Illinois Folly

In response to Rep. John Shimkus (IL-19) pretending to understanding environmental science, Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann took note.

Maddow transcript

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JOHN SHIMKUS (R-IL): Today, we have about 288 parts per million in the atmosphere. I think in the age of dinosaurs, where we had more flora and fauna, we were probably at 4,000 parts per million. There is a theological debate that this is a carbon star planet, not too much carbon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MADDOW: In other words, we shouldn‘t bother trying to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere because the dinosaurs did just fine with the tons of carbon that God gave them for their atmosphere. Also, the dodo bird ate plenty of cholesterol. And the saber tooth tiger never, ever flossed. Stop worrying, people.

Keith Olbermann also named Shimkus last night's "Worst Person In The World" (the relevant section begans at the 3:15 mark):

[video]

Olbermann transcript

But our winner, Congressman John Shimkus, Republican of Illinois, with two fascinating and utterly contradictory statements. A, Congressman Shimkus on why there isn‘t global warming. “Today we have about 388 parts per million of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere. I think in the age of the dinosaurs, when we had most flora and fauna, we were probably at 4,000 parts per million. There‘s a theological debate that this is a carbon-starved planet, not too much carbon.”

Number one, Carbon and Carbon Dioxide are not the same thing. Number two, the only theological debate over how much carbon the plan needs would be taking place in the church of the Labrea Tar Pits. Number three, didn‘t the freaking dinosaurs go extinct? Or do they just have a bad public relations person?

But I‘m digressing. B, Congressman Shimkus on why it doesn‘t matter anyway. “The Earth will end only when God declares it‘s time to be over. A man will not destroy this Earth. This Earth will not be destroyed by a flood. I appreciate having panelists here who are men of faith, and we can get into the theological discourse of that position. But I do believe that God‘s word is infallible, unchanging, perfect.”

So a man pressing a button to start a nuclear war, that would be God‘s infallible word? Why do we bother trying to govern? Can‘t he do something about the budget deficit? By the way, as you hit me over the head with your Bible, Congressman, there ain‘t a word in it about those dinosaurs you mentioned earlier.

Congressman John Shimkus of Illinois, today‘s worst person in the world! Dinosaurs.

Naturally Progress Illinois as been keeping score on the infamous jester of IL-19. Yes. There he is. The perennial fool of IL compliments of a national network.

Are his constituents proud or what??