How many times a day do you read something in the news or see it on TV and think "wow - that was so stupid they should get an award for that"? Well today's your lucky day. As self-appointed judge, I will be doling these out based on recent news stories. As always, your mileage may vary.

For the bronze: The Congressional Republicans for their opposition of (and rationale for opposing) the economic stimulus bill. Here's one take on why it was a good idea:

Because - as you know - playing politics is MUCH more important than helping out their constituents, or maybe saving the country. That could NEVER backfire.

Most of our regular readers have already seen this, but it bears repeating (and reposting) - Rachel Maddow explaining why the Republicans are either lying or just plain stupid about the economy and what the stimulus package is supposed to do (hint: it's right there in the name):



For the Silver: FOX News for taking a Republican Party talking point - TYPO INCLUDED - and airing it verbatim on the air, all the while claiming it was research:

The link contains the video. Simply amazing. No one caught the incorrect date? No one said - "hey wait a minute - this can't be right". Wow!

But the Gold... the gold goes to: The Clayton County, GA school system. This county - south of Atlanta proper - has had some real problems. The Ford plant nearby closed... When Atlanta experienced a boom in building and business, the area was completely bypassed... The schools' statistics and test scores have been abysmal.

Recently, the entire county's school system was decertified by the state. What does that mean? It means that anyone that graduates from High School there doesn't have a state-sanctioned diploma, so they will have a very difficult time being accepted at most colleges. It's very serious business.

Q: So at a point where the county and school system is trying desperately to get its schools back up to par, in the middle of an economic crisis when every dollar is precious, what do they choose to spend $70,000 on?

A: Uniforms for the bus drivers to help prevent terrorists from hijacking them.

No, I am not shitting you:


So terrorists can't buy khaki pants and red shirts?... So terrorists are plotting to hijack a school bus in Clayton County? (They'd probably be scared to go into some areas of the county)... Because somehow if the driver is supposed to be wearing a uniform, and a "terrorist" gets on to drive the bus, the students are going to... do what?

At this point, having terrorists hijack the school board might be an improvement. They respond to this incredible waste of money with "buy uniforms for the students"?? Hey, I've got a novel idea - how about BUYING BOOKS AND SCHOOL EQUIPMENT??

Apparently, the board members graduated from the the same schools they are now trying to run. I can't think of a better explanation.

Anyway, the closing music plays and we are done. Cut to commercial. See you next time...