marines, you should know if you ever read any history.
Earl Holt
April 1st, 2010
9:30 pm
Dem nigroes is sho some smart folkses, and dey sho’ ’nuff knows how to elect ebber smarter folkses den dey beees… (Well Amos, what does yo thinks ’bout dis here?)
Robert F
April 1st, 2010
9:38 pm
Well, Hoosier, I would not talk to anyone like that. I have been, in person, before both state and federal government representatives and they are rude and ignorant for the most part. I remember watching a representative (state) asking the head of Corrections why more inmates couldn’t be let outside the fence to play games and exercise so that they aren’t so institutionalized when they are released. My jaw almost dropped. However, that does not mean I believe he meant the island would actually tip. The only reason it is news is because of that statement taken literally. And I am embarrassed that it is news. Clearly, watching the entire back and forth, that was not a literal statement. Just based on the statement itself it should not be taken literally. If he went on some diatribe about drowning natives I could see the absurdity of the statement.
Jumbo G is the king of conventional thinking
April 1st, 2010
9:50 pm
That is a grade a prime example of the liberal mind. Johnson is a fool. It makes perfect sense that democrats love the guy. Honestly, the video is going viral.
Bookworm Room » Hank Johnson’s geography and the cost of private sector employment *UPDATED*
April 1st, 2010
9:51 pm
[...] III: Assuming any truth in this report, Johnson himself makes no mention of a long-standing friendship and practical jokes. Instead, he [...]
BenGleck
April 1st, 2010
10:40 pm
maybe Atlanta will tip over into the ocean. problem solved.
Hoosier Puglist
April 1st, 2010
10:42 pm
To Robert F:I have no beef with you, you clarified that statement well. But it goes to show when we elect terrible people to represent all of us it always shows piss poor education & speech.This guy makes the Georgia people look very ignorant.Why in the hell would anybody let dirtbags outside the fence? Why are the people of Georgia electing him to talk to an admiral like this? There has to be a representitive with higher IQ than this.I sure hope Atlanta isnt ran this way around the clock!
John
April 1st, 2010
10:52 pm
I have doubts whether Mr. Johnson is merely very low in IQ or actually suffering from sort of brain injury from a stroke or other disease. I have NO doubt he was serious. Listen to the entire statements he makes on the recording. He is barely lucid. He can’t even find the words for describing the width or breadth of the island. It would be comical but for the fact that he is not joking. Denying that makes his “defenders” look foolish, to put is nicely. I am not attacking him. The man needs help.
madmilker
April 1st, 2010
11:28 pm
“It is harder to conceal ignorance than to acquire knowledge.” – Arnold H. Glasow
T.H. Hammer
April 1st, 2010
11:51 pm
There is a resolution to Hank Johnson and her name is Liz Carter. She is a Republican that is running against Johnson in the 4th District. http://www.lizcarterforcongress.com
She also has a fan page on FaceBook…Liz Carter for Congress. I think you will see that she is not a loon like most of the prior Reps. that have sat in that seat for Congress.
Help spread the word and we will not have idiots in Congress like Hank Johnson.
Alabama Communist
April 1st, 2010
11:53 pm
Rush,Beck or Palin has said that even comes close to this idiocy.* Captain Midnight
Okay! But this breaking news came in about Guam!
” Former Govenor Sara Palin said today, ” She was moving to Guam and forming the 12 th Alaska milita to stop the Communists from turning Guam over to Russia.”
islander
April 2nd, 2010
1:49 am
The pacific fleet should immediately proceed, at flank speed, to Guam, surround the island and begin tying down all floating devises that are available to the beach head in the hopes to better stabilize the island. Has anyone even discussed the possible tsunami implications?
MrDan
April 2nd, 2010
6:53 am
Surprising the moron didn’t use the standard excuse: “I was taken out of context”. Take a trip to Guam congressman, you just might be the tipping point. The USA is doomed. Thank you government run schools.
Elect me please
April 2nd, 2010
7:52 am
T.H. Hammer, looked at the Liz Carter website and immediately knew she’ll never win. She seems to be suffering from a bad case of pimentation deficiency. For that district anyway. Sorry.
But, I’d vote for her in a heartbeat.
Dr Kay
April 2nd, 2010
8:12 am
Check out http://www.coryruth.com. He is a young guy with really great ideas, who is running for Georgia’s 4th district.
nickel
April 2nd, 2010
8:25 am
Well at least we finally know why the Liberals were so excited when they found a candidate like Barack Obama who was pretty sure that Guam wouldn’t tip. Thank God that he got to Harvard.
nickel
April 2nd, 2010
8:31 am
Hank Johnson is 57 and after graduating from Thurgood Marshall School of Law has practiced law for 25 years. He has served two terms in the US House of Representatives and his wife is also a lawyer. I send my condolences to any their children and to the citizens of Georgia’s fourth congressional district. As far as affirmative action candidates, I think the time has come to judge everyone on the quality of their character, because this judging them on the color of their skin is getting a little scary. You hear me Eric Holder, Barack Obama, Maxine Waters, Charlie Rangle, and the entire Congressional Black caucus. I don’t think we can afford any more “diversity hires”.
Real Dumb
April 2nd, 2010
9:19 am
And these are the people elected to “lead” the country and spend trillions of taxpayer dollars. Amazing how stupid a lot of these people really are. Just pathetic that this guy is getting paid a salary.
A proud racist
April 2nd, 2010
9:35 am
Yeah, I know what you mean. None of them nigras could possibly use a metaphor. They’re just too damn stupid!
Did I mention I hate black people?
RAS
April 2nd, 2010
9:38 am
Hank Johnson is technically correct, Guam could capsize, in a way. Guam is not an island in the conventional sense. Most islands are mountain tops. Guam is shaped like a table on a pedistle. Picture a giant mushroom. The Navy has sailed submarines under it. In the right circumstances it could collapse.I spent 4 months on Guam in the Navy.
Leech
April 2nd, 2010
10:23 am
It seems a stretch to defend Mr. Johnson’s career and education. Anyone defending him should listen closely to the audio. My five year old speaks better English. Let’s face it — the man is not fit to represent anyone and I feel sorry for the folks who continue to vote based on skin color… If you think that is a racist comment you are wrong and most likely a liberal.
When the stupid outnumber the intelligent, you get Gov. control.
Forgotten American
April 2nd, 2010
10:35 am
Hank Johnson doesn’t appear smart enough to “deadpan a practical joke” but his personality and demeaner shows just how dumb he actually is. He is the one that if he were a member of my family and he were coming for Thanksgiving dinner, I would “deadpan” being sick just to keep from having to listen to his dragging on ignorant stories.
Forgotten American
April 2nd, 2010
10:38 am
Duh, do you think we could drag another island over to hold some of those meany peoples? I mean the islands float don’t dey?
Ellen
April 2nd, 2010
11:13 am
What did he smoke?
Paul Germana
April 2nd, 2010
11:47 am
I think what is far more interesting than the air-brain citizen is the military official response to the ultimate question, that we “OWN” guam and that it is a “part of our nation” makes wonder why the republicans attacked Obama for saying we have 51 states. Did they know that the United States “owns” a small island inhabited with people. You’re an idiot, Jim!
Paul Germana
April 2nd, 2010
11:49 am
I think what is far more interesting than the air-brain senator is the military official’s response to the overall question, that we “OWN” guam and that it is a “part of our nation” makes wonder why the republicans attacked Obama for saying we have 51 states. Did they know that the United States “owns” a small island inhabited with people.
Susanne jerome
April 2nd, 2010
11:59 am
Listen to the tape. the congressman was not using a metaphor. He was coming from the word tipping point someone had fed to him concerning the environmental impact, and completely misunderstood it. He is so ignorant that he thinks an island could tip over. He is more stupid than the typical media mouthpiece.
Marco94
April 2nd, 2010
12:19 pm
Why is this news, really…How many people are thinking about passing geography at this point…yes it is very small not really of any strategic importance at this time, we have bases down there already and is a stone throw from any where on the map militarily. Whys is this a issue sounds like those guys are about to spend sometime in paradise…Beautiful place…They better take good care of the surroundings
la-durrell
April 2nd, 2010
12:43 pm
Hank, you are an idiot.
Pope UGA XXIII
April 2nd, 2010
12:53 pm
Another shining example of how Congress is saturated with
people who don’t have a clue. This guy votes straight down the
line for whatever Obama wants, so is there any reason at all we
should expect Mr Johnson to have one shred of ability to be able
to analyze and vote down at least some of the Marxist/Socialist
agenda of Obama ??
WAKE UP DEKALB COUNTY – GET RID OF THIS CLOWN !!
There are plenty of competent people in this district who will
not embarrass their constituency with their words and actions.
We had Cynthia McKinney, however, so why is this a surprise
to anyone in the 4th District??
The only thing that needs to “tip over & capsize” is the leftists
in Congress.
luckypat
April 2nd, 2010
1:35 pm
If Sarah Palin is stupid and and idiot, God please strike me with her illness. I need 1.5 millon for 8 episodes on TLC.
Jeff
April 2nd, 2010
1:41 pm
After watching that video I have to believe that he must have been under some heavy medication. He had trouble even forming a complete sentence. I’ve heard him speak before and he doesn’t sound this bad. While I believe that Rep Johnson does not in fact believe that Guam could flip over at the same time nothing in that video would make me bleieve that he was not completely serious.
shellie
April 2nd, 2010
1:42 pm
Another reason for TERM LIMITS………….
luckypat
April 2nd, 2010
1:43 pm
If Sarah Palin is stupid and an idiot, God please strike me with her afflictions. TLC 1.5 million for 11 episodes. This should give the blowhard Sarah haters heartburn
.
Ivan Limtsov
April 2nd, 2010
2:00 pm
_HA_HA_HA_HA!!!! He needs a drug test or a brain scan He appears to be stoned out of his mind
mike
April 2nd, 2010
2:56 pm
A bright college-educated colleague of mine once asked “How do they map islands anyway?” as if they were just floating land barges on the ocean.
My bet is that ol’ Hank never really thought about islands before, and unfortunately didn’t try out his theories on any staffers prior to making a fool of himself on CSPAN and then on youtube.
I don’t think this one mistake negates him for public service but we likely don’t want him teaching geography.
Ever amazed-CLE
April 2nd, 2010
3:28 pm
In the words of Bugs Bunny…”What a Maroon”. At least my esteemed Rep, Dennis “The Menace” Kucinich, SOUNDS intelligent.
IggyDad
April 2nd, 2010
3:43 pm
Johnson’s preamble does not appear to be the lead-in to a joke. He rambles and mumbles and repeats himself to no apparent point. However, when he does raise the island-tipping concern, it seems he is smiling behind his hand (most of his mouth is obscured in the video). I don’t but the “metaphor” explanation–nothing else he said suggested he was making a metaphorical point. It was either a very silly joke, badly told, or a display of gross ignorance. Even if he WAS medicated, that could explain his fumbling delivery. But medication doesn’t undo decades of learning. You might forget that Guam is an island, under heavy meds, but not that islands wouldn’t tip after a few boatloads of marines arrive.
My question is: Has he demonstrated anything like this before? (And please don’t make inane comments about his votes on health care, etc. I’m talking about gross cognitive deficits, not political disagreements).
ed3304
April 2nd, 2010
4:45 pm
Hank Johnson is a perfect example of the ignorance and outright stupidity of democrats.
ed3304
April 2nd, 2010
4:46 pm
I will bet Hank Johnson scored higher than Obama on IQ tests.
Kandyce
April 3rd, 2010
3:51 am
Doesn’t anyone see that there is some kind of neurological/cognitive condition problem with Rep Johnson?
Word: Island-tipping | Fresh Loaf
April 3rd, 2010
8:02 am
[...] “How can you expect morons who think Sarah Palin is a ‘leader’ to understand that he was speaking metaphorically?” — “atlpaddy,” commenting on the AJC’s Political Insider blog [...]
Jumbo G is the king of conventional thinking
April 3rd, 2010
1:13 pm
Hank Johnson & Obama… no one around anymore to turn thoses C’s into A’s. Hmmmmmmmmm
Joel
April 3rd, 2010
6:15 pm
Please – If anyone believes that he was speaking metaphorically after watching this clip – then I have an island to sell you.
Two words – “recall election” cuz this dude needs some serious R&R time under the careful watch of Doctors.
DaleC
April 3rd, 2010
8:48 pm
atlpaddy said – “How can you expect morons who think Sarah Palin is a ‘leader’ to understand that he was speaking metaphorically? ”
Because he wasn’t. The man is apparently suffering from the advanced effects of his Hep-C and his staff, or the DNC, played damage control.
IggyDad
April 4th, 2010
2:08 pm
I guess no one has any information responsive to my question.
budman
April 5th, 2010
11:44 am
God bless the people on this blog who are asking for term limits (Kennedy empire, Dodd, McCain, you get the picture) because isn’t that the basic problem? 40some odd percent of people vote!!!!!!!! Hank” the Skank” Johnson was put in office by voter apathy. Just like little”Kim” I mean Cynthia” Bulldog” McKinney who still has her f***ing sign up on I- 285( last time I looked , I stay the hell out of the danger zone ie. Dekalb, Clayton counties, so I haven’t seen it in a few years. )
We can change this country..If we vote and are politically active..if not and the addition of NO term limits the country is run by elitist punks and old gray haired farts( like myself) who do what they hell what they want with YOUR tax dollar.
Downsize DC
April 6th, 2010
11:40 am
So if we deploy these additional troops to Guam, are we responsible for sending extra life jackets, lifeboats and other safety supplies in anticipation of this “capsizing” event? Maybe we need to form a comittee to evaluate the safety of Guam and the probability of the sinking or capsizing. Or should we just fund a new rebuild of the whole island to ensure the stability and safety of this island? or..
Maybe we just need to STOP VOTING FOR IDIOTS!
Americans step up and be heard. We DESERVE better representation. Since the start of the United States, when needed our citizens have gladly given up everything including their own lives for this great Union. We need to start treating this Union with the respect it deserves. If the IDIOTS in Washington (that we put there) don’t respect us or the State the swore to serve (or the Country for that matter), then we need to vote them out. Stand up and take back what is ours!!!
Concerns Over Guam Create a Stir on the Web | Our Big Penis
April 8th, 2010
3:00 am
[...] The comments were delivered without a clear hint of sarcasm or irony, however Rep. Johnson is now insisting through a comment issued by a spokesperson that he was simply using a metaphor. “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 overburden its already overstressed infrastructure.” [...]
Shane
April 9th, 2010
7:00 pm
It is obvious that Johnson’s comment was not a metaphor. He used his hands to demonstrate something literally tipping over. I could maybe see the whole metaphor thing if he actually referred to “tipping point”- a term used to describe a point at which a minor change causes drastic consequences in culture/society, but he actually says “tipping over” and “capsizing.” “Capsizing” directly refers to an object flipping over into water. Look up where he went to college, he went to a terrible college.
Below The Beltway » Blog Archive » Georgia Congressman Afraid Guam Will Tip Over If Too Many People Live There
April 17th, 2010
12:28 pm
[...] Congressman Johnson has issued a clarification: “I wasn’t suggesting that the island of Guam would literally tip over,” said Johnson. “I [...]
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