It’s been covered in detail. Everybody has something to say about Representative Hank Johnson’s comments before the House Armed Services Committee on, appropriately, April 1st. If you missed it, go out and buy yourself a TV or a computer. Johnson said, on camera, that he was worried that the sudden introduction of 8,500 US soldiers to Guam would cause the tiny island to capsize.
I know it’s been all over the news. But this being 21st century America, most of the coverage included only about eight seconds of the clip. Having seen his full speech masquerading as a question, I can say that it was at least as bad as you think, probably worse. After a long, rambling geography lesson about the size and shape of Guam, Johnson told Admiral Robert Willard of his concern about Guam tipping over. Johnson responded with amazing grace, simply indicating that he did not anticipate that happening.
Johnson has said, through his spokesman, that it was a metaphor. He said that Johnson had meant to emphasize his concern for the ecological impact on Guam. In fact, his next series of statements after the infamous capsizing comment was all about the environment. But watching the video, it sure seemed like just that – his next series of statements. Having assuaged his concerns about the island tipping, he then moved to the next item on his agenda.
I watched the video over and over. I searched for the story in other news media. I waited for the announcement that it was all just an April Fool’s joke. I went back and watched the video again. There was no indication that he was kidding. There was nothing that separated the comment from his more literal discourse.
For the entire duration of the speech, Johnson came across as old and addled. Maybe the doctors need to check his medication levels; I don’t know. But I know he wasn’t kidding. I know he wasn’t using a metaphor for Guam’s ecological balance. I know the people of Georgia voted this guy into office. And I weep for the future of this country.
