Patches isn't the brightest bulb in the box. That's why people feel sorry for him. He's a dope. (Read any column about Patches by Howie Carr, who also calls Wm. Kennedy Smith, 'Sluggo'.)
It should be noted that Patches' environmentalism has made him the most famous and outspoken climatologist in the country.
As someone pointed out the other day, Patches is the runt of the litter of the runt of the litter.
It shows.