I’m not sure what derangement syndrome Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is suffering from, but on Friday’s “Hardball,” he actually blamed the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center on President Reagan’s rollback of CAFE standards in 1986.
I kid you not.
To set this up, Kennedy and conservative talk show host Melanie Morgan were invited on to discuss profits that are currently being made surrounding “solutions” to anthropogenic global warming.
That precipitated the following set of almost unbelievable inanities from Kennedy (video available here, relevant section begins at 2:10):
Well, what we need to do, I mean the most important thing we need to do from a national security point of view, from an economic point of view, from a foreign policy point of view, is to eliminate our dependence particularly on foreign oil. We did this back in the 1980s.
You know, in 1979, we had fuel economy standards that worked. We went from 18 miles per gallon to 27.5 miles per gallon in six years. And we reduced oil imports from the Mideast by 87 percent. Our economy incidentally, Chris, grew by 27 percent during that period.
If we had left those fuel economy standards intact, Ronald Reagan rolled them back, we would not have had to import one drop of oil after 1986. Think of what that would have done to our history. The World Trade Center would probably still be standing. We would have avoided two Gulf Wars. We would be a prosperous nation. We wouldn’t be bound down in this Mesopotamian quagmire that has destroyed our reputation and destroyed the reputation of democracy across the globe.
Unbelievable. Now, to put this in perspective, one must understand a little bit of the history regarding Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
To meet the goal of doubling the 1974 passenger car fuel economy average by 1985 (to 27.5 mpg), Congress set fuel economy standards for some of the intervening years. Passenger car standards were established for MY 1978 (18 mpg); MY 1979 (19 mpg); MY 1980 (20 mpg); and for MY 1985 and thereafter (27.5 mpg). Congress left the level of 1981-84 standards to the Department to establish administratively. Subsequently, standards of 22, 24, 26, and 27 mpg were established. For the post-1985 period, Congress provided for the continued application of the 27.5 mpg standard for passenger cars, but gave the Department the authority to set higher or lower standards. From MY 1986 through 1989, the passenger car standards were lowered. Thereafter, in MY 1990, the passenger car standard was amended to 27.5 mpg, which it has remained at this level.
So, the standards were reduced for four years – during a period when oil prices had plummeted as a result of a huge glut mind you – then returned to 27.5 mpg in 1990 where they remained for almost twelve years and three different Presidential administrations before 9/11. Yet, those four years when they were dropped caused all of the problem?
How unbelievably asinine.
As you might imagine, Melanie Morgan didn’t take this absurdity lightly:
Well, first of all, I’m absolutely shocked to hear that Bobby Kennedy is saying that if we had different CAFE standards early, that 3000 Americans would still be alive after the bombing of the Twin Towers. This is ridiculous.
Actually, Melanie, ridiculous is an understatement.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
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Noel,I think we have moved wa
June 24, 2007 - 22:49 ET by Dave RNoel,
I think we have moved way beyond BDS with this one. RDS (Reality Derangement Syndrome) is the realm I think Bobby Kennedy Jr. has entered.
Dave
June 24, 2007 - 22:58 ET by Noel SheppardDave,
When I saw this about an hour ago, I almost threw up. As I asked Melanie, has Bobby lost his mind, or does he think that he can say whatever he wants with total impunity because he's a Kennedy?
In reality, there's a lot more in this video that I'm going to write about tomorrow when the transcript is available. I didn't want to spend two hours on a Sunday night transcribing 12 minutes of video. So, I picked the most juicy moment. However, stay tuned. ns
Noel
June 24, 2007 - 23:14 ET by Dave RWhen I saw this about an hour ago, I almost threw up.
Funny, as I had almost the exact same reaction.
I must admit I know very little of the man (though I do pray his aquatic skills are better developed than his uncle Ted's) but I did see him on H&C the night Sean inquired as to his mode of transport to the show.
The term "artful dodger" doesn't even begin to describe the herculean effort he put forth to avoid directly answering that rather benign question.
It was another example how a
June 25, 2007 - 00:20 ET by Andrew H.It was another example how a liberal keeps his mouth moving without saying anything--and when they do say something, its nonsense.
Liberalism is a convenient lie.
Andrew,LOL-Most people would
June 25, 2007 - 00:29 ET by Dave RAndrew,
LOL-Most people would describe his reaction to Sean's question as the "deer in the headlights" look.
Down here where I live, we refer to it as the "possum in the headlights" look.
Same thing. :-)
I'm happily down here too--wh
June 25, 2007 - 00:47 ET by Andrew H.I'm happily down here too--where we don't have a Kennedy on the screen very often, thank goodness. Makes one wonder how they come to think so screwed up--another phrase we use in Bama and Tennesee.
Liberalism is a convenient lie.
or does he think that he ca
June 25, 2007 - 06:13 ET by motherbeltor does he think that he can say whatever he wants with total impunity because he's a Kennedy? -NS
Hammer, meet head of nail. GMTA, Noel. That's exactly what I was going to post...he suffers from KDS...Kennedy Derangement Syndrome...the belief that he is the be-all and end-all, and that every word that comes out of his mouth is the wisdom of the sages, and he knows everything about everything, and people should just listen to him.
Why???? Because his name is KENNEDY, dammit!!!
Not only can the say whatever
June 25, 2007 - 09:23 ET by drillanwrNot only can they say whatever they want ... they can do whatever they want. The Kennedy's really do believe they are this country's royal family. Every time I hear Ted give a self-righteous speech on the floor of the Senate about "the poor" in this country I can almost hear him calling them "serfs" ...
Okay, I really have to give
June 24, 2007 - 23:06 ET by ckc1227Okay, I really have to give credit to Robert on this one, as this has to be one of the most ridiculous statements ever uttered. I mean, it's just so wrong on so many levels, where does one even begin? He really dug deep into the liberal box of make-believe on this one. How Melanie was able to keep from falling off her chair in mocking laughter is a real credit to her.
Think of what that would have
June 24, 2007 - 23:09 ET by mikejThink of what that would have done to our history. The World Trade Center would probably still be standing. We would have avoided two Gulf Wars. We would be a prosperous nation.
We would be a prosperous nation????? Did he really just say that? So we aren't a prosperous nation? Even though we live in the most prosperous country that has ever existed?? People who live in "poverty" in the USA would be deemed middle class in almost every other country in the world. Please Mr Kennedy, tell us how unprosperous the Kennedy's are.
Next Robbie Junior will claim
June 25, 2007 - 00:15 ET by stratmanNext Robbie Junior will claim that if CAFE standards were in effect in 1969 that Uncle Teddy wouldn't have driven off that bridge in Chappaquiddick. But it's Bush's fault that the bridge moved and Mary Jo couldn't hold her breath for 9 hours while the familia sobered Uncle Parnelli up, umm I mean Teddy, and called in the consigliere for damage control.
As predicted, the gates of the asylum have opened up and these folks will say and do anything with impunity, or at least with the fantastical belief in invincibility and infallibility. Keep it up knuckleheads. The chickens always come home to roost sooner or later.
Ok then when there's anothe
June 25, 2007 - 00:34 ET by mlongOk then when there's another terrorist attack in the US..I'll blame it on the Kennedy's for not allowing wind turbines being built off the coast of their Maine beachfront home.
Kennedy
June 25, 2007 - 01:06 ET by Parker1227Isn't Robert Kennedy buddy-buddy with Hugo Chavez these days? I wonder how much money ended up in Robert Kennedy's pockets as the result of the petro-politics he recently played - where he funneled oil from Chavez to some poor people in the U.S. to "prove" that Chavez socialism is preferable to Bush capitalism.
And don't the Kennedy's own some oil wells? Why didn't he give the poor some of his family oil instead of stealing it from the truly poor in Venezuela?
I don't know about RFK Jr., b
June 25, 2007 - 10:38 ET by GalvanicI don't know about RFK Jr., but RFK's son Joe is in bed with Chavez, who sold him cheap home heating oil for elderly New Englanders in order to embarass Bush.
RFK Jr., once again, has his head up his rectum. He reminds of how the US continues to suffer from the Kennedy Syndrome, first inflicted upon us in 1961.
If he's blaming Reagan for 9/
June 25, 2007 - 07:26 ET by ArchConservativeIf he's blaming Reagan for 9/11, let's blame Teddy's killing of an innocent woman on the Eisenhower administration and how he failed to push forward legislation to put locks on car doors that would easily disengage and release in case of a water landing.
How long are we going to remain silent while these a**holes go on national broadcasts and no hosts ever, EVER questions them on their inane premises? Chris Matthews is the worst of the lot followed by Olbermann. Same network, same bias, hmmm something in the water there?
Where would we be without the agitators of the world attaching the electrodes of knowledge to the nipples of ignorance?
Can someone in Massachusettes please explain
June 25, 2007 - 07:55 ET by Oiznop....Why you poeple keep re-electing Kennedys??...Seriously, do they bring back the pork in massive doses???...Is it because of that whole (stupid) Camelot fairy tale crap????.....Is it because they have a trance on you with their wealth and power???.....Would it kill ya to vote for someone else????.....Do they Kennedys have such a choke hold on you people that you can't vote for someone else???....All I am asking is, with BS like this coming from Hyannisport, why do you keep re-electing these people????......Why????
Oiz
oiznop---think of dig--
June 25, 2007 - 08:23 ET by misterbilloiznop---think of dig-- that's spelled "big dig". Think of the billions in Federal revenue. Think of truck drivers making over $100K/year. Think of construction workers doing the same. Think of $14.6Billion, yes, billion. Think of how many new millionaires there are in MA because of the disgusting slime ball in office. That is only one of the many projects Teddy has gotten funded by the federal government. Wouild you fire your best salesman bringing in the most revenue because he was a drunkard and a lady chaser????
Ever since McCarthy's time, t
June 25, 2007 - 11:07 ET by dabalEver since McCarthy's time, the socialists and communists of the world have congregated to serveral areas of the country to keep certain blackmailed politicians in office. The blackmail stays where it is at until the blackmailed official turns on them.
The pork helps make the imports rich. They know all too well how to work the system they created.
In November 2006, Rush predicted a total meltdown by Liberals.
June 25, 2007 - 07:57 ET by acaiguanaIn November 2006, Rush predicted a total meltdown by Liberals.
His point was that now they have the House, never mind the Senate, that they would get sillier and sillier. Finally, they would expose themselves to be the absolute Idiots that their philosophies require.
I've been thinking lately of the 'standards' referenced by some Liberals in their drivel. I wish they had some. Any at all would do.
The fun has just begun.
I think and I am seeing with Pelosi, Reid and now, Kennedy, that the Liberals are now so frustrated because of a 14% approval rating, nothing of substance passed in their first 100 days and their earmarks failing they cannot even think right.
Their arrogance and condenscension toward the American voter and the fundamental common sense of the people will do them in.
ACA
...
Quoted from: 'Acaiguana Notes from the Bomb Shelter' (soon to be a movie at theaters near you)
Reober F. Kennedy Jr. is a co
June 25, 2007 - 08:30 ET by Gat New YorkRobert F. Kennedy Jr. is a convicted felon and a recovered heroin addict, the affects of which left him with obvious speech problems and a few less synapses. He stole the Riverkeeper organization out from under its founders to use for his own personal political agenda. He drives a beat up old Caravan mini-van that probably gets 12 mpg and flies everywhere on private planes.
The man is a psychotic basketcase who truly thinks he can get elected to anything he wants. The family tries to keep him under a watchful eye and make sure he does as little as possible to embarass the family, which he still tends to do.
This is one of them.
You have to understand, fol
June 25, 2007 - 09:10 ET by misterbee241You have to understand, folks, this is a Kennedy - not necessarily the sharpest knife in the drawer of humanity.
Is this the Kennedy that was let loose after hitting a barrier while driving drunk in DC not long ago? I cant tell'em apart there is so many of them. How did he sober up long enough to make this statement, or am I assuming too much?
You're thinking of Patrick Ke
June 25, 2007 - 09:18 ET by Gat New YorkYou're thinking of Patrick Kennedy (Ted's son) who is a Congressman from RI. This one is worse and not someone you would invite to dinner.
Thanks.As I said, I cant te
June 25, 2007 - 11:57 ET by misterbee241Thanks.
As I said, I cant tell'em apart.
I remember his commercials for "Ugo" and "free" oil. I just took it as a slap in the face of America.
Gee, after viewing the video
June 25, 2007 - 09:39 ET by drillanwrGee, after viewing the video clip, who would have ever thought the CIA would be "rogue" against a Presidential administration? Surely today's CIA would NEVER think to undermine the current President and his administration ... Only in Hollywood would you find such fiction of a CIA member claiming to be a covert officer and that she had been outed by all the President's men ... That the CIA could manipulate intelligence information to possibly set up a Presidential administration into believing a violent dictator could possibly increase a threat to our national security ... No-o-o-o!!! Never happen. Bobby Jr. is quick to discount the CIA's testimony re: a possible Castro assassination and his sainted father's hand in it ... Yet, these same people believe every negative thing the current CIA lays against this administration. I'm sorry. I need some motion sickness meds right about now ...
How to kiss illegal alien but
June 25, 2007 - 10:11 ET by drillanwrHow to kiss illegal alien butt, a la Kennedy (puke warning):
http://www.breitbart.tv/html/2085.html
My kingdom my kingdom for hor
June 25, 2007 - 19:18 ET by 4arrowMy kingdom my kingdom for horse sense! I won't wait up for it though.