Want to see the smuggest dumb-ass ever?

[LostInAnomie]

Check out this video on TPM: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/04/rep-joe-barton-i-stumped-nobel-prize-winning-scientist.php?ref=fp4

Rep. Joe Barton thinks he stumped a Nobel Prize winning scientist, but the only thing he is stunned by it the obvious stupidity of the question.

Seriously, how can people in such high positions be so fucking stupid?

[Occam Bandage]

1. Better than stumping an ignoble prize-winning scientist.

[Fuzz]

2. WTF?

[LostInAnomie]

3. Apparently, he slept through the lesson on Plate Tectonics in school.

[gratuitous]

4. I was in a college class once with a Joe Bartonesque numbskull

After asking his asinine question about three different ways, the professor finally pointed at the board and said in exasperation, "There's my answer - what's your question?"

[islandgirl808]

5. lol

someone should twitter back "dumbass, he stumped you!"

[BlooInBloo]

6. Like my dad always told me: I don't have to out-run the bear, I only have to out-run YOU"...

Translation: The electorate is even stupider.

[RandomThoughts]

7. He did it for one reason

So he can say to some people.

"The scientist doesn't believe the world is 6000 years old, so everything he says must be wrong."

And there is no logic or reason, nor even faith statement, to saying that if he was wrong saying the earth is older then 6000 years, all his other statements, or beliefs of others in the administration are wrong. But it works on some, because it gives them a reason to believe the way they already want to believe.

He is using a belief of many, I would guess, to further some agenda he has on oil drilling, or to try and galvanise people behind his party using a belief of many people. Even if someone believes the world is 6000 years old, the use of a belief system to create support or opposition on other issues is wrong.

[Ken Burch]

9. I think that Barton ALSO believes this exchanges discredits the concept of manmade global warming.

That's why he's got that "I got you, you(insert anti-Asian slur of your choice)egghead" look on his face.

It's the congressional equivalent of leaving a flaming bag of shit on a doormat.

[walldude]

8. That guy is an elected official

:banghead:

[Canuckistanian]

10. That is major league stupid

The Superbowl of stupid. The Stanley Cup of stupid.

Did Barton actually think he asked a "gotcha" question that Chu couldn't answer?

[Marr]

11. I don't understand what Barton was trying to do.

I don't understand where he thought he was going.

[Nicole Lambeth]

12. I'm so sorry...

why do I feel like apologizing every time someone from my state makes a very public ass of themselves? Sigh...at least he's not my rep. Although to be fair, mine is nearly as bad.

It's really worth reading all the comments, BTW. They make the stupid hurt less.

[northofdenali]

13. OMFG.

People, I mean real, live, supposedly thinking, feeling, real people ELECTED this guy? Of course, I have to remember Sarah Palin in this equation. SHE doesn't care, or know where the oil came from, as long as it supports her.

[Cali_Democrat]

14. Well some religious people believe that the Earth is only a few thousand years old

They may not understand the concept of geological time.

They cannot understand that the location of fossil fuel deposits are the result of various factors, including plate tectonics, that take place over millions of years.

[LostInAnomie]

15. Even with the belief though...

... an elected official should have enough knowledge of science to not ask that question, or be so fucking smug when he looks like a dumb ass.

[Cali_Democrat]

16. Yup. (nt)