Be afraid, Guam may tip over. (in Off-topic)


QBRanger April 1 2010 2:25 PM EDT

No really, this is one smart congressman:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2010/03/hank-johnson-guam-.html

AdminNightStrike April 1 2010 2:32 PM EDT

Is that a fake?

Lochnivar April 1 2010 2:34 PM EDT

He was having a stroke, right? (or drunk/high/off his meds)

Sigh... In high school I knew a girl who asked if volcanoes still existed (after seeing the movie 'Volcano').

On the bright side, my speculative real estate purchase on the bottom of Guam is gonna come up Milhouse!

AdminNightStrike April 1 2010 2:40 PM EDT

I can't wait to see this on The Daily Show

{Wookie}-Jir.Vr- April 1 2010 2:40 PM EDT

LOL!!!! Just goes to show...

AdminNightStrike April 1 2010 2:43 PM EDT

Here we go:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/01/hank-johnson-thinks-guam_n_521541.html

At least it includes some explanation.

QBRanger April 1 2010 2:43 PM EDT

No, this is real.

I do know this congressman does have hep C and it likely is starting to effect his congnition.

However, it is a very funny video, from beginning to end.

The ability of the general he was questioning not to break out in laughter shows how well trained they are to be cool under fire.

AdminNightStrike April 1 2010 2:44 PM EDT

Hepatitis affects your ability to be cognitive?

QBRanger April 1 2010 2:50 PM EDT

Yes,

There is something called Hepatic Encephalopathy.

It is when the liver gets so ill, it stops being able to filter and detoxify toxins. Mainly ammonia.

Here is a link to the wiki:

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

{Wookie}-Jir.Vr- April 1 2010 2:52 PM EDT

I love how the huffington elaborates with "Johnson says via a spokesman."

Translation.

Johnson is an idiot, and someone from his office is working really hard to save face.

LOL

Priceless.

Thanks Ranger, you made my day brighter :)

QBRanger April 1 2010 2:54 PM EDT

Even if this was a Republican congressman, I would still post it.

Just for the reaction of the Admiral (it was not a General, my bad), keeping his cool during this debacle.

Lord Bob April 1 2010 3:00 PM EDT

[UPDATE: "I wasn't suggesting that the island of Guam would literally tip over," Johnson says via a spokesman. "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. ... "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."]

It's still hilarious.

QBRanger April 1 2010 3:06 PM EDT

He stated in the video:

"tip over and capsize"

One can certainly make the move from that to capsizing the ecosystem.

If one lives in la-la land.

This will be great comic gold if Jon Stewart ever grabs it.

AdminNightStrike April 1 2010 3:19 PM EDT

Just for the record, I never would say that the "explanation" was anything but damage control. I just meant that it makes it more clear that the video is legitimate (and quite sad... though that Admiral is one to be Admired......)

AdminNightStrike April 1 2010 3:21 PM EDT

"My fear is that the whole island will become so overly populated that it will tip over and capsize."

"Uh.. we don't anticipate that."

That alone is comic gold.

AdminNemesia [Demonic Serenity] April 1 2010 3:24 PM EDT

I am afraid to inform you all that according to scientists it has been discovered that islands do indeed float upon the ocean.

Demigod April 1 2010 3:31 PM EDT

But what if it breaks free and float off the edge of the world? Those poor people... they could end up on Mars.

Marlfox [Cult of the Valaraukar] April 2 2010 8:55 AM EDT

It's frankly astounding that this man was elected to Congress... he had so much difficulty saying things like "width" that I can hardly believe he was a judge, of all things. I was reading the comments and found this comment pretty funny:
Guam might capsize? Maybe we should bail them out ;^)

hzarb April 2 2010 10:36 AM EDT

Lol.. we're not the only ones who manage to vote idiots into office..

Admindudemus [jabberwocky] April 3 2010 11:37 PM EDT

snopes even thought this event was worthy of an article:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/quotes/guamtip.asp

{Wookie}-Jir.Vr- April 3 2010 11:58 PM EDT

Marl, that comment is PURE GOLD! I can't stop laughing!

kevlar April 4 2010 2:09 AM EDT

Hepatitis affects your ability to be cognitive?


The liver is a vital organ, ask Walter Payton
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