In response to a CT newspaper editorial that opposed ANWR drilling, Daniel Kish, a senior advisor to the Republican Chairman of the House Resources Committee, Rep. Pombo, spewed some serious bile:
"Connecticut should have its statehood taken away from it. The foolishness of its pampered residents should be demonstrated to others by a government program to bulldoze the entire state, salt the land and construct a windfarm to supply NYC with electricity. And its residents should be relocated to Guantanamo Bay where they can take a number behind the 3 who hung themselves this weekend, since they seem so intent on suicide."
This is not some wingnut 'militiaman', this is a senior aide to an important congressman. And he blew a gasket over an editorial in a newspaper from another state. This kind of eliminationist rhetoric has no place in national political life. Say what you will about Democrats, but no modern Democrat has called for the ethnic cleansing of an entire state. Seriously cracked in the head.
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"The foolishness of its pampered residents should be demonstrated to others by a government program to bulldoze the entire state, salt the land and construct a windfarm to supply NYC with electricity"
This might be more appropriate - if still completely crazed - if it was an editorial supporting drilling in ANWR . . .
Pros: Amazingly, did not mention Hitler.
Cons: Is a little confused about what government is for.
... what has become with the sense of humor in you? It's obvious he wasn't saying this seriously. It's a joke, using the rhetorical technique called the HYPERBOLE.
"... what has become with the sense of humor in you? It's obvious he wasn't saying this seriously. It's a joke, using the rhetorical technique called the HYPERBOLE."
Let's see, Mr. Werpachowski, Rep Pombo said:
~"Connecticut should have its statehood taken away from it. The foolishness of its pampered residents should be demonstrated to others by a government program to bulldoze the entire state, salt the land and construct a windfarm to supply NYC with electricity. And its residents should be relocated to Guantanamo Bay where they can take a number behind the 3 who hung themselves this weekend, since they seem so intent on suicide."~
Was anybody laughing at this statement or were Republicans merely salivating at Rep Pombo's ideas? If this is a joke, I would submit that the good Congressman has a rather sick sense of humor, along with his distinguished collegues.
It should therefore not surprise you that others didn't get the joke. You might also want to refrain from crying foul when others don't laugh at it.
GE
Roman,
1) it's not funny. It's bad humor. There's no mockery of a position sensu Swift; it's just "kill them all." Ha ha...erm, not working for me.
2) given all of the eliminationist rhetoric from the right (e.g., Coulter) that meets with wide acclaim among movement conservatives, why do you think he was joking?
3) after five years of accusing those who disagree with the Republicans on any policy issue of de facto treason, how can anyone tell the difference between serious statements and 'humor'
4) do you think Republicans/conservatives would keep quite if someone said that about the South or the 'heartland?' If I, nevermind a CT congressional staffer, were to "joke" about ethnically cleansing, let's say, Texas, I would be strongly condemned (and rightly so).
As somebody who went to college in Pombo's district, I can vouch for the fact the the man is a colossal ass, and the only reason he's in government is to personally enrich himself. His idea of stewardship of natural resources is, "Use them all now before I die and can't profit from them personally!" I'm sure it was a joke, but I can't remember a time when anything actually "funny" has come from his office. I guess the funny/sad thing about it is that I actually *can* imagine Pombo seriously proposing the bulldozing and salting of an entire state (or national park, or pet store full of puppies and kittens) if it would make him a buck.
Most amazing of all is the fact that he's so popular. Are all of his constituents sitting on large tracts of potentially valuable but federally protected land, or is everybody just happy that he "protects" us from gay people and flag burning?