A Congress with the likes of Rep. Curt Clawson (R-FL) should be America’s biggest fear
It seems every year Congress is populated with a higher percentage of ill-prepared ideologues. They do a lot of talking and staging. Yet they accomplish very little.
Congressman Curt Clawson (R-FL) of Bonita Springs made a grave mistake. He is the congressman that replaced Congressman Trey Radel (R-FL) who was busted for buying cocaine.
In a hearing on Capitol Hill, Curt Clawson addressed two U.S. government officials, Hon. Nisha Biswal and Hon. Arun Kumar, as if they were Indian nationals. What was sadly amusing is the tonality of his statement and his smugness in addressing two officials he thought were from another country.
“I am familiar with your country; I love your country,” Congressman Curt Clawson told the two government officials, speaking about India which he thought they were from. “And I understand the complications of so many languages, and so many cultures, and so many histories, all rolled up in one.…”
“Just as your capital is welcome here to produce good-paying jobs in the U.S., I’d like our capital to be welcome there. And there to be freedom of capital,” Congressman Curt Clawson said. “And I ask cooperation and commitment and priority from your government in so doing. Can I have that?”
One of the US government officials seemed to laugh openly at the ill-prepared congressman. The other responded as follows.
“I think your question is to the Indian government,” said the US government official, Nisha Biswal. “We certainly share your sentiments. And we certainly will advocate that on behalf of the US.”
“Of course. OK,” responded a clueless Curt Clawson. “Let’s see some progress.”
According to FP,
Following Clawson’s opening statement, Rep. Eliot Engel, the full panel’s ranking Democrat, appeared eager to point out that Biswal and Kumar work for the United States. “Thank you both for your service to our country, it’s very much appreciated,” New York’s Engel said.
Curt Clawson later apologized.
“I made a mistake in speaking before being fully briefed and I apologize. I’m a quick study, but in this case I shot an air ball,” Congressman. Curt Clawson (R-FL)
It may be a good thing that this Congress, the 113th Congress, has accomplished very little. With the preponderance of ill-prepared and ignorant congresspersons, it is best that the damage they would cause on the country be limited.