Pasayten's Methow Valley Bulletin Board

Jingles wrote: Mon Jul 14, 2025 12:21 pm Well considering that a Democrat warned that putting to many military on Guam would cause the island to capzise, seems you are grabbing for straws.

The claim that "putting too many military on Guam would cause the island to capsize" appears to be either a misrepresentation, hyperbolic rhetoric, or satirical exaggeration—not a serious technical argument. No credible geologist, engineer, or military strategist would suggest Guam could "capsize" due to military presence. The island, a U.S. territory, hosts significant military infrastructure, and its geology (a volcanic and limestone island) is stable.

If a Democrat made such a statement, it likely aimed to criticize over-militarization or resource strain (e.g., environmental impact, infrastructure stress, or population pressures), not literal geological collapse. Reducing this to "capsize" is a strawman tactic, akin to mocking climate change warnings by saying "they think the Earth will flip upside down."

Key Points:

Strawman Fallacy: Misrepresenting an opponent’s argument to make it easier to attack (e.g., twisting "overburdening infrastructure" into "capsize") is a logical fallacy. It avoids engaging with the actual issue.
Military Presence in Guam: The U.S. has expanded military assets there to counter China, raising concerns about environmental damage, indigenous land rights, and resource allocation. Critics (from both parties) argue about priorities, not physics.
Context Matters: Political rhetoric often uses vivid imagery to highlight risks. Taking such language literally undermines productive debate.
If you’re critiquing hyperbole, you’re right—it’s unhelpful. But let’s focus on real debates: military strategy, environmental sustainability, or fiscal priorities, not fictional geology.

It is true that a Democratic congressman, Hank Johnson of Georgia, once expressed concern that the island of Guam could "tip over and capsize" if too many military personnel were stationed there.
This statement was made in 2010 during a House Armed Services Committee hearing discussing a planned military buildup on the island. While Johnson's comment was widely ridiculed, he later clarified that he was using a metaphor to highlight concerns about the potential strain on Guam's infrastructure and ecosystem from the increased population, rather than suggesting a literal capsizing.
The U.S. plans to relocate thousands of Marines and their families to Guam, which has prompted concerns from various parties, including Indigenous groups and environmental organizations. These concerns include potential impacts on housing, infrastructure, the environment, and Indigenous rights.
AI

Well considering that a Democrat warned that putting to many military on Guam would cause the island to capzise, seems you are grabbing for straws.

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US congressional MAGA idiots - of course - write to Canadian Embassy officials complaining about smoke from Canadian fires affecting Minnesota.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czjkgg0kk3lo

You REALLY cant make this stuff up! It’s like the Onion…! Except it is real.
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