Rising sea levels aren't funny

[ProSense]

Rising sea levels aren't funny

By Steve Benen

We talked earlier about Mitt Romney's convention speech and its shortcomings, but I'd be remiss if I neglected to mention this 39-second portion that was genuinely painful.

For those who can't watch clips online, Romney said, "President Obama promised to begin to slow the rise of the oceans and to heal the planet. My promise is to help you and your family."

<...>

Now, as a factual matter, Romney's promise is itself rather strange. How "you and your family" will benefit from less access to affordable health care, less access to education, and fewer investments in roads and infrastructure is something of a mystery.

But even putting that aside, the aspect of Romney's comments that was simply astounding was the ignorance. The Republican treated rising sea levels as a punch-line, as if the very idea of addressing the climate crisis is ridiculous and those who take this seriously are fools worthy of mockery.

- more -

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2012/08/31/13595053-rising-sea-levels-arent-funny

Deep thoughts from Mitt Romney (Louisiana edition)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021243967

[geckosfeet]

1. No - it's insider talk for "we'll just let the little people drown and wash away. Then I'll help you

and the other 1%'ers steal what's left."

They understand. They just think that they can buy their way out of it when their time comes.

[patrice]

4. My take exactly! See #3 below. nt

[JBoy]

2. That statement by Romney reminded me of Steve Martin in an old SNL skit:

Theodoric of York, Medieval Barber

http://snltranscripts.jt.org/77/77rtheodoric.phtml

You know, medicine is not an exact science, but we are learning all the time. Why, just fifty years ago, they thought a disease like your daughter's was caused by demonic possession or witchcraft. But nowadays we know that Isabelle is suffering from an imbalance of bodily humors, perhaps caused by a toad or a small dwarf living in her stomach.

[patrice]

3. It also works on another level: Sea levels are rising & if you help me I promise to consider

your application for Archipelagian citizenship (note that's not a guarantee that you'll be saved as part of "the help" that the world's 1%-ers will need, just that you'll receive something in return, some "... help (for) you and your family" whether that's what you actually need to become an Archipelagian, on one level or another, or not.

[spanone]

5. i was stunned by that statement, and the reaction of the audience. sickening.

mocking Obama AND the science of climate change i.e. global warming.

it was an astounding display of pandering and ignorance.

and in light of new orleans...pathetic.

below the dignity of the office he seeks.

he is not close to presidential material.

[ProSense]

6. Mittwit tops himself:

telling a homeless flood victim to "go home and call 211."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021248549

[FarCenter]

7. Governor Chris Christie: Get the Hell Off the Beach