What, does he think it's a canoe or something?! I never cease to be amazed by the stupidity of others.

How in God's name did that Admiral keep a straight face at that outstanding display of ignorance? I guess monumental self-restraint is a prerequisite of top brass.

I'm also wondering how in God's name does this ignoramus get elected? It must be easier than I thought. Maybe I should run for office. Being openly gay is difficult, but not insurmountable. Apparently, colossal stupidity, such as displayed by Hank "Guam could capsize" Johnson or Commissioner Wiley "Black hole is a racist statement" Price, is easy enough to overcome.

Apparently Rep. Johnson is in the latter stages of a Hep. C infection. Symptoms of which include mental confusion.

Which is not better than him being a straight up idiot now that he's in office, but he may have been a little more with it when he was elected.

Maybe he was being metaphorical? One can only hope.

Hey, folks, let's not forget our history. We don't want another Atlantis.

From his web site:
"The subtle humor of this obviously metaphorical reference to a ship capsizing illustrated my concern about the impact of the planned military buildup on this small tropical island."

Yeah, right... Nice spin doctors you have working for you, Hank!

Hey, everybody, let's all meet at sunrise at the south end of the island, and we can jump and down at the same time, and turn this stupid island upside down.

Apparently Rep. Johnson is in the latter stages of a Hep. C infection. Symptoms of which include mental confusion.

Then why is he even at the hearing?

This is part of what's wrong with Congress. He should be privately recuperating, not publicly questioning admirals about the seaworthiness of an island.

The Democrats wheel Robert Byrd out of his hospital room for critical votes to help his party. Does he even know anymore what he's voting on? The Republicans used to do the same thing with Strom Thurmond.

People with significantly impaired mental faculties should not be legislating rules for the rest of us.

"People with significantly impaired mental faculties should not be legislating rules for the rest of us."

Wouldn't that leave both houses short of quorums?

Short of quorums? Practically deserted, I would think.

I couldn't listen to the whole thing. Can't listen to people who have a one sided conversation about nonsensical nothingness and no real POINT. Clearly, he loves to hear himself talk.

Like. Nails. On. A. Chalkboard.

Conan: People with significantly impaired mental faculties should not be legislating rules for the rest of us.

Well, that just threw out Ted Kennedy's vote for health care reform. Nice going, Conan!

Look, I believe wholeheartedly that people can be legendarily stupid ... but does anyone honestly believe Rep. Johnson was referring to the danger of the island actually capsizing? I see a tired-sounding, not particularly articulate guy delivering a metaphor clumsily. But the Admiral seemed to understand his meaning clearly, and so did I. For the record, I also don't believe that Sarah Palin really thought Africa was a country.

Whiskey tango foxtrot, over.

"does anyone honestly believe Rep. Johnson was referring to the danger of the island actually capsizing?"

Yes. Look at his hand gestures when he says it. In any case, from his mode of speech, it is clear that he is several cards short of a full deck.

In fact, he is seriously ill, and liver toxins have impaired his mental faculties. Whatever he once may have been, he is now has no business holding any position of responsibility. Situations like this are not just embarrassing for all concerned - it is outright dangerous for someone in this condition to participate in governing the country.

One cannot see who else is present at this interview. Assuming that a committee chairman or some other authority is present, the Admiral should have had the balls to look to the person in authority, and politely excuse himself, offering to return when the Congressman's was feeling better.

When I lived there we had a population of about 100,000, half of them military, and we survived tropical storms, typhoons and two super-typhoons just fine.

Maybe it's because we double-anchored the island but you'd have to check with the chief bo'sun on that.

I think the Congressman can take a nap and feel safe on the matter.

I'm grateful to the congressman for bringing to light a hitherto unappreciated danger. Continents too are surrounded by water. Too many people on one coast, and whoopsie, the whole damn thing can tip over!

And... why do we care?