Bachmann: hurricane, earthquake comments 'metaphorical'

BACHMANN'S NATURAL DISASTERS: In yet another episode of Bachmann Says the Darndest Things, the candidate – widely criticized over poorly-received comments she made about Hurricane Irene and the recent East Coast earthquake being signs from a divine power to cut spending – claimed on Monday that the comments merely constituted a harmless joke. Now, apparently, the comments were earnestly-made metaphorical observations. "Obviously, I was speaking metaphorically. That was clear to the audience. It was clear to me," she told Face the Nation. Not only does the whole idea of turning a disaster such as Hurricane Irene into a matter of political concern belittle the problems faced by those in its path, but it also highlights the absurdity of her thinking. One would have reasonable evidence to conclude, given our previous advancement in science and the like, that we'd surely be beyond the days of (public, if not all) superstition. Clearly not.

Furthermore, I don't know what's funny or remotely metaphorical about her comments, which I shall reproduce here (in the name of contextual disclosure): "I don't know how much God has to do to get the attention of the politicians. We've had an earthquake. We've had a hurricane. He said, 'Are you going to start listening to me here?' Listen to the American people, because the American people are roaring right now. Because they know what needs to be done. They know government is on a morbid obesity diet. It’s got to rein in the spending." How hilarious (and deeply metaphorical, of course).