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The Lunatic Next Door
Give this a read. Then keep in mind that the man who says, "You know, I can fly an F-15, put two nukes on ‘em and I’ll make one pass. We won’t have to worry about Syria anymore," isn't just some crazy guy somewhere. He's not even Time's certified "blogger of the year." No. No siree. He's a United States Congressman. I mean, obviously the fact that the House G.O.P. congress is full of crazy peopel who don't know what they're talking about and are busy advocating that our government kill millions of innocent people pales in comparison to, say, whether Whoopi Goldberg is a bad person, but one might think that a properly functioning liberal movement would succeed in making a bigger deal out of this.
So to recap: Representative Sam Johnson (R-TX) believes that the United States should launch a nuclear strike against Syria. Anyone out there on the right have any comments? Really. A nuclear war. A member of congress. Kind of a big deal.
February 28, 2005 | Permalink
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» Nuke Syria from Polemic Propaganda
An interesting way to eliminate problems, this was proferred by Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX) who said: "Syria is the problem. Syria is where those weapons of mass destruction are, in my view. You know, I can fly an F-15, put two nukes on ’em and I’ll ma... [Read More]
Tracked on Feb 28, 2005 3:08:41 PM
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Some idiot USian congressman is talking about nuking Syria. Just so he doesn’t make a mistake: Damascus was there before any of his ancestors had come out of the woods and hovels. [Read More]
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Tracked on Feb 28, 2005 4:17:50 PM
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In the latest salvo of the left vs. right "Your Nutjobs are Nuttier Than Our Nutjobs" battle, Matthew Yglesias, Kevin Drum, and others take note of remarks by Representative Sam Johnson (R - TX) [Read More]
Tracked on Feb 28, 2005 7:14:50 PM
» Let Allah Sort 'Em Out from Politics and War
Look, I don't mind some vivid language in my foreign policy. But Rep. Sam Johnson of Texas is a fucking lunatic: Now we know where Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas) thinks the weapons of mass destruction are buried: in Syria, which... [Read More]
Tracked on Feb 28, 2005 8:17:07 PM
» Let Allah Sort 'Em Out from Politics and War
Look, I don't mind some vivid language in my foreign policy. But Rep. Sam Johnson of Texas is a fucking lunatic:Now we know where Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas) thinks the weapons of mass destruction are buried: in Syria, which he... [Read More]
Tracked on Feb 28, 2005 8:19:57 PM
» Your suggestion is not helpful from Unfogged
During the Ward Churchill Two Minutes' Hate, it occurred to me that it was only a matter of time before someone on the right said something as idiolicious as Churchill's remarks, thus giving us a chance to play the disavow-your-crazies game. Thank God ... [Read More]
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» Sam Johnson is stark raving nuts from Off the Kuff
Apparently, the gentleman from the third Congressional District thinks we should nuke Syria, and that he himself is the man... [Read More]
Tracked on Feb 28, 2005 10:28:36 PM
» Sam Johnson is stark raving nuts from Off the Kuff
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Tracked on Feb 28, 2005 10:57:59 PM
Comments
There's nothing here to get outraged over, Matthew. As well all know, Syria is a terrorist state. The recent bombings in Israel and Beirut provide the perfect pretext to nuclear combant toe to toe with Al-Sad. And, as an added bonus, we'll show Iran and North Korea that we mean business.
Posted by: Al | Feb 28, 2005 12:01:03 PM
Here MY goes again, if we don't nuke every single dictatorship in the world we shouldn't nuke *any* dictatorship in the world. That's the problem with the left.
Oh, I see that Al had already posted. Though it sounds like Emerson.
Posted by: WeSaferThemHealthier | Feb 28, 2005 12:04:18 PM
this just isn't shocking . you can hear this shit any day of the week from Joe SixPack .
Posted by: cleek | Feb 28, 2005 12:09:11 PM
Yes, but if Johnson had called Syrian children "little Eichman's" that would have really been outrageous. Good thing this guy has no access to the most powerful man in the world. Oh wait . . .
Posted by: catfish | Feb 28, 2005 12:12:23 PM
The SCLM's treatment of this story will be extremely interesting. If there is a uniform standard for statements by people on both left and right, journalists will relentlessly ask Rep. Johnson if he has "proof" that Syria has Iraq's WMDs. If not, mainstream journalists will hound him for being "irresponsible" (See Judy Woodruff). In addition, his asymmetrical proposal of slaughtering 17 million people over possible concealment of sought after weapons will draw holws of rage and indignation from everyone (including Hugh Hewitt) that howled about Ward Churchill's comments. The chances of this happening are slim.
Posted by: Blogsy McBlog | Feb 28, 2005 12:12:34 PM
But his comments afford you an opportunity to feel oh so superior to these drawling, atavistic, knuckle-dragging cretins. And that -- like the hokey-pokey -- it what it's all about. That sense of superiority, a consolation for the fact your side can't win many elections any more.
Posted by: Deuces Tecum | Feb 28, 2005 12:14:41 PM
There's nothing here to get outraged over, Matthew. As well all know, Syria is a terrorist state. The recent bombings in Israel and Beirut provide the perfect pretext to nuclear combant toe to toe with Al-Sad. And, as an added bonus, we'll show Iran and North Korea that we mean business.
F-U, Zizka.
Posted by: Al | Feb 28, 2005 12:15:30 PM
This is a pretty mainstream opinion among the republican base. They usually have the sense to keep it in the closet though. The best part? He advocated nuclear genocide in a church. This must be an example of those moral values we're always hearing about.
This is an instance of the Law of the Fungible Arab. Another example: Iraq didn't have anything to do with 9/11, but we had to blow up some arabs somewhere on principle. Iraq was the easiest target. Syria's full of them arabs. Blow em up.
Posted by: Brian | Feb 28, 2005 12:16:21 PM
Anyone find it ironic how we never hear wingnuts concerned that we happily outsource the torturing of our terror suspects to Syria. They then bleat on about getting tough on terror-supporting Syria.
So 1) Yeah! Let's send our buddy Syria our "terrorists"
OR 2) BOOO! Let's nuke those terrorist lovers Syria!
Can someone tell me what the wingnut position is cuz' it's giving me headache.
Posted by: Gryn | Feb 28, 2005 12:16:25 PM
Ahh, yes! "The my side may be crazy but they're my side so who cares and you're just whiners!" defense!
Posted by: Rob | Feb 28, 2005 12:17:21 PM
Yeah, I thought Syria was on the side of Freedom because they were doing a lot of outsourced torture for us. When did they become the bad guys? When it became obvious invading Iran was a little too ambitious?
Posted by: Brian | Feb 28, 2005 12:21:01 PM
LBJ's father is still alive? And a Republican? Maybe senility explains it.
Posted by: C.J.Colucci | Feb 28, 2005 12:26:22 PM
There's nothing here to get outraged over, Matthew. As well all know, Syria is a terrorist state. The recent bombings in Israel and Beirut provide the perfect pretext to nuclear combant toe to toe with Al-Sad. And, as an added bonus, we'll show Iran and North Korea that we mean business.
Which Al is it? Is it Al, the genuine maniac, or fake Al, the Colonel Kong imitator?
So anyways, we're supposed to kill a few hundred thousand Syrians because the Syrian government has kilt some civvies?
Seems excessive. Seems really likely to make the nuclear-equipped Russians, Chinese and Europeans exceedingly unhappy. I mean, besides the drifting fallout cloud thing.
Speaking at a veterans’ celebration at Suncreek United Methodist Church in Allen, Texas, on Feb. 19, Johnson told the crowd that he explained his theory to President Bush and Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) on the porch of the White House one night.
Well. One. Sam Johnson: well-known as a fathead around here. Re-elected incumbent. Two. Probably seriously believes Syria has a nuclear arsenal delivered by Saddam Hussein. They're gonna blow up Israel! Etc. Etc. Three. He's in Allen, at a chruch, so this is also known as pandering for votes. (If the crowd believes Syria is evil, now nuclear-equipped menace, then being willing to go toe to toe with them is a sign of toughness.)
Anyways, he's gotten old and he wasn't real bright to start with, and now he's blathering. Plus, he's probably splitting the bill on HOOKERS 'N CRACK* with Bill Kristol. Typical for El Presidente's administration.
Can't figure out Kay Granger. She's usually Republican but sensible. Was she there and just rolling her eyes or is she nutty too?
Anyways. This lookin' for hidden weapons insanity has gotten out of hand.
Nothin' there, guys, get over it.
*Can't we get the neos to abandon G. Bush and form the HOOKERS 'N CRACK party? ('Ve Want to kill EVERYBODY in the World!') Then the fatheads would settle down and get back to muttering about gay marriage.
ash
['Time wounds all heels.']
Posted by: ash | Feb 28, 2005 12:30:05 PM
This is a pretty mainstream opinion among the republican base. They usually have the sense to keep it in the closet though. * * *
Posted by: Brian
Sadly, I think you are correct. I have heard this a couple of times... just nuke 'em. It's disturbing.
Posted by: eric | Feb 28, 2005 12:32:00 PM
I've heard plenty of right-wingers say this sort of thing with a tone of sarcasm. However, a US COngressman saying it seriously in a speech (and to the President) is as good a thing, IMO, as the Churchill comments. It immediately identifies someone as not being a serious person, not being able (or willing) to go beyond the polemic. Once identified, they can be ignored.
Posted by: Publius Rex | Feb 28, 2005 12:33:51 PM
Does anyone have a link to this which isn't behind a $265 subscription wall? I'd love to see what follows this up. Chances are it is "but we obviously can't do that. So instead we have to..." Johnson is a hawk, but he isn't nuts enough to seriously advocate using nukes that close to either Israel or to US troops.
Posted by: rvman | Feb 28, 2005 12:35:32 PM
Hey, I just got here. But I'd like to thank whoever it is here who's doing the Lord's work. I can't do it alone.
Zizka is hurt by your harsh attitude, Al. He also mentioned that if you made a policy of being consistently less stupid than Stalker Al, your problems would disappear.
Posted by: John Emerson | Feb 28, 2005 12:41:52 PM
I have a hard time getting bent out of shape by this statement. I imagine that if we were to open up the nostalgia file we would find all manner of impolitic things said by both congressmen and senators. I mean, we can start with Strom Thurmond's fillibuster, but I'm sure there's been many many nastier things said.
Posted by: niq | Feb 28, 2005 12:42:19 PM
My real comment on the topic: uh, the good Congressman is from TEXAS. Seems to me to be a bit of bravado, not to be taken seriously.
So I guess that the reports of left-wingers' humorlessness have been confirmed...
Posted by: Al | Feb 28, 2005 12:43:03 PM
"Representative Sam Johnson (R-TX) believes that the United States should launch a nuclear strike against Syria."
First, what United States? He said he'd do it his bad self!
Second, what "should"? He merely said he could. If he wanted to. But they're so not worth it. Talk to the hand.
Posted by: Grumpy | Feb 28, 2005 12:44:04 PM
Anyone out there on the right have any comments?
Uh, how about, what he said sucks?
Next question...
Posted by: Swan | Feb 28, 2005 12:46:39 PM
Did anyone notice that he basically indicting Syria using the "We know they have them" justification? Sounds familiar....
Posted by: Adrock | Feb 28, 2005 12:49:29 PM
So I guess that the reports of left-wingers' humorlessness have been confirmed...
Whoops! Now that you've explained it, the idea of incinerating millions of people in a wave of nuclear fire is HILARIOUS. LOL!
Posted by: tom | Feb 28, 2005 12:50:35 PM
What could be more quintessentially American than wiping out another group of dark-skinned people who fail to understand the blessings of Liberty?
Posted by: bobo brooks | Feb 28, 2005 12:51:18 PM
So I guess that the reports of left-wingers' humorlessness have been confirmed...
Oh I see. Yeah, it is funny.
Posted by: Dan | Feb 28, 2005 12:51:50 PM
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