THE CRACKZOT CAUCUS

New York Times ^ | 8/23/12 | Timothy Egan

[Inconvenient Truthteller]

Take a look around key committees of the House and you'll find a governing body stocked with crackpots whose views on major issues are as removed from reality as Missour's Representative Todd Akin's take on the sperm-killing powers of a woman who's been raped.

On matters of basic science and peer-reviewed knowledge, from evolution to climate change to elementary fiscal math, many Republicans in power cling to a level of ignorance that would get their ears boxed even in a medieval classroom. Congress incubates and insulates these knuckle-draggers.

Let's take a quick tour of the crazies in the House. Their war on critical thinking explains a lot about why the United States is laughed at on the global stage, and why no real solutions to our problems emerge from that broken legislative body.

We're currently experiencing the worst drought in 60 years, a siege of wildfires, and the hottest temperatures since records were kept. But to Republicans in Congress, it's all a big hoax....

Jack Kingston of Georgia, a 20-year veteran of the House, is an evolution denier, apparently because he can't see the indent where his ancestors' monkey tail used to be....

A handful of Republicans have tried to fight the know-nothings. "I believe in evolution and trust scientists on global warming," said Jon Huntsman, the former Utah governor, during his ill-fated run for his party's presidential nomination. "Call me crazy."

And in an on-air plea for sanity, Joe Scarborough, the former G.O.P. congressman and MSNBC host, said, "I'm just tired of the Republican Party being the stupid party." I feel for him. But don't expect the reality chorus to grow. For if intelligence were contagious, his party would be giving out vaccines for it.

[mardi59]

I HATSES TROLLS!!

[Semper Mark]

"IBTZ?"

Yes, IBTZ. It means In Before The ZOT!

Here's an example:

IATZ means In After the ZOT!

Here's an example:

[Not A Snowbird]

Okay, Laz, now you’re creepying ME out, and I like you!

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Is this your family, by any chance?

[CityCenter]

“...he can’t see the indent where his ancestors’ monkey tail used to be.... “

Speaking of stupid, the author should really study the theory of evolution before he makes an utterly ignorant comment like this one.

[kabumpo]

One of the greatest paintings of all time - growing up, I was taken to see it twice a week in the summer. The impact stays with you forever.

[Carriage Hill]

IATZ; darnit!

[Old Sarge]

I SHALL SMITE THEE WITH SUCH AWESOME MIGHT,
THY ANCESTORS SHALL FEEL MY WRATH!!

[Tex-Con-Man]

Funniest GIF ever in the history of the entire internet. Still makes me laugh every time I see it.

[shibumi]

They favor this bunch a bit more -

Damn! The bolt slipped out ..... Again!

[blueunicorn6]

The new York times.....the dinosaur cries as it sinks into the tar pit....or is that sewage lagoon?

[dfwgator]

"Oh, you were finished? Well, allow me to retort!"

[Old Sarge]

Can I watch? I'll bring the popcorn...

[DarthVader]

[squarebarb]

Love it!

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

[UCANSEE2]

BARBIE ZOT

[Bikkuri]

That could be a record.

Actually.. I think there was one, a couple of weeks ago, that was in less than 4 minutes.. wish I could remember the thread/name...

[rightwingcrazy]

[Little Ray]

Makes me glad that Huntsman didn’t get very far in his candidacy.