like watching children playing at "grown-ups"

Look at Congress. The inmates are running the asylum.

Actually, I just filled out the survey for all four members of my family and it does ask about citizenship.

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/SQuest09.pdf

There's a sane little woman in her little, little brain trying desperately to get out.

To Frak: I think that 'sane little woman' you refer to died at birth.

I'm at a loss for words on this one.....too bad Michelle Batnut isn't.

I think she has a point about the telephone numbers. I mean, we wouldn't want those made publicly available in some kind of, what, printed or online directory published by the private sector either now would we? If the government knows them, then pretty soon, everyone might be able to find out my telephone number!

If Bachmann doesn't like the current law, then instead of encouraging violating federal law, she should contact her local rep about chang..oh, wait, that's HER job!

The American Community Survey questionnaire (which replaces the census long form for 2010) does include a question on citizenship. Here's the form: http://usa.ipums.org/usa/voliii/formACS2007.pdf. It does not, however, ask: "Are you an illegal alien?" That would undoubtedly be very effective.

Part of me laughs uproariously at this crazy-ass woman's every pronouncement, and part of me wants to follow her around while wearing a giant acorn outfit, capturing her eventual total public breakdown on my iPhone.

I was waiting for them to break out the Barbie and Ken dolls and begin putting them in provocative sexual positions....

Regarding the census:

Unless the law has been changed and I'm not aware of it, an individual's information cannot be released until seventy (70) years. Only aggregate information can be released.

Aarrgghh!! I must remember to proof my responses before hitting post.

"an individual's information cannot be released until seventy (70) years after that particular census."

Guess what!! In order to get registered on the (government) do not call list I had to provide my phone number. Now THEY have it. Is there no end to government prying into our private lives?

She was just re-elected in 2008, right?

The really insane point here is that it seems she actually represents a district in the U.S. -- not just accidentally, but was chosen and chosen again.

It's like Bush. Yes, he was bad. But what was insanely horrible is that he was *re-elected.*

We have met the enemy, and he is us.

"ironic" - now there's an understatement.

Next election cycle ought to give us a pretty good measure of how large the "yeah-but-she-pisses-off-the-liberals" constituency is.

I mean, why else would anyone vote for this loon?

I think the democrats can afford to sacrifice one house seat in order to keep Bachman front and center as a vocal and visual representive of the Grand Old Party.

The feds don't need our phone numbers. If they need to know anything, they can just have the NSA listen in on us.

In my entire life I've never heard a single whack job object to the census. I mean what exactly dose she think the government would or could do with your phone number. Unleash an unholy alliance of telemarketers, collection people and acorn members to call you. And like they couldn't get your number Michele if they didn'y want to. Total noise pollution.

DHS:We've released a report outlining possibility of right-wing violence.

Fox/Pajamas Media blowhards: who, us?

US Census bureau: "mental instability"?

Bachmann: who, me?

And finally, did you notice that Bachmann just threw in a random reference to "mental stability"? It seemed a little out of the blue, and given the circumstances, rather ironic.

Nah, it was just a Freudian slip. She's posing "Mental stability?" as a question in reference to herself. As in, "Mental stability? Do you think I have any?"

In my entire life I've never heard a single whack job object to the census.

I lived in Idaho ten years ago. I knew the publisher of a small weekly newspaper who bragged about how he intended to check the "Native American" box because he was born in America.

He was a white man of Dutch ancestry.

> "You know the one question that's not on this survey, Glenn? 'Are you a U.S. citizen?' This would
> be your perfect opportunity to find out how many illegal aliens are in the United States. Guess what?

If we hadn't managed to politicize this issue so much, there might actually be some utility here.
The late 19th (maybe) and early 20th century (definitely) did ask about citizenship--
question varied from census to census, but ranged from are you a citizen or not, to info about
native language, point of entry, and date of naturalization.

Genealogists know about this - check the big sites for more information on census history.

Maybe I just don't watch enough cable news, but I'm not aware of news "personalities" explicitely telling people to call their representatives to oppose/support legislation. This seems a little beyond the pale.

I don't know whether to laugh or get angry with these type of GOP members.

For the GOP to keep expressing a distrust, and hate of government - why are they working for the government?

C'mon folks, you wouldn't let someone that hated your guts come into your home, run your business, or trust them with anything that you place a value on.

I am starting to look at this as not a circus anymore, especially in light of what they have done the past 8 years. Every state in the union is broke. How many Democratic governors fall in this situation.

Apparently, it is against the law to refuse to participate in the Censor. Yet, you have a high-ranking government official telling people why they shouldn't participate!

I get the fact they HATE government, the one they depend on to pay their salaries & luxurious lifestyle. But, I am getting the feeling the HATE the American people as well.

The GOP like to say, "we the people, for the people, of the people" under the guise that they are fighting for the American people when arguing a point. Yet, I see no return on their rhetoric.

It's time to see results that are satisfactory to the people.

"Do they really need to know, like you said, the date and time that we leave? Mental stability?"

They can get that information from her birth certificate.

Beck seemed to find her a bit long-winded and nutty and boring.

The Mental Stability question is only on the survey sent to Bachmann. Just in case.

"an individual's information cannot be released until seventy (70) years after that particular census." -- Michael W, @13:05

...which is exactly the same number of years that a copyright lasts (in US). Coincidence? I think not. Conspiracy? Much more likely.

The Mental Stability question is only on the survey sent to Bachmann. Just in case. -- CParis, @14:26

If you're gonna lie, at least make an effort to lie convincingly. I just had King and Inhofe on the phone asking my advice on how to fill out that rubric; their copies of census had the 'dentical, same question.

Michelle was taking lessons from Mr. Subliminal!!

------

[ Ted walks into a bar with Mr. Subliminal ]

Mr. Subliminal: Two beers, please.

Ted: I just can't get the hang of it..

Mr. Subliminal: That's because it's new to you. Believe me, Ted, subliminal advertising can be very, very effective.

Bartender: Alright, gentlemen, here's your beers.

Mr. Subliminal: Thanks, partner - on the house - that was quick - on the house - what do we owe you?

Bartender: Uh.. forget about it - on the house!

Mr. Subliminal: Oh? Thank you very much! Hey.. you know something - free cash - this is a real classy place - free cash - first time we've been here.

Bartender: Oh, I'm glad you like it. I've been working here for years.

Mr. Subliminal: Oh, no kidding- free cash - that's great!

Bartender: [ opens cash register and drops cash on the counter ] Here ya go.

Mr. Subliminal: What's this for?

Bartender: It's free cash, take it.

Ted: [ chuckles ] This is a real nice place!

Mr. Subliminal: No, really - free cash - we can't take this - your wallet - I mean, what would we do with it?

Bartender: Well, don't be ridiculous! [ drops his wallet on the counter ] Here, you take my wallet, you can put it in there!

Mr. Subliminal: Well, okay, if you insist! [ takes wallet, turns to Ted ] You see?

Ted: See what?

Mr. Subliminal: [ spots an attractive Woman on the next barstool ] Hi! Come here often?

Woman: [ laughs ] Oh, come on. That's the oldest line in the book.

Mr. Subliminal: Hey, sorry if I was out of line - lonely - I just thought that you might - lonely - you know, like to talk.

Woman: Well.. I am feeling a little.. lonely. It's just that I'm so sick and tired of guys hitting on me all the time, you know?

Mr. Subliminal: Oh, believe me - hot sex - I'm not hitting on you - hot sex - I just can, you know, understand that lonely feeling!

Woman: [ nods ] You do, don't you?

Mr. Subliminal: Sure do.

Woman: You seem like a very sensitive man.

Mr. Subliminal: Well..

Woman: And.. sexy, too! [ giggles ]

Mr. Subliminal: [ turns and whispers to Ted ] You gonna get the hang of it?

Ted: Uh.. yeah..

Mr. Subliminal: [ to Woman ] The name's Phil, Phil Maloney - kiss me - and it's a real plasure meeting you - kiss me - a real pleasure!

Woman: [ quickly jumps in and kisses him ]

Mr. Subliminal: [ catches his breath ] What was that for - your place - I mean, that was nice - your place - I mean, and you are..?

Woman: I'm Wanda! What do you say we go to my place?

Mr. Subliminal: Oh, great!

Woman: It's a five-story walk-up, I hope you don't mind..

Mr. Subliminal: Mind? - hotel - No, I don't mind - luxury hotel - maybe I'll lose some weight - your treat - [ laughs ].

Woman: Better yet - how about we go away to a luxury hotel - I'll pay! How about that?

Mr. Subliminal: Great idea - horny - there's one right around the corner - handcuffs - let's go!

Woman: Okay, let's go!

Mr. Subliminal: Okay, then - spank me - let's go1

[ they rush out of the bar ]

[ a beautiful woman sits next to Ted ]

Ted: Ahhhhh, yeah, I think I'm beginning to see.. [ notices the woman next to him ] Yeah..

Policeman: [ enters bar ] Alright! Who owns the white volvo out front?

Ted: Uh.. that's mine, Officer. Is there a problem?

Policeman: Yeah, it's a $50 problem. You parked in front of a fire hydrant. Let me see your license.

Ted: Uh.. oh, yeah, sure, Officer.. Uh.. to be honest, Officer - HOT SEX! - I didn't see the hydrant - TIE ME UP! - it was dark.

Policeman: What did you say?

Ted: I said - HOT SEX! - I didn't see the hydrant - SPANK ME! - it was dark.

Policeman: Hot sex? Spank me? Alright, pervert, come on, you're going downtown! [ drags Ted away ]

Ted: Uh, no, Officer, please - KISS ME! Officer, no - KISS ME! Officer, no - HORNY! Please - YOUR PLACE! Officer..

There's just nobody out there qualified to argue with Stupid of this caliber. I mean I thought Beck was qualified, but even he wouldn't take the bait.

Read questions 18 and 19, page 9, at the link Karen Green supplied
http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/SQuest09.pdf

I think that's what she meant by "mental stability". And in Ms. Bachmann's case, I think question 18 is highly relevant.

BTW, question 8: is this person a US citizen?

I mostly agree, but the question "are you a US citizen" should be on the census form, IMHO.

I served as a census worker once, going door-to-door and filling out forms, and what was surprising to me was that for none of the questions was any proof required. For instance if a person owned his home he was asked how much it was worth, but he could put any price on it, so in my opinion most would drastically lowball the price, perhaps fearing that the real information would lead to their real estate taxes being raised.

Second, asking people whether they're American citizens or not is hardly an effective strategy for "finding out how many illegal aliens are in the United States." I don't want to alarm Bachmann and Beck, but I have a hunch someone who's in the country illegally might not answer the question truthfully.

That and the fact that those who answer truthfully "No, I'm not an American citizen" includes legal residents as well as possible illegals.

Yes I think she's paranoid about being questioned on her mental stability... but then again, if people really are questioning her mental stability, it's not paranoia... score one for crazy lady! I think her best bet is to close her eyes so nobody can see/catch her.