James Watt: Raygun Cabinet Fundie Nutjob

[Sporadicus]

Since we're still feeling the aftershocks of Reagan's cabal, it's fitting that we revisit some of his appalling cabinet appointments. I'd like to start with Secretary of the Interior James Watt. This fundie nutjob rationalized opening all federal lands to strip mining - and a generalized rape of the environment - on the grounds that the world was coming to an end anyway. Watt later served on the board of PTL after Jim & Tammy Faye lost control of it to Jerry Falwell.

If other DUers like this review of Reagan's cabinet appointments, I'll begin a few other threads in a similar vein.

[genius]

1. Remember "How much energy does it take to save our national parks?"

One kill-a-Watt.

[Athletic Grrl]

5. LMAO.

I'd forgotten that one and Watt was on the top of my shit list.

[Gildor Inglorion]

2. An excellent idea!

We need to be reminded of how truly repulsive the Reagan administration was. Talk about your evildoers...and some of them are still around.

[Ellen Forradalom]

3. I remember the joke about Watt

How much energy does it take to destroy the environment?
One Watt.

He's the mental giant who said of his staff: " I have a black, a woman, two Jews and a cripple. And we have talent." This led to his resignation, and to a funny Saturday Night Live song and dance routine based on the Dr. Pepper jingle: "I'm a cripple, you're a cripple, he's a cripple, she's a cripple, wouldn't you like to be a cripple too?"

I'm always amazed that the younger set doesn't know about James Watt. Oh, he was a piece of work, almost as hated then as John Ashcroft is now. (But not quite.)

[JanMichael]

4. On of the more insane bastards to hold public office.

Who needs preservative when Jesus will be here tomorrow or next week?

[BlackVelvetElvis]

6. Remember his objection of the Beach Boys playing in DC?

He thought they would attract a dangerously wrong crowd.
The music world laughed.

[salin]

9. He claimed it wasn't family friendly

and got shouted down by the public, and backed off that little tirade.

[genius]

15. The Beach Boys are/ were Republicans.

[ashling]

7. His response to the hole in the ozone was that

we should wear sunglasses and sunscreen (probably had stock in Rayban)

I worked in DC at the time and went by on Sunday afternoon and put a huge pair of sunglasses on the door of the Interior Dept.

He is the intellectual godfather of Gail Norton. I believe she worked for him at one point.

[salin]

8. Didn't know Watt went on to bilk citizens (again) for the PTL

Hey - I just heard that Michael Deaver will be one of the pall bearers - wasn't he involved in one scandal or another?

I would be very interested to read more mini bios of the boys of reagan.

[Piperay]

10. Watt was the first of

the fundie whack jobs and for his time was just as screwy as assCRAP. :puke:

[ochazuke]

11. Remember this Wattism?

"National Sacrifice Lands"

[Skittles]

12. I can forgive one nutjob

problem was, Reagan had plenty of them.

[Submariner]

13. The Buffalo on the DOI seal was facing "LEFT"

so he had the seal changed so the Buffalo would be facing "RIGHT." What a **cking dipstick.

[LTR]

14. "I have a black, a woman, two Jews and a cripple..."

"...And we have talent."

A comment about the diversity of his staff.

That one led to his downfall.

[maggrwaggr]

16. James Watt is the reason I will always hate and never trust the GOP

that is all.

[opihimoimoi]

17. Ann Gorsech(sp) was considered a general fuckup at the EPA

A lot of sweetheart deals went on.