Will Guam tip over if too many people move there?

[Wumbologist]

It is an odd thing for him to say. When people use figurative language, like metaphors, allusions, allegories, etc., there is generally a point they're trying to make that is better made with the figurative language than the literal. Especially in a serious environment such as grilling someone at a Congressional hearing....

What, exactly, is his point in referring to Guam tipping over, that couldn't have been more effectively communicated by simply, clearly and accurately stating what he thought were risks to the island of Guam? What answer is he expecting from the person being questioned to his supposedly "figurative" question?

He was saying that his concern was overpopulation of a very small island. As someone on RatSkep pointed out on this very topic, similar comments were made about England during the buildup to Normandy. I guess people weren't as anxious to point a finger and jump up and down yelling "HAHA U STOOPIT" then.

[Coito ergo sum]

It is an odd thing for him to say. When people use figurative language, like metaphors, allusions, allegories, etc., there is generally a point they're trying to make that is better made with the figurative language than the literal. Especially in a serious environment such as grilling someone at a Congressional hearing....

What, exactly, is his point in referring to Guam tipping over, that couldn't have been more effectively communicated by simply, clearly and accurately stating what he thought were risks to the island of Guam? What answer is he expecting from the person being questioned to his supposedly "figurative" question?

He was saying that his concern was overpopulation of a very small island. As someone on RatSkep pointed out on this very topic, similar comments were made about England during the buildup to Normandy. I guess people weren't as anxious to point a finger and jump up and down yelling "HAHA U STOOPIT" then.

Yes, but the key difference here is that the guy who was asked the question does not appear to have understood it to have been a joke. He answered the question with the utmost seriousness. If the Congressman was really joking, like about England tipping over, wouldn't he have clarified after the fact? Wouldn't he have said - by "capsizing" I am really referring to this-or-that about the environment? I mean - this is a serious congressional hearing. What is this person who is being asked the question supposed to say in response to the "capsizing" question? It's not like that figurative device, if indeed it was one, clearly indicates the reality of what is going on in Guam...

[RuleBritannia]

It wouldn't tip over if they distribute the weight evenly.

Seriously though, if someone said something that stupid in the House of Commons they'd be heckled out the building.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

It wouldn't tip over if they distribute the weight evenly.

Seriously though, if someone said something that stupid in the House of Commons they'd be heckled out the building.

[RuleBritannia]

It wouldn't tip over if they distribute the weight evenly.

Seriously though, if someone said something that stupid in the House of Commons they'd be heckled out the building.

Of cause, people are heckled even if they say something intelligent.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Of cause, people are heckled even if they say something intelligent.

So the proposal to build a ladder as a means of reaching Mars never came up in Commons. Rly?

[RuleBritannia]

Of cause, people are heckled even if they say something intelligent.

So the proposal to build a ladder as a means of reaching Mars never came up in Commons. Rly?

When did I say that?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Of cause, people are heckled even if they say something intelligent.

So the proposal to build a ladder as a means of reaching Mars never came up in Commons. Rly?

When did I say that?

"Seriously though, if someone said something that stupid in the House of Commons they'd be heckled out the building."

[RuleBritannia]

Of cause, people are heckled even if they say something intelligent.

So the proposal to build a ladder as a means of reaching Mars never came up in Commons. Rly?

When did I say that?

"Seriously though, if someone said something that stupid in the House of Commons they'd be heckled out the building."

When was this proposal for a ladder to Mars? I can't find anything about it on Google.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Of cause, people are heckled even if they say something intelligent.

So the proposal to build a ladder as a means of reaching Mars never came up in Commons. Rly?

When did I say that?

"Seriously though, if someone said something that stupid in the House of Commons they'd be heckled out the building."

When was this proposal for a ladder to Mars? I can't find anything about it on Google.

Circa 1887 IIRC. I read it in "Speeches in Commons", or something like that. It was years ago at Purdue when I was looking for mention of Armadi Pasha.

[RuleBritannia]

Circa 1887 IIRC. I read it in "Speeches in Commons", or something like that. It was years ago at Purdue when I was looking for mention of Armadi Pasha.

I had a feeling it would be from the 19th century. I think it's a bit unfair to think that American's are just as ignorant in 2010 as Briton's were in 1887.

[AshtonBlack]

Circa 1887 IIRC. I read it in "Speeches in Commons", or something like that. It was years ago at Purdue when I was looking for mention of Armadi Pasha.

I had a feeling it would be from the 19th century. I think it's a bit unfair to think that American's are just as ignorant in 2010 as Briton's were in 1887.

That's about right.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Circa 1887 IIRC. I read it in "Speeches in Commons", or something like that. It was years ago at Purdue when I was looking for mention of Armadi Pasha.

I had a feeling it would be from the 19th century. I think it's a bit unfair to think that American's are just as ignorant in 2010 as Briton's were in 1887.

That's the point. This thread seems to be intent on painting one group of people as being dumber than another. Some people are smarter than others. But there's no geographic bias that I've seen. 'Course I could get out more.

[RuleBritannia]

Circa 1887 IIRC. I read it in "Speeches in Commons", or something like that. It was years ago at Purdue when I was looking for mention of Armadi Pasha.

I had a feeling it would be from the 19th century. I think it's a bit unfair to think that American's are just as ignorant in 2010 as Briton's were in 1887.

That's the point. This thread seems to be intent on painting one group of people as being dumber than another. Some people are smarter than others. But there's no geographic bias that I've seen. 'Course I could get out more.

My comment had nothing to do with people's ignorance, it was to do with other people's reaction to that ignorance. British politicians say stupid things all the time, the difference is American politicians seem to get away with it.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Circa 1887 IIRC. I read it in "Speeches in Commons", or something like that. It was years ago at Purdue when I was looking for mention of Armadi Pasha.

I had a feeling it would be from the 19th century. I think it's a bit unfair to think that American's are just as ignorant in 2010 as Briton's were in 1887.

That's the point. This thread seems to be intent on painting one group of people as being dumber than another. Some people are smarter than others. But there's no geographic bias that I've seen. 'Course I could get out more.

My comment had nothing to do with people's ignorance, it was to do with other people's reaction to that ignorance. British politicians say stupid things all the time, the difference is American politicians seem to get away with it.

The reason I mentioned the ladder to Mars was because that bit was delivered and things just proceeded on without a blink. I looked for some kind of reaction, didn't find it. So the M.P. DID get away with it. Just proves that politicians aren't that different wherever you find them.