Downballot Weirdness

[Dereich]

Is anyone seeing anything unusual in local races? I just got an advertisement for someone running for Soil and Water Conservation which was pure high-grade conspiracy theory saying:

 "A recent study conducted by scientists in India demonstrates that consumption of sodium fluoride (this is in our drinking water) results in brain and neurological damage. It was published by K. Pratap Redcy at Osmania University in Hydrabad, India. Remember, years ago people were told smoking was safe and now as a result of new scientific studies we know better. Pinellas Park, FL stopped water fluoridation based on health problems caused by fluoridation. Vote Keith Gooch on Election Day so we can look further into water fluoridation to see how safe it is for children and the community".

[bgwah]

You only just noticed that a ton of crazy people run for local office?

[DC Al Fine]

You only just noticed that a ton of crazy people run for local office?

There's always a good laugh or two in a municipal election.

[traininthedistance]

Is anyone seeing anything unusual in local races? I just got an advertisement for someone running for Soil and Water Conservation which was pure high-grade conspiracy theory saying:

 "A recent study conducted by scientists in India demonstrates that consumption of sodium fluoride (this is in our drinking water) results in brain and neurological damage. It was published by K. Pratap Redcy at Osmania University in Hydrabad, India. Remember, years ago people were told smoking was safe and now as a result of new scientific studies we know better. Pinellas Park, FL stopped water fluoridation based on health problems caused by fluoridation. Vote Keith Gooch on Election Day so we can look further into water fluoridation to see how safe it is for children and the community".

I bet Keith Gooch thinks the dastardly Obamunists want to steal his precious bodily fluids.

[Bacon King]

I think Gooch is an amusingly appropriate last name.

[Vazdul (Formerly Chairman of the Communist Party of Ontario)]

The bigger question is, why the hell is "Soil and Water Conservation" an elected office?

[MaxQue]

Asian papers (except Japan) have a terrible reputation in academia.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

The bigger question is, why the hell is "Soil and Water Conservation" an elected office?

Ask FDR.  Such districts are one a Federal/State chimera established back in the days when the Federal government maintained a broader concept of States' Rights than it does today.  The subject matter was considered something for States to handle, but they didn't have the funds to do needed conservation work in the middle of the Great Depression.  There were concerns if Federal money was simply handed over to existing state and local governments to run conservation programs, little to none of it would actually be used for conservation, so in order to get the Federal funds, States had to establish special purpose districts with their own elected commissioners which would handle the funds allocated for this purpose.

The programs have long since outlived their usefulness by and large and ought to be ended, but there is too much bureaucratic inertia to be gotten rid of, especially with the political clout and patronage the elected commissioners enjoy.

[Donerail]

"A recent study conducted by scientists in India demonstrates that consumption of sodium fluoride (this is in our drinking water) results in brain and neurological damage. It was published by K. Pratap Redcy at Osmania University in Hydrabad, India. This study dealt with consumption of many times the level of fluoride than is added in America leaching into the water supply from the rock, as is common in less-developed countries, and is thus completely irrelevant to the policy I'm pushing. Remember, years ago people were told smoking was safe and now as a result of new scientific studies we know better. Pinellas Park County, FL stopped water fluoridation based on health problems caused by fluoridation conspiracy nut crap that Norm Roche, Neil Brickfield, John Morroni, and Nancy Bostock bought into. Vote Keith Gooch Charlie Justice, Janet Long, and Ken Welch on Election Day so we can look further into water fluoridation to see how safe it is for children and the community restore sanity to our County Commission".

Yeah, my county.

http://www.charliejustice.com/
http://janetforpinellas.com/